Beneath the veil of fear

Delaeni stared up at him, her wide eyes reflecting the piteous fear that consumed her. "P-please, Sultan," she pleaded softly. "W-we were just following orders – his orders." Her paws gripped the cold earth beneath her, the rough texture providing a strange sense of stability amidst her spiraling world. The icy chill of the cavern seeped into her bones, amplifying the relentless sting from her wounded shoulder in an agonizing crescendo.

She clenched her teeth against the pain, fighting back the sobs threatening to spill from her. The intensity of Sephiran's weight against her face was excruciating, forcing Delaeni to clench her eyes shut as she endured his wrath. His sharp claws raked across her face, his cruel words like salt on the fresh wounds. She gasped for breath, her heart pounding like a drum against her ribs as Sephiran anchored her against the icy ground.

His accusation stung nearly as bad as the physical pain. Azoula had always been there for Delaeni, guarded and guided her – yet here they were, subjected to this merciless assault because of a decision that wasn't theirs to make. She whole heartedly believed Azoula- she wouldn't lie to her. "I--it wasn't... We didn't have a c-choice," Delaeni choked out, tears mingling with her blood as it streamed down her face. Her body shook with sobs, her mind a blur of fear, pain, and despair. "We were ordered to l-leave, Sultan... to find you." She paused, swallowing hard against the lump in her throat. "I d-d know if A-Azoula had a re-placement. But we... we didn't want to l-leave... it was Apollyon's command." She felt Sephiran's weight shift against her face, his claws digging deeper into the soft flesh beneath them. His snarl echoed ominously in the space between them.

"Delaeni Terblanche"