The crimson brute moved through the dense willows as the refined hunter that he was, his hulking form weaving through the underbrush with unsettling precision. His breath came shallow, controlled. The scent of a tiger lingering in the area had set his mind ablaze, especially with his mother's new brood wandering about. He couldn't allow it.

It was close. He’d tracked it from the Dancefloor to the Willows, unwilling to let the beast get away with trespassing. His muscles twitched beneath his hide, spasming with each step, the involuntary shivers and jerks in his limbs giving away the intensity he felt. The feline skull mask settled eerily over his face, hollow sockets cast shadows over his golden eyes, making them narrow into predatory slits. From the mask's cheekbones down to its pointed fangs it gave the appearance of a grinning, mockingly macabre fashion statement. Just the way he liked it.

Redrum's claws flexed against the forest floor, their structure adorned with the carved talons of feline bone, sharp and wickedly curved. Of course, only because he sharpened them regularly. They clicked faintly as he walked, so he was careful to keep his toes spread apart for balance and silence. His tail swayed low as he inhaled deeply, taking in the musk of the cat as he tracked it.

Long, sharp ears pinned back as he slowed to a stop, lowering himself into a crouch. Every muscle bunched, ready. He moved in a semi-circle, golden eyes scanning for potential escape routes, but he was growing impatient. His teeth bared in a silent snarl, flashing under his mask as he thought one continuous word.

Mine.

And there it was.

The tiger came into view, its sleek striped body winding down from a willow. It was heading to the lake, most likely for a drink, and Redrum used that to his advantage. He moved when it moved, paused when it paused. Golden eyes locked onto the feline's every movement, calculating, waiting. When he finally unleashed himself, he was an explosion of power and intent. His claws gleamed as he struck out, the bone talons raking through the air and damp ground as he barreled forward with a growl that shook the forest's stillness. The tiger spun, its eyes wide with alarm, but it was too late.

And now he would make it pay.


"Murder"

A GREEK WHO REEKS OF FALSE RIGHTEOUSNESS,

Hades had followed his big brother from the Dancefloor to the Willows, he assumed the brute knew he was near. But he hadn't acknowledged him yet so perhaps not? Either way, Hades stuck close to his brother, trailing behind him in silence. They were tracking something, the scent was different from a wolf but he couldn't place what it was. Either way, he shrugged his shoulders and kept following his brother.

Whatever it was he had no fear of it, he knew Red would make sure nothing too serious happened to him, right? Some may have considered his brother odd, but since he was one of the few he really knew outside of his littermates and family he assumed Redrum was quite normal. Although he was family Hades admired him nonetheless, it didn't matter if his brother twitched or jerked sometimes.

His thoughts broke as he saw Redrum snarl, and then his eyes trailed after his brother's own. And then he saw it, an incredibly large creature, stripped and smelling of feline. He did not know what it was called but he knew that he wanted to see what its blood tasted like. And then he let out a freakish grin as he climbed up the willow tree, bear paws scrapping against the tree bark silently as he crawled through the branches. Hunkered down against them as he crept quietly closer to the cat, watching as his brother got the big cat's attention and began grappling with it.

Hades dropped himself from the tree when he saw a moment to take, landing on the back of the weirdly striped animal. Digging his bear claws into its back as it yowled, and then he bit down. His puppy teeth were sharp even if they were small, they still drew blood. And Hades found he quite enjoyed the taste.

THAT'S WHAT I HATE!

Redrum’s ears flicked as he caught the sound of movement behind him, a sign of someone trailing close but keeping just out of direct notice. He didn’t need to turn to know it was Hades—his younger brother. The scent was as clear as day. Though Redrum gave no outward acknowledgment, too consumed by his hunt.

As the tiger came into view, Redrum’s focus narrowed into a pinpoint of primal intent. His muscles coiled, his claws flexing in anticipation. He hadn’t expected Hades to act, especially not to interfere. But the flash of movement overhead—Hades climbing the willow like some feral whelp—nearly broke his concentration. Redrum’s snarl rumbled low beneath his mask. What the hell is that pup doing?

The feline was his, the battle his, the kill his—until it wasn’t.

The moment Hades launched himself from the tree, landing on the tiger’s back like a cub playing at predator, Redrum's golden eyes snapped toward him. The tiger’s shriek split the air as Hades sank his claws into its back, teeth snapping down with eager ferocity.

For a beat, Redrum had no thoughts. The chaos unfolding faster than he could process. Then, a wicked grin stretched beneath his mask. So, the little one wants to join the hunt? Fine.

Redrum lunged forward, his bone-clad claws raking across the tiger’s exposed flank, drawing more blood to mingle with what Hades had spilled. He moved in calculated strikes, taking advantage of the feline’s distraction as it tried to dislodge the weight on its back. Hades’ inexperience was clear, his sharp puppy teeth gnawing and bloodletting rather than tearing, but his enthusiasm was undeniable.

“Enjoy—the taste, Hades?” Redrum snarled mid-swipe, his golden eyes alight with a mix of command and amusement. He was fury incarnate, jaws snapping and spittle flying.

The tiger bucked violently, trying to shake Hades loose as it grappled with the red brute, but Redrum easily pressed the advantage. He surged upward, his jaws snapping closed around the beast’s throat, dragging it downward with a bone-jarring force.




"Murder"

A GREEK WHO REEKS OF FALSE RIGHTEOUSNESS,

Hades laughed manically in response to Redrums voice, it was a clear yes without words. His claws dug deeper, and then he figured if he shook his head he would do more damage. He ripped into the flesh, blood bubbling from the wound on the creature's back like a fountain. Dripping, and dripping, and Hades is tearing and tearing. The taste of blood drove him onward like a rabid animal, the taste of metal driving his senses into overdrive. It was something bewildering to the pup. Adrenaline was addicting.

As the beast tried to shake him off, Hades responded with claws deeper into its back. Puncturing through muscles and causing the beast to wail and snarl, he could feel the animal's rage coursing through its body, could feel the thrum of its energy. And it made him all the more eager to cause the beast more pain, to drive it further into its fury. To aid his brother in it's death.

THAT'S WHAT I HATE!

Redrum’s growl rumbled deep in his chest, his golden eyes glinting with approval as he caught the manic laughter spilling from Hades’ maw. The pup’s unhinged delight in the carnage lit a fire in Redrum’s own veins, but it also sharpened his focus. This was no game, no playful tussle in the den. The tiger was still strong, thrashing with killing intent, and one wrong move could send the pup tumbling to a premature end.

Redrum moved with precision honed by experience, his bone-clad claws raking across the tiger’s chest as he gripped it’s throat. The tiger roared in pain with the little breath still in it’s lungs, its back arching violently as it bucked and twisted in a futile attempt to dislodge the young wolf clinging to its spine.

The tiger lunged to the side in an attempt to free itself, its bulk slamming repeatedly against a tree in an attempt to crush its spinal attacker. Redrum hissed violently against the jugular within his maw, a flash of feline instinct driving him forward. With a powerful shove, he collided with the tiger’s chest, his weight knocking it off balance and sparing Hades from the worst of the ongoing impact. His claws sank into its shoulders, holding firm as he shoved it back from the trunk.

The feline’s rage turned to desperation, its tail lashing wildly as it snapped at the air with foamy jaws. Redrum held fast, a feral grin stretching along his muzzle. Enunciated by his Glasgow smile scar. He used all his strength to twist the cat’s body, forcing it to the ground as blood sprayed in a vivid arc from the gorey mess he was making at its throat.

The tiger’s desperation had turned frantic now. It writhed to no avail. And when the tiger’s movements grew sluggish, its strength waning as blood pooled beneath its battered body. Redrum didn’t relent. He felt the beast’s pulse beneath his teeth, hammering against its fate, until finally, it slowed to a stop. But the crimson brute did not release the tiger yet. No, he continued to bite down until his teeth hit the trachea, and only then did he rip away the flesh within his jaws, leaving a gaping hole where the beast’s snarls used to let loose from.

With his fur slick with blood and his breath heaving, he swallowed the chuck of flesh with a shiver running down his already twitching musculature. He turned to Hades, teeth bared and eyes wide with adrenaline.

“Ah,” Redrum said, his tone amused. “Taste for—blood, little one?”

"Murder"

A GREEK WHO REEKS OF FALSE RIGHTEOUSNESS,

Hades stayed hanging on, ripping and tears as the tiger tried its best to send him away from its body. But Hades was stubborn and he wanted to bring it down, he wanted to be an asset to his brother in this fight. As the tiger flung itself into the tree he hugged onto its form tighter, he could feel the ache growing into his limb but he knew at worst it would only bruise. He thanked his overly strong thick muscles in his front legs. Somehow he managed to stay attached to the beast.

He could feel it as it grew more frantic, and Hades just felt more and more like he HAD to draw blood. An instinct so deep in his veins it was driving him mad, the thirst for blood was so unending. It blurred his vision, or was that actual blood? Probably actual blood. He blinks as he flares his nares, his face covered in the gore from the incredibly large wound on the tiger's back he had caused.

Then he could feel the feline growing weaker, its power weaning from its body. But the adrenaline in his still screamed for release, and he was snarling and growling against the dying tiger's back. Until he started to fall over and he realized his brother had definitely killed it. He lets out one final bite to the back of the cat, like a final screw you. Before hopping off its back and trudging over to his brother, an overly excited smile on his face that was thoroughly coated in gore.

"Yes!!! That was fun!!! We've got to do that again big brother!" He almost shouted, his body was shaking, thrumming with the rush and energy adrenaline caused. But he was not shaken, not scared, he however did feel like this had altered him. Had caused a feeling inside of him that was unchangeable. An undeniable need to draw blood.

THAT'S WHAT I HATE!

Redrum turned his bloodied muzzle toward Hades, his golden eyes gleaming with predatory pride as the young pup bounded toward him. The boy’s excitement radiated past his small stature, his every step dripping with the energy of a creature discovering a darker part of itself. Redrum tilted his head slightly, his scarred grin curling wider as he surveyed Hades’ gore-covered form. A Cheshire grin, inherited from their mother.

"Fun, hm?" Redrum rasped, his voice halting but filled with an approving growl. "Hades. Blood sings, doesn’t—it? Fills our—veins, burns like—fire.” It beat in their ears, it set their limbs ablaze, made their vision go red. Did the pup understand?

He stepped closer, the tension in his muscles pulsing like a living thing under his hide, as he nudged Hades with his shoulder. The gesture was rough, jarring, but it was the only way Redrum knew to convey his satisfaction. “Redrum is—happy Hades enjoyed—himself.” he said, his golden gaze narrowing, attempting to read the gleam in Hades' eyes. He could read prey, predators, but other wolves challenged him.

The red brute chuckled, a low, gravelly sound that vibrated deep in his chest. He lowered his head slightly, his blood-streaked nares brushing Hades’ forehead as his tone softened, though it lost none of its intensity. Rather, his tone grew even more halting as a growl lined the edges of his words. “Hades did—good. Held—on tight. Fought—well. Mighty.” he said with rare, genuine pride infused with amusement before straightening and tossing a glance back at the carcass. “And yes—again." His grin returned, sharp and wicked. "There’s always more—blood to spill.”

He nudged Hades again, this time with a feral sort of playfulness. “Take a—spoil. What speaks—to Hades. A trophy.” But what would the boy choose?

"Murder"

A GREEK WHO REEKS OF FALSE RIGHTEOUSNESS,

Hades is staring at his brother as he speaks, his grin making Hades match it. His smile grew with his brothers. And then he speaking of fun and Hades is responding with a quick nod. "Very fun! Yes!!" He rasped back, his eyes shone with fulfillment. The approval his brother expressed for him simmered in his chest, heavy in a good sort of way. Then, his brother explained how he felt without him having to mention it, explaining it in a way that made it make sense. "It made me feel like I couldn't stop like I shouldn't and I enjoyed it. I could feel the life of the cat thrumming through me, I enjoyed the way its blood and life sang for me." he said back, trying to figure out a way to word his thoughts to his brother.

As Redrum steps closer to him he grins back up at him, accepting the nudge against her shoulder with pride. It was acceptance in a way Hades craved, and it made him all the more eager to follow Red more. "I think I need to do this again." he paused as he searched for words to explain the feeling in his chest. It was like a hunger that he knew would grow, something that awoke when he tore into the flesh of the tiger and tasted the first drop of blood. He didn't think he'd have a choice.

Red is approaching him again, his nose pressed against his head. And he knew when the brute pulled away that the blood would transfer onto his alabaster and coal-colored coat. The pride that was in Redrum's words had Hades puffing up his chest in pride, he was glad, happy even about this. He knew now what he wanted to be regarded as by his family, mighty. He wanted his strength, his bloodlust to be known by them. As Red spoke of more blood to spill Hades nodded enthusiastically, a gleam of emotion in his eyes. The start of something unstoppable harboring itself there.

His thoughts are snapped back to Red yet again as he is nudged, and then Red offers him a trophy from the carcass and he is grinning. And he knew what he wanted. He tore into the back of the tiger, shredding its back apart as he tore into the muscle of the spine. Careful not to break the bones apart from each other as he rips it out of the carcass. Still warm, still fresh, the blood splattered against his chest. And when he finally frees the entire vertebrae from the lifeless form he drags it over to red. "Trophy!! I want this!" he claimed, yes, he would drag it all the way back home to show his family. To remember this day when he got to draw his first blood.

THAT'S WHAT I HATE!