He was taken with the eerie quiet of the cave. The ice seemed to muffle all sound. Quite a crowd had gathered, and Katsu felt satisfied with his exploration of the place. It did go deeper, but he didn't feel comfortable with the amount of wolves that had begun to gather. Perhaps news of this cave opening would be enough. Even as he thought that he'd arrived at this conclusion, his mind continued to war with itself over it. No, it's not enough. And then, just as insistent: Take leave of this place. He stood, quietly weighing his options, when the cave floor gave out beneath him.

Glittering shards of ice fell all around the crowd as they tumbled through the air, landing unceremoniously on the floor of another subterranean chamber. When he hit the ground, he felt every scrap of oxygen in his lungs leave in one great gust. Katsu wheezed, panting and scrabbling to right himself. The very edge of his field of vision began to darken, so when he finally stood wavering on his feet, he was almost sure the creature standing before him was an apparition. A vision straight from his nightmares.

Once he got his bearings, a pup had already ran headlong at the worm after throwing a rock to the side in an attempt to distract it. An older man tried the same tactic. Katsu grunted and shook off his fall fully, sucking in a deep breath before assessing the situation more fully. A child was already involved... but he needed to make his way home to warn the others. He had to get back to Tojo Kai. He longed for the pleasant clacking of the bamboo, the pristine calm of it all. Maybe he was a coward. But he was stranded here in the cave for now, so hobbled to Beat's side. He had an ugly cut on his shoulder and it streamed blood. "You can lean on me," he said gruffly, trying not to show any fear. The pup was too far gone - reckless and wild. He wouldn't engage until they could figure out more about this creature.

With its sightless mouth wavering - and knowledge of the many unsighted creatures that navigated the earth, moles and the like - the guess of the others was as good of an idea as any. Gripping a massive fallen icy stalactite in his mouth, he hurled it across the cave so it might shatter against the wall in another tremendous crash.

"speech"

coded by NachoMumma

Scald turns to smile at Wenna. Seeing a familiar face was comforting in a sense. His tail wags gently as he moves to stand beside her. "Jus' stay outta trouble," he teases, reaching out to nip at her cheek playfully before following her deeper into the cavern. Until it began to rumble. The ground crashed open. Scald's paws slide downward, scrambling to find purchase on the slick floor. He grunts, turning to try and stop Wenna from sliding past him. Rasping breaths wrench from him as the quakes slow before the ground opens up before them and the eyeless worm reaches from the depths. Still and somehow feeling as if its staring at them, Scald turns to look over his shoulder. "No, fuck no," he grumbles, pressing into Wenna to try and push her back away from the monstrosity. At the same time, he sees the pup lung for the worm as an older wolf tosses a rock past it. "Idiots," Scald hisses, his eyes turning to Wenna quickly. "Save yerself, please," he whispers, pressing his muzzle to her cheek. "If ya make it back, let 'em know I love 'em," the smile on his lips is faint as he turns from Wenna. Facing the worm, Scald inhales deeply. As much as he wanted to run away from the danger, he couldn't let the pup face it alone. Whether whoever she had come with was ready to help, he couldn't in good conscious let her face death. Rushing forward, sliding on the ice, Scald also lungs for the worm's, attempting to leap into the air and grab ahold of something to start tearing at it. Scald Fallen

table coding by bunni ♥

Her ears tilted as she caught the first few snaps of ice, the noise splitting and growing louder until- she took a step forward to skitter away, only for the ice to cave in on itself. To send the gathering of wolves tumbling down and down. Damira had no time to reflect on her choices, couldn't stew in regret and wish she'd never come here. It was swift and sudden; she half expected pain and blood- but she landed atop of someone, hard enough to have the wind knocked out of her lungs but no bones broken, just bruises.

She coughed, stumbling to her paws, didn't even think to check to see who she'd landed right on top of, because things had gone from bad to worse. The worst.

Damira stared wide-eyed, ears pinning back as she stared at the beast ahead. It was true she'd wanted to see and know more but this- it felt like she'd bitten off well beyond what she could possibly chew. Her natural inclination was to run, to run and run without even a single thought of looking back, of trying to help. But she couldn't- she had no hope of scaling up the walls, nor did she think it would be wise to run around blindly beneath the ice.

She had to do something, out of necessity more than choice.

Gritting her teeth, she darted to the side, letting out a sharp bark in the hopes of getting the beasts' attention. She was no fighter and knew better than to try, but if she could help keep it occupied then...surely that was something.

It had no eyes, but it could sense them all the same, almost as if she could feelit staring at her.

Coran stepped cautiously deeper, his claws clicking on the ice as he moved. His nostrils flared, trying to catch a familiar scent but nothing quite came to him. He smelt the clear, cool ice but something more earthen and musky down below. Everything in him knew there was something bad down there, something he didn't want to know about but he couldn't bring himself to leave, not without a sure answer and soon the answer made itself horribly known.

The ground shook again, the ice cracking sharply up the walls. Coran turned and tried to make a break for stable ground but his paws slipped and he felt himself rolling downward, the red sun twinkling a goodbye as he slipped underground. It took him a moment to get back on his feet and as he did so Coran could've sworn there was something moving in the ice around them. Then suddenly, it burst up through the ice. A massive worm seemingly made of ice emerged. It bore a mouth of teeth but seemed to have no eyes. Did it track via vibrations perhaps? Coran held still, eyes flicking up to see if there was a way they could get to safety.

Then motion, Coran's head whipped back to see a young wolf attack. His heart leapt in his throat. He noted an older man throw a rock and hoped the sounds would create confusion. Joining in, Coran grabbed a piece of icy debris, noting a large angled piece. He raced up it then in one fluid motion whipped his head forward to toss the debris to the left of the beast before he leapt off the incline toward the worm. He hoped the creature would partly turn away from him, distracted by the sound of the rocks as he aimed to sink his teeth into the closest thing he could perceive as its neck, underneath the lower right petal at the base of the head.

Ri’s ears flicked back in worry as the cave behind her filled with ever more wolves. Where were they all coming from? Why were they here? Perhaps this was a good thing. Her scent could easily be lost in the many. The frightened, abused young girl slunk low to the cave wall, trying to evade notice.

After a few moments, something seems to happen. Perhaps it senses their presence, by the tremors of too many paws over the ice. But a creature pops forth, like nothing she’s ever seen before. She can only watch as wolves start to throw rocks and themselves at the creature. Clearly, they too were afraid. As they fought it, she tried to understand what she could from its appearance. Its mouth looked almost like a flower. What did it eat? How did it survive in the ice.


"Speech"

Speech // thought // Serbian

As titillating as his playful nip was, the chiming sounds drew her in with excitement. She scoffed over her shoulder for his teased warning.

"Me? Trouble? Ne-" The rumbling and earth-shaking cut off her remark. Instinct drove her to grab for Scald and lurch backward but she stepped on her phantom limb and fell hard into the crumbling ice around them. The world turned upside down and when the rubble, snow and debris cleared the air all she could do was look up where the exit lay, out of reach. She scrambled back to her feet, Scald stoof protectively between her and the creature. Her gaze scanned the crowd as the scent of blood hit her nose. She was a healer. She had to help. Thanking whatever gods there was that had thrown an old discarded healer's satchel nearby with the remnants of deeply frozen herbs and supplies.

She leaned into his nose press, her eyes on the strange creature, her fear tampered as the emergency grew critical.
"You'll have to tell them yourself. You can't tell me to run when someone is hurt, ya big dummy." He whispered and planted a kiss on his lips before looking around for the injured.

"Who is hurt?" She called out, "Everyone injured come back here, away from it! I'm a healer!" Her voice rose above the throng. She tried to ignore the braver wolves who decided to take up arms against it.

The corner of her eye caught Scald's movement and her breath caught in her throat, a gasp as she watched him launch himself at the creature.

"NO!" She couldn't help but scream, half lunging after him to pull him back, but she was too late. He was out of reach and too close to that thing. The movement of the others closer to her brought her attention back to the injured. She had to pull herself away; she had a job to do.

One minute, she was drawn in by the sound of tantalizing music, the next he earth was out from beneath her paws and it was raining bodies into a deep ice cavern. A small body landed on her ribs, dodging her neck crystals barely and drove the air from her lungs. She wretched and coughed, wheezing as she tried to draw air back into her lungs. There was no time to panic, a giant creature emerged from the ground beneath their feet.

Some started throwing rocks and another girl screamed about being a healer. Sedna snarled quietly, "If yer know how ter put someone back t'gether, yer know how ter take 'em apart!" They'd need to work together to take the monster down, but if the little girl wanted to play the damsel, she could keep her screeching up and serve as a distraction. Even a child was charging forward.

Perhaps the crystals on those petal-like appendages served as resonators? And she would need to avoid it's sharp, spike-like legs, hard enough to gain purchase in the ice. The filtered light caught the glinting blade that was always strapped to her tail. A larger man had joined the youngster as others continued to try and disorient the beast by making noise. She spread her toes for balance and quietly, but quickly padded forward in an attempt to get close enough to slash at the creature with her blade on the opposite side to Scald.

"speech"

The ground quaking, before giving way. Tumbling, a mass of limbs and wolves and ice. The breath driven from Víðarr's lungs, struggling to right himself. Scrambling, clawing his way back to his feet, assessing the chaos erupting around him. Hackles up, gaze skating over Sedna-- she's okay. He can refocus on the creature that's burst from the earth. Eyeless... sightless? Squinting at the beast, Víðarr lifts a shard of ice from the ground. With all his might, he throws the loose piece against the opposite wall, far from where any of them had landed. Confuse the fuck out of it, maybe they'll get somewhere.

At least, confusing it may have worked, if that pale and tawny girl hadn't gone shrieking. Fine. They'll do this in a more traditional way. Víðarr springs to life, teeth gnashing. Trying to keep his balance as he throws himself at the beast, intent on neutralizing the threat. He'd keep as quiet as he could, but when had Víðarr ever been good at stealth?

I CAN BE YOUR GIRL GIRL GIRL GIRL GIRL GIRL

More and more wolves began to show up. Many she had never met nor smelled before. What packs did they come from? Unfortunately now wouldn't be the time to ask. It wouldn't be long before she saw a familiar plump figure.

Medusa?

Why would she come all this way while pregnant? Risking the lives of the pups inside her. Enyo had half a mind to tell the woman to go back home, that the Dunamis in her belly were priceless—more priceless than any knowledge that could be gathered here. Enyo padded over to the woman, but not before the Earth below her began to... move. Suddenly it seemed the Earth was going to swallow them whole.

Chaos.

Ice.

There was yelps of pain and the hot scent of blood.

Darkness.

Too much was happening for Enyo to fully comprehend. Her ears were ringing from the noise and as she gathered herself she could hear some women yelling. Adrenaline kicked in, her mind sharpening as her heart thundered. The woman couldn't allow anything to happen to Medusa, especially while not under her watch. Erebros would be blame her, she was sure of it.

So when she saw someone throw a stone and another brute launch himself, she knew she had to help... Was that a worm? Her mind flashed to the wolf whose organs burst out, worms spilling onto the floor. Her fur bristled as she remembered. They all were in grave danger, and there was no opportunity for tact now. They had chosen to fight, and Enyo was not one to stand by. She had to protect Medusa, not because of who she was but because of the pups inside her.

"Medusa! Stay back!" she commanded as she moved to join the others.

Snarling, the woman charged forward immediately after Scald. She wasn't sure exactly how to attack this thing, but she knew to avoid the hard-looking crystals. Thankfully, she had her armor on; it seemed to help block some of the shards that others were injured by.

Enyo would dart forward, gathering tension in her haunches before launching at one of the petals on its face. She was one of the larger ones here and so if she could weigh it down that would be optimal.

BUT WOULD YOU LOVE ME IF I RULED THE WORLD WORLD WORLD

"SPEECH"

CODE BY SIN

]

Zeke stands with the small group of Syndicate wolves, posture rigid and ready to lash out at the strangers if any one of them attempts to harm the pups. Others arrive, striking up conversation but he pointedly ignores them, only giving his attention to Rhazien as they wait. Suddenly, the ground begins to shake violently again, shuddering underneath his paws as the man tries to find a grip on the rapidly cracking ice. Duel-toned eyes shoot up to Rhazien, alarm hidden deep within his gaze as the ice finally gives way.

Darkness claws at him as his body tumbles downward, head and ass switching directions more times than he could count before the ground is there to greet him. He lands awkwardly and Ezekiel feels the tendon in his inner right back leg stretch beyond what its normal limits are and a grunt of pain leaves his mouth while the world fades away for a moment. Ice showers him as he blinks back into awareness, head lifting from the ground as he hears paws shuffling around him.

Body shifts and he stands, wincing at the pulling in his leg which causes him to wobble for a moment before he hikes it so he can quickly assess the situation. It seems that some strange, crystalline worm has appeared, it’s crystal shard lined mouth open and teeth bared as the soft blue light from above illuminates the strange creature. Then one of the pups he had been watching gleefully smacks a rock at the wall before charging towards its base and the older male moves.

With a hopping gait, he ignores the others that are trying to join in and fight the creature and aims for the pup, seeking to try and grab ahold of her scruff. As he seeks to grab the pup, his body is also turning as he attempts to put himself between the creature and the pup so that he might take the brunt of whatever damage the creature might seek to do to the child. He couldn’t really give two flying fucks about the kid but she was Sephiran’s blood and he would not allow her to get injured if it is possible he could prevent.

All Zeke wants to do is throw the pup as far away from the battle as possible so that the adults could handle this thing without having to worry about them... if only pups weren't so stupid.


"Ezekiel Saxe"

Epimethius was shockingly calm as the floor gave out beneath them. His first instinct was to stick near Enyo. Even as he hit the ground, he pushed against the cold ice floor, moving toward Enyo, ignoring the ache from the impact. His gaze followed Enyo as the woman spoke to someone he did not know, but what he did know was that she was important to Enyo. Therefore, he would care for her, too. It was clear they wouldn't let the beast get near Medusa. He followed Enyo's charging even as his ears flicked back in slight unease. These things were odd, and he still wasn't fully sure that what he saw in front of them was real. He rushed to the side of the beast, ignoring the crystal-like growths as he dove towards the creature. Following Enyo's lead. "Talk"

Welp, her expectations of exploring were cut short when the ground suddenly gave way beneath them. First a rumbling sound, and then the ground began to crack, and before she knew it, her paws were scrabbling on the ice and she tumbled down with Umbra and Nox. She landed with a thud on top of Umbra, cushioning her fall. Disoriented for a moment, the three untangled themselves before rising to their feet and she shakes off the ice and dust from the fall. Looking around, she spotted the shadow that seemed to move around them, confusion in her gaze as she watches it go from one side to the other before finally, a grotesque creature unlike any she had ever seen before burst through from the ice.

She stares at it wide eyed and in awe at this gruesome creature. Fascinating in its own right. Never had she seen anything like it, and her gaze shifted from its strange head, to the appendages and everything in between. Luckily, it did not attack...but instead seemed to watch them despite its lack of eyes (at least not that she could see). Before she knew it, however, chaos erupted around her. A pup went running headlong at the creature, and then suddenly everyone else was doing all manner of things. Attacking it. Throwing things. Someone screamed. Her ears pinned back at the woman who screamed. Clearly that one was too terrified and should've run when she could. Her attention was drawn in all directions as others shouted. Some of these wolves she recognized, others were complete strangers to her.

Too much commotion.

She hissed with annoyance, and then Enyo shouted at her to get back! Medusa growled from deep within her throat. Nobody told her what to do! She was a goddamn alpha! And even when she wasn't, she vowed nobody would demand things of her, ever. She had managed just fine before the Dunamis family showed up, and she would well after they were gone and everything in between. No. She did not appreciate being commanded like that. Luckily for Enyo, there was too much going on for any reprimands or repercussions.

Ignoring Enyo's words, Medusa snarled as she and Umbra moved forward, rushing in toward the less crowded side of the strange worm creature. Umbra launched herself at the worms body, claws and teeth looking to sink in while Medusa sought to sink her teeth into where she could reach.

"Speech"

There were others that arrived - Ravana, Raziel, and Ezekiel being the few that he knew in the crowd that formed. Sticking close to the other Syndicate wolves, Dracun wasn't sure what to make of it all. But he wasn't given much time to think, or to respond to anyone, when the earth started to rumble and shake. Soon, the floor opened beneath them and they were all sent down, some more graceful than others. Dracun, like many of the others, landed with a hard thud but was otherwise fine. Someone was hurt though, he could smell the blood.

A quick glance to find the wolves he was familiar with and he was made certain it was none of them. A stranger. No one to worry about. Ravana was fine, and the adults seemed to be as well. He didn't even notice things changing until it was too late, until he was forced to see the giant worm-like creature erupt from the ground like an alien from a movie he'd never see. It's eye-less face was interesting, the cross-shaped pattern of it''s mouth however was concerning. It looked like it could swallow the largest of them whole, and for the first time in his life, Dracun actually felt intimidated.

He wasn't sure what to do, but Ravana wasn't shy at running towards the beast after kicking a rock in an attempt to distract it. Others seemed to have the same idea while few stayed back, one a healer commanding those injured to join her. She would be useful probably, but he hoped that they wouldn't need her. There was enough of them to take down the worm, right?

Briefly he was frozen in place, shock still rattling through him, but as Ezekiel moved to try and grab Ravana and place himself between the worm and the pup, Dracun saw an opening. Darting forward, Dracun wove between the adult wolves and used them as a distraction to get behind the worm. It had no eyes, so it couldn't see him right? He certainly hoped not as he parted his jaws and sought to sink his fangs into the backside of the menacing creature.

Speech ─ Think

─ by Skelle !

A few of the adventurers send rocks flying, and the gargantuan worm swivels what seems to be its head toward the sound. Even if it cannot see, it seems to be able to hear- every noise makes its head rotate, the four ice-covered petals that surround its mouth swiveling and straining to orient toward each disturbance.

Many of them leap into action, each using their own tactics. Some lunge at the beast head-on, while others aim to distract it.

But the worm, its exterior hard and encased in thick permafrost, isn't easily penetrable. Teeth and claws chip away at the beast, painstakingly trying to damage the worm.

The worm thrashes violently, anger radiating out from each movement as it attempts to buck off the significantly smaller attackers, swatting them away like gnats.

Medusa catches its attention, and as she dives it, it jerks downward sharply and pummels her down into the ice. The friction causes a long gash on her right hip, slicing nearly down to the bone- that'll no doubt scar. The pain ebbs out, making it hard for her to maintain consciousness when she tries to stand.

It looms high above her, gnashing its teeth. Its rage is obvious, unbridled and raw. Something about it seems to be taunting the adventurers, begging for them to dare strike again.

The worm hungers.

Ravana’s ears flicked back as she felt the looming presence behind her, the steady, lumbering of an adult. The annoyance flashed quick and hot, but her excitement remained, fueled by the thrill of what lay before her. She had set her gaze upon the crystalline beast, already committing to her strategy, already tasting the thrill of landing a blow.

Yet, before she could react or even attack, she felt the quick snap of his teeth reaching for her scruff, a larger form angling to shield her.

“Get off!” she snarled, twisting in his grip as much as she could, her voice laced with the rebellious heat of her youth. "I don’t need you! Fucker!” She squirmed, eyes darting back toward the worm, her hunger to strike rekindling despite his interference. She wanted to be the one to bring it down, to feel the crunch of crystal under her teeth.

Ravana's lilac eyes glared up at him, defiant and wild. “I don’t need protection! GET OFF! Not even my father would do this! Let go!” she hissed, fury and frustration mingling in her gaze as she flailed, hoping to swipe him with her claws if she could. But Ezekiel’s firm hold, his stance barring her from the creature, igniting her defiance all the more. If he wanted her to stay back, he'd have to work for it, because Ravana wasn’t about to be tossed aside like a helpless pup. She’d find her way back to the fight, one way or another.

"Ravana Seraphim Saxe"

Ririka watched as those around her attempted to fight to fight the beast. She even caught the scent of Syndicate around her. A truth that frightened and terrified her both. Would they realise what she was? That she had escaped them? She knew she should do something. Anything. Fight, flee, anything was better than cowering here!

But her recent adventures had turned Ririka into a coward. She understood now what pain and helplessness felt like. It had her in her grip now as easily as the bastard Syndicate’s medicines. She was helpless in its grasp to do anything but watch. Easy pray, a victim too afraid to flee.


"Speech"

Katsu flinched as the worm wrenched down and slammed the heavily pregnant female into the ground. He could almost hear the scape of ice on bone as it tore her asunder. They could try as they might, but it seemed this creature would defy all attempts to bring it to heel. Its power was overwhelming. He shifted on his paws, still uncertain of what role he could play in this nightmare-turned-reality. Every attempt that was made seemed pitiful in comparison to its power. Was being a warrior still fighting in the face of immeasurable obstacles, or choosing your battles carefully and shrewdly? Kat wasn't so sure.

The longer he watched the worm flail, shaking off opponents like gnats, the more he couldn't shake the sinking feeling in his gut: this was hopeless. He stood rooted to the spot, almost entranced by the beast, waiting to see what might happen next.

"speech"

coded by NachoMumma

It seemed like no one here knew what to do, or was even capable of handling a situation like this. The attempted distractions did seem to work, giving openings for the fighters to take a shot at attacking, but all seemed ineffective. She glanced about, knowing full well that they needed some sort of weapon, if teeth were not sharp enough to pierce its armour what about....ice. Thick shards of it littered the ground from when it had all caved in, with pointed tips that very well might be sharp enough to at least do some damage. It felt like she was making it up as she went along, clinging onto a maybe, but what choice did she have?

"Someone help me, the ice shards," Damira called out, scrambling to gather them and try and face them the pointy way up. "Could use them as spears, or trick the beast into impaling itself?"

His attacks and everyone else's were useless. Nothing they had could penetrate the permafrost and hard skin surrounding the beast. Scald sees this now as he slides backward from the worm, making space between him and it. He lets his gaze sweep over the crowd for a moment. Everyone seems okay except for Medusa, but she could handle herself. Noticing that some throw things and others just stand there, he isn't sure what to do. Most of him says run because what else could they do? There was no killing the thing. Until a younger wolf calls out for help. He turns to look, seeing that she's trying to setup sharp shards of ice. Was she thinking to impale the monster? Were they capable of working in such a large group? They were pack animals after all... Surely they could come together. Guess he could try, right? Or would it be easier to have the worm chase them out of the cave and into the open air? Would it be warm enough to melt the ice surrounding it? At least he could be a distraction for everyone else... Slinking quietly, Scald moves toward the outside edge of the group and more toward the exit. He can see the flat plain of ice and sparse pines filling the landscape. It wasn't far and he was a fast runner. Looking back at the worm, he watches it. Delaying the inevitable would be fruitless. None of them were going to leave here alive so he might as well try. "Everyone quiet, move to the edges and stay still," he calls out in a loud voice, hoping they listen. Without waiting, Scald looses a loud howl as he tips back his head. Listening to his voice echo through the makeshift ice cavern, he doesn't wait for his howl to finish before moving into action. Kicking up shards of ice behind so they clatter loudly, he continues to bark and howl so that the cacophony of noise doesn't stop. He doesn't dare look back in case the worm is indeed following. If he can make it outside, lead the worm there too, maybe they'll have a better chance... Scald Fallen

table coding by bunni ♥

It had been a long time since he had herded another creature, his old job was mostly protecting livestock but every once in awhile he had to corral his livestock into a different area to keep them safe. And as Epimetheus watched Scald try to make the worm follow him he decided to help, in an effort to keep Enyo and the woman she cared for safe. He charged forward and then behind the beast, aiming to give quick nips and bites to make it go. Once it rushed forward he would follow it in hot pursuit, trying to make it get away from those who are injured no matter what. Except maybe if his life was on the line, he might run then, but right now he was more focused on making it get OUT. "Talk"