Drifting into the neighboring territory, Sephiran left the moor behind in search of something - no, someone, in particular. Someone who’d appeared out of the woodwork, having surprised their uncle with a sudden reappearance at a battle for power. Caedes. Yet another cousin in the ever-growing Saxe lineage, one who grew up alongside him. Truthfully, he didn’t think the male would leave Saffron, but perhaps he’d grown bored of Apollyon’s rule and wanted to join his younger counterparts.

Walking through the valley at an even pace, Sephiran kept his senses on alert- searching for any sign of the male’s scent, but all he could smell was the pungent musk of a tiger in the area. Azoula came to mind- it would be beneficial; for them to find another Sidi handler, in due time. He tucked the thought away for later.  

"Sephiran Saxe"

Caedes moved with stealthy grace as he traversed the sandstone valley, eyes scanning for the quarry he sought. The heavy scent of the tiger lingered in the air, the challenge that drew him to the gully in the first place. With each careful step, he closed the gap between himself and his elusive prey, his senses guiding him through the carved canyons all the while.

As he neared the source of the scent, another familiar scent caught on the turning breeze – a scent he had not encountered in years. Sephiran. He knew this would happen eventually, what with his coming forward to greet Rhazien at that challenge. The presence of his cousin hung in the air, causing a wicked grin to spread across the brute’s face. But there was no time for sentimentality, no room for hesitation. As Sephiran's scent mingled with that of the tiger, Caedes knew that the moment of reckoning had arrived. With a low growl rumbling in his chest, he launched himself into action, his movements graceful despite his stature. He charged ahead, certain that if he waited too long the change in the wind would give him away.

And the tiger did sense his approach, its amber eyes narrowing in shocked defiance as it whirled on him. He launched himself at the beast, the weaponry within his maw clamping down fiercely unto the cat’s shoulder as it snarled and slashed at the brute. Fangs clashed, fur flew, and the valley echoed with the sounds of their struggle. What better way to greet his long lost cousin, than with a bloodbath? Sephiran liked those, didn’t he?

"speaking"

Coming around a bend, Sephiran finally caught wind of Caedes’ scent- that familiar musk of medicinal lavender and iron dancing in the breeze. Almost teasing him, as his cousin was so close, yet still so far. It made his nostrils flare, ears flicking inquisitively, while his gaze combed through the rocky terrain. And then, the battle cry of a feline beast sliced through the silence- echoing off the sandstone walls, which enhanced the roar until it was almost deafening. Eyes narrowed, and a tsk slipped through his twitching lips- their impending reunion had already been interrupted.

His gait morphed into a steady lope, his senses guiding him through the canyon, until he found the evolving battle between Caedes and the tiger. Slowing to a stop, Sephiran lingered on the outskirts of the fight- watching with keen interest as it unfolded. A mess of fur, teeth, and claws, the tiger was holding its own against a single wolf. And Sephiran wanted to see, just how Caedes had planned to kill the beast on his own.


"Sephiran Saxe"

Caedes and the tiger clashed, their movements a blur of fur, teeth, and claws. Caedes moved with that impossible grace, his huge form darting around the feline predator with calculated precision. He lunged and feinted, his movements a deadly dance as he sought to evade the tiger's powerful swipes. But the tiger was no mere adversary – it was a formidable opponent, smarter than a bear by far. Its muscles rippled with raw power as it retaliated with savage ferocity. Its claws flashed like lightning, leaving deep gouges in the earth as it sought to strike down its lone challenger. But Caedes continued to land bites, avoiding the batting and slashing of the cat, leaving it to continuously whip and whirl on him, always just barely missing him as he leaped back. He didn’t need more scars, so he was careful to take only the minimum of damage in return.

Then, when the tiger’s maw was wide and it’s breaths came in heavy rasps, the exhaustion in the predator not made for endurance obvious – Caedes lunged. He crashed into it’s striped form, his own lungs heaving but not yielding.

"speaking"

Sauntering along the perimeter of the battle, Sephiran slithered around much like a viper laying in wait- not looking for an opportunity to join, but keeping close if he had to. With every move Caedes made, Sephiran attentively traced his movements- taking note of every strike and dodge, as his cousin maneuvered his large body around the feline to avoid those massive fangs and guillotine claws. Once or twice, he was sure the tiger would land a blow. Thoughts of Caedes flayed open like prey, wallowing in a growing pile of blood flashing across his mind. But each time, the male leaped just out of reach- saving that already scared pelt of his from receiving more.

Wearing the beast down, it had become clumsy and exhausted- stumbling back and forth on unsteady paws, gasping between breaths. Blood trickled in an even flow from its wounds, splattering against the rocky terrain, seeping through into the cracks between stones until it found the sand beneath. Sephirans jaws were watering now- his tongue writing back and forth against his teeth, as compulsion ate away at the corners of his mind. He wanted a taste.

"Sephiran Saxe"

As the massive brute collided with his prey, the tiger launched a feeble counterattack, its teeth grazing the side of Caedes's scruff in a last-ditch effort to fend him off. But it was too little, too late. Caedes's own jaws clamped down firmly around the tiger's throat, his tongue teasing at its jugular as he began to cut off its air supply, squeezing the life out of the formidable predator.

With a steady pressure, Caedes bore down on the tiger, his weight pinning it to the ground beneath him. Despite its desperate struggles, the beast found itself outmatched, its hind legs kicking at Caedes's sides while its front claws scrabbled ineffectually at his shoulders, more in a futile attempt to dislodge him than to inflict harm. Caedes's grip only tightened, his movements calculated and relentless as he mirrored the tiger's own predatory tactics. The way it usually wrapped around its quarry and suffocated it. But just as the beast's muscles began to weaken and its breath grew shallow, Caedes relented, releasing his hold on its throat with a calculated pause.

A grin. Caedes rose to his full height, placing a paw atop the tiger's skull in a gesture of dominance. It was clear to anyone watching – the tiger's defeat was an offering, a show of Caedes's strength. All for his cousin. His emeralds flashed as he glanced towards Sephiran, backing off the tiger as he waited for the killing blow to be delivered. This was his purpose. His use.

"speaking"

By now, he was nearly leaning on the edge of his seat- a willing bystander in the slaughtering of the tiger, as he fought back his own compulsion to join in and feast. The only thing keeping him at bay, was the condition of their meeting - he hadn’t seen Caedes in quite some time - wasn’t aware of the strength Caedes had obtained in Sephiran’s absence. This was a test of sorts- much like the trials his band members endured, to determine if they truly belonged in his group of heathens. Space was limited, resources waning- he wouldn’t allow someone who hesitates to take up space.

But ah, Sephiran had worried over nothing, it seemed- Caedes knowing exactly where to take his place, as he presented the killing blow as a gift to the young Sultan. The saliva inside of his maw wept from the corners of his lips- forming strings as they opened, tongue rolling out to slide across his whiskers. The look in his eyes, was purely predatory- the bloodlust boiling in his abdomen, apparent in the way his pelt stood erect at the opportunity to kill. Sauntering forward, Sephiran does not hesitate. Shoving his way past Caedes - ravenous and maniacal - he grabs the tiger by the throat and savors the familiar pulsation of arterial blood. His saber fangs penetrate deep - scraping against the cartilage of the trachea, until pop! it punctures straight through, allowing a rush of air to seep through. And yet, he doesn't stop there- his skull begins to trash, jaws flexing before relaxing, his grip widening, as he tore the tiger's throat to shreds. Creating a bloody, mauled mess of flesh and fur, using a paw to stabilize the shoulders as he haphazardly decapitated the beas-  only to satiate his depravity.


"Sephiran Saxe"