The Unraveling - It Burns

They're doing it. They're doing it! They're going to push the boulder into the crater! Adrenaline surges once more, burying the pain lancing across her eye as she helps her siblings and the other wolves push the boulder forward. As it begins to slip, sliding forward, she trips. Her rear paw catches on something that forces her to lose her balance. Twisting in the air, attempting to catch herself, something sharp slices down her neck. More blood, more pain. A yelp instinctually lets out as she stumbles.

Before she can fully rise, Siduri is snarling fiercely at her. Demanding her to get back, and go away. No. Her own ferocity flares across her damaged face as she rises from the dirt. Fur bristling, teeth snarling, ears forced forward as Tarnish too yells at Siduri. Their brother is right. It was all or none. They were Raiders, thick as thieves and in it together until the end. A firm nod to Tarnish, even a whisper of a smile as she gathers more strength.

"Together," she rasps, throat dry and sore from the pain and dry air around them. It's as if the worm was soaking up all the moisture with the intense heat that radiated from its lava tendrils.

Following Siduri's lead, Calliope goes behind the boulder with her siblings. Once more lifting her paws upward, she pushes against the boulder. Heaving and shoving, using whatever strength she can muster to get this damn boulder into the crater. Digging in her hind paws, and gritting her teeth, she knew it would work. They just needed to believe.

"speech"