ooc: Have another character in need of rescuing

Shilah cowered under a small, rocky ledge. The water came out of nowhere, crashing toward them and his mother had done her best to throw him and Seiran. Shilah had slipped and fallen getting separated from his sister and now he was alone in the growing dark with the memory of his mothers face moments before she was swept away replaying in his head. He wretched and continued to sob. He didn't know what to do. He kept watching the water, hoping his mother would suddenly appear. Surely she'd made it out and would be showing up to get him. Any minute now.

Any minute now. Any minute now. Choking back a sob he screamed. "MOM!"

Walk | "Agria" | "Kaine" | Think

ooc. lemme know if a) you don't want Kaine here or b) I misread the situation and Kaine is doing Too Much (like a big ole drama queen)

The sun departed as the search party arrived. The golden beast had arrived hot on their heels, ready to be put to work. And work they did. Without hesitation, they began to skirt the edges of the canyon. Traipsing the razor's edge of oblivion, one false move from being swept up in the current themself. Each of the wolves had separated, opting to cover the most ground rather than offer an imposing resistance against any ill wishers. Thus, the godling was entirely alone when they heard a tiny voice cry out "MOM!" desperation heavy in those high pitched tones.

Instinct kicked in, with their own children still so young. The deity had always had a soft spot for children, and now was far from an exception. Mismatched eyes narrowed, scanning the cliff face for a tiny, waterlogged body. There. Almost invisible in the growing darkness, huddled in a tiny alcove. The pup's shivering could almost be seen from where they stood. On the other side of the canyon.

This was going to be interesting.

Rather than waste time searching for another solution, the beast leaped into the water. It had settled somewhat from the torrent that had decimated the pack not too long ago. It was manageable. Kick, kick, grab, grab. Swimming through the debris was another layer of challenge. Drought had turned trees into clawing talons, reaching for limbs and fur to claim as penance for their deaths. Twigs scraped and scratched at skin, where ordinarily they might only have caught in their fur. Eventually, they reached the other sided. Whether or not they were heaving for breath was another story. It took immense effort to scramble from the lapping waves onto the craggy cliff face. The brackish water soaked their coat, turning their pelt to lead.

Heaving themself from the water, they mounted the canyon wall until they reached the pup. Head low, they did their best not to appear frightening. That was the last thing this poor child needed. "Fear not, little one." They rumbled gently, stooping to examine him. Bumps and bruises, they figured. There was no obvious scent of blood. The familiar markings gave them pause. "Do you know where your mother is?" They questioned softly, withholding the worry from their voice.

YOU'RE THE ONE HABIT I JUST CAN'T KICK

Shilah's words dried up in his throat, giving way to whimpering sobs as he curled up tighter into a ball. He couldn't bear to look at the river any longer. He just hoped Seiran was ok but doubt was starting to creep into his mind again. What if she was gone to? What if he was alone? What if-

Shilah's head whipped back to the river as he heard a splash. "Mom?" He crept toward the edges but it was not his mother in the water, instead it was a stranger with markings similar to that of the Abraxas. He watched the strange wolf forge a path through the river and then up the canyon wall. As the stranger got closer, Shilah shrank back into the den despite the stranger's assurance that he need not be afraid. "Wh-who are you?" His fur stood on end as his ears pinned back but at the mention of his mother tears built in his eyes again. A wrenching cry burst from his lungs. "No! Sh-she fell.. she -hic- she's not there!"

Walk | "Agria" | "Kaine" | Think

Something sharp bloomed in their chest as the child shrank back, fearfully pulling away from them. He pressed himself as far from the beast as possible, fur standing on end. Baleful blue eyes pierced the darkness, standing out from the muddled darkness of the boy's pelt against stone. "Wh-who are you?" he demanded in the high, piercing tone of a child in pain. "I am Kaine. Do not fret child, your mother and I know each other well." they promised, trying to force a warm smile onto their features. This wasn't the time, but they didn't want this child to fight against them while they made the journey back to the pack.

"No! Sh-she fell.. she -hic- she's not there!" the boy wailed, reedy vocals bouncing off the cavern walls. That was.. distressing. If Razi had been swept away, she might be injured. Worse yet, perhaps the clan might not find her in time. The titan pushed down those worries, instead focussing on the youngster at hand. "Worry not, little one. She will be found. How about we get you somewhere safe and warm, where you can have a meal. We will take care of you until your mother is found." they crooned, inclining their head in the direction of the entrance to the cave. There was no way that they could risk being here for too much longer. They did not trust the weather, or the condition of the canyon, to remain as they were.

While it would be quicker to carry the boy and swim across the canyon again, it wasn't safe. The godling would not risk a child's safety, especially not one of their own family members' child. The best plan was likely to carry the boy up to solid ground and take the longer route around the canyon. Around Wraith's Woods, to save time in navigating that maze of trees, along Fossil Ridge, and through the Boneyard. It would be a straight shot from there to the Cathedral. If no one had arrived by then, they would settle the boy in with their own children and lover until the rest of the clan returned. Yes. That would work nicely.

YOU'RE THE ONE HABIT I JUST CAN'T KICK

Shilah drew a shuddering breath and tried to get a hold of himself. Fear that he would never see his mother again continued to build within him until he burst into tears again. The man said his name was Kaine and that he new Shilah's mother but the boy didn't have the presence of mind to question him. The man tried to assure him that his mom would be found. Shilah took a deep breath, the tears beginning to slow as he weakly nodded. "O-ok… where are we g-g-going?" He gazed up at the other wolf. How would they get there? He knew he was in a bad spot but he didn't know what to do with it. His stomach flipped suddenly. "Will you find my s-sister to? She looks like me. She was with my m-m-" He couldn't bring himself to think about his mother, knowing it was going to cause him to lose himself again.