The day is both sunny and warm which means that the prey animals are out in full force, taking advantage of the pleasant summer weather. Several hooved animals have been grazing near Elysium’s borders with a few herds even wandering into the rock garden. Malico has spent the better part of the morning tracking a small herd of deer, across the land. Carefully, the pup trails after them searching for the perfect moment to attack. They had several fawns among their numbers and the pup is patient as he waits for the moment to strike.

As he tracks, Mal finds and singles out the smallest fawn one among them, waiting for it to get just a little too far away from protection of its herd before he launchs his attack. It isn’t the best hunt, his actions sloppily than those of his mother and father, but the boy still manages to claim his kill and that has to mean something. Lately, the growing boy has been ravenous and he feels guilty eating in front of his frail sibling. So, to sate his gnawing hunger, the boy has taken to catching his own meals and feasting away from the island before bringing the left-over meat back for the stores.

As soon as the deer is dead, the boy moves to the abdominal cavity and, as quickly and efficiently as he can, spills the organs out onto the grass. Not wishing to spoil any of the meat by puncturing the stomach or bowels, he has learned to clean out the cavity before he sets about feasting. Blood coats his maw and paws as he scoops out the lungs and heart before shifting to plop them down alongside the other organs. Vultures have taken notice of his work, beginning to gather and wheel above him.

Finally, with the meat is safe, Malico shifts to begin enjoying his breakfast when a strange sound reaches his ears. Head lifts to the sky where the cry had originated from and he squints against the noonday sun to try and see what exactly had made the strange sound. The vultures, who usually make wide circles above him while he eats, have disappeared and he does not find the bird that issued the call. Just as he contemplates turning back to his food, a form darts out from the brilliant sun, hurtling toward his head with alarming speed.

Releasing a cry of alarm, Mal drops and rolls, barely evading the sharp talons of a Harpy eagle. Quickly, he bounces back up to his paws, turning to face his aerial foe with a snarl when another bird appears. It blindsides the tall boy, reaching for, and grabbing, a large chunk of flesh from his shoulder. Howling in pain, he snaps around, attempting to bite the eagle and missing as it darts away with its prize. As his jaws snap closed around empty air, a third eagle appears, reaching, this time, for his scruff. With a loud, “Fuck!” Mal drops to the ground and rolls away from the eagles.

Making it back up to his paws, the pup begins backpedaling away from his kill, content to allow the Harpy eagles to have this one. Yet, as he surrenders his kill to them, the winged terrors do not go for it and, instead, move to follow him. Eyes slowly widen as the realization dawns on him that they do not want his kill but to make own of their. Now, as he looks up, four of the damnable creatures circle above him, readying to attack and overwhelm the lone pup. A string of bright, colorful curses leave his mouth. While Malico is almost at his adult height he still is a long way from reaching his peak weight and he knows a losing battle when he sees one.

The Mendacium boy tips his head back and howls franticly for help but a scream from one of the eagles interrupts his call and the pup is forced to cut it short as he dodges another dive attack. This time, they attack as one and, while he may be able to dodge one attack, he simply cannot didge them all, The talons of another open wounds along his back while the third takes meat off his hip. Still, he does not lay down to die and strikes out with teeth and paws as he seeks to scramble the flock or even bring one down. He manages do just that and smacks one of the eagles out of the air.

As the three that are still airborne move to regroup, the bleeding pup descends on his fallen opponent, smacking aside the sharp beak as he delivers a killing blow to the creature’s neck, snapping it for good measure. Panting heavily, Malico turns to face his three remaining attackers, growling threating at them while silently hoping that someone will appear and save him.



WC: 818
Total WC: 818 / 1500


"Malico Mendacium"

The vast plain stretched out before her, an open expanse of golden grasses and towering rocks. Taiga, the massive grey and white cave lioness, stood poised, her senses heightened. Her golden eyes scanned the surroundings, searching for any sign of danger or potential prey.

Suddenly, her attention was captured by a tumultuous commotion in the distance. She could hear the piercing screeches and cries of a flock of harpy eagles. Instinctively, Taiga knew that something was amiss. With a powerful stride, she bounded towards the chaotic scene, her massive form moving swiftly across the terrain.

As she approached, the sight that greeted her eyes filled her with a mix of concern and determination. Amidst the harpy eagles, a young wolf was desperately fighting for his life. Taiga had never met him before, but in that moment, she felt a deep sense of responsibility to protect him. Having been welcomed into a herd, it wasn't beyond the feline to protect those of different species.

Roaring with fierce intensity, Taiga lunged into the midst of the battle. Her large paws struck out with precision, swatting at the harpy eagles and causing them to scatter momentarily. She fought with an unwavering determination, her every move calculated to provide a momentary reprieve for the young wolf.

Taiga's heart raced as she witnessed the boy's bravery and resilience. Despite the overwhelming odds, he fought alongside her, teeth bared and muscles tensed. His tenacity and will to survive resonated deeply with Taiga, fueling her own resolve to ensure his safety.

The battle waged on, feathers and fur swirling in a chaotic dance. Taiga's movements were fluid and powerful, her instincts honed through years of survival. She darted and lunged, never losing sight of her primary objective - to rescue the young wolf from the clutches of the harpy eagles.

In the midst of the frenzy, a moment of connection passed between Taiga and Malico. Their eyes briefly met, conveying an unspoken understanding. Taiga saw in him the same spirit she had witnessed in other creatures she had encountered in the wild, a fierce determination to persevere against all odds.

With one final, resounding roar, Taiga managed to scatter the remaining harpy eagles, forcing them to retreat. As the dust settled and silence descended upon the vast plain, she approached the canine, her presence exuding a mix of protection and reassurance.

The big cat inspected the boy, her large head dipping to meet his smaller form. "Are you alright?" Though they were strangers, a bond had been formed through the shared experience of survival. Taiga conveyed her admiration and respect for the young wolf's courage. He could easily have turned tail and run away, letting her finish the battle, but he had stayed.

As they stood together on the vast plain, Taiga knew that their paths would likely diverge once the immediate danger had passed. However, she couldn't help but feel a sense of fulfillment and purpose in having been able to rescue the young wolf from the harpy eagles' clutches. The encounter had reinforced her commitment to protect those in need, regardless of their familiarity or kinship.

"Taiga"

WC- 520
Total- 1338

The fight had been fierce, intense, and, if the boy is being completely honest with himself, terrifying. There had been a moment when he believed that the Harpy eagles would overwhelm him and his obstinate fighting would be all for naught. But, just when all hope was fading, she had showed up. A massive lioness had appeared from nowhere and joined in the fight and, together, they turned the tide of the battle. She fought alongside him until they were able to scatter the remaining birds to the winds. Now, with blood on his coat and the eagles screaming their displeasure into the distance, the boy turns to where the beautiful cat stands.

As she dips her head toward him, Malico instinctively raises up to offer a gentle headbutt of greeting, gratitude, and kinship. At her question, the boy blinks in surprise, not from the fact that she can speak, but because she is worried about him. A smirk worms its way onto his lips and the purple boy waves off the question while saying confidently, “I’m fine! It will take more than that to stop me.” He offers a reassuring, hearty laugh, even as his body catalogs each and every cut that the creatures had left. But he is not worried because he knows that his littermate Mar will set everything right.

Beautiful blue eyes suddenly lock with the feline’s ruby gaze and he swiftly asks, “What about you? Are you okay? I can get some healers out here for you.” Brows furrow as he speaks his features shifting to convey the worry that Mal is feeling for the cave lioness. With all the racket and loud roars, the boy is actually surprised that no one else from the pack has arrived to see what the fuss is about. As the adrenaline leaves his veins, the pup begins to feel the tug exhaustion that usually follows these kind of life and death struggles and suddenly has to sit down.

Folding his haunches, the pup comes to rest heavily on the ground as he waits for an adult from the pack to show up. Still, Malico owes this feline his life and so much more but for now, all he can offer her is, “My name is Malico Mendaicum. I don’t have much to give you but the least I can do is get you a hot meal.” A friendly smile finds its way to lips and something tells the young pup that his parents wouldn’t mind feeding the large lioness who had just saved his life. Call it a hunch, if you will.


WC: 434
Total WC: 1772 / 1500


"Malico Mendacium"