Onyx had taken the time to make the trip back outside of Hemlock to go back home where she had grown up and lived almost all her life save for when she was in Elysium. The pines were sentimental to her, it's where she always came back. Which is why she was surprised when the scent markers of a pack were fresh along the border.

As she made it into the wall, passing through an open crumble of stone it was clearly evident that a pack had taken over here. They had started marking with the corpses she could see in the distance as well, though that didn't bother her much. It was just the idea she couldn't walk through anymore to memory lane. She stood as she looked forward into the pines, definitely a less than thrilled look on her face as she pulled back an annoyed snarl. If she were a loner she may have just walked through, but she had to think of the pack she was with now. Pitiful. She didn't move from her place as she pondered how she'd probably never be able to come back, or if the ship was untouched on the other side.

"Onyx Destruction"
F2U base by Snowylaika

While she wasn’t entirely sure if they were allowed to venture out beyond the pack boundaries, she didn’t remember being explicitly told not to. And with Xairo insisting that he come with her, she felt like they were prepared … enough. And of course, they couldn’t leave without a couple of their mother’s ravens noticing and following along. The world outside the Syndicate was intriguing to her, she couldn’t help but feel a stirring of excitement as they approached the imposing structure. It’s massive, timeworn framework was unlike anything else she had ever seen before. The rough cold stone was like the rock faces of the cliffs on either side of the valley they resided in … but different. “Xairo, who do you think made this?” she said, nudging a loose brick with her paw. It toppled over, revealing a small opening filled with shadows. Her acidic green eyes gleamed with curiosity. Against the crumbling wall, her red fur stood out like a flame in the midst of the taiga.

She had been so engrossed in observing the wall that she nearly missed the faint scent wafting up from the shadows. She cocked her head, nose twitching as she tried to decipher the unfamiliar aroma. It was an animal scent, definitely, but not one she recognized.

"Sericea Praetor-Inferos"

Taking a step back, Xairo sniffed the air. He was less inclined to stick his nose in dark, mysterious holes. His coat was in contrast with the snow underneath his paws, a vibrant mixture of earthy hues that shone when hit by the scattered rays of sunlight. "I don't know," he finally murmured, his voice thoughtful as he eyed the structure- his attention falling to a narrow crack in the wall … one that he thought they could fit through. He didn’t give it much consideration before he slipped toward it, his tail flicking across the misty air, signaling his intention.

The crack was small, but Xairo's narrow, squishy frame squeezed through with a bit of effort. It wasn’t until he made it to the other side that he discovered that they weren’t alone. “Oh, uhh … hi.” he said, his voice not as confident as it normally would be. A low growl followed his words, and he quickly looked over his shoulder to see his sister following him through. Allowing his serpent like gaze hone back into the stranger's figure before him. The wolf standing before him was larger, her fur a shade of icy blue that shone under the light. “Who are you?”

"Xairo Saxe"

As she was standing there maybe squinty eyed at the lands ahead, she was interrupted by the sound of crumbling and rumbling just a short ways down the wall. As soon as she was turning her head, a young blue boy was asking who she was and a red girl was follow behind him through the hole in the wall. Well man, she couldn't be outrightly mean to kids, it wasn't their fault their pack had taken over her home. She did muse at the idea that once upon a time she, as blue, and Ignis' kids, as red were out here terrorizing each other. She wondered if these two kids were the same, or maybe they were more friendly.

She gave a little huff, not moving from where she stood careful that these kid's parents were waiting around the corner to pounce on her. It wouldn't seem so though, but she still wouldn't risk it. "I'm Onyx." She spoke one toned, not so kid friendly she would say. But they would get the better of her. Not the best, but better. "I used to live in the pines here." She commented as her rump slowly hit the ground in a sit and her eyes looked back ahead at the pines. She was already thinking about what she could take out her frustrations on once she was out of here. It certainly wasn't going to be these kids.

"Onyx Destruction"
F2U base by Snowylaika

Sericea followed close behind Xairo, her sharp gaze immediately locking onto the imposing figure of Onyx. The icy blue wolf held herself with a tension that suggested a history between herself and these pines, a notion confirmed by her gruff introduction. Sericea's deep red fur bristled slightly at the sight of her, but her eyes never wavered from the older wolf.

"Nice to meet you, Onyx," she said, her voice steady yet wary. She glanced towards the pine trees that Onyx spoke of, her eyes briefly softening as she traced the familiar lines of the forest they had explored so many times. "My name is Sericea Praetor-Inferos!” She announced herself, probably with a little more bravado than necessary. But she didn't want this stranger, this Onyx as she introduced herself, to think they were pushovers. After Xairo offered his own name, she went on. "And we..." she continued, her gaze flicking towards the crumbling wall and then back to Onyx. "We were just exploring." Her eyes held a determined light in them. The words had a slight edge to them, not hostility but a subtle assertiveness, as if staking their claim on uncharted territory.

"Sericea Praetor-Inferos"

His emerald green eyes flickered from Onyx to the thick, tall pines she described, a spark of curiosity lighting within them. Despite the defensive rigidity with which Onyx held herself, Xairo didn't sense any malicious intent emanating from her. "Xairo," he offered his own name in a flat tone, mirroring the way Onyx had given hers. It was peculiar to think that she used to live in these very pines. He couldn't help but wonder if that meant she had once been a part of the Syndicate. "We're from the Syndicate," he echoed his thoughts in a low voice, searching for any hint of recognition on the woman's face.

"Xairo Saxe"

Onyx had to admit these kids were enjoyable as kids. Most pups were very... bouncy. Active, annoying. These ones seemed to match more of her energy, so it didn't make her turn and run the other way at least. However, there wasn't anything to gain standing here sharing each others presence.

They had both said their names, and the girl had said they were here exploring. Onyx was still a little too far internally emotional to turn from the pines now. So she stayed where she stood for now. "You'll run into a pack south of here, but it's pretty open from there." She stated, maybe giving the kids a hint they shouldn't go wandering far. "It's probably best you stick close to home though. " The Wall really hosted nothing for the wolves. Just a strange thing to look at and a barrier when you were chasing larger prey that could hop over it. An annoyance more than anything. She wouldn't give the kids any hints on what was cool to see nearby though. Next thing she knew she'd be hunted by their parents if she was the last scent to be mingled here with theirs.

"Onyx Destruction"
F2U base by Snowylaika

Sericea listened intently as Onyx offered her somewhat cryptic advice about the lands beyond the wall. Her brow furrowed slightly at the warning about another pack to the south. It seemed Onyx was trying to steer them away from potential danger, but Sericea couldn't help but feel a prickle of defiance at being told to stick close to home.

"We can handle ourselves," she asserted, lifting her chin slightly. "Our parents made sure of that." She exchanged a glance with Xairo, a silent communication passing between them. Sericea's acidic green eyes turned back to Onyx, studying the older wolf with a mix of curiosity and caution. "So, you used to live here? Before our pack claimed this territory?" She tilted her head, her tone more inquisitive than accusatory. "What made you leave?"

"Sericea Praetor-Inferos"

Xairo's ears perked up at Sericea's bold questions, his own curiosity piqued. He stepped forward to stand shoulder to shoulder with his sister, presenting a united front as they faced the enigmatic Onyx. "Yeah, what happened here before us?" he chimed in, unable to contain the questions bubbling up inside him. "Were you part of a different pack?" Xairo's eyes remained locked on Onyx as he peppered her with questions, his curiosity getting the better of him.

"Were you driven out by another pack?" Xairo pressed, his mind racing with possibilities. He tried to imagine what could have made a wolf like Onyx, who seemed so at ease in these woods, abandon her home.

"Xairo Saxe"