It was autumn, which meant it was time to prepare for winter, at least for bears it did.  The bear wasn’t only taking care of herself but also a cub that was traveling along with her.  She wasn’t going give up any chance for food, nor take crap from any predator.  Any other animal nearby needed to be chased off or killed so it didn’t attack her cub.

Kotori had made his way to the weeping woods where he had spotted the beast heading north.  From here it would hit the hot springs and while there was water at the springs not, particularly the sort you want to drink from generally.  If it continued to pass the springs though it would hit Valta with water any bear would like along with a large number of fish a bear would enjoy for a meal.

Kotori blocked the bear's path, ignoring the cub snarling at mama.  The protective mama needed no other reason to charge.  The fight was on.

"Kotori Fatalis"

Autumn has settled over the lands and Kore finds himself… lost. Well, not lost in the sense of not knowing where he is but more of a, ‘what am I doing with my life’. The galaxy-hued boy worries about the future for him and his siblings as he wanders underneath the willows, thoughts turning once more to his brother Kal and his disappearance. Maybe he had done something or said something wrong that made Kalyke leave.

Gloomy thoughts pull the boy’s gaze down to the forest floor, watching his paws move slowly across the ground. A roar splits the air making Kore’s head snaps up as the boy is suddenly on high alert and his gaze sweeps the area, searching for the source of the noise. Not seeing the predator around him, the boy scents the air and finds a grizzly, a cub, and a familiar wolf on the wind.

With a grin on his lips, the boy clad in stars runs, racing through the land until he finds the trio and swiftly races past the cub to attack the bear’s back leg. Saber teeth rend flesh and muscle, pulling a pained roar from the mother and her attention to the boy with the flashy coat. She swings around, paw aiming for where Kore had been and finding nothing but air. The boy is already a safe distance away and grinning widely at the grizzly.


"Kore Regni"

Kotori wasn’t one to stand on the sidelines waiting. The bear-mom found herself attacked by wolves simultaneously going in, his intent being for the front leg but as the bear turns its muzzle towards him Kotori backs up a stride so that the bear’s bite meets empty air. As its muzzle shuts Kotori slams his horns up and under the bear’s jaw, and blood slips down his horns as proof of the connection.

The bear jerks its head back in rage, stuck between two wolves who had dared to attack it. It appears to be angrier at Kore though, spinning in his direction. Angrier? Or maybe mom is just worried he’s the one closer to her cub.

The cub itself had called out in a cry of fear and had dashed off a short way, now crying for its mom.

"Kotori Fatalis"

The two male wolves harass the big grizzly mother, attacking and retreating before she can land hits. Kore keeps the cub behind him, aware of where the creature but not really focusing on what it is doing. The angry beast spins in his direction and the galaxy-hued boy shrinks back, readying for his next series of attacks. However, at that same moment, the cub retreats in terror, thinking that the large wolf is coming toward him when, in fact, that is far from the truth but the grizzly doesn’t seem to care.

In the span of a breath, Kore pulls backward, the cub belts out a cry of fear and turns to dash a short way off, and a newfound determination blazes in the bear’s eyes. Clarity smacks Kore in the face as the mother redoubles her attacks, swiping and snarling at the galaxy-clad boy. He forced to become defensive, dodging sharp teeth and rolling under huge paws. However, since the mother is focused so intently on him, his fighting partner is left with some pretty nice openings… if he wishes to use them.


"Kore Regni"

The bear seems fully focused on using its claws and burly weight at this point. Kotori remembered what it had felt like when his jaw had been injured and the bear had it worse than Kotori had in the past.  Still, when the bear thought Kore was going after its cub that didn’t stop it from going after the young wolf in a rage.  It was impressive how dangerous mothers of any species could be when protecting their children.  The mother seemed larger and stronger than he knew it was.  Despite all its aggression, Kotori knew it had to be getting weaker.

Since the bear was busy attacking Kore it had given Kotori an easy opening.  The wolf ran to the bear, slamming his horns into its side, and shoving his weight into it.  The bear hadn’t been well balanced and despite the weight, difference gravity assisting in causing the bear to stumble.  Along with that the antlers had pierced through its flesh and muscle.  Kotori pivoted sideways right after the jab, the bear roaring and choosing to face him again.  It couldn’t protect the cub if it was dead after all.  Hm.  They’d have to kill the cub after this.  The mom wasn’t going to survive these injuries.

"Kotori Fatalis"

Kore remains on the defense, ducking under large claws, dodging back from sharp teeth all while giving Kotori a huge opening… and the earthen male takes the opportunity. Rushing forward, Ko slams his horns and weight into the grizzly’s side causing the creature to stumbles and allowing the galaxy-cloaked boy the moment he needs to regain his footing. As Kotori pivots and rips open the bear’s side, the nimble boy closes the gap and leaps up at the beast’s throat.

Saber teeth slice through flesh and muscle like a hot knife through butter and severs the important things hiding underneath. Paws touch earth and Kore backs away, knowing that, even though the predator is dying, it is still extremely dangerous. He watches the mother bear grunt and stagger, taking a few steps before collapsing to the ground. As the grizzly stills, the sound of a small, uncertain call from her cub reaches the wolves ears.

Darting a glance to the earthen wolf, the boy turns to find the young creature and deliver swift mercy… knowing it is the last gift he can give the cub.


"Kore Regni"