Their home had turned dangerous, with the earth moving they couldn’t be certain that the dens were safe. So, following Basilisk’s advice, the little family left to go and see what the strange occurrences were. Hika walked close to Mortis who had Odette on his back. Though she was independent and wanted ot walk on her own it wasn’t long before the little girl pup’s paws were sore. She was easily nestled into her Poppa’s wings as the two men found their way to the strange land. Hikaru had never seen anything like it before. The red light was ominous at best and left him with a lingering feeling of dread. His protective nature was on guard as they brought their child into the unknown.

"Speech"

Odette didn’t realize the danger they might be in staying at home, she was just excited to be allowed out and about to explore. At first she had been adamant about using her own little footsies to walk but as time went on she began to fatigue. Eventually asking her Poppa if she could ride on his back. Something she never did voluntarily (but loved every time he lifted her up there.)

The red dawn was like nothing she had ever seen, of course she didn’t have much experience in her short life but that didn’t matter. "What’s all this?" She asked curiously from her dad’s shoulders. Of course they knew everything there was to know about the world so surely they could answer her questions. She just conveniently ignored their looks of uncertainty.

"Odette"

Mortis wasn't comfortable bringing Odette along on what could be a dangerous expedition. But two factors had persuaded him. The knowledge that she would try to follow if they left her behind, and fear that leaving her in the warrens would be putting her in danger of cave-ins. At least if she was with him and Hika, they could protect her.


They travelled to the new land that had opened up, hoping to find answers of some variety. With Odette on his shoulders, Mortis was taking every precaution. His companions surrounded them, and his steps were light. 


When they arrived, the weathered stone spikes were the most prominent landmark, and they were nothing like anything he had seen before. “I think this was made by the ones that came before. The ones that walked on two legs.” But what was it for? He couldn't even fathom a guess.

Hika knew that Mort was incredibly uncomfortable bringing their little Odette along with them, but truly what safer place could she be than with the two of them? However much the lands put him or Mort on edge, she was best off with her fathers. Hikaru’s fur was just barely being kept smooth over his back and like Mortis his senses were heightened to the extreme. He had never seen the sky look like this, and the land was also so unknown and ancient despite having just appeared.

Odette posed her question about the place, and thankfully Mortis spoke up first. He suspected that this was a place that had been created by the species that had come before. Their fingerprints were present all over the lands and Hika couldn’t argue that fact either. The lattice work was intricate and delicate, yet oh so frightening. Hikaru couldn’t begin to think about what they could be used for.

"I could say all of the things they aren’t.” Hika replied as his silver eyes surveyed the structures. They couldn’t be used for shelter, nor would they work well for storage. "What do you think they are, Sweet Pea?” He asked, his gaze returning to the little girl’s features.

"Speech"

Odette played happily upon her Poppa’s back, his soft wings a protective barrier against the strange foreboding sky and the danger pyres that jutted up around them. She was glad at least that the earth shakes were finished and the terrifying sounds of the night were gone. She didn’t really like this fake daylight though, and was glad to be with her dads. She wouldn’t have let them leave without her, not with the strangeness going on all around them. Odette was most comfortable right here with her parents, no matter the setting.

Poppa explained briefly that he believed this to be from the two-legs, the creatures that ruled the lands before their wolven kind. Her Daddy didn’t offer much up beyond that he knew what they were not. Odette couldn't say that she believed she knew what they were either. They were full of holes and were so tall that they couldn’t even be used for some kind of spike. "What if they’re just meant to be scary?" She asked, her voice soft and uncertain.

"Odette"