Cadaver strode confidently to the edge of the vast marshland, the mist swirling around them like a mystical cloak. The air was filled with the sounds of nature, as various creatures roamed and sang their songs. Through the thick reeds and willows that lined the water's edge, glimpses of colorful life could be seen. Herons stood tall and regal, stalking their prey in the shallow waters, while ducks glided gracefully through small ponds scattered throughout the marsh. The croaking chorus of frogs added a touch of whimsy to the cool atmosphere, rising from the murky depths. It was a serene and generally interesting place, alive with a diverse array of creatures.

The pup slinked through the murky maze of marshlands, his senses sharp and alert to any sign of danger. Despite his awkward gait, he moved with semi-coordinated grace, his developing muscles rippling under his coarse fur as he navigated the tangled paths and hidden nooks of the marsh. He had purposefully ventured into this uncharted territory in search of his companion, Redrum. Following the distinct trail of his friend's scent, Cadaver couldn't help but marvel at the wetland intricacies of his surroundings. The thick mist draped the landscape in a mystical haze, while the soft rustle of reeds added a melodic undertone to the already enigmatic atmosphere of the marsh.

But as Redrum's trail led him deeper into the marsh, Cadaver's keen instincts warned him of danger lurking ahead. The scent of unfamiliar wolves lingered on the breeze, marking the boundary of another pack's territory. Cadaver paused, his mismatched eyes narrowing as he considered his options.

"Cadaver Nightwing"

The intruders never seemed to end in this place. That was why Chimera liked islands. They provided the privacy that he both wanted and needed. It was much more difficult to infiltrate an island than it was the mainland. You basically only had one side to guard. If anyone came from the back end, well... they were pretty damned determined. Mainland territories needed to be constantly patrolled, so that's what Chimera had been doing in the estuary. All around, birds of varying species sang and squawked and honked. It was kind of annoying, but they were a neverending food source, so Ashen would continue to take hold of this land. They weren't the only wolves to covet the bounty of the estuary, however. Often as of late, many wolves seemed to be trying their luck here. He was coming upon another of them now. A young boy was slinking through the long grass of the marshy place. Chimera could see his ears poking above the grasses and could smell the boys scent. He hadn't quite learned how to walk with the wind just yet. The behemoth of a brute walked surprisingly quietly behind the boy, knowing the paths to take and the proper footing to utilize. He tested the boy scent again and it held a tinge of familiarity to it. It was good for the boy, not that Chimera would have harmed him anyway, but it would serve to lighten the lesson that was right on the horizon. "You're trespassing, boy," Chimera's glacial tones rumbled from behind the youngling. Birds scattered at the sudden sound of vocals, taking to the sky in a dark curtain before fading away as they dissipated. The dual-toned giant stood there, waiting for the child to either run or state his business. "Speech"

Cadaver's whole body froze, his heart pounding wildly as the low growl of the stranger echoed through the misty marsh. The sound was like thunder rolling in the distance, vibrating through his bones. There was a profound authority in the voice that left no room for arguments. He slowly turned around, his mismatched eyes meeting those of a towering wolf whose dual-toned fur stood out against the thick fog. The dense mist seemed to cling to the dark strands of fur on one side and slide off the snowy white on the other. The mere sight of the towering brute caused his breath to hitch in his throat. This man looked just like him! Black on one side, and white on the other! The boy swallowed hard, trying to steady his breath and calm his excitement. He had some explaining to do.

"I...I didn't mean any harm." Cadaver stuttered, his voice barely above a whisper. He had meant to tread lightly, to stay unnoticed as he sought his friend Redrum. But he had underestimated the protective nature of another pack’s wolves. "I only came to make sure Red is safe," Cadaver declared, his voice gaining strength as he spoke. "And once I know he is, I'll leave." He straightened his posture and stood a little taller, showing that he was not afraid, despite the dangerous situation he found himself in.

"Cadaver Nightwing"

The boy spun, gaping up at Chimera with a shocked expression on his face. Like him, the boy had chimeric markings. Another pup that could have been passed off as his own, just like Maki and Delphi. The boy stammered for a moment, then spoke of his purpose for trespassing. Redrum. He had followed the boy here to make sure that he was okay. Though his posture hadn't been threatening before, Chimera made it less so as he took a seat on a hillock of grass. "Redrum is here as a guest of Ashen," the king informed the boy. "You're an Insomnia child then?" The brow above his aqua colored eye lifted in question. "What is your name, boy?" "Speech"

A deep sigh escaped Cadaver's lips as he watched Chimera gracefully settle onto a mound of fresh, green grass. The tension that had been weighing heavily on his shoulders seemed to loosen, if only for a fleeting moment, upon hearing the news that Redrum was their guest. But the mention of his pack gave him pause; how did this wolf know so much about them? His mismatched gaze studied Chimera intensely, eyes gleaming with a mixture of admiration and wariness. "Insomnia… Yes, that's my pack," Cadaver admitted, his chest puffing out a bit in pride. His pack was his family, after all. "As for my name… it's Cadaver. But everyone calls me KD." He inclined his head respectfully towards Chimera, acknowledging the brute's authority in this territory. He decided to keep his further questions to himself for now, choosing to play it safe.

"Cadaver Nightwing"

The boy quickly collected himself once he realized the big man's authority. This pleased Chimera. He'd had too many insolent trespassers of late. Cadaver, as he was called, was a welcome change. (Yes, Nimue... he's talking about you.) The dual-toned brute introduced himself in turn. "Chimera Klein, King of Ashen." Cadaver, or KD, had confirmed that Insomnia was his pack. Chimera nodded. "I've an agreement with Medusa that no child of Insomnia will be harmed here. You can go find Red if you'd like." What? Chi loved kids. It was as simple as that. The behemoth rose to his paws and began to move back towards the island, assuming that KD would follow. "He's most likely on the island with my children," the brute informed him. They would take the ferry across if KD wished to continue on. "Speech"