Darkness. It surrounds Andy as she drifts slowly downward, covering her vision while her lungs ache to pull in sweet air. But the girl is stubborn, fighting the instinctive urge that will only bring in water. Even in the face of death, she clings to the desperate hope that someone will be able to reach her and pull her from the Grim Reaper’s embrace. Vision blurs as tears of fear and hopelessness fill her eyes, silently slipping free to join the rest of the flood waters.

Her brain no longer registers the cold of the water that surrounds her, rending her muscles unless and draining away what little energy she had. The world gradually begins to fade as she continues to refuse her body’s need, knowing that it will only draw more water into her lungs and spell her death. But fighting is becoming difficult and Andy’s eyelids gradually grow heavier as she drifts along in the underwater world.

Time stretches out, making each second feel like an eternity as she continues to wage her internal war. The lure of sleep dances at the edges of her mind, promising to take away the burning in her chest in favor a deep and endless slumber. Andy knows that the time is drawing close when her body will no longer obey her and, in a last-ditch effort to save her, will drag the dirty water deep into her lungs.

From somewhere above her, a flash of lightning illuminates the water and she drags her weary eyelids open to see a figure of red form glowing against the black backdrop. Part of her doesn’t believe what she seeing, thinking that in her moments before death, she has conjured the image of the boy she holds dearly in her heart into life. Eyes slip closed as the figure swims toward her and she allows her mind to drift away, senses now completely dulled by the cold and battle she fights.

Yet, something tells her not to give up, to hold on just a little bit longer, and the stubborn girl listens. She does not feel Aresenn put her on his back and swim to the surface and Andy does not realize that she is even breathing let alone, that she can hear someone else’s raspy breathes. It isn’t until he is shaking her, barking out desperately for to wake up, that she comprehends that she is still alive.

Where her respirations had been shallow and almost none existent moments before, the girl suddenly sucks in a deep, wobbly breath and her eyelids fly open. The coughs that follow are guttering and strangely wet as her eyes water and lungs try to forcefully leave her body through her mouth. Rain pounds her form and lightning flashes brightly above her, followed quickly by a deep, rumbling boom.

Yet, through her tears, pain, foggy head, and lack of oxygen, Andy realizes who had saved her. Pale blue eyes, now overflowing with tears from her forceful bouts of coughing, turn to find the boy’s golden gaze. In spite of everything, a smirk tugs at the corner of her lips as she tries to say, “Hot Shot… you’re… here.” Although her voice is raspy and weak, there is no mistaking the gratitude and relief in it.

Suddenly, everything comes rushing back to her and she remembers the pups she had been attempting to save before the flood had consumed her. Wild, fearful eyes stare up at him as she croaks out, “The pups… need to… save… them.” On wobbly limbs she attempts to stand, the desire to make sure her brother’s children are out of harm’s way forcing her to push her body beyond its limits. Coughs still fall from her lips but they are intermittent and not as strong as before as desperation gives her energy she no longer had.


"Andromeda Fatalis"

Isa insisted he go and help others, but he was reluctant to leave her side. He would have stayed there a while longer if Marshal - who was keeping a watchful eye on everything he could from the sky - didn’t suddenly shriek. Andy! He shot up from his position beside Isa, and even though he was cold and tired, and his dense fur made swimming difficult for him, he raced to the water's edge. His eyes scanned the water… there! He plunged in after her, but he had a while to go to reach her. He saw her go under, and picked up his pace, frantic now.

Before he could reach her another form shot into the water. For a brief moment he was confused at the sudden flash of a red coat, but he had no time for such concerns. By the time he arrived, the wolf had already dragged her from the water’s edge, and the Warlord was struggling with the current to join them. He made it onto the mountain side, and hobbled the last of the way to Andy and Aresenn. He arrived in time to catch her words. “Marshal says they are okay, Gossamer rescued them.” He told Andy as he leaned over her and began to check her over. Only once he was certain that Andy wasn’t critical, did he turn his attention to the other wolf. He frowned, and recognition finally dawned. He was a part of the pirates, he had been with that wolf who had given Andy a far too leerious once over. This wolf himself had not, and now they were, rescuing his daughter… he could not fault them the trespass. “Thank you. I know what you did for her. Help me get her to Isa, I’ll be directing the healer to set up there” He told the boy, knowing where he had set Isa was high enough to be safe from the flood waters.

"Speech"

Woken from a deep slumber by a set of tiny fangs and not-so-tiny claws puncturing the thin skin of his face and belly respectively, the dun behemoth jolted to his paws with an indignant cry. "The fuc-" he started to shout at his companions, but the rumbling beneath his paws shut him up immediately. Not only under him, but all around. He was in his den, very close to ground level compared to many others in the Warrens. It didn't take long for his sire's rallying cry filled in the rest of the gaps- a flood. The water was rushing their way, and that was why the entire mountain seemed to quake with terror. "Pea, get over here." he snapped, scooping the pangolin up with one huge paw and carefully lodging the trundling beast between his teeth. Legs dangling from his maw, and a tiny bat clinging to the thick fur of his ruff, he followed the instructions that echoed down the corridors. Rushed his companions up the mountainside as fast as he could, they were small and ill-suited to swimming in a torrent of floodwater. There were very few wolves in the Training den already, most were probably doing the same as him- wrangling companions, mates, children- children. Where were his siblings? His nieces, nephews, cousins? He carefully set the pangolin onto the slippery stone floor, feeling the sodden bat slip free of his rain-slick fur and flutter awkwardly to the ground. "Stay." he commanded, shooting them a stern look. "Keep an eye out for anyone coming in, keep them away from the cave mouth until I come back." the young wolf added, before he tore off back down the mountain. Already the murky waters had begun to sweep through the valley, and a few furry heads were bobbing against the tide in a struggle to keep afloat. He could see Kite- but before he reached her, there was Goss to haul her and one of his little nieces out of the water. Charlie too, his doppleganger was rescuing the winged pup from his eldest brother's litter from the torrent. That was two littermates and two pups accounted for, plus one older sister. Where was Andy? Crux? It was pouring rain, he couldn't just sniff them out. Time to brave the floodwaters and pray for mother nature's lenience. Without much thought Stratum launched himself off a slippery ledge and into the water, back towards the tunnel that led towards half of the litter's dens. It was so much closer to the ground, and had been the first to start flooding. Already the entrance was barely visible above the waterline. Heart in his throat, the whites of his eyes rolling with panic as he searched for any sign of him. "Stra-" a hoarse cough punctuated an undeniable call of his name. He looked to the rocky mountainside, found a small feline silhouette amidst the pelting rain and frothy sea foam. "Stratum!" the slender leopard called out again, tugging at a thick rope between her jaws. He didn't stop to question it, he just moved. Thick cords of muscle strained against the violent currents, pushing him to the far edge of the valley and up against the rough rocks of the mountainside. Hooking one sturdy limb around the rope, he sucked in a deep breath and let the water swallow him. He knew he'd reached the edge of the tunnel's mouth when his paws stopped connecting with frigid stone. So he braced himself against the wall and pushed against it as hard as he could. The burly yearling could feel the ache in his lungs already, holding his breath was hardly a regular occurrence. Especially not while (unbeknownst to him) hauling two other wolves on the end of a rope through a flooded cavern. One of Stratum's strongest qualities was his "no thoughts, only love" approach to most of his life. So he wasn't concerned with the way his entire skeleton seemed to groan in protest against the strain of the crushing tidal wave, the rushing currents, or the way he struggled against the unwieldy burden being freed from the cave as he pulled on the rope with tightly interlocked forelegs and massive jaws. It was nothing but unbridled love for his brother motivating him, regardless of the consequences. He couldn't see a damned thing, but he could feel a waterlogged freight train collide with his shoulder when the other end of the rope seemingly ran out. There was Crux- it had to be. He traded his grip on the rope for a tight bear hug around the slender frame of the wolf who had been attached to the other end (two wolves, but who's counting?). The goliath kicked off the wall and swam as quick as he could for the surface, his chest burning and head feeling fuzzy. He broke the surface with a shuddering gasp, and like an elephant seal he hauled out onto the nearest flat surface he could find. Riya was already dragging him by the scruff to help the process along, and when his back paws were on not-very-dry land he pushed the exhaustion aside and got up. Quivering from head to toe, he rolled his brother onto his side. There was another furry bundle in his arms, a mystery to the gilded Fatalis boy. He pried the small wolf from Crux's grasp and pressed an ear to his chest. Over the din of water pounding against stone from every angle, he could catch the faintest heartbeat. Stratum hefted one of those absurdly large paws and thumped his brother's back once, twice, three times. Waited for the water to be spluttered from his lungs, for a gasp of some kind. Everything would be fine, right? He lifted his paw to smack the water out of is brother, only to finally hear the retching cough he was looking for. "Crux? Crux! You're gonna be okay!" it was as much a reassurance to his brother as it was to himself, that it was alright now. "Riya, will you help him now? I have to make sure the puppies are all accounted for." his voice was hoarse, he hadn't even realized how raw his throat felt until he'd spoken. Half frozen and soaked to the bone, the shivering that wracked his body was equal parts terror and hypothermia by now. The indian leopard wordlessly moved to assist the injured wolves, and Stratum leaned down to smooth his tongue over Crux's cheek before he left. The saltwater on his tongue was reassuring, knowing his brother was out of harm's way for now. Back into the frigid saltwater, fuelled by adrenaline and stupidity. Aris had pups, he knew this. She must be needing help wrangling them all, right? Her den and workshop were on the other end of the Col, right in the path of the tidal wave. The mechanical motion of swimming, mindless pushing of limbs against the forceful motion of the currents that pressed into the Col, warmed his body just enough to survive the impossibly long swim from one wide of the valley to the other. By the time he could see the entrance to the tunnels that held the workshop his elder sister occupied, water had already been rushing in for some time. Yet again, no time for thoughts about danger or personal safety. Just a headlong rush, half running and half swimming through the tunnel as water rushed past and into the caves within.

His attempts to rouse her were relentless until he finally got the response he so desperately needed. In a forceful start, he watched as those pale blue eyes sprang open with the vicious coughing fit that ensued. Her breath never stilled, he could hear the struggle behind each inhale. But she was alive. And that was all that mattered for the moment. Aresenn watched as the recognition dawned on her who had pulled her out of the flood. “Well … I happened to be in the neighborhood.” He began casually, though the one-sided grin he offered her back was one of genuine relief. Of course, she would have no idea that he had been lingering outside of the territory for a few days now hoping to be able to speak to her again.

Their peace was short-lived, however, as the realization of her own failed rescue mission came back to her. The Praetor boy immediately began to bristle. Of course, she would have narrowly escaped drowning and still be concerned for the safety of others. His own emotion began to surge forward on the matter, though he fought to contain it. ’You almost died!’ He wanted to shout, though he managed to refrain. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Drama.” He said lowly- as gently as he could muster, though the frustration was still there. He wasn’t about to leave her side, and if he had to physically restrain her to keep her safe, then he certainly would. He didn’t fancy watching pups drown either, but they weren’t his to be concerned about. And if he had to choose between Andy and someone else, well … there would be no choice.

But as it turned out, her desired results were offered up to her without any additional exertion on her part or his. Fantastic. Aresenn looked up at the massive obsidian frame of Armada’s warlord approaching them- he was barely distinguishable from the chaos around them. He met the shift in Sirius’ gaze with an unwavering one of his own as he prepared to be reprimanded. However, the thanks he was offered granted some semblance of relief. It was asked of him to help get Andromeda to someone named Isa- who that might be, he hadn’t the slightest clue. But if they could help, then that was all he needed to know. With a stiff nod in acknowledgment, his attention returned to the girl ready to offer support in any way he could.

"Aresenn Praetor"

Wynter was deeply asleep, snuggled up next to her mother, completely oblivious to the world as she enjoyed the sound of the storm happening outside. She liked the sound of the distant rumbles and the rain. That was abruptly interrupted, however, when her father suddenly rushed in, jolting her awake and making her scramble to her paws as her sapphire gaze snapped open. "W-what's going on?!" she questioned as he insisted their mom grab her kit and said something about an emergency, still slightly groggy from sleep as she watched him move through the space. Her ears flicked back as he told them about the flood and her eyes widened worriedly as he listed off her siblings that were already there. She quickly glanced at Zion, but there wasn't a whole lot of time to decide. She didn't know if they'd be a lot of help in something like this, but she wasn't going to stay behind! If nothing else maybe they could at least be with their siblings and make sure they were okay or help their mother with the injured wolves or something. She scrambled up onto her dad's back like she had done so many times before and found a secure spot between his wings to hold on tight and tucked her head down into his shoulders so she was nice and secure before he took off toward the Col.

"Wynter Carpathius"

((For clarity just adding this last post here for Crux and Triss but they are relatively safe and can be left where they are, they're gonna have their own thread to follow this up to avoid clogging this one.))

Their movement was agonizingly slow. Or maybe it just felt that way to Crux because he was hyper aware of how much faster they needed to be moving. There was in fact a time limit here. He should have by all rights been able to quickly pull the smaller girl through the water, his much longer limbs should have been advantage. But then if that were the case Triss wouldn't even be here would she? She'd have known he was a capable swimmer and not risked her own safety like this. Should haves were useless here. Instead he tried to keep himself moving as well as he could, making sure he wasn't tugging too hard on the rope so as not to cause Triss herself to lose control. His mind was on getting them out and would have stayed that way if not for the feeling of sudden bubbles brushing past his fur. He spun, searching for Cryptis' much smaller form in the dark waters. There! A final trail of much smaller bubbles rising from a shape in the muck. Oh fuck.

He fished for her, hooking his unwound foreleg around her little shape and pulled her into him, fearful she might come untied from the rope and become lost in the waters. Okay so now he had what? Maybe two good limbs to try and swim with? Not like he had much choice. Luckily for the both of them there was a tug on the rope and he felt it go taunt. Someone was pulling them up! He tried his best to swim with the motion but he'd already been holding his breath for longer than even Cryptis had and his lungs were on fire and the edges of his vision were getting dark. Crux made a choice then, wrapping both of his front limbs around Cryptis' form. If he was gonna black out he'd didn't want to find he'd let her float away! He could feel they were moving through the water, a stronger, sharper pull the last thing he felt before he blacked out.

Luckily they had been rescued and while Crux's own brother had tended to him Riya had turned her attention to Cryptis. Unbeknownst to either of them they were safe. Soggy but safe.

"Triss" & "Crux"

Sirius argued with her and the cobalt fae snapped at him. "Sirius Fatalis, if you don't go and help the others I'll go and help them myself." Her icy gaze bit into him. "If we lose someone because you were worried over me, I'd never forgive myself and neither would you." Isa began to cough again and she grit her teeth through a grimace. Her lungs hurt.

Isa pulled the cape around herself and hadn't realized that she'd begun to shake. A rough shudder tore through her and she looked up into the man's face once more. "I promise you, I'll be fine. Please... make sure that everyone else is safe." Extending her neck, she placed a soft kiss upon his chin. "I'll stay right here until you come back to get me." Worry was ripping through her. Worry that time was wasting. Worry that Andromeda or Charlton might be drowning at this very moment. Isa's eyes pleaded with Sirius to just go.

"Speech"

He had decided that today was the perfect day to go spelunking! After stumbling into the quiet horned man's part of the Col, he had managed to convince the grumpy earthen male to take him into parts of the mountain that were seldom traveled all in the name of "finding rare plants that the others didn't have". Yep! That's what he said and what he had convinced him of. So now he and Grimoire were deep in the Col, minding their business when he felt the ground rumble, though he didn't think much of it at first. "Hey lookit that!" He shouted as he raced toward a plant he had never seen before. He ignored the small rocks that clattered from the ceiling and onto the ground on either side of him, too excited to pay attention to the goings on around him. Even Grimoire's uneasiness went ignored because all that mattered was the pretty yellow flower that grew out of the crack in the ground.

He approached it. Sniffed it. Poked at it. It smelled nice! Was it medicinal? He had no clue, but maybe Momma would like it! Grinning, he plucked the flower from the ground and almost as soon as he did so, the ground shook something fierce. He spread his legs out in a bid to try and keep his balance, but he promptly fell onto his side with a soft thud. Before he knew it, Grimoire had yanked him up by the scruff to get him back onto his feet and yelled at him to follow.

He didn't know what was going on, but he followed the earthen male back the way they came. He could sense the urgency and panic rolling off of Grimoire in waves. It was then he realized that he had dropped the flower he picked specifically for his mother. "Wait!" He put on the brakes, ignoring Grimoire's protests as he turned around and went back for it. and by the time he reached it, the flower was floating in...water? Confused, he looked around until he noticed a crack in the back wall, water steadily spewing from the crack in a steady stream. "Hey! Was that there before?" He questioned as Grimoire came up to stand beside him. He heard the older male mumble a curse under his breath, causing the young boy to look at him, and before Ansem could say another word, the crack suddenly burst and a surge of water came rushing through. Debris came flying at them, a larger piece hit Ansem on the side of the head and before he knew it, everything had gone dark.

He sighed. How the hell had he gotten dragged into this? Why did he let this kid convince him to bring him down here? He assumed one of his other family members hadn't agreed to the kids request to go deeper into the caverns in search of whatever he was looking for...some plants or something, Perhaps he would've enjoyed it more if Ansem hadn't talked so much, but as it was, he merely nodded and gave the kid short answers to whatever ridiculous questions he asked. He didn't have any experience with kids. Didn't know how to handle them. And while yes, Ansem was a yearling, Grimoire still didn't know anything about how to deal with it. He sighed and closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, he felt the ground begin to rumble and suddenly a feeling of foreboding overcame him. "Sorry to cut the trip short, but I think it's best that we go." But as soon as he said that, Ansem ignored him and went racing toward a flower near the back wall of the cave. Grimoire followed, noting the rocks that fell from the ceiling, the uneasiness growing stronger in his bones as his heart began to hammer against his chest. Something wasn't right. He knew that. He could feel it. But he couldn't quite tell why. "Hey! Did you hear me, we have to go!" He said again. And then the ground shook harder this time, nearly sending him to the ground, but he held as steady as he could. However, he couldn't say the same for the clumsy youth who ended up falling to the ground. He growled as he hurried to the yearling's side and grabbed him by the scruff to pull him to his feet, "We're leaving, now!" He shouted, his tone leaving no room for argument as he led the way back toward the way they came. Panic. Fear. Foreboding. Anxiety. A mixture of things he normally didn't feel all hit him at once in one fell swoop. He didn't know what was happening, but something told him they needed to get out of this damn cave, now! They hadn't even gotten that far before Ansem told him to wait, and when Grimoire looked back, he spotted the boy running back. "Goddamit, we need to get out right now!" Ignored. "Fuck!" He hissed as he turned back around to grab the stupid kid. He saw the water before Ansem did, apparently. "You really turned back for a stupid FLOWER!?" He pulled up beside Ansem, amber gaze locked on the steady stream of water that poured from the wall. He heard Ansem's question, and his own ears flattened against his skull. "No...fuck..." He muttered. Moments later, the cave wall gave way and debris and water came flying at them. Grimoire ducked out of reflex, effectively dodging some of the bigger debris, but smaller stones still hit him. Unfortunately, Ansem had been hit pretty hard and the boy now lay unconscious in the water. Grimoire barely had time to react before the break in the wall got bigger and water rushed into the cavern, sweeping him off his feet. "Ansem!" He shouted as he tried to find his feet. Tried to swim through the rushing current, but wasn't having much success. He could barely feel the ground beneath his paws as the cavern quickly filled with rushing water, and the damn kid nearly blended in with the dark water and shadows of the cave. Searching about, he finally spotted what looked like a wet heap of fur, so he hurriedly pushed his way through the water toward it and felt his heart jump when he realized it was Ansem. Grabbing him by the scruff, he struggled to get the kid at least partially on his back to keep his head above water, but with the current and dead weight, it was proving to be beyond his abilities. Instead, he let go and ducked beneath the water so that he could come up beneath Ansem. Water roared in his ears and he swore the cavern was growing darker, but at least Ansem was halfway on his back. He quickly adjusted the unconscious kid so that his head wasn't dragging in the water, and then began to try to make his way toward the way they had come. With the darkness of the cavern, however, and the fact he couldn't feel the ground beneath his feet anymore, it proved to be much more difficult. Panic set in, but he did his best to stay calm as he tried to get them to safety. "Grimoire"

A flash of movement in the shadows of a cavern near the entry to the workshop, rapidly being swallowed up by the rush of water. Was that one of Aris' kids? He struggled against the flow of the current as he paddled frantically towards the sounds of splashing and spluttering as an exhausted packmate fought for freedom from the flooding tunnels. The man was familiar, he'd definitely seen the horned wolf here and there. The youngster sprawled awkwardly across his back was even more familiar, and the dun coloured warrior was being as fast as he could as he closed the distance between them. "Hang on, I'm comin'!" he bellowed, though his voice was more of a croak than anything after his diving expedition. There was a brief collision of his shoulder with the side of the tunnel before he could correct himself, the change in strength of the current being more than he had anticipated.

It was incredibly dark in the tunnel, unsettling and eerie with the deafening roar of water bouncing off the stone all around them. "You're almost out, lemme help carry him." he instructed the mocha hued wolf, shoving off against the wall with his hind leg to bring himself closer. In the low light, he could hardly make the two wolves out even when squinting. It was a miracle the pair hadn't simply swam down the wrong tunnel to their death. Stratum didn't dare try to touch the male who was still swimming, lest he force the man under the water where he might not have the strength left to lift himself back up to the surface. Instead, he muscled his way under Ansem's trailing hind legs and let his own broad back carry their weight. It might be just enough relief to get the duo to safety. "Alright, I've got his ass end. Keep going towards the entrance, we're not far from the trails." he assured his packmate, and quickly fell silent while the pair worked to carry their burden onto solid ground. Every second felt like hours as the dim light of open air grew slowly brighter, though barely enough to see by within the confines of the waterlogged tunnels.

It was impossible to imagine welcoming the sensation of pelting rain upon his face as they finally escaped the mouth of the cave, but there it was. Forced to squeeze his eyes shut against the driving rain, he grunted in surprise at the initial beating. "To your left, one of the paths is half underwater already, we can just walk right up onto it. Just a little bit further." the Fatalis youth called out over the deafening roar of floodwaters all around them, praying it was only his own ears that were struggling to pick up the sound of his voice. If he believed in a higher power, he'd have been thanking it as his companion turned with him towards the slippery pathway that led up to the Training den. His joints threatened to betray him as he tried to steady his paws beneath his bulk, hauling both himself and his cousin out of the freezing waters alongside their packmate. Mercury eyes screwed tight against the onslaught of rain, he tried to pick out a body among the stark lines of slick rock all around them. Someone strong enough to carry Ansem the rest of the way up the mountain. He tipped back his head to call for someone, just to be safe. "Let's put him down, I'll make sure he's still breathing." he said, more to himself than anyone else. Was this delirium yet? Who's to say.

With the silvery blue yearling laid out on the slippery walkway, the blond titan skimmed a shivering paw over his flank. Still warm, nothing sticking out at odd angles. He pressed his ear up against Ansem's nose, hoping his breath would stir the sensitive hairs of the inner ear (they were only a little bit wet, probably the driest fur he had left). Ah, there. He was still breathing, still alive. "He's okay for now, I'm going to see if anyone else needs help." he said now, lifting his impossibly heavy skull to rest between his shoulders. Ignoring how it bobbed and trembled with the effort to stay aloft. He was fine. This was fine. There were still members of the pack who hadn't been accounted for. Someone was thrashing in the water, calling out for help. Or was it just his ears playing tricks on him? Didn't matter, time to go check. With a pathetic wave of one heavy paw, he trundled back to the rushing flow of water. Started to patrol as close to the edge of the flood as he would dare, looking for someone who needed him. It would be over soon. Right?

The problem with having a bit of a hero complex? Not thinking about saving yourself. Stratum was exhausted. Hypothermic. Certainly in no condition to be headed back out to the rescue for a third round of heavy labour. So the misstep was inevitable. His careful paws were leaden and uncooperative at this point, all of the usual care in where he put his enormous paws down was lost. A wet stone shifted beneath his weight, and he stumbled. He was thrown bodily down the slope, with no ability to stop himself. Somewhere between the collision of his elbow with the gravel beneath him, and the scraping sensation of his cheek being dragged through that same sharp gravel, he was dimly aware of a very loud snapping sound. There was a half-dead tree being carried quite rapidly down the Col, crashing against one side and the other as it made its way along.

As he slid on his flank for a moment, and then began his rolling descent down the short incline towards the water, terror slipped into the forefront of his mind. Was he going to die? Right now? After all of the things he'd already been through? The yearling couldn't help the terrified cry that escaped him, waiting for the crushing embrace of the icy northern floes that whisked debris through the Col. Then, some kind of divine intervention let his outstretched forelimbs connect with the ground. Not kindly, mind you- he has all of the air knocked right from his chest as he crashed into a boulder. But he had something to hold onto, something to use as leverage to pull himself up. Try as he might, cords of powerful musculature straining beneath his dun and turquoise pelt, he wasn't moving anywhere. Dark claws scraping against the slippery stone, he fought to regain purchase before he tried again. Braced his right hind leg against the base of the boulder, digging into the gravel it was buried into. If he'd waited a moment longer to lit his left hind leg, he might have made it, too.

However, that vengeful log, rueful of its uprooting and cruel upheaval from the place it had been clinging to life for so long, was hurtling towards the Fatalis boy at breakneck speed. Nothing to be done about it, and no one to save him from the machinations of fate. The collision was impossibly loud, the cracking of bark and wood echoing for miles and hiding the simultaneous crunch of his tibia. The trunk snapped in half as it was carried away by the current, the waterlogged bulk being dragged beneath the water in moments. Stratum, for all of his bravery, was reduced to a screaming, crying mess. He'd never broken a bone like this, and it was like his entire leg had been torn clean from his body. He assumed it had, he could only feel white-hot pain from the hip down. After the hoarse scream died out in his throat, he could only weep quietly for himself and the cruelty of nature. The young warrior called out for the only comfort he could recall as he clung on for dear life. "Mama, mama!" the words were inaudible over the chaos around him, but in their own way they brought the boy comfort. Strength forgotten, body powerless to save him, Stratum just held on there for someone to come and pull him from the precipice of a watery death.

"Stratum Fatalis"

He was just starting to help Aresenn get Andy to the spot he had left Isa when Marshal came careening into view, the frightful shriek of the bird told him that one of his children needed him. “To Isa, she’s over there!” He shouted to the ex-pirate as he pointed with a paw, before scrambling after his shrieking companion. Whatever was happening, it was bad. It was all bad, but that was besides the point.

As he tore through the mountain side of the Col, he heard the great crack of wood breaking against something hard. It was in that direction that Marshal flew, and his eyes tried to pick up what was happening. It was Stratum’s screaming that directed him to his child. He clung there where the tree had left him, clearly weakened and in pain.

Sirius reached him and the boulder he clung to in moments. He glanced at the bloody mess of his leg, and then back to Stratum. It was possible that moving him wasn’t the best for the leg, but it was best for the rest of him. He dropped partly into the water, and pushed himself under the boy. Stratum had grown a lot in the last few months, and Sirius grunted as he pushed up, taking the younger wolf's weight, so that he draped over Seer’s body. He pushed further up the mountain side, walking as carefully as he could with his precious cargo. “I’ve got you kiddo, hold on, hear me? Hold on!” He ordered.


"Speech"

As the coughing subsides and Andy remarks about Aresenn being here, the boy casually mentions how he was in the neighborhood. His one-sided grin is meet with a gentle shake of her skull and a raspy laugh that devolves into another, painful bout of coughing. As soon as it passes, the girl suddenly remembers the pups that she had seen playing in the puddles and all thoughts of her own well-being are thrown out the window. On wobbly limbs, she attempts to stand, ignoring how heavy every square inch of her feels nevermind the fact that she cannot even lift her head more than a couple inches.

Aresenn’s words are met with a pleading glance toward him as she silently begs him to understand her unvoiced reasoning behind the need to protect them. They are family, small and mostly helpless which means that she must save them. Even though his words are mostly gentle, the undercurrent of frustration can still be heard. Her ears pin back as she continues to try and stand, to be strong and dive back into the flood waters to save the lives of others. However, the appearance of her father changes everything as he informs her that the pups are safe.

With a heavy sigh, she allows her fatigued body to collapses back down, tears pricking her eyes, not from coughing this time but sheer relief.  As her father asks for Aresenn’s help to get her to where Isa is, Andy suddenly hates how much of a burden she feels to the boy and her father. Looking up to Sirius, she tries her best to wave a dismissive paw toward him (which ends up being more of a single, weak flick) as she says, “I’m fine dad. Just need a few minutes. Go help the others.” She hopes that he ignores her weak, gravelly, breathy words and actually listens because she knows that are still those who need help, who need to be saved out there.

Andy thinks that a little break is all she needs and then she will be able to walk under her own power. Thankfully, Marshal shrieks an alarm and her father instructs Aresenn on where to take her before departing once more and leaving the pair alone. A shiver races along her spine and Andy attempts to curl into a ball but finds her limbs are not cooperating. Rain still pounds the Armada and its residents as the purple hued girl looks up to the fire-kissed boy, a shy smile tugging at her lips as blinks away the drops and says, “Just give me a second to rest.”

It is a request born from the fact that, if he tries to push her to get up right now, the girl will simply stumble around like a newborn foal and, more than likely, end up back in the water. Pale blue eyes lock with his golden gaze as she softly adds, “Thank you. For saving my life.” Her voice is rough from all the coughing she has been doing but her heartfelt gratitude can still be heard. Breaking eye contact, the girl lays her head on her forelegs as exhaustion settles over her like a heavy blanket. With Aresenn beside her, the girl knows that she will be fine.


"Andromeda Fatalis"

As gentle as he managed, he could definitely see the hurt in her pale blue gaze. Or maybe it was hurt from the thought that she couldn’t save everyone- he couldn’t tell. Aresenn wasn’t necessarily fond of the vision of drowning puppies, nor was he fond of crushing Andy’s compassionate drive. However, his own gaze readily hardened as he prepared for an argument. She could struggle against him all she wanted. He would gladly withstand her pleading, yelling, or fighting to ensure she wasn’t lost to this disaster. He would wager every single other individual present. Thankfully he didn’t have to demonstrate just how far he was willing to go to protect her- if even from herself. However, it seemed those pups were the only thing that had encouraged her to try and fight. Upon confirmation from the Warlord that they were safe, she immediately collapsed to a puddle of relief and fatigue.

Just as Sirius had instructed him to help Andy to someone named Isa, one of the older brute’s companions came screaming in alarm. It indicated that someone else needed the Warlord’s assistance. Aresenn thought for a moment he was going to be ordered away from Andromeda to assist in the rescue effort but instead was given further direction on who it was that he needed to get the girl to. And with that, the large obsidian dire wolf was gone. The Praetor boy’s amber gaze found the blue and white fae that had been indicated to him on the next flash of lightning. However, it seemed that his charge was quickly deteriorating. He watched as she tried to fold in on herself- but was too weak to do so. She requested a moment to rest, and he wanted to give that to her … but wasn’t sure if that was the thing to do or not. Looking back in the direction of Isa, Aresenn was filled with internal debate.

While he was trying to sort out a plan, her voice caught his attention once more. A near silent, exhale of a chuckle escaped his lips as he looked back down to her pitiful frame. “I’m not sure we’re out of the woods yet.” He said lowly. In reality, he wasn’t quite sure if he had saved her, or just rearranged her demise a bit. He continued searching their surroundings as he scrambled for a solution. Close by, and a bit further up the incline, he thought he could see at a shallow bit of shelter. “Can I at least talk you into letting me move you beneath that overhang.” He asked hopefully, looking back down to her in response. Whether she agreed to his request or not, he had already made the decision they were going to move to the overhang, or to Isa. He just thought he’d give her the courtesy of refusal … even if he intended to ignore it.

"Aresenn"

Winter has brought with it, the cold that the tropical-born Keahi always hates. No matter how many layers she wore or how close she sat to a fire sat, when winter came calling, she could never seem to get warm. As much as she loves Sirius and every wolf in the Armada, the woman’s heart still longs for the warmth that her home offers. More and more, over the past two seasons, she had felt heartsick for the lands far from here and had started voicing that longing to her mate, Ruga. More than anything, she yearned for the beaches of Hawai’i and to show the man she loves what the Aloha Spirit is all about.

So, they had talked and, the more they talked about it, the more excited he was to see everything she so passionately describes in vibrant detail. The chance to experience Hawai’i’s vivid sunsets and sip coconut water for the rest of his days is alluring to him and the opportunity to share all that more is all Keahi wishes for. So, with both of their minds made up to travel the long stretch of ocean back to the lands where she was born, Ruga had started going back and forth from the North of Boreas to the very end of Auster.

Love is the reason Ruga is building them boat for them to traverse the wide blue yonder. And love is the reason that he is the Armada on this fateful day.

The pair are in entwined in each other’s embrace as they slumber peacefully in Ruga’s den all the while, outside, lightning shatters through the darkness of pre-dawn, illuminating all the land. Darkness returns and thunder follows swiftly on its heels, rolling out its terrible war cry as nature unleashes its fury upon the Armada. In the safe embrace of her mate, Keahi is dreaming of the home she will soon return to when Sirius’s warning cry cleaves its way into her consciousness. In her deep slumber, adrenaline is suddenly dumped into her veins and the woman is jerking upright before the dreams has even fled her eyes.

Her body is trying to move without the woman even being fully awake half mumbled words are sent tumbling from her maw, “Ruga, we need to move.” The call means that Keahi needs to obey Sirius’s order but she also wants to get to the training den so that she can start taking stock of what is happening within the Armada. Leaving behind their warm bed, she makes certain that Ruga is right beside her and, together, the pair turn to rush toward the opening of the den. However, the woman’s still sleep-befuddled mind makes her normally nimbly limbs twist around themselves and the woman goes crashing to the floor of the den.

Curses spill from her lips as Ruga moves to help her untangle herself, fear sharpening her sense as the roar of the incoming flood reaches its final crescendo. By then, it is too late, the growing tidal wave of water and debris is beginning to flood the Col. The rolling wall of liquid envelopes those unfortunate enough to be caught out in the open while also destroying almost every object in its path. As the red woman is just getting to her paws, those terrible waters reach Ruga’s forge and slam into the immovable object which makes it quiver.

Murky waters spill into the open den, swiftly moving to flood the home. Finally, on her paws, fearful blue eyes turn to Ruga as she shouts, “Run!” But fate has called the scene of the play for the pair as several splintered and broken trees pound the forge with the unrelenting rage of a strange and wrathful god. The supplies for Ruga’s forge are stolen by the waters, moved out of their area and in toward the den as those, pieces of the forge itself, and broken trees all begin to clog the only exit for the red couple. “No!” The scream is filled with desperation, utter terror, and disbelief as Keahi launches herself at the too quickly form blockade; her body slamming into and bouncing off it with a thud that makes her teeth rattle.

Tears form in her ocean blue eyes as she looks to Ruga, the darkness that fills the area around them becoming an abyss that her optimism can breach. The exit is completely blocked and the water is about half up her legs, its cold grasp making her shiver with fear and silent revelation. Water still makes its way into their den, pouring through every gap it can find to speedily fill their tomb. A sad smile crosses her face as she steps toward the man, knowing it is useless to try and dislodge the barrier and that it would only spell their demise faster if they do so.

Some may call her cynical for her final outlook but, in the last moments that she has to spend on this plane of existence, Keahi would rather spend them talking to the man she loves rather than expanding her energy in a fruitless endeavor. The waters are rapidly filling the cave as she moves to Ruga, not stopping as she wraps herself in his warm embrace. A soft sob can be heard over the rushing water as the woman tearfully says, “I am so sorry Ruga. It’s all my fault. I am so sorry that I didn’t get to show you my home. I love you Ruga.”

Keahi lifts her head, capturing his lips with her own as the water reaches her neck, a shocked gasp escaping as she pulls back slightly, the cold infiltrating every fiber of her being. She holds onto Ruga through it all, the man who had stolen her heart and is now her mate in death. Tears fall as her paws can no longer touch the floor and still she holds onto him, knowing that, even when death takes her, the red woman will not let him go. The water has almost completely filled the den when she gasps out, “Find me in the next life, Ruga.” And, with those words, she inhales a deep breath as the water seals them in.

There is a quietness underneath the water, a calm that Keahi cannot feel in the moments that follow. Arms are still locked around her love as the woman presses her ears against his chest as her eyes flutter shut and she waits. It is the only gift she has left to give him in these final minutes; the knowledge that he did not have to die alone. Only when she hears his frantic heart rate stutter, feels his body inhale the dark elixir that is death, and finally knows that the last of his life has left his body does she act. With her eyes firmly closed and as her lungs yearn for air, the woman imagines the warm beaches of homeland one last time… and inhales.

-exit Keahi via death-

The flood waters will take days to drain away from the Col and reveal the den’s entrance and even more days will be spent clearing the blockage to the red couple’s grave. However, when the Armada is finally is able to peek into the love-doomed couple’s den, they will find that the pair are still locked together in an eternal hug that death could not break.



OOC: Permission to power play Ruga given by Shelby


"Keahi Mogotsi"

it’s the blackness of a womb but worse, worse because you know you’ll remember this when your head pierces the surface and your lungs expand to take that first, vital breath. you’re the centre of your own universe, swirling in a cold oblivion so callous and uncaring you know, instinctively, not to put even an ounce of trust in it. trust. you trust you’re fading away, that every second you spend here - wherever here is - is a second you grow less than you were five heartbeats earlier. you grow smaller and shrink further, like your feet are gone and your tail’s been eaten and you’re just being consumed, slowly but also too fast. in a matter of moments you’ll be eyes and a nose and ears and then a brain, maybe, and then nothing. and then you’re floating, or you think you are, and you, you - break the surface again and cough, spluttering up lungfuls of black water, so cold all over that you can’t even tell what’s  you and what’s isn’t. you’re cold and icy in the middle and there’s a buzzing in your ears and you’ll be gone so soon the stars won’t even miss you. they catch Bas out of the corner of their periphery, swimming closer, but their eyes are slipping closed, and they want to open them again, they really do…but it’s just too hard right now. “speech”

The trips back and forth from Auster to Boreas were always long ones, but every time he came to visit Keahi and he was regaled with more stories of her island home it gave him the inspiration to keep working on this boat for them that could carry them off to the islands. He certainly wasn't getting any younger and the idea of retiring to a beautiful, tropical land with this wolf that had captured his heart was oh so appealing. Every few weeks or so he would trek back up to the north of Boreas to visit Keahi and use the forge he had built in the Armada to fashion more metal fittings and braces for the vessel. The progress was slow, but finally it was starting to take shape and it could even float on the waves when he pushed it out from the shore. He had to ask Keahi for her opinions and advise on how to improve it constantly since she had far more experience in this craft than he did, but he was figuring it out piece by piece and he imagined that by the end of the season they would be ready to set sail.

For now, he could enjoy one of his many visits to his love and could help keep her warm against the unforgiving winter of the north. Being here was just reinforcing his desire to get them to somewhere warmer, but he knew Keahi's dedication to the Armada and he wanted to give her as much time here as she wanted. He was deeply asleep, enjoying the kind of peaceful sleep he only got when he was with Keahi, when he was suddenly jolted awake by both the cry that cut through the night air and Keahi's sudden movement as she was also pulled awake. He stumbles to his paws, shaking his head to try and break free of the fog that muddled his thoughts as Keahi tells him they need to move. He wasn't fully registering yet what was happening or what was pulling them from their sleep, but he still kept to her side and began to rush toward the opening of their den with her–only to see her spill to the ground as her limbs betray her and she trips over her own paws.

"Are you alright?" he mutters as he continues to blink the sleep from his eyes, turning back toward her to help her back to her paws. He had turned his back to the entrance to help her, but that didn't stop him from hearing the rapid approach of the rushing water. He had grown very accustomed to the sound of moving water with all the time he had spent on the coast recently, but this was the sound was so much louder and more imposing that it sent a chill of fear down his spine. He turned back just in time to see the initial onslaught of murky flood waters crash into the side of his forge, momentarily disrupting the shape of the wave as it rushes in toward them. He froze as his seafoam gaze struggled to take in what he was seeing and a dread washed over him even as Keahi bid him to run. Their progress was cut off before it even began as the waters swept up pieces of his forge, the tools he had used again and again, and pieces of trees from the surrounding woods, bringing it all in toward them faster than he could comprehend. It all caught up at the entrance of their den, forming a wall between them and the outside. He already knew from his years of working with materials and the physics of how they move that the weight and speed of the water bringing all of this junk to them would make it impossible to dig their way out. He watched helplessly as Keahi tried to slam her way past it, only to bounce off as even more pieces were added to this blockade.

His gaze shifts to meet hers and in that moment he knew that they had both accepted this sudden and cruel fate. The sad smile that crossed her face ripped his heart in two. For so much of his life he had avoided real emotion and feared a commitment to any individual that had the possibility of forsaking him, but he had finally over come that to be with Keahi, only to have their happy ever after ripped away from him. The only consolation he had as he quickly swept the woman he loved up into his embrace was that he wouldn't have to live without her. At least he was here, getting taking from this world with her, rather than coming back to the Armada for another visit only to find her gone. He held her as tightly as he could as the freezing cold water started to fill up the space around them. "None of this is your fault, my love. I love you, Keahi," he managed as he squeezed her tighter, returning her kiss and savoring the feeling of her one last time. The water began to sweep them up, making them float as it neared their heads, but still he clung to her. "I will," he promised with a little smile as she bids him to follow her in the next life. "I'll find you in Hawai’i." They may have not gotten their perfect ending this time, but in the next perhaps they would have better luck.

As the water pulled them under and the last of the space in their den was filled, he closed his eyes and tucked his head down over Keahi's as she pressed her head into his chest and for the first time in his life he fully relaxed. There was a peace and an acceptance of a fate that was forced upon them. He was almost grateful that there hadn't been much time to contemplate what was happening. His only treasure in this world was Keahi and he was able to hold her as they slowly sank back down to the floor of their den, pretending that nothing had changed and he was simply keeping her warm through another cold night. Consciousness eventually begins to slip away, but in his mind he is on the boat that is now sitting abandoned on one of Auster's beaches with Keahi at his side, drifting off over the ocean waves with the wind catching their sails.

- exit Ruga via death -

"Ruga Amanto"

There was no response from his nephew, the pup limp with unconsciousness in his paws. He couldn’t even tell if the boy was still breathing but… They had to get out of here and somewhere safe. Then, as soon as a healer was able, he would have them take a look at the boy. But if they stayed in here as the waters continued to come they would drown. It would be hard making it out, be he had to for both of their sakes. Charlie drew in a breath and took his nephew’s ruff in his jaws, tilting his head back so that Wylan was out of the water as much as possible. Here goes something.

Pushing against the water that threatened to keep him in the den, Charlie began to creep along the rougher floor. He tried to grip where he could, hoping his weight would help, though against the force of the flood it could only do so much. He would slip and stumble, dunking himself and his nephew back into the chilly water. Momentary panic flared in his chest as Charlie fought to regain his footing, creeping bit by bit to the front of the den as the water climbed higher. The real struggle was only just beginning, however. The moment they crept past the entrance of the den Charlie felt his legs give and they were moving with the flood through the Col. Were it not for the occasional strike of lightning through the sky he might have missed their chance to get out of this mess.

It was a large boulder that had shifted from somewhere up the mountain, settled in the middle of the flood. Not ideal, but better than being carried even further away from help when the waters subsided. Charlie steered himself towards it, feeling his muscles protest from the fight against the water and carrying his nephew. His ears pinned as his heart hammered in his chest. Another flash, and Charlie twisted his head just in time to avoid smashing Wyl against the stone. His body, however, hit it hard, and the yearling gave a grunt from the impact. Pain bloomed immediately from the contact but though it hurt it wasn’t agonizing enough to make him believe he had broken anything. Definitely far luckier than some of the other Armadans right now…

About a minute of struggling later and Charle lay on top of the boulder with the winged pup in his paws, grooming him in an attempt to revive his nephew. Tears pricked his eyes as he did so. He didn’t want to think about who could have been lost already, who might still be lost from this hellish event… “Please be okay, Wyl…”

"Speech," 'Thought.'

Levi didn't spend much time at all in the Col. He lived in the trees of Mile High Woods and very rarely found himself within the Col's tunnel systems. If everyone else wanted to live up in everyone else's business that was their prerogative, but he was happy here. As happy as he could manage anyway. Least that was until the roar of water met his ears, a flash of movement between the trees as it spilled out from the mountainside. He shifted in his perch, claws hooking into the bark as he shifted to get a better view. It wasn't just a little stream, it was fast running and intense, bad enough to warrant his attention if nothing else. He scaled down the tree, covering ground with short if not hasty strides. He knew better than to fight the current head on and instead was on the move once more, skirting around the hillsides of the Col, looking for one of the many small, access points to slip inside. Gaps in the ceiling where daylight could shine through into the tunnels below. He was small enough to fit easily enough, used his talons once again to dig into the grooves, slowing his descent as the water rushed below.

Pyrite wasn’t in the dens when the warning calls went out. That night she had been scouting or hunting or just being alone in her own head. She wasn’t often a social wolf so it wasn’t surprising she was not asleep with the rest of the pack. Though she hadn’t really decided on a task to be doing either, the night was mostly for soothing her restless paws. As the morning began to dawn, she realized why her paws had been so unable to stay still. There was some deep instinct within her that said she shouldn’t be in the dens. Something was coming.

She was high up on the cliffs when she saw the water come rushing down and fill the dens with water. Fear gripped her heart as she realized she was needed down there. Pyrite steeled herself and made her descent, quickly realizing that she was headed towards Bronze’s den. She hadn’t seen him scramble out, she didn’t even know if he had been home.

Bronze!” She called out as her golden gilded paws splashed into the swift moving water and her eyes scanned for her twin’s form.

The storm does not faze the young Zion as she lay curled against her mother, nose buried underneath her paw while she dreams of chasing rabbits across a warm, wide open plain. The fire flickers in its hearth, sending shadows to dance across the sleeping forms in the room. Suddenly, a blast of cold air causes the slumbering pup to whine softly as she instinctively curls further toward her pale mother, seeking solace in the warmth her larger body offered. However, this time, all she finds is empty air and the pup begins to struggle awake will softly crying out for Halo.

Her eyes open to find their father, panicked and talking rapidly about an emergency. All thoughts of sleep are pushed aside as she suddenly finds her paws, knowing what that word ‘emergency’ means and exactly what they are supposed to do when one happens. The words that continue to roll off her father’s tongue are laden with worry and she quickly grabs the medical kit that stands ready by the open door and carefully luges it back to Halo’s side.

Tightly gripping it in her maw, the girl lefts her head to stare upward at the pale woman and silently let her know that Zion is here to help her. Fear seems to fill the usually happy home and the pale and teal pup does everything she can to help ease that emotion by pressing her small form against her mother’s side while offering a gentle smile around the kit that is still in her mouth. They would get this, together, and the pup knows that everyone is going to be okay because, honestly, the pup does not know what the alternative could be.


"Zion Fatalis"