With every footfall, the powdery snow under Xairo's paws gave a satisfying crunch, echoing through the silent expanse of Polar Sound. His breath misted in the chilly afternoon air of late winter, his large expressive green eyes taking in the vastness of his surroundings. From here, he could see the distant silhouettes of the sheer rock faces, dominating the horizon like ancient sentinels. The cliffs of the valley almost glowed beneath the wan sunlight, their stark grandeur contrasted by the lush green lichens and grass that coated the valley floor.

He paused on the incline leading down into the valley, his young heart pounding with a mix of trepidation and excitement. The distinctive scent of the sea wafted up from the incised canyon, mingling with the sharper, earthier fragrance of the taiga. Xairo's ears pricked forward at the sound of the cascading waterfalls, their music a soothing hum in the stillness of the afternoon. He tilted his head, curious about the resonance that made this place so unique.

As he descended further into the valley, Xairo’s gaze was drawn towards the ocean inlet, its surface shimmering like liquid silver under the pale winter sun. Seals bobbed in and out of the water near the shore, their calls rising above the soft murmur of the waves. He watched them for a long time- their sleek bodies disappearing and reappearing in the icy waters with a grace that belied their clumsy movements on land.

Suddenly, he caught sight of a whale breaching in the distance, its massive form momentarily suspended in midair before crashing back into the water, sending a frothy spray high into the sky. Xairo's heart pounded with exhilaration at the spectacle, his green eyes wide and bright with youthful wonder. The fear of insignificance lurked in his mind often, but in this moment he felt a part of something larger, something more profound than his usual competitive pursuits with his brothers and sisters. It was a weird feeling, to say the least.

"Xairo Saxe"

With half-lidded eyes, a flaccid, stoic expression, and a dual-colored gaze void of emotion, Sephiran dragged himself across the rocky beach of the ocean inlet. His falcon was soaring the skies in the distance, scouring the forest alongside several of Absinth's ravens. His panther was near the borders, and his serpent was back in his den, coiled on a plush bed of furs. It was odd for Sephiran to be without his companions, but he wanted it this way- he was alone, falling into a reclusive phase of solitude, where he could revel in the loss of his beloved Sidi. Her arms were wrapped around him now, caressing him with her plush fur, a constant reminder of what transpired. Really, it was her half-cured pelt strung across his back. He wore her skin over his to make him feel… conjoined with her.

Stopping, Sephiran catches movement in the bay, his head turning towards the breaching whale out of reflex. His falcon appears simultaneously, screeching an alarm and directing his attention to the other side of the beach. His eyes narrow, honing in on his falcon’s source of interest. A silhouette appears, small and wolf-like, and Sephiran connects the pieces. A child. One of his, or one of Aresenn’s, given their litters were nearly the same age.

Driven by impulse, Sephiran canters forward, closing the distance between himself and the child. As he drew near, he recognized the cerulean pattern of his fur, traces of gold woven into the oceanic canvas, as bright emerald eyes took in the world around him. Sephiran hadn’t seen him since the day of his birth- he was grown enough to leave the den now, to escape Absinth’s watchful eye. How delightful.

Exuding an aura of dominance, Sephiran demands the boy's attention, stopping before him and flaring his nostrils. He inhaled his scent, searching for notes of Aurelia, but there were none. Continuing to analyze him, Sephiran creates a tense shift in the atmosphere, a sense of danger oozing from him. His lips pull into a tight line, and for a moment, he’s overtaken by a look of disgust. He looked so much like his mother.

"Speech"

Code by Sea

Xairo, distracted by the playful seals frolicking in the icy waves, looks up with a start. The sight that greets him is not what he expects. A looming figure draped in a half-cured pelt that smells of salt, sea, and sorrow. Xairo's first instinct is to bare his teeth, but the size and aura of dominance radiating from Sephiran stops him in his tracks. His tiny heart thumps against his chest, the beat echoing in his ears as he stands stark still. His sharp green eyes dart over the brute before him, taking in the duality of his gaze and the harsh set of his jaw. Despite the unease pooling in his belly, Xairo raises his chin in defiance, mirroring Sephiran's assertive stance to some degree- he is still only in the first several weeks of his life just yet. “Who are you?” Xairo asked, his voice a defiant bark, both curious and impulsive. The question hangs in the frosty air, the only sound other than the huff of their breaths and the distant caw of one of his mother’s ravens.

"Xairo Saxe"

Driven by intrigue, and perhaps the instinct to defend in the face of danger, the boy is holding his ground, questioning Sephiran’s appearance with an inquisitive gleam in his eyes. Cocking his head slightly, Sephiran tips his chin downward, staring at Xairo down the barrel of his muzzle, lips twitching until they pulled back into a tight sneer. “Who am I?” He says, repeating his son’s words, as he raises a paw to shove the boy back onto his rump. “Your mother,” The word is dripping in disdain, but his contempt is not aimed towards Absinth, even if she’s who he’s referring to. “Failed to inform you of your Sultan?” Sephiran may have been Xairo’s father, but he was his Sultan first and foremost- an oppressive creature who demanded respect and compliance, even from the youngest members of his hoard. If he could not bow before his Sultan, Sephiran would force him to bend. Just as he did with Aurelia.

"Speech"

Code by Sea

Xairo's feet slipped out from under him, sending him tumbling onto the unforgiving ground of hard-packed snow. Disoriented and disheveled, he met Sephiran's gaze with a mix of shock and determination. His slit pupils dilating with the frustration of the situation, refusing to back down. "My mother taught me that respect is earned, not demanded," he spat out, his words piercing the frigid air like sharp icicles. He struggled to get back up, his small frame trembling as he thrust himself onto his feet. His coat, a jumbled curly mess that bristled in defiance. "She's mentioned Sultan, but I've never seen his face." His statement hung in the air, a daring insinuation that threatened to curl his lip. “Is that who you are?” His words were a bold taunt aimed at the towering figure before him.

"Xairo Saxe"

Shoving him to the ground, Sephiran feels a wave of satisfaction, similar to the rush of adrenaline he’d experienced while tormenting Aurelia. But his expression does not change, the sneer creasing his lips does not crack as the boy declares respect is earned, not demanded. Absinth’s teaching the children not to bend in the wake of their Sultan? If that were true, Sephiran was going to be irate with his appointed Katil.

As Xairo finds his footing, he questions if Sephiran is the Sultan. A sinister gleam sparks in his eyes, pelt bristling as he is consumed by impulsivity. “Earned?” He says, fixating on Xairo’s lack of compliance, swooping in to grab the boy by his scruff. Lifting him off the ground, Sephiran carries his squirming body into the forest, jerking him roughly around before dropping him in a small clearing, in front of a hole in the snow. “If you will not bend before your Sultan,” He growls, stomping a paw on the ground to send vibrations through the subterrane. Shortly after, a badger emerges from its den, bristled up and bearing its teeth at the young pup. “Then you will earn your life.” He had two options; show Sephiran the respect he commanded, or turn and face the frenzied mother badger protecting its newborns.

"Speech"

Code by Sea

His breath hitched in his throat as he was lifted off the ground, Sephiran's vice-like grip sending shocks of panic through him. His defiant front shattered instantly, replaced by pure, instinctual fear. His vision blurred as he was unceremoniously dumped in front of a small hole covered in snow. The second his paws hit the frosty earth, he felt a low, ominous vibration echo through the ground beneath him. His heart pounded in his chest, and a cold sweat broke out on his fur. Looking up, he saw Sephiran standing a safe distance away, an expectant look in his eyes.

Realization dawned on him and he turned to face the threat. He found himself staring into a pair of black, beady eyes, set deep into a snarling face. The badger was as big as he was, its fur standing on end in a show of aggression. His breaths came out in short sharp intakes, his body rigid with terror. In the face of this imminent danger, his dominating nature succumbed to raw survival instinct. He couldn't outrun the badger; he had no choice but to fight.

With a guttural snarl, Xairo launched himself at the badger. His small body crashed into the enraged mother, the force propelling them both backward. Their bodies grappled, a whirlwind of snarls and snapping jaws. Xairo, despite his youth and inexperience, moved with frantic energy, his small teeth sinking into the badger's thick hide. It was like fighting with his siblings, but nothing to hold him back. Nobody telling him not to be so rough. Being rough was all he could manage here. He could taste the iron tang of blood in his mouth and feel the stinging pain of the badger's claws raking across his flank. His green eyes blazed with ferocity as he writhed and tore and bit with wild abandon. No real plan. No real strategy. Just simply hit as hard as he could.


"Xairo Saxe"

The boy was overcome by instinctual fear, the looming threat of Sephiran intertwined with an angered enemy pushing Xairo over the edge. But even with his heightened senses and overwhelming fear, he morphed into a fury of teeth and claws, tapping into his survival instincts which told him to fight or flee. And fight he would. Sephiran’s brow arched as he watched the battle between his son and the badger ensue, snarls and battle cries filling the small clearing. Xairo landed a good bite on the creature, but it wasn’t enough to chase it off. Claws raked against his flank, breaking skin and drawing blood. It looked like the badger was getting the upper hand, maneuvering its agile body and utilizing its experience to try and pin the boy down.

And if the badger succeeded in wrestling him to the ground, if it grabbed him by the throat and extinguished his life, Sephiran would not intervene. If he couldn’t fight off a badger, he was better off dead. Like his m o t h e r.

"Speech"

Code by Sea

Stricken by a blow that sent him sprawling, Xairo found himself back in the snow, gasping for breath. His wide, terrified eyes met Sephiran's icy gaze before he was forced to focus on the badger once more. The creature lunged, its sharp teeth aimed at his throat. Xairo twisted, throwing his body to the side in a desperate attempt to evade the fatal blow. The world blurred in a dizzying swirl of fur and snow as he rolled away, barely escaping the badger's clutches. He stumbled back onto his feet, his entire body aching from the harsh thrashing.

In this moment, Xairo knew he had to dig deeper, much deeper than he'd ever done before. He summoned every bit of ferocity, every scrap of strength, from the depths of his being. He felt a surge of adrenaline fueling his battle-worn body, sharpening his senses and quickening his clumsy reflexes. His green eyes bore into the badger's, a spark of defiance flickering in their depths.

With a deep, guttural snarl that belied his size, he lunged forward again, his own teeth bared and his small body poised for attack. The badger, taken aback by Xairo's sudden burst of energy and tenacity, hesitated. This was the opening Xairo needed. Xairo hurled himself at the badger again, his small nubs of horns digging into soft, underbelly fur. He bit down hard, tasting blood. Pain screamed through him as the badger retaliated, its claws raking against his body once more, but he held on, refusing to let go. With a final, desperate shove, he managed to topple the larger creature, sending it sprawling onto its back in the snow.

"Xairo Saxe"

Tracing Xairo’s movements, Sephiran is analyzing his methods, trying to decipher his thoughts. His movement is uncoordinated, characteristic of a child with limited skill and knowledge. A simple blow sent him flying into the snow, the badger leaping at the boy with vicious intent. Leaning forward, Sephiran watches as he rolls out of the way, escaping his opponents' treacherous jaws with inches to spare.

Scrambling to his paws, Xairo leaps back into the fray, meeting his opponent head-on. He lowered his head, digging the nubs on his head into the badger’s belly, biting it with his needle-like teeth. Claws raked at the boy, the badger trying to retaliate but Xairo was relentless. A creature driven by adrenaline and fear.

"Speech"

Code by Sea

Xairo didn't hesitate. He lunged forward, aiming for the vulnerable belly of the fallen badger. His teeth found purchase on soft flesh and he bit down hard, feeling the warm rush of blood over his muzzle. The badger screeched, a horrifying sound, but Xairo wouldn’t relent. He gnashed and ripped until the badger's blood curdling cries trailed off into desperate whimpers. His teeth tore into the creature, his own pain and exhaustion fading into the background as he went for the kill. But of course, as the badger’s desperation set in, it retaliated with a renewed fervor, its strength born out of sheer fear and the primal need to survive. The badger kicked out with powerful hind legs, catching Xairo off-guard and sending him tumbling backward.

Before he could regain his footing, the badger hauled itself out of the snow- leaving a bloody trail in its wake as it retreated to its den. Panting heavily, Xairo watched as the badger disappeared into the darkness of its set. His heart hammered in his chest, a deafening drumbeat pulsating in his ears. His entire body ached, from the scorching pain of his wounds to the dull throb of exhaustion that seeped into his bones. Looking himself over, he had several lacerations down his side. A handful of punctures that littered his body. His breaths came in ragged gasps, burning his lungs like the biting cold wind. Xairo forced a painful growl through clenched teeth, the taste of victory bitter-sweet on his tongue.

"Xairo Saxe"

Xairo and the badger became a whirlwind of teeth and claws, blood splattering to and fro, as they nearly fought to the death. In the end, Xairo was victorious, but it wasn’t by the means Sephiran was hoping for. He let the badger get away. A tsk slips from his cracked lips, a look of disappointment etched into his dark features. “Pitiful.” He hisses, tongue rolling out of his maw to slide across his saber fangs. He pulled it back into his mouth, running it across the roof of his mouth with a low, guttural growl. “If you allow your enemies to escape,” He takes a step forward, motioning towards the tunnel the badger fled into. “They will hunt you down.” A warning and a lesson, intertwined into one- he wanted to instill fear in the boy, to make him regret allowing his opponent to flee. Wanted him to have many restless nights, fearing the badger would sneak into his den and slaughter him while he slept. "Hatred is a powerful motivator." He finishes, tipping his head back to look down on the boy with a disapproving look. What a pitiful pup.

"Sephiran Saxe"

The taunting words of his father echoed in Xairo’s ears, each syllable a raw and cruel reminder of the expectations weighing heavily on him. Pitiful. The word stung more than any wound, it was a slap to the face, a harsh rebuke that made him wince in shame. "I let it live to tell other badgers what awaits them should they cross me," Xairo muttered, rising shakily to his feet. His legs threatened to buckle under him, but he held his ground, meeting Sephiran's dual-colored gaze with defiance.

In the silence that followed, Xairo could practically feel his blood thrumming through his veins, each beat of his heart a testament to his determination. His fur, once soft and fluffy, was matted with blood and grime. As the Sultan tried to implore that the badger would hunt him down, Xairo's green eyes flashed with an inner fire that belied his youthful age. "Let it come," he snarled, his voice low and aggressive. He'd had enough of fear. Enough of feeling inadequate. He was a warrior, and warriors didn't cringe before their enemies. They faced them. Just as he had. Just as he would continue to do so. "I'll fight it again. And again. However many times it takes."

"Xairo Saxe"

I let it live to tell other badgers what awaits them should they cross me. Sephiran’s ears twitched upon his skull, a sadistic crack of his lips contorting his features as he glared down at the boy. It is an interesting concept- one the Sultan understood, despite his hostile nature. Spreading fear through masses, creating an image of oneself through violence and bloodshed. his mind went back to his overtaking of Norad- how he allowed its members to flee, to spread the word of their alpha’s downfall and the rise of the next Saxe Sultan.

Xairo rose to his feet, collecting himself on wobbly legs and meeting his Father’s glare with a look of defiance. He’d welcome the badger's revenge, ready to fight it again. However many times it takes. Sephiran doesn’t respond at first- instead, he tips his head back higher, boasting his dominance over the boy. Over his kingdom.

But finally, his voice breaks the silence. “And if the badger slaughters you,” He sneers with a tongue click. “I’ll feed your corpse to the ravens that have sworn to protect you.” A lesson and a threat- this is the harsh reality of life. It’s a dog eat dog world.

"Sephiran Saxe"

The young pup straightened his stance, each breath drawn a clear statement of his defiance. His muscles ached from overexertion, small cuts and scratches marring the vibrant blue of his fur. Yet the pain was nothing compared to the humiliation that was clawing at him, threatening to undermine his resolve. He wouldn’t let his father see him falter, not now. He’d rather swallow hot coals than let the Sultan know his cutting words had hit their mark.

His gaze remained trained on the elder wolf, green eyes defiant in the face of his father's arrogance. "I am not afraid," he declared in a lower tone. Xairo's heart pounded in his chest, his small frame shuddering with each beat. He in fact was afraid, but he would not back down, the fire of his spirit flaring brighter in his chest. His lips curled back into a snarl as he stared up at Sephiran, the contempt clear in his gaze. "So let the ravens go hungry.” Xairo retorted. The wind picked up then, ruffling his fur and carrying the salty scent of the sea to his nose. The boy tilted his head slightly, ears twitching at the distant sound of waves crashing against the rocky shoreline of the Polar Sound.

"Xairo Saxe"

Sephiran was no fool- the boy may have put up a front of defiance and resilience, even daring to snarl at him, but his Father saw straight through his facade. He could sense the fear radiating off his tiny, mangled body. The air is thick with an almost tangible sense of dread, and Sephiran is savoring the very essence of his son’s fear as it permeates the space between them. It’s nearly all-consuming- a sensation that usually excites the perverse Saxe - but because it came from his son, his lineage, it’s not as sweet and delectable on his pallet. His son’s defiance sparks a jolt of cold disdain.

"Sephiran Saxe"