It took Alaric weeks to get to these lands. Once he was inside the caverns, he was surprised by the natural beauty of the stones and their glow. He noticed the mushrooms immediately, but dared not to sniff or taste them. Something in his gut told him not to. He was simply exploring when a new scent entered his wet nostrils, making his back hackles rise in alertness. It was the smell of a bear. Maybe it made the caverns it's home for the upcoming winter? He wasn't sure but it smelled pissed. Before he even could turn around, he heard it's echoing growls within the caverns and saw it's shadow.

"Well then, time to dance." He snarled lowly and took charge at the bear. Successfully dodging a swipe that was mere inches from hitting his head, Alaric managed to secure the paw within his maw. He shook his head violently, hoping to damage it and immobilize the bear. He wasn't sure if help was coming, so he was trying to play as dirty as he could.

As Illusion stepped into the cavern, her eyes immediately caught sight of the unfolding spectacle. A man, facing off against a bear, his movements desperate – but what did she know? She wasn’t even a yearling yet. She had no way of knowing what would and wouldn’t work. It was quite the scene though, and she couldn't help but be drawn to it. Into it.

A smirk playing on her lips, and the girl approached the fray, her steps echoing softly against the stone floor. She had always been fascinated by the dance of predator and prey, the raw intensity of a life-and-death struggle. And here, in the depths of the cavern, she had found herself a front-row seat to the show. But she didn’t exactly want it to be just a show.

Without a word, Illusion joined the man in his fight, her movements a mix of graceful and cautious. She went for the flank, jaws splaying to catch hold of the bear’s soft flesh in the crook of its hip and thigh.

illu

Before he knew it, reinforcements arrived. Alaric couldn't see much in the dark cavern but the dark pelt of the wolf who had joined seemed to blend into the shadows. They looked and smelled young. Well, two maws were better than one. Alaric released his grip on the now badly injured paw. The bear roared in defiance to being attacked not once but twice by the wolves. It twisted to go for the new comer, who was at its flank. Alaric took this opportunity and went for the side of its neck.

Successfully Alaric clamped down onto the bears neck and began to tear at the soft flesh. Blood poured out of the wounds and onto him as he shook his head violently. He was going for the fatal veins within the neck, hoping to kill the damn bear. As long as it was distracted, it seemed like he would be getting his way.

Illusion continued to dance with the bear, feeling the rush of adrenaline coursing through her veins, she hardly noticed the other wolf’s change in maneuver. Nor how close she came to being targeted were it not for him. She was far too focused on the blood trickling into her mouth, a buzz of excitement tingling down her spine as she backed away, realigning herself to attack the bear again within the dark confines of the cave. Its roars echoed, nearly deafening her between them and her own snarling. Illusion lunged forward, her instincts guiding her movements as she aimed for the vulnerable spot on the bear’s heel. She felt her jaws sink into the soft flesh, her teeth slicing into the tendon there as she shook her skull with ferocity.
illu

Alaric was so close to severing the precious veins of the bear's neck and ending it's life. That was, until the bear charged forwards in an attempt to flee. Blood was pouring from its neck and other sun stained injuries. Alaric looked to the aid of the other wolf. Would they continue their attacks? Alaric wasn't going to let the bear leave so easily. He readjusted himself along the cave walls, trying his best to stop the bear in its tracks. Alaric reared up on his hind legs and let out a vicious snarl. His paws went to hooked around the bear's head as he latched onto the bear's left eye. He was going to maul it, blind it, and keep it here for it to be finished off.

Illusion felt a surge of satisfaction as her teeth sank into the bear's tendon, splicing it in two, but she knew the fight was far from over. The bear's desperate charge sent a fresh wave of blood splattering across the cave floor. She was hard pressed to release her bite before it dragged her along too. As for her battle-buddy? The older man was relentless, his determination clear as he reared up and attacked the bear's eye. He really wanted the thing dead, hm?

Snarling with renewed vigor, Illusion sprang into action. She darted around the bear's flank again, aiming for its hind legs. Her jaws clamped down on the other heel, tearing into the flesh with savage intensity. She could feel the bear's movements becoming more erratic, its strength waning. “End it!” Illusion snarled through gritted teeth, her eyes blazing with the thrill of the hunt. She tightened her grip, determined to bring the beast down alongside Alaric. Every muscle in her body strained with the effort, her instincts driving her to finish what they had started.


illu

Alaric's attack was successful as he shredded the eye of the beast. He could feel the orbital organ underneath his fangs and taste the blood in his mouth. His ears perked at the sound of the much younger wolf. She wanted him to end the bear. He nodded and released the bear, only to relatch where he had previously attack on the neck. The job was half done and the bear was too distracted by its blindness to react quick enough. Alaric severed the artery this time, massive amount of blood poured form the injury and painted his maws and chest. The bear heaved and let out gurgled cries as it fell limp to the caverns floor. Alaric painted and caught his breath, now looking at the young wolf. He had a nod of approval. "Good work." He stated, his attention back to the bear as it took its final breaths. "Are you interested in anything off the bear?" He asked curiously. He didn't have much use for it.

Illusion's silver eyes gleamed with a cold satisfaction as the man’s final blow brought down the bear. The rush of adrenaline still pulsed through her veins, though her expression remained impassive. She observed his bloodied form with detached interest, taking note of the visceral aftermath of their successful hunt. His approval meant little to her beyond acknowledging their effective partnership, and maybe a little of it went to her ego.

As he turned his attention to the bear's carcass, suggesting they salvage something from it, Illusion felt a flicker of disdain for such sentimentality. “Oh, I have no use for it, but thank you kindly.” She replied coolly, her voice tinged with gratitude. Her mind was already calculating the next move, perhaps another predator to engage for the fun of it. The thrill. The bear, now lifeless and useless in her eyes, held no allure any longer.

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Alaric nodded as the young wolf replied. "Then I shall take my leave." He told her abruptly, looking down one last time at the bear. "Thank you again for the help." He told her, showing his gratitude. He thought for a moment but ultimately decided that he had nothing he needed from the fallen predator. He turned and began to navigate his way through the caverns and back out the land outside.

-Exit Alaric-