The scrubland at the base of Mount Volkan stretched out before Mariah, its deceptive tranquility belying the hidden dangers beneath the seemingly innocent terrain. Her keen eyes, attuned to the subtleties of the environment, surveyed the landscape as she cautiously navigated through the dry brush and shifting sands. The air was thick with tension, an unspoken acknowledgment of the lurking perils in this treacherous locale. Her far too slender frame stuck out against the muted colors of the scrubland, a bright spot amidst surroundings that merely dreary and drab to begin with.

Suddenly, a blood-curdling scream shattered the stillness. Mariah froze, her instincts honed by years of survival kicking into high gear. The scream, unmistakably feline, echoed through the scrubland, sending shivers down her spine. Her sharp eyes darted in the direction of the chilling cry, searching for any movement or sign of danger. The silence that followed the scream hung heavy in the air, a prelude to the unknown. Mariah's muscles tensed as she debated her next move

"Mariah Mendacium"

Following the scent trail of a lioness, Rhazien had ventured far from the sanctuary of the Polar Sound. He didn’t have a particular reason for seeking the creature out, other than to satiate his lust for blood sportage. He’d killed an array of large predators- bears, tigers, leopard seals, crocodiles, etc. But a lion? That was still on his to-do list. And so, he’d entered the bleak territory in search of his quarry. Intending to slay the creature on his own.

Following the scent trail, and closing in on the predator. Rhazien assumed he would be alone in the feat, and yet, there was another wolf here already. He smelt her perfume in the breeze, her exact location unknown, but nearby nonetheless. He left her alone for now, deciding to engage with the lion first.

Once he found it, he didn’t waste time. Launching himself at the creature, grabbing it by the base of the tail, in which to released a scream that echoed throughout the territory.

"Speech"

Mariah's silver eyes widened in shock and fear as the blood-curdling scream tore through the stillness of the scrubland. The sudden disturbance shattered the deceptive tranquility, leaving her standing amidst the dreary landscape, a solitary figure contemplating the unknown. The harsh cry echoed off the barren hills, sending shivers down her spine and causing her heart to race. Her instincts screamed at her to flee or seek cover, but curiosity kept her frozen in place. With keen, darting eyes, she searched for the source of the piercing scream that had shattered the tranquility of the scene. The air seemed to thicken with tension as she strained her senses, trying to decipher any hints of danger. A chill ran down her spine, reminding her of her own vulnerability in this vast and treacherous landscape. The scrubland, with its hidden perils and the haunting echo of the scream, felt like it was closing in on her with each passing second.

Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Mariah, Rhazien had entered the scene, driven by his own motives and a primal desire for a blood sportage. The scent of the lioness lingered in the air, and he pursued the creature with a singular focus. The inevitable encounter between predator and prey loomed closer, and Mariah was caught in its path, her heart racing as she was trapped between the scream of fear and the thrill of danger. It was only then did she finally locate the large predator- a cold chill ran down her spine as she made eye contact with it- it's intentions clear that Mariah was in fact the prey.

"Mariah Mendacium"

After biting down on the base of the lion’s tail, it released an enraged roar- one that echoed throughout the eerie landscape, so high in pitch it was nearly deafening. Whirling around, ready to smack Rhazien with a massive paw full of claws. But, the brute released his hold suddenly, back peddling and doing the attack with only inches to spare. He released a battle snarl of his own- engaging the predator, coaxing it to come after him. But what it did next, surprised him. It ran.

Chasing after the feline, and snapping his jaws at its hind end. They raced towards the unknowing girl who was trying to avoid the altercation altogether. Rhazien didn’t notice her until the last second- the lion, so distraught and enraged, almost barreling over the girl. Rhazien ran up beside it, slamming into its side at the last second- causing it to miss the girl. Jaws splayed, and he grabbed onto the side of its neck, planting his paws into the ground to force them both to a sudden halt.

"Speech"

Mariah's eyes widened in silent shock of the scene that unfolded before her. The blood-curdling scream now had a face - or rather, faces. The lion's enraged roar reverberated through the scrubland, creating an overwhelming symphony of chaos. Her instincts screamed at her to run, but her legs felt like lead, rooted in place by the sheer terror of the impending danger. The brute force of the lion and the relentless pursuit of Rhazien created a terrifying dance, each move a step closer to Mariah's fragile existence. Panic set in as they careened towards her, a collision course that would leave her caught in the crossfire of two predators locked in a deadly battle.

Rhazien's sudden appearance beside her, slamming into the lion and diverting its path, was the only thing that spared Mariah from being trampled under the weight of their ferocious conflict. She stumbled backward, heart pounding in her chest, caught between the swirling dust of the confrontation. The air was charged with tension as Mariah assessed the situation. She couldn't comprehend the intricacies of their struggle, but one thing was clear - the lion's wrath and Rhazien's relentless pursuit had made her an unwitting target.

Yet, as the chaos unfolded, Mariah's focus shifted. Caught between predator and predator, she now found herself grappling with the stark reality that survival in the scrubland demanded more than just an awareness of its hidden dangers. In this bleak moment, she had become a pawn in a deadly game, where the line between victim and aggressor blurred, and her struggle for control seemed more precarious than ever.

"Mariah Mendacium"

Using all of his might, Rhazien planted his paws into the ground, after having grabbed the lion by the side of its neck. They skidded to a halt, and the lion immediately whirled around- smacking him in the chest with a powerful paw, raking his flesh with its claws. He was forced to let it go, snarling out in anger and pain as his flesh felt like it was lit on fire. And then, the lion darted forward again, dashing out of sight before Rhazien could collect himself and launch another attack.

Slamming a paw against the ground, snorting out of his nostrils, and splattering the blood that was on his lips. He released a frustrated series of snarls before rolling his shoulders forward and shaking his head. Oh, the girl. Turning to face her, and surprised she was still sitting there. Rhazien sauntered towards her, licking at his lips. “There’s a reason why they call felines pussies.” So vulgar and crude, but it was a joke nonetheless. He started eyeing the girl, noting how much younger she was than himself. Even younger than Sephiran and his siblings.

"Speech"

Mariah's eyes widened, a mix of fear and bewilderment in their silver depths as the chaotic scene unfolded before her. The clash between Rhazien and the enraged lion left her in a surreal moment of vulnerability. The lion's retaliatory strike on Rhazien, the spray of blood, and the ensuing retreat of the feline created a whirlwind of confusion and danger.

As Rhazien approached her, his crude remark echoed in the tense air. She winced at the vulgarity but maintained a cautious silence. Her slender frame stood frozen, caught between the remnants of the confrontation and the looming presence of the stranger before her. The scent of blood lingered, a pungent reminder of the brutality that had unfolded moments ago. "Maybe, but it seems like dealing with a wounded lion isn't a walk in the park either," Mariah retorted, her tone edged with a hint of sarcasm. Her silver eyes held a mixture of caution and curiosity as she studied the stranger before her. The encounter had shifted the dynamics of the scrubland, and Mariah found herself caught between the aftermath of the fierce struggle and the enigmatic presence of Rhazien. In this moment of uncertainty, her instincts wavered between fight and flight, but her gaze remained steady, searching for cues in the unpredictable dance of the scrubland's dangers.

"Mariah Mendacium"

Even with the tension crackling in the air, intertwining with the scent of blood and the eerie ambiance of the desert territory. The girl held an air of sarcasm, even if she was noticeably on edge. Laughter bubbled from his jaws, fading off into the wind that was starting to pick up around them. “Nothing I can’t handle.” Prideful and boasting, Rhazien truly believed he could have killed the predator on his own. Even if it left gashes across his chest with a single swipe.

Looking down at his chest, he craned his neck and started to lap at the wound. Wincing, but savoring the taste of blood on his tongue- even if it was his own. “What’s a little girl like you, doing here alone?” A general question, made out of pure curiosity. She was pretty young, and looked emaciated and even a little frail. Lingering in lion territory that was on the verge of a sandstorm, wasn’t the brightest idea.  

"Speech"

She maintained a cool and collected silence, her eyes fixed on Rhazien as he let out a booming laugh. His chest swelled with pride, the adrenaline of facing danger coursing through his veins. The metallic tang of blood hung heavy in the air, a stark reminder of the perilous encounter that had unfolded before her eyes. Rhazien's question, tinged with curiosity and a hint of exhilaration, grabbed hold of her like a fish on a hook. She could feel her heart pounding against her ribs, each beat reverberating with the intensity of the moment.

"I'm Mariah," she replied, her voice steady, though the tension in the air was palpable. The barren landscape seemed to stretch endlessly around them, and the distant rumble of a looming sandstorm underscored the precariousness of their situation. "And I'm just passing through," she added, her silver eyes meeting his with a mixture of caution and resilience. In the harsh realities of the scrubland, introductions held a weight of vulnerability, and Mariah couldn't shake the awareness that, in this unpredictable terrain, trust was a rare commodity.

"Mariah Mendacium"

Before answering his question, the girl gave her name. And Rhazien felt inclined to do the same. “Rhazien.” He said, smile widening as he continued to stare down at her- tracing those markings on her face, which seemed to embellish her silver eyes. He’d never seen anything like them before, and assumed it was a trademark of her family- much like the amethyst hue of fur that plagued the Saxe linage.

“Passing through the desert, just as a sandstorm is settling in- my, what a daredevil you are.” His smile was so wide, his teeth were showing- the obsidian steel caps, stained with blood from his fight with the lion.

The wind started to pick up around them, whirling sand in the air, creating a haze that was quickly starting to engulf the pitfall. Squinting his eyes to avoid them being pelted by the sand, the brute motioned for the girl to follow him. “Lets find shelter, shall we?” He said, coaxing her to follow him. Even though, unbeknownst to him, she soon would slip off into the cover of the storm and vanish.  

"Speech"