'TIL DEATH DO US PART

The day had come and he had left the Ludicael without even a word to Laxago. She could, and would, come if she desired such there was no need to unnecessary gestures at this time. He had traveled alone, silently, and apart from Jupiter for every fiber in his being cried out to intervene and advice her against the battle. But he understood her honor. More than that he respected her honor and he would not allow himself to interrupt the blood quest. His large obsidian bulk was obvious against the pale grasses yet he strode without noise and in his serious and thoughtful affect it was as if he was not there at all. He thought of the many wolves he had killed in his life, at least one for every year he had lived. He wondered if Jupiter had ever killed before. Even for the darkest of adversaries such violence changed an individual. Jupiter was fierce and she believed in justice. He did not believe she was incapable but it was difficult not to worry. He had prepared himself for the worst. Had imagined dragging her, with her beautiful vermilion pelt and her crown, lifeless back to the Ludicael for her proper honors. Had imagined a bloody victory won at the price of her vivacity. A victor who was no longer the Jupiter he knew. And he had imagined caring for her along side her children's father, exhausted but virtuous. It was this possible scene that his heart clung to. They were both Sols of the Ludicael. Their hearts were one for their land and her death with be detrimental, especially for himself.



As he approached the battlegrounds he cooly observed Jupiter's opponent. He was an ugly fucker. It was a judgement Deteste could not put away. His bias was strong, of course but it was impossible to mistake Kaios' blatant insanity. There was, to Deteste's knowledge, no basis for his power other than violence and no drive in his being beyond cruelty. Deteste had lived this life before but never to such an extent. His actions in his youth were certainly inexcusable but had been, for the most part, thoughtless. To relish such a lifestyle was sickening and he did not believe one could live too long in this fashion. A need to win for the sake of winning was not a cause at all. Surely Kaios was an opponent great in mass and force but his drive could never match the righteousness Jupiter acted on. He managed to only wince slightly at the behemoth's words. He was putting on quite the show. Though De was aware of the others in proximity, including the second challenge, Jupiter was all the world to him and he payed only enough attention to his environment to respond efficiently if it were to act on him in any method. His eyes locked with Jupiter's lavander gaze for a minute moment. He had advised her as best he could pulling from every fight and every kill in his life. He only gazed at her, without word or gesture. It was unnecessary. She was ready.



And if by some cheat or false act of fate Jupiter were to fall Deteste knew that the blood quest would then be his. He would return to the Ludicael and it would be long until the blood was once again pursued for he would be sure to find a suitable second Sol, but the time would come and he knew that Kaios would die then, if not now.