Badger roundabout

After recovering from his illness it felt like he couldn't escape it. Sickness. It had fallen onto Boreas with such force. Eraithus stared up at the moon as the auroras lit up the sky. Their erie glow shining down on the nooks tall grass. His blue eyes flashed as he surveyed the area. The male thought it best to patrol the borders, especially with such a high risk to their sick members if enemies infiltrated them. Peace was an illusion on the horizon to open opportunities. Eraithus saw his worth and he wanted to go above and beyond for Habari. For once he seemed to have his sights set on something. The top.

While his thoughts wandered he rescented the far side of the border. Trying to ignore the countless mushrooms and crystals growing just beyond. A few of the glowing infectious things were across the borders. There was no way to avoid them, but he had learned to be heavily cautious in their presence. Staring at it for too long caused sickness so he hadn't bothered looking how to get rid of them. He was no healer. This didn't seem to stop nature as his hackles raised from what he saw. There was a honey badger lumbering across the border. Thick blue crystals covered its body entirely. At this point only its eyes and jaw stuck out from the infection. He growled, that thing was a danger to everyone in the pack, not just him. Something had to be done about it.

Eraithus jumped forward, stopping the badger in its tracks. As he landed in front it reared up hissing furiously at him. The stench from its mouth nearly made him gag, taking every bit of energy not to lose the breakfast he had eaten. Opening his jaws he snapped at the honey badger's face. Not before it raked razor sharp crystal infected claws across his muzzle. Shattered pieces of blue crystal flew into the air, making him choke as he breathed in. Pain severed from his wounds taking his right leg and kicking the badger as hard as he could. Making the creature slide backwards slipping in the tall grass as it hissed astoundingly aggressively at him. Eraithus growled he wouldn't let a mere infected predator do anything to his pack. Especially with new little ones around.

Again he tried to run forward with his jaws open. This time he was able to get a hold just behind the head. The honey badger wiggled in pain screaming as Eraithuses jaw tried to make it through the strange glowing crystals. His teeth clenched and the badger scratched at the side of his face. Its claws dug in deep blood welling beneath his eyes as he bit down harder. However the pain was unnerving, letting go he shook his head trying to toss the creature back over the border. As it flew more shard scattered, wincing while he kept composure his hackles raised. The move did not stop the badger. Screaming in pain it charged him, sinking its teeth into his front forelimb before shaking its head violently from side to side.

Eraithus growled pain radiating from his ankle into his leg. In a quick reaction he sank his teeth into the back of the creature's neck. The crystals were doing a good job of protecting it that was for sure. Stabbing into his mouth he pulled back, but that was a mistake! If he wasn't careful he would face infection if not this badger would be a threat to everyone. He was going to have to cull it, put it out of its misery. Even his lust for blood did not account for this, the ooze tasted foul from this creature. Eraithus threw the badger off his leg. The force making the animal land with a thud on the ground. for a moment was dazed. Eraithus was no fool and took the chance to attack the Honey Badger again. Lunging forward he quickly pinned it to the ground with his right forepaw. Pushing as hard as he could on the nape of its neck just underneath the crystals that exposed themselves from most of its body.

The creature vigorously tried to get out of his grip. Wiggling side to side thrashing limbs and claws dug into the dirt. The nooks grass flew mixed with the powdered dust rubbing off of the crystals that splintered and cracked. Eraithus felt a rush of adrenaline as he suddenly brought his teeth down on the top of the Honey Badgers skull. The only area he saw exposed from the crystals growing from the infected beast. He felt a crunch, a few moments later its struggles became echoes to him. Falling still he let go, letting the bone crumble as it did under his bite force. Staring at the now carcass he wrinkled his nose in disgust. He best bury the body, prompting him to make a crude grave that he pushed the body and earth upon. Hed done his duty anf Habari was free of an infected animal wandering their territory.

Word count: 848