Rite of Rebirth

Footsteps on the grass behind them. The soft splat of paws on boggy soil. A scent drifted in on the breeze. A grin spread across the youth's features, and she spun around to face her sister. She hadn't seen Dominika in so long! Even when she'd been healing, Dom had been absent. She must have been up to something wonderful! However, what faced her was not in any way wonderful. Her smallest sister bore the marks of another's rage, violent arcs of pale tissue stretching across her delicate face. Mismatched eyes turned glassy, wide with horror. One paw reached forward, and pulled her closer mechanically. Stony rage bubbled up in her chest. Whoever did this to Dom was going to die screaming. While the shaman might not have been a great warrior, she was sure that she would end whoever had done this.

Her sister said nothing. Teacher thundered forth, two toned eyes roaming over her face. All Divo could do was stare, her rage turning to something quieter and more mournful. Dom had always been so kind, so gentle. Who could look upon her and feel the need to destroy? As teacher spoke, her pale auds shoved forwards, desperate to know. As soon as this was over, Divo would set out. She would annihilate this monstrosity, be it mortal or a god on this earth.

Her heart leapt when Darya slunk into view, tail limp and head down. The family was all together, again. She opened her mouth to say something, anything, to her sisters. Yaya blew past her, straight to Dom to wrap her up in a hug. To press her face into Dom's fur and mumble into her skin. Of course, you absolute fickwit. Stuttering movements brought her close, until she could worm her way into the embrace. "Давайте останемся вместе навсегда, хорошо?" The young shaman whimpered, lidded eyes burning.

If none of her siblings departed from the huddled mass of bodies, she wouldn't. Instead, when Olya began to speak, she simply turned her head towards her and listened. Never again would she let either of the others out of reach, or out of sight. The speech was quite long, but she understood. It was time to get their feathers, or their necklaces. Like mama and teacher had. "Я готов." She announced, solemn as the grave.

I'M PEDAL TO THE METAL, MAKE NO MISTAKE
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