Enyo’s paws pounded against the earth, each stride a powerful burst of speed as she chased after the deer. Her muscles worked in tandem like a well-honed weapon. The wind rushed past her carrying with it the scent of prey. She could see the deer up ahead, their forms bounding over the landscape in a desperate bid to escape her pursuit.

They were fast, but Enyo was relentless.

As she closed the gap, the land before her began to change. The once-familiar ground gave way to the shimmering expanse of the Bifrost. Glistening in the sunlight, stretching out towards Auster. The sight was almost enough to distract even Enyo, but her focus remained sharp, eyes locked on the herd as they fled across the glittering sands.

The surface beneath her paws shifted, a mix of white sand, shells, and minerals crunching softly with each stride. Enyo paid it little mind to how her paws sank with each landing, her instincts guiding her across the bridge as if it were just another part of her territory. She could see the deer faltering, unsure of this unfamiliar terrain, their movements becoming more erratic as panic set in. It was exactly the kind of vulnerability Enyo thrived on.


"SPEECH"

CODE BY SIN

Having left the castle grounds earlier that morning, Clove was making her way toward the land bridge that connected the two continents, wanting to explore the seaside for treasures. Her raven was flying in the heavens above her, keeping an eye out for danger which made Clove feel safe, even in solitude. She could always send it back for help if something happened.

Walking along the shore, Clove welcomes the symphony of the oceanside- the crashing waves of the beach, the salty sea-breeze that ruffled her fur. It was a soothing backdrop, and one she greatly enjoyed. But it was quickly shattered by the sound of footfall pounding against the sand. A large silhouette was barreling toward her, coming from Boreas- and in front of it, was a deer frantically running for its life. A hunt no doubt. Clove suddenly becomes indecisive- does she assist the stranger, or get out of their way?

She doesn’t have much time to think. Suddenly, the frantic deer is barreling toward her, and Clove acts on instinct. Leaping forward, she barks and snaps her jaws, frightening deer, forcing it to pivot and turn away from her. Its footing falters in the sand, and it trips several steps, slowing down enough for the other wolf to close in.

"Clove Carpathius"

Enyo's eyes narrowed as the deer began to veer erratically, its wild eyes catching sight of the strange she-wolf on the opposite side of the Bifrost. Enyo took in the sight of the small figure, her own large paws thundering against the sands as she closed the distance between them.

She watched as the stranger snapped at the deer, forcing it to stumble in its frantic attempt to change course. A low growl of approval rumbled in Enyo's throat. This she-wolf had, perhaps unknowingly, aided her hunt. Her intense gaze flicked briefly from the deer to the stranger, noting her delicate build. She wasn't anyone Enyo had encountered before, and for a heartbeat, curiosity mingled with the thrill of the hunt.

But her focus returned to the deer, her muscles coiling as she closed in. With a powerful lunge, Enyo launched herself forward, her jaws parting wide. The deer, still off-balance from its abrupt turn, was vulnerable,. Its hind legs faltering in the shifting sand. Enyo's crushing jaws found their mark, clamping down on the deer's flank with a strength that spoke of her lineage. A wolf bred for power and dominance.

The deer cried out, struggling in vain against her grip, but Enyo's hold was unrelenting. She twisted her head, forcing the creature off-balance, its hooves skidding against the glittering sands. The adrenaline of the hunt coursed through her, her powerful limbs anchoring her as she dragged the deer down, her teeth tearing into its flesh.

"SPEECH"

CODE BY SIN

With the deer faltering in place, the larger wolf was able to close in- having leaped at the deer, grabbing onto its flank and using their overwhelming strength to force it off-balance. Sand flew in all directions, and Clove took an instinctive step back, wanting to stay out of the way- but the impulse to engage was gnawing at her mind- the visceral desire to be a predator. It was only natural for a wolf.

Overtaken by instinct, Clove leaps into the fray, trying to assist the larger wolf. She grabs onto one of its flailing legs, trying to help keep it anchored down. She wasn’t the type to go for the kill- Clove was better suited for tracking and chasing- but she could help keep it still.

"Clove Carpathius"

Enyo felt the familiar rush of adrenaline surge through her veins as the deer struggled beneath her grip, its frantic bleats filling the air. She loved this part, the struggle. The struggle of a creature who couldn't save itself. The scent of blood mixed with the tang of the sea breeze, heightening her senses. This was where she thrived, where her power and purpose converged.

To her surprise, the small she-wolf leaped into the fray. Enyo's sharp gaze caught the movement as Clove darted in, her jaws clamping down on one of the deer's flailing legs. A flash of approval flickered in Enyo's icy blue eyes. This stranger, despite her delicate build, was not afraid to get her paws dirty. To engage in the brutality of the hunt. How fun!

Enyo shifted her weight, using her mass to press the deer into the shimmering sands of the Bifrost. She felt the creature's muscles give way beneath her as she wrestled it down, its struggles weakening by the second. The deer's panicked gaze met hers, and a thrill coursed through her. The War Queen's own eyes narrow with a mix of satisfaction and hunger.

With a final motion, Enyo lunged forward, her powerful jaws finding the deer's throat. She clamped down, her teeth piercing flesh and cutting off the creature's cries. The deer's struggles ceased, its body going slack beneath the combined weight of the two wolves. The taste of blood filled Enyo's mouth, and a shiver of exhilaration ran down her spine as she held the deer until its life had fully drained away. The fur spiked from the top of her neck down her back in pleasure. She began to lap at the blood, enjoying the warmth of it all.

She released her hold slowly, savoring the moment. her breath coming in heavy puffs. Blood stained her muzzle, the metallic tang of it intoxicating. Enyo stood over the fallen deer, her chest heaving. She took a step back, her intense gaze shifting to the stranger who had joined her in this primal dance.

"Well done," Enyo said, her velvety Greek voice carrying an edge of approval. There was something about this small, delicate wolf that intrigued her. Despite her size, she had not shied away from the blood, the violence, and the raw nature of the hunt. Enyo respected that.

"I am Enyo," she said, her voice powerful and unwavering. She straightened, her stance proud and authoritative as her icy eyes locked onto Clove's mismatched gaze. "Daughter of the Dunamis. Who are you, stranger, to leap into another's hunt with such spirit?"

There was no aggression in her tone, but a challenge lay within her words... a test, an invitation to prove herself further. The thrill of the hunt still lingered, and Enyo's curiosity was piqued.

"SPEECH"

Clove fought hard to keep the deer from escaping her grip- she had to dig her paws into the shimmering sand of the Bifrost, which was flying in all directions as their prey struggled. If she’d been taking the deer on by herself, she would have lost it- but her hunting partner was a large, and perhaps vicious, wolf- they used their brute strength, powered by relentless determination, to conquer the challenge. Every move they made exuded the confidence of a seasoned killer- and it made Clove feel a bit uneasy. Being so close to a powerful wolf, without the protection of her family.

They’d become a flurry of kicking legs, snapping jaws, and whirling bodies. But after some time, the chaos of the battle died down, and so did the deer- her hunting partner having shoved the deer against the sand, and grabbed it by the throat. Clove released her grip and stumbled back, eyes growing wide at the wolf’s overwhelming force. That’s when she realized the wolf was a female. This realization evoked another sense of awe in Clove, heat flushing her cheeks as she watched the woman bleed the deer.

The silence that surrounded them at that moment was nearly deafening.

Her hunting partner was the first to break the silence. Her voice was a symphony of deep baritones with a velvety edge, adorned in an accent she did not recognize. Another wave of heat rushed to Clove’s face- something about the woman made her feel… jittery inside. “Hello, Enyo.” She says, returning the woman’s greeting. “I’m Clove.” A sheepish smile curls the corners of her lips, and she shifts her weight from side to side, trying not to seem so nervous in the powerful woman’s presence. “I live nearby, in The Hallows- in that castle over there.” She motions behind her with a flick of her muzzle, referring to the massive castle that seemed to reach into the heavens.

"Clove Carpathius"

Enyo’s gaze lingered on Clove, sharp and unyielding. She took in the smaller wolf’s nervous movements the way Clove shifted on her paws, the flick of her muzzle toward the distant castle on the horizon. Her expression betrayed none of her thoughts, but there was a flicker of amusement beneath her composed exterior. Such a little one with delicate features and jittery demeanor.

"Clove," Enyo repeated, tasting the name as if weighing its worth. Her velvety voice remained steady, laced with a hint of curiosity, though her pride was ever-present, coiled beneath each syllable. "A fitting name." She allowed the faintest twitch of a smile to tug at the corner of her lips. It was more gesture than welcome as if to acknowledge the smaller wolf's effort without offering unnecessary praise. Not that the woman would be worth it, with such small stature she doubted the material she came from was much better.

Her gaze drifted toward the distant castle that Clove had motioned to, towering high above the horizon like a shadow against the burning red sky. The Hallows? Enyo had heard whispers of it, though she'd never ventured close enough to confirm the rumors. They lacked anything that piqued Enyo's interest. Besides, her pack didn’t need neighbors. However, standing here now, curiosity stirred in her. A soft interest to understand what kind of wolves lived there and how they might prove useful or dangerous. They would know soon enough she supposed.

"A castle," Enyo remarked, the word rolling off her tongue as if she were amused by the extravagance. Enyo loved luxury and all things that fell under that umbrella. "Do all who dwell there chase deer across the Bifrost, or are you the exception?" The question was laced with both challenge and intrigue, a deliberate attempt to gauge Clove’s spirit.

Her gaze remained steady, unblinking, as if daring Clove to shrink beneath the weight of it. Yet there was no immediate hostility in her presence the confidence of one accustomed to getting what she wanted, whether through strength or strategy. Her attention briefly returned to the deer, blood soaking into the thirsty sand. Now that the flow of crimson began to ebb Enyo began to get to work. She didn't intend on taking the meat home. Just the skull and pelt.

"You handled yourself well," Enyo continued, her deep voice low but deliberate. "Most wouldn't have had the nerve to step into a stranger's hunt. But nerve is not enough in this world." There was no malice in her words, only fact. A cold and measured truth born from experience. Titanium teeth could crunch into the bone, powerful jaws crunching down and twisting and pulling to internally decapitate the head from the body. With a sickening crunch and jolt, the skull would separate from the neck. There was a haunting gap where it once was connected.

She gave a slight tilt of her head, her pale eye glinting beneath the shifting light. "Why are you out here alone, Clove of The Hallows?" she asked, not unkindly but with the keen curiosity of a predator evaluating another. "A little thing like you could easily be swallowed by these lands if you aren’t careful. I fought a jaguar down here larger than you once."

Then she would tear into the flesh of the neck. Severing the skin from the torn muscle. Delicate but thorough.

Enyo’s words were blunt, but not cruel just the way she saw the world. Strength was everything. Strength meant survival. Yet something about Clove intrigued her, and Enyo found herself wondering if there was more to this she-wolf than first met the eye.


"SPEECH"

CODE BY SIN