Group 2 consists of: Mortis, Nimue, Deluge, Ludovic



The adventuring party gathers in The Shimmering Shore, and as soon as they come together the world begins to shake violently. The dirt tunnels begin to collapse around them, and everyone begins to panic and scatter, splitting the group up- and trapping them temporarily underground. They can no longer leave the tunnels, nor can they post in any new event threads until this thread concludes.

Mortis, Nimue, Deluge, Ludovic find themselves in a larger room. The limits of the open space are hard to discern given the vast size of the cavern. They find the dirt beneath their paws is riddled with deep cracks and fissures, no doubt weakened by the tremors. The smallest hints of light filter down from above, though all they can see is darkness, all the way down.

Post and uncover more! No time limits, no posting order, but progression may be based on posting frequency! Danger is imminent!

She had tried to stick by her father and brother but the shaking of the earth sent those gathered, scrambling. The earth seemed to give way beneath her paws and she let out and oof, taking care to cover her head as earth and bodies rained down around her. When it seemed the worst of the violent temper tantrum was done with, she cautiously uncovered her head, rising to her feet and shaking off the debris from the collapse. The floor didn't exactly look stable ahead of them, deep fissures stretching across the expanse, bringing a grimace to her face. "Oi, who else's down 'ere?" She called out, recognising that she might be the only light in this godforsaken darkness. Her ears turned, noting the way her voice seemed to echo off the walls. A decent sized space then. It almost felt homey, somehow. "Watch where yer put yer feet, doesn' look too... sturdy..."

"speech"

Mortis had not intended to get separated from Isa, and he regretted that he had not stuck closer to his fathers partner. He hoped she was okay, wherever she had gotten to. Regardless, he realised quite quickly he was not alone, and the wolf he found himself with was not totally unknown to him. She wasn’t a wolf he had seen outside of raids, but he recognised her all the same. His younger brother's girlfriend.

He nodded his head to her, hoping it conveyed no issues between them. He was not a wolf who paid much attention to the politics around him, and he did not begrudge his brother any happiness. He turned his attention from the familiar wolf, and let his eyes roam the cave. Her words were wize, and all his sensors strained to understand what was around him.

"Speech"

Ludovic’s mismatched eyes darted through the murk, his pupils dilating as he tried to take in the dim surroundings. The tremors had come fast, unforgiving in their violence, and he’d lost sight of Xina in the chaotic scattering. His breath came shallow, steadying himself as he assessed the strangers sharing the cavern with him—he couldn’t recognize any of them. Strangers. All older than him, and he was alone.

His ravens, displaced in the chaos, were nowhere to be seen. The silence weighed heavily without their caws and the constant whisper of their wings. He clenched his jaw, nostrils flaring as he caught the faintest scent of dirt and rock dust mingling with his fellow buried-ones unique scents. They were all tense, each wolf wary, waiting for the next shake or sound.

“Hell of a way to meet, isn't it?” he murmured, his voice low, carrying a hint of a growl as he tested the ground with a cautious paw. It crumbled slightly under his weight, sending a tiny cloud of dust up, and he let out a huff of frustration. His eyes narrowed, cutting through the shadows as he tried to gauge the cavern’s size. Whatever light filtered down was faint, barely enough to cast the eerie shapes of the other’s forms in an indistinct outline.

He took a slow step forward, eyes sweeping the vast darkness before him. No use making enemies here, right? Play nice. Isn’t that what his father tried to instill in him? He wondered who Xina had already bitten by now. Fuck.


"Ludovic Praetor-Inferos"

Nimue had no intentions of joining in on a scouting party just yet- she was content with observing from the shadows, to see if someone else uncovered treasures she could steal for herself later. But before the congregation of wolves could devise a plan, the ground started to tremble, escalating into a violent shake that unearthed the very ground they stood on. The tunnels around them started to collapse, shifting like liquid, and threatening to bury them alive if they didn’t run.

Fleeing down a passage, Nimue barely dodged the falling debris, as the walls continued to fracture and crack like the tendrils of a writhing creature. Her canine was on her heels, the two of them tumbling into a larger cavern as the ceiling of the passage way behind them crumbled, sealing them in the underground. The cavern feels like an abyss- the lighting is bleak, but she can make out the figures of three other wolves.

A female calls out first, and shortly after, is a child's voice. Nimue doesn’t recognize them, and their scents aren’t familiar- but they are undoubtedly pack wolves. They all looked well-fed and taken care of. Flicking her tail, Nimue stays silent, wanting to use the ambiance of the cave to feed her information. Somewhere nearby, she could hear the faint trickle of water- a mocking reminder of the world outside.

"Nimue Vasanti"

The winged wolf earned himself a small grin, though whether he could see her expression against the bioluminescence of her coat was debatable. A pup spoke up, and she tried to catch their scent, but there was a bit too much distance between them. Straining her eyes and taking in his vibrant red coat, she snorted, "Which Praetor der you belong to?" she teased, spreading feline paws before cautiously picking her way across the cavern.

"I'm Deluge, from th' Raiders." She didn't know whether that would mean anything to the kid, but they couldn't really get through this just calling each other 'Hey you!' could they?

"I reckon diggin' got us inter this mess, maybe we should try an' find the edges?" Though the poorly filtered light did little to give them a direction for the closest wall. She picked a direction and started inching forward, testing each step before putting all of her weight down. She couldn't shake the sinking feeling that she was going to fall through the floor at any moment.

"speech"

Shortly after he encountered Deluge, a pup appeared. He recognised their scent from the raid, and knew Armada was on neutral grounds with him - not that such things mattered. He left politics to the rest of his family. He judged a wolf by the way they were, not their pack. “It is, you alright?” He asked the youngest member of their party, before turning to a more silent wolf that joined at the end of their party, he nodded his head to the small wolf, glancing over them with a quick eye to ensure they looked like they were doing okay.

“Mortis… from the Armada” He said, taking his cue from Deluge in the manner of introduction, flashing her a small smile back. “The edges of the tunnels?” he asked for clarification, walking slowly as he tried to get an idea of where they might be. “We should probably be careful we don’t end up under the ocean, I’m not sure how deep down we are.” He added cautiously. “If you get tired, let me know, there's room on my back for you.” He told the young pup, before glancing once more at the small wolf. “You, too” he said more quietly, knowing some adults might be offended by the suggestion.

"Speech"

The pathetic amount of light barely cast shadows on Ludovic’s youthful frame as he hesitated, scanning the older wolves who shared this tomb-like cavern with him. He tried to keep his breathing steady, his mismatched eyes darting from one shadowy figure to the next. The thick air was suffocating, the silence broken only by the soft, echoing pad of their paws against the ground and stone. Every now and then, he felt the rock shift slightly underfoot, keeping his muscles coiled in readiness. Anxiety sparking in his chest at every crumble of dirt. He’d never been prepared for something like… this. He flinched slightly as one of the wolves, a broad figure spoke to him. He could make out something on the wolf’s back, wings like a bird. Woah.

“You alright?” the wolf asked, his voice warm, if a bit gruff. Ludovic nodded quickly, masking his unease with a tight-lipped expression, his paws shifting restlessly as he adjusted to the attention. Then his ears perked at the sound of the woman’s voice breaking the silence further. His gaze settled on her as she moved closer, her steps cautious against the unpredictable ground. He didn’t know her, or her scent, but she spoke almost familiarly to him. A tease of who he belonged to. This he could answer.

"My father is Aresenn Praetor." he replied, amusement coloring his tone. Raiders. That was what his father’s birth pack had turned into after he left it. His mismatched eyes glinted with intrigue. “I’m Ludovic.” He eyed her, curiosity flickering at the edge of his thoughts. There was also a nagging feeling that he might have made a mistake divulging that information, but between the darkness and the utter fact of being alone without a guardian at his age… he wasn’t exactly in the position to play the closed mouth youth. His secrets meant nothing if he were dead. He was grasping at straws and all he had was his brain and what little skills he already had from his training to survive this.

The wolf introduced himself as Mortis, from the Armada. The other, Deluge from the Raiders. The last? She hadn’t spoken yet. Could she be from an enemy pack? Would the two bigger adults keep her at bay if she tried to kill him? In the dark, the rules seemed different; it was less about territory, more about survival—but Ludovic knew his pack had a great many enemies. And damn it all, Xina was probably with a Hallows wolf herself with her luck—Maybe it was the ruler of the Hallows she was trapped with right now!

Ludovic’s gaze followed the others, peering into the shadows as he tried to picture where they might be, how deep the tunnel ran, if they could even move without the tunnel’s collapsing. Mortis's next words made Ludovic swallow, though he didn’t let it show. Under the ocean. The thought settled in his chest like a stone. He’d seen that crushing weight and endless black water, but he shook off the image, focusing instead on the wolves around him. He didn’t want to imagine being under those crashing waves he always saw in the north.

Mortis’s voice softened as he spoke again, this time offering, “If you get tired, let me know. There's room on my back for you.”

Ludovic hesitated, his gaze flicking up to Mortis. Pride tugged at him, whispering to stand his ground and keep moving, but the gentle offer stirred something desperate within him, something he wasn’t used to. He gave Mortis a faint, acknowledging nod, his voice low but firm. “Thank you, Mortis… but I’ll keep up.” He managed a small, almost cheeky smile, one corner of his mouth twitching. The older wolf’s kindness settled his nerves a bit, grounding him, but suspicion and distrust were deeply sewn into his being; he needed to be objective and use his own strength to pull through this.

Determined not to be left behind, Ludovic glanced around, his eyes narrowing with renewed focus. We might just be digging our way to hell. He sighed, beginning to take a look around, thinking maybe there was something his smaller size could see; or a crack he could squeeze through.


"Ludovic Praetor-Inferos"

Ouch!

The adventurers press on through the dark tunnel. While most of the cracks are quite small, some are large enough to pose a threat- Mortis accidentally steps directly on one of the fissures, twisting his paw in the process. No other injuries are sustained yet as they continue on, though something strange becomes apparent- they can see the shifting shadow of something moving beneath them, almost as if something is following them...

Once Nimue’s eyes adjusted to the bleak lighting, she could see the three wolves better- a woman with bioluminescent fur, a large man with wings, and a crimson furred pup that was already larger than her. The nymph bit back a scoff. What a ragtag group to be stuck underground with. Clinging to the walls, she remains silent for the time being, watching the trio interact with each other- assessing them individually. Trying to decipher if any of them were a threat.

The woman seemed to know the pup- or, at least, knew of their sire. She’d never heard of the Praetor family, but this pup belonged to it. Did that information have any importance in this world? Was it a powerful family? Likely not, if Nimue had never heard of them. And the woman, she was Deluge from the Raiders- a pack name she’d heard in her travels, notorious for their raiding habits. And the winged man, was Mortis from Armada- a kingdom somewhere in the North, with ties to packs down in Auster- or so she’d been told.

Deluge seemed content with taking charge- she was practically barking orders, which earned a twitch of the nymph’s lips, as she fought back the urge to sneer. Find the edges of the tunnel. It wasn’t an absurd idea- but Nimue wasn’t the type to take orders or suggestions from others. Especially a stranger. Peering into the abyss, her amethyst gaze settles on Deluge, watching her bioluminescent silhouette inch forward, testing every step. Mortis’ voice drew her attention away from Deluge, because he was speaking to her. Offering her a ride on his back, if she got too tired. She found his offer offensive, and yet, it sent a shiver down her spine. The thought of straddling him while using his wings to keep herself upright. The feel of his spine rubbing against her belly. Her breath caught in her throat, a rush of heat blossoming across her face, forcing her to lean up against the cool, damp wall of the cavern.

“Careful what you offer, Mortis.” Her voice sounds like a lulling purr, tiny paws shuffling beneath her, as she slowly stalks toward the winged man. “I may ride you out of this hellhole.” Her eyes are locked on him with an unwavering focus, her heart starting to pound in her chest, at the mere thought of tasting this man in every way. “You may call me Nimue.” She says, ignoring the other two wolves. Screw the kid and the woman- maybe she and Mortis could take advantage of this unforeseen predicament.

But suddenly, the large male falters- his paw falling in one of the fissures, causing him to twist his ankle. Nimue stops, clinging to the cavern wall again, her senses becoming hyperaware of their surroundings. Shadows seemed to be dancing on the walls, twisting and shifting all around them- one in particular, forming around their feet. As if it was following them.

Suddenly, a palpable sense of danger shifted the atmosphere of the cavern. As if the walls were coming alive, pulsating with the wrath of a living creature. “Somethings not right.” Her voice cuts through the air, a low growl rumbling inside of her chest. Nimue wasn’t the type to get spooked- but something in the cavern brought out an unsettling mix of curiosity and apprehension, and it wasn't one of the wolves. It felt like something dangerous had just stepped into the abyss with them.

"Nimue Vasanti"

Aresenn? Shit, they'd still been Pirates when he left. Deluge hoped her easy smile conveyed that there was no bad blood where she was concerned, "Practically family then," she tried to keep her tone upbeat and only cringed a little when her voice echoed back off the walls. At least hopefully she might be distracting Ludovic from the things the other woman was saying, Nimue. Deluge wasn't exactly known for being demure, but even she wasn't feeling it with all that had lead up to this point in time.

Somewhere in amongst their blind fumbling, Mortis seemed to stumble and her head whipped in time to catch the flickering shadows. They should be running away from her glow not... racing towards it...

Something's not right... Not right indeed. Call it latent maternal instincts, (he was only a little bit older than her own kids), but Deluge did her best to angle her body between Ludovic and whatever was moving... between the cracks in the floor. She lowered her head, angling her antlers forward as she tried to catch sight or scent of whatever was down here with them.

"speech"

He winked at the kid, hoping they'd understand that all he needed to do was ask if he needed a helping paw. He also ensured he was close enough that he would need only snap out a wing to offer them shelter. It would soften the blow on falling debris if the earth rumbled again. Of course, if that happened a wing wasn't likely to do much. But still, he was compelled to position himself.


The smallest adult in their party seemed to take his offer in another way entirely. He looked at her, expression impassive. “My husband and I have children bigger than you, Nimue.” He said, almost gently. It wasn't entirely the truth, but close enough to it. Hopefully enough to cool her reaction. Gay and married, a shield to raise against her. He held her gaze another moment, intending to convey that his offer to help had been sincere, despite her attitude. 


Those extra few moments proved to be catastrophic as his paw hit a fissure and twisted. He let out a muffled sound, knowing a cry of pain could be a foolish move down here. A thought emphasised by the sudden feeling of something wrong, and close. He tucked his injured paw up, and moved to three legs. As they continued to travel forward. “Stay close, Ludovic, Nimue. Between us giants, perhaps.” He said, glancing to Deluge to ensure she agreed. Allowing her to see the flicker of pain and worry that he hid from the others.

Ludovic watched Nimue, his mismatched gaze narrowed in quiet amusement as she ignored him and Deluge, focusing entirely on Mortis. The urge to offer a cutting remark flickered through him, but he restrained himself, opting instead for a smirk as she leaned into her crude bravado. She reminded him a bit of his mother, though his mother would’ve been more focused on escaping than indulging in distractions. This—mother drilled into his skull well.

His gaze shifted to Deluge as she stepped protectively in front of him, her antlers lowered in readiness. For a heartbeat, he was taken aback—she barely knew him, yet she had positioned herself between him and the unknown threat. It was… unexpected. His parents had taught him to expect the worst from others, yet here she was, shielding him. He was at a loss for words, so he simply went for a response to her comment. “If you say so, Miss,” he muttered, lacing his words with a hint of sarcasm, though his eyes held a faint glimmer of guarded gratitude. What else could he do in this situation? He wasn’t a master manipulator, he couldn’t use his words well enough at this stage in life. He could only hope he was lucky, or smart enough to navigate this utter bastard of a situation. Still… he moved closer to the woman’s side, unwilling to let her face whatever was coming alone in his stead.

His gaze sharpened on the unnatural shadows slithering from cracks in the earth, the sight making his fur prickle. "What the-?" he muttered, voice tense as he felt the air thicken, as if something unseen lurked, ready to strike. Then, Mortis stumbled, and Ludovic’s attention snapped back to the winged man who had offered reassurance as the man remained silent, moving on three paws as though unfazed by the injury. Hadn’t that hurt?

Instinctively, he edged closer to the adults, deciding to trust, for now, that he was safer with them than alone. That numbers were better. His steps were light, senses on alert, though he could only make out faint, muffled sounds around him in the dark. When Mortis called out to stay close, he swallowed his usual defiance, nodding once. “Got it,” he replied, his voice low but steady. He slipped fully between Mortis and Deluge, close enough to feel their warmth—eyes wide as they moved. It was following them, whatever it was below their feet. He could barely control his breathing, for no amount of training could have prepared him for something so unnatural? But the boy was trying to be brave, just like he was always taught to be.

"Ludovic Praetor-Inferos"

Hugging the cavern wall, Nimue inhaled the labyrinth's earthy, damp fragrance, assessing the room for the new scent of an intruder. But there was nothing. The ominous, foreboding shift in the air was palpable, and something the nymph could not ignore. Even the other she-wolf was on edge- she stood in front of the pup, lowering her head to angle her antlers forward. Mortis had twisted his ankle, but was acting invincible- and his comment about having children larger than her, was laughable at best. Nimue scoffed, her lips curling into a sly smirk- her needle-like teeth shimmering in the low lighting, as she cocked a brow in his direction. He instructed her to stay close, as if she needed his protection.

A sharp hiss of laughter slipped through her lips. “Perhaps your husband would like a gift...” She retorts, her tiny, cat-like body shifting in and out of the shadows, as she slowly walks toward the trio. “In exchange for some of your pretty little feathers.” With another smirk, she clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth- only this time, it wasn’t just a cheeky comment. She was making an echo inside the abyss, to shake the oppressive silence of the cavern. If something was here, perhaps it would echo off of its body, and bounce back to them; but her click faded into silence, providing no clues.

"Nimue Vasanti"

The group can sense the movement of something below, noting the way the shadows shift underfoot. Then, a deeper darkness settles over them, lingering and oppressive. It lingers for a long while... and then something begins to stir.

The ground ripples beneath their paws, cracks splintering out in every direction. Some grow wide, threatening to swallow up the nearby wolves and send them sinking down into the dark depths.

A loud crack can be heard as air as soil and debris are sent outward in an explosion, filling the air with a thick cloud of dust. As it slowly begins to settle, a nightmarish figure emerges from the abyss- a grotesque creature, its body radiating a dull otherworldy glow. Its segmented body seems to pulsate, muscles contracting and releasing, the rhythmic movements sending a cascade of pebbles and dirt flying loose from where it'd been caked onto its form.

The monstrosity harbors a singular bulbous eye, its cross-shaped pupil undulating up and down, never staying in one place for long. Unfocused. Yet still seeing. What surrounds the eye is almost flower-like in appearance, fleshy succulent petals tipped in sharp spikes that ooze a viscous substance.

Suddenly the movement of the beast's pupil grows still, its shiny surface throbbing as it fixates on the nearby creatures, dilating. Sharp points on the beast orient sharply toward the wolves, its intent clear- predators are to become prey.

Ludovic's blood ran cold as the ground trembled beneath him, each rumble clawing up his spine. He steadied his stance, paws spread just enough to keep his balance—like his father had taught him—as the cracks spidered out, snapping and splintering like fragile bones breaking under the weight of something heavy and monstrous. Dust choked the air, stinging his eyes and clinging to his fur, but he held his ground, gaze narrowed between the two big adults as he watched the shadowy behemoth emerge.

The creature—a grotesque thing of segmented sinew and pulsating flesh—was unlike anything he’d seen. His instincts screamed at him to run, to put as much distance as possible between himself and that singular, sickly eye roving over them with chilling indifference. The beast's petals, slick with that oozing substance, reminded him of deadly flora—beautiful in a twisted way, yet crafted solely to consume. It must have been some kind of underground predator!

A shudder rolled through him as he met that singular, grotesque gaze, the cross-shaped pupil settling on them, clouded in a way that seemed all too wrong. It felt like staring into a void that stared right back, hollow yet hungry. His heart pounded in his chest, a rhythm of fight or flight, and for a moment, he could hear his mother’s voice in his mind, warning him of the world’s darkest secrets he would one day confront.

He swallowed, his voice a low murmur, barely a whisper to the others. “Our lucky day…” he muttered, sarcasm lacing his words in a desperate bid to hold onto some semblance of control. His mismatched eyes flicked to Mortis and Deluge, and he took a cautious step back, positioning himself behind them. He didn't think sweet talking this thing was going to work for any of them.


"Ludovic Praetor-Inferos"

Mortis ignored the conversations around him as movement coalesced into something far more volatile. It came from the cracks in the earth, forcing the winged wolf to move to the side, his wings fanning to gain balance as he hobbled on three legs. Ludovic moved behind him and Deluge, and he lowered one of his wings, sheltering the pup from the view of the strange flower-like worm that sighted them.

He did not know or trust what the small wolf Nimue would do, but Delphi? Perhaps he could count on her to help him defend the small. “Offensive or defensive?” He asked her, voice soft as his lips barely moved. His eyes never strayed from the predator in front of them. He was willing to take her lead.

"Speech"

The tok of the smaller woman's click seemed to reverberate off the walls, like a stone thrown into an abyss that never quite hit the bottom. The fur along her spine came to stand on end, a lip pulling back to expose tightly clenched teeth as she held her breath.

It wasn't unwarranted as a crack reverberated in response, the floor falling apart around them as cracks widened and dust filled the air. What it revealed when it finally settled bought a grim smile to her face. Well fuck, this was certainly a way to go, and the potential for nobody to be left to pass along the details of her deeds this day.

She rolled her shoulders forward with a grim determination, a smirk offered to Mortis's question with a flirtatious tip of her antlered head. "'S almost as if yer forgot who yer askin'..." Nobody ran into danger headfirst quite like a Raider.

No regrets. Her mother would take on raising her kids if anything happened to her, it wasn't even worth dwelling on. No distractions, no fear.

Flexing feline paws, she used her enhanced eyesight to pick her path before charging at the... flower worm, surely the approach would matter more than in close. It didn't look so capable of close combat, but then again, it didn't look like it had bones to speak of either.

Lowering her head she'd try to gore it with her antlers and then gain some more distance before planning another pass.

"speech"

Suddenly, the air around them grew still- as if the cave was holding its breath in anticipation. The shadows around them deepened, stretching across the ceiling and the walls, before they shifted beneath their feet and the trembling started. The very essence of the cave started to shift- the ground beneath them rippling, cracks splintering in all directions. A cloud of dust consumed the space, forcing Nimue back against the wall.

A massive, ominous, writhing creature emerged from the widest hole, standing tall before them and pulsating in rhythmic movements. There’s a single, bulbous eye glaring at them with clear intentions. This thing was a predator.

A chill rolled down Nimue’s spine, her pelt bristling out of reflex, as she curled her lips and bared her fangs at the beast. Ludo, Mortis, and Deluge were shifting beside her, Mortis asking if they should take the offense or defense. Stupid question. There was no way out of this cavern, and if they didn’t fight the beast, it would eat them- plain and simple. Their only option was to fight.

Deluge is the first to race forward, and Nimue lunges after her, driven by instinct and adrenaline. While the woman tries to gore the beast with her antlers, Nimue approaches it from behind. Kicking off her hind legs, she launched herself onto the creature, using her sharp claws to anchor herself against its slimy, pulsating body. She’d try to bite into it next, to rip a chunk out of its back.

"Nimue Vasanti"

The wolves brace themselves at the sudden appearance of the monstrous beast, trying to understand what they're seeing. The youngest of the group, Ludovic, reels back, while the winged Mortis moves to shield the boy from view; Deluge, embodying the spirit of the Raiders, charges the monstrosity head-on, aiming to gore it with her antlers. The attack makes the beast temporarily recoil, hard antlers driving into flesh that gives way without too much resistance.

Nimue follows Deluge's lead, recognizing that they must fight. The small female aims to attack the worm from the back, gripping onto its flesh and tearing into it. Her teeth digs down into it, revealing rubbery flesh under its hardened exterior. Clear, viscous fluid begins to ooze from the wounds both Nimue and Deluge have inflicted, dripping onto Nimue's tongue and pooling on the cave floor beneath the wolves.

The worm, clearly disgruntled from the attack, begins to move- though its movements are sluggish, it manages to lean over, the fleshy petals around its face snapping outward and stretching away from its body. The spikes are aimed toward Mortis. The barbed edge grazes across his nose, leaving a stinging wound that is sure to leave a scar.