Days had passed since the meeting and the pack was abuzz with activity. Things were coming along nicely and Malleus was quite certain they'd be ready by the full moon deadline. With all the sleds to pull and pups to corral, the journey would be long and hard, but Malleus was convinced it was worth it. He couldn't wait to turn the kids loose on the castle and it was this thought that occupied his mind as he patrolled the border. He was pulled from his reverie by the familiar scent of a little red troublemaker. A scent that was leading into the pack. He'd been oblivious to Asharya's howl - perhaps at the time he'd been helping Serene with the herb stores in her den - so the younger Abraxas' arrival had gone unnoticed by him. Not knowing she wasn't entirely without manners, Malleus sighed. He wasn't perturbed by Asharya's seemingly ill manners, no, he was simply resigned to the fact that she was, perhaps, his generation's Pyralis. Malleus began to follow the trail, noting Ashiel's with it. Alright, perhaps she wasn't as uncouth as he'd first thought. It seemed they were headed for the den, which made sense given Ashiel's newborn. The destination also gave him an idea. Several of his children were eager little fighters in the making and assuming he could get there fast enough, before introductions were made, it was entirely possible he could sic his little army on the prodigal Abraxas. He hadn't forgotten the rotten fish he'd gotten across the face those many seasons ago; a horde of sharp puppy teeth seemed like a fitting vengeance. Picking up the pace, Malleus raced after his cousins. He arrived not long after they did by the looks of it. No pups were within sight - probably off in the bushes chasing things they shouldn't - and Malleus thought he knew just what to do to bring them running. He barked once to scare and then a second time to drive the point home before calling, "There's an intruder! Come help!"

Asharya was understandably thrilled to be back amongst her old haunts. More of her youth was spent in the canyonlands, sure, but that didn't mean she wasn't just as fond of her uncle's lands. Well not his any longer, but the distinction was lost on her. She didn't really care as long as no one was going to try and run her off. Or you know, as long as it wasn't one of her batshit insane relatives either. Barring those two scenarios, she would be happy as a clam! So happy in fact, that she had run a bit ahead of Ashiel in her exuberance. He might have been right behind her for all she knew, but was so excited to meet the new little hellions that she figured he'd catch up when he caught up. It never occurred to her that a strange face appearing suddenly without warning might be alarming to the pups, let alone whoever their mother was. Eh, she would cross that log when she came to it. A bark off in the distance made her slow from a lope to a walk. Muffled, just on the edge of hearing, a familiar voice could be heard saying, "There's an...- come..-!!" She was nearly there, then! Who was that, anyways? Malleus? Her cousin sounded intent on something, but she hadn't been able to hear his exact words. Asha chuckled, remembering exactly how much trouble she and Ashiel had gotten up to, so who knew what mischief he was enduring from the pups. Blissfully ignorant of the hellfire and brimstone that would soon rain down upon her, Asharya approached the dens with her tail held high. Ah, what a fool she was... "Talk" "You" Think

Sprawled in the shade of a tree near the edge of the creek, the round charcoal fuzzball was chewing methodically at a stick, stripping the bark off neatly and dropping it in a pile next to him. As neatly as he could manage, anyway, with sharp little puppy teeth gouging grooves in the stick and fuzzy pieces of bark getting caught in between them. His ears immediately pricked up and his attention was dragged from his task with admirable suddenness when he heard his father call out, though. He gasped aloud, the stick tumbling from his jaws. An intruder?

It was hard to get a pup's roly poly round body up to any real speed, but Eli pushed himself til his little short legs were a blur. His small face was set and intent, until... THERE. He could see the intruder, with her bright coloring and smell like strange far away places. "I'll save you, Dad," he yipped, diving forward. Small puppy paws sought to wrap around her left rear ankle, and sharp little teeth were aimed to gnaw at her hock. A fierce expression filled his young face with determination, though the effect was far less "aaaaahhhhh" and far more "awwwww".

The cry for reinforcements did not go unnoticed. Pyrrhic's breath caught in his throat as his father's words registered. His whole world narrowed down to the path that led back to the den and the task he was about to undertake. He had been waiting for this moment his whole life. His father needed him! What if his life depended on it? Pyrrhic streaked towards the den like a bat out of hell. He flew over vines and fallen logs- nothing could slow him down. His dad needed him! His people needed him! He would fight this intruder to the death if necessary! With a fierce battle cry he exploded onto the scene in a spray of dirt and leaves. It took him no more than a heartbeat to identify the intruder. Barely in control of his paws, Pyrrhic careened towards Asharya with an enraged shriek. His eyes were wild, his mouth was spittle flecked, and he may or may not have lost a toenail somewhere in the mayhem, but he was there and he was ready to do battle. Zeroing in on Asharya's left foreleg, Pyrrhic lunged for it with malicious intent. His goal was to take her paw off at the ankle. A lofty goal, sure, considering his size, but he would show her who was boss! No one trespassed on his watch!

Dad wanted them to help? His call broke through her revere, and she felt it to her bones. She was already leaping to her paws, eyes wide with excited bluster. This was her chance to prove herself, to prove she was more than just a pup. She wasn’t the first to arrive on scene, Pyrrhic blew past her like a little firestorm, tearing across the territory. She had to be quick, if she wanted to get it on the kill! She picked up her pace, tripping over ever obstacle Py had managed to avoid, her overly-large feet getting into all the wrong places. Despite that, she was there only a few breaths after her brother. Eligos was there too, going in for an ankle-bite. So was Py for that matter. With her own ferocious cry, she leaped in, coming in at the intruder from behind well her brothers distracted her. She had only a moment to admire how pretty the colors of the wolf where, before she leaped for the tail, aiming to get as close to the base as her little paws could push her. If she could get a good enough grip, maybe she could pull herself up an over, with a few claws in the bum for good measure. It would be easy to take down the intruder once she was up high and above! "Speech"

TIED TO WHAT IS LATE, AIN'T YOU NOW

Aureus yawned as he repositioned his body along the low-lying tree limb… ok so it was technically on the ground, still counted!. He'd tuckered himself out earlier when he'd ventured out to the northern border of Risen. He'd ambled his way along the border, taking a few leaps outside of it before scurrying back in. It had been fun but by the time he started going back towards the den site his paws were sore and he was terribly tired. Aureus opted to take a quick nap on a low tree limb pretending he was a mountain lion that had just finished a successful hunt.

His eyes dropped as he began to fall asleep. He was halfway there when he heard his father call out. His eyes snapped open and Aureus threw himself off the branch toward the call. His dad was in trouble! Snarling he burst onto the scene, zeroing in on a colorful spirit that had dared to invade their home. HIs siblings were already at work. Aureus raced for the woman's right ankle, seeking to sink his little puppy fangs into her flesh, just above her hock. He also planned to wrap his front legs around his target. They were going to save their dad for sure!

Amaris Abraxas

---

There was a moment after the call rang out that Amaris felt her heart skip a beat while her brain worked overtime trying to make sense of the situation. Her father called for help... taking down an intruder? Never before had the pups been entrusted with such an important task. Was this a test? A test to see their skill and judge their worth? The thought alone was enough to send adrenaline to her tiny muscles, which in turn had her paws gripping the dirt between her toes as she ripped across the earth in a mad fury. Small legs stretched out to fly across the territory, her blue optics zeroed in on every obstacle in her way; her family needed her, and it drove the young Abraxas harder than anything before. When Amaris came bursting through the underbrush, she stumbled onto a quite the scene that was both comical and terrifying.

All of her siblings clung to the obvious intruder; her strange markings and outsider scent did not help her at all. Everyone was working together as a unit, though it was quite comical seeing Felicity dangling from the woman's tail, what wasn't funny was there was no dad in the middle of it. Had the intruder already injured him? Or worse? A hot boiling rage consumed the young girl, which resulted in an inaudible battle cry being unleashed from her tiny vocal cords as she leaped into action. Tiny fawn child targeted the last available leg; her head tilted to the side so she could better chomp down on the woman's vulnerable ankle joint, tiny puppy teeth poised like daggers. Amaris had chewed on her fair share of bones in the past, but this time she had malicious intent behind her grinding. Her fiercest growls mumbled by the flesh in between her teeth, the girl would yank her head back and forth to try and worsen the damage as much as she could.

"Speech"

Asharya's ears perked and her head swiveled. All around her the underbrush had suddenly come alive with the sound of rapidly overturning leaves and pawsteps. "I'll save you Dad!" ...Erm. Pardon? Suddenly, a tiny black blur burst into view... and sank a set of tiny, razor sharp fangs into her hind leg. "What the fu-?!" She did her best to yank the limb from the gremlin's jaws but before she could manage, another lighter blur zoomed into existence and attached to her forelimb. What vile spirits had she pissed off this time?! No longer able to move forward or backwards, an instinctive flight response told her that leaping sideways was her next best option. Unfortunately, as Asharya bunched up her muscles to spring away, another set of jaws clamped down on her tail. Asha tipped her head back and yowled out for the pain of it. Fuck, that shit hurt! Despite her now watering eyes, Asha did her best to shake the beasties loose. Finally she caught sight of the hulking grey figure standing poorly concealed at the den site's far edge. At once, everything clicked. She wasn't being mauled by a clan of wolverines after all! Now that she had the mind to actually take note, they were just pups. Her cousins pups, if she had to bet. Her cousin, who obviously knew how to hold a grudge with the best of them. Two more pups flung themselves out into the open, snarling with all the savagery their tiny bodies could provide, and launching at her as well. Asharya sent Malleus a glare that she hoped conveyed all the colorful expletives she now knew she would have to refrain from saying out loud. Asharya flopped sideways, hoping she would squish at least one of the little beasties, if she was lucky. "AUUGGGHHH!!! MY LEGGGSSS!!!!" She wrenched up the forelimb that the second puppy assassin had clamped onto, figuring either he'd let go or she'd get a face full of pup, to dramatically cover her eyes. "OH, Spirits take me, the AGONYYY!" She yowled and warbled to the best of her ability, which ultimately wasn't all that difficult because jeez, those tiny teeth still packed a punch. One of the pups began to lash her head from side to side, and Asha felt the sting as it drew blood. "Ow! Shi- Erm, I mean, SHOW MERCY ON ME!" God, as long as they didn't go for the eyes... From her place on the ground she sent their father another glare, silently swearing revenge for... uh, his revenge. Regardless! He thought he could hold a grudge? Oh ho, he ain't seen nothin' yet... "Talk" "You" Think

After rallying the troops Malleus settled down and waited for the show to begin. He was counting on it being good. His kids were very determined, very brazen little things and he had no doubt they would heed his call and leap into the fray without hesitation. His kids did not disappoint! One after the other, they burst onto the scene with "fierce" little howls and latched onto their cousin without hesitation. Had Malleus not been very nearly literally rolling with laughter, he would have been proud. It took everything he had to keep his laughter to a dull roar to avoid his kids' notice. Malleus' gaze met Asharya's and he noted the fire within, but he was unapologetic. This was long overdue payback and he was loving every second of it. Perhaps he should have called the horde off after the first round of biting, but he just couldn't bring himself to spoil their fun. Besides, he needed a good laugh.

Clinging with all four paws with all the tenacity of a leech and gnawing on the limb like a bone, Eligos was 10000% committed to his attack. This trespasser was going down! It didn't even occur to him to wonder where his dad was in all this, except to worry that the intruder may have already hurt him.

The intruder toppled suddenly as more of Eli's siblings joined him in the attack. Eligos was caught by surprise as she did, so he didn't think to let go of the leg he clenched in his teeth until suddenly... oof! Her leg was suddenly trapping him against the earth. Eli squirmed and twisted to no avail. "Show no mercy!" he yowled in denial of the intruder's words. "Tear out her throat Pyrrhic! Go for her eyes!" With those bloodthirsty howls to his siblings, he twisted over onto his back to get all four paws under the heavy rear leg to shove upward to try to lift it off himself. UGH why did he have to be so SMALL?

TIED TO WHAT IS LATE, AIN'T YOU NOW

Aureus bit into his target with a triumphant snarl that was muffled against Asharya's leg. He hoped his dad could see! Suddenly the intruder fell sideways and the sudden motion jerked him forward but to his pleasure he still managed to hold his grip. The intruder was screaming in agony and begging for mercy and as he held onto her leg Aureus suddenly realized that he didn't know what to do next. He had a hold of her leg but that wasn't a very good spot to end an intruder. He needed to go for a more vital target like the throat or… his eyes landed on the woman's fiery belly. Perfect!

Releasing his grip on her leg he bounded toward her furry stomach, seeking to latch his teeth right into the center of it. She would rue the day she ever trespassed into the Risen Empire!

ooc: Arg! Laz, Sea, I just realized I skipped you. I feel like I'm behind in every thread and didn't look closely enough. Sorry about that!

Running from the flash, headed straight into the blast

Ashiel was pleased to see Asharya so excited to meet her niece and the new additions to the family. He knew how weird it was, the idea of him being a father. There could be no denying they were adults now, whenever that had happened. It still felt surreal. As they made their way back toward the den site, Asharya's excitement got the best of her and she broke away from him. Ashiel didn't think anything of it and instead continued along at his own leisurely pace. Asharya had a distinctive coat. He was certain the rest of the pack would recognize her and even if they didn't she could hold her own until he caught up. It gave him time to think, time to come to terms with the fact that his sister was back.

When he finally did arrive it was to the sight of Asharya getting mauled by puppies and he let out a laugh. Moving to sit next to Malleus he leaned toward the older man. "So… what do I need to do to get you to call off your hounds, Malleus?"

"Talk"

All of her siblings joined in the ambush, tearing apart the woman who dared to cross the borders and incur the wrath of their father and his brood. There little puppy teeth found purchase in each part they had chosen, and likely tore out pieces of fur in their violent, and almost coordinated attack.

Their victim cried out in pain, falling to the earth in defeat. With a whooping war cry, Felicity clamored up the suddenly horizontal tail, and ran up the wolf's back. She zoned in on an ear, pouncing and aiming to get the soft thing between her teeth. If she succeeded she would give it a few good tugs, and howl down the intruders ear. With her other siblings still doing their best to inflict damage, she knew they would have total victory in no time.

The intruder's cries were music to Pyrrhic's ears. While he was doing little more than working the fur of her leg into a lather, he felt like his goal was within sight. If he could only will his teeth to cut a little deeper he'd pop her foot off in no time! "Tear out her throat Pyrrhic! Go for her eyes!" yelled a downed Eligos. Throat? Eyes? Well, which one was it? He couldn't go after both, could he? Or...could he? Reluctantly Pyrrhic let go of Asharya's leg and scrambled back several steps. As much as he wanted to keep on chewing, his brother needed him. "I'll get them, Eligos!" With a fierce cry he leaped up onto Asharya's neck and began to jump up and down. His front paws were aimed at the side of her face - roughly in the vicinity of her eyes - and his back paws, which never landed in the same place twice, were hopefully kicking the crap out of her throat. It wasn't quite what his brother had wanted, but it was the best he could do.