Mortis woke to the soft pitter of rain. Their fire had gone out some point in the night, but the underground heating had kept the cave warm enough despite the chill outside. Something caught his attention, he wasn't sure exactly what. Some sound or scent that woke him further. He lifted his head, kissing Hikas crown and trying to untangle himself gently from his boyfriend without disturbing him.

There it was again, a soft sound. He turned to the firepit with a puzzled frown. There was something black amongst the dark coal, and he crept forward. For a moment, he wasn't sure what he was looking at. Damp feathers curled about a lumpy shape. He nudged it with his nose, pushing back the feathers to reveal the shape of a wolf. Still slick with afterbirth.

A gasp escaped him and he breathed in deeply. Where had this child come from? There was no way he and Hika had missed the sounds of birthing. The wolf's scent makeup told him its origins. Its parents. her parents. But that was impossible. He wasn't sure he could believe such a miracle. “Hika!” He whispered, trying not to disturb the baby. He didn't say anything else. He needed to hear Hikaru's first impressions.

The weather was starting to turn, but there was still a chill during the night so there was always a fire burning to lul the pair of wolves to sleep. Hikaru finally felt complete again, he was healing and becoming healthy once more. It helped that he was able to sleep curled up against Mort and his warm wings every night. He didn’t feel like any time had passed and he fit right back into living with Mortis again. Like they had never been apart. However wrong that feeling was. Mort had a whole new family now, while that had its own difficulties to navigate he was so happy to have him back in his life.

He wasn’t disturbed by Mortis moving around in the night, it wasn’t an odd occurrence and Hika slept more deeply now than he had in his life. Mortis had everything to do with that fact. He continued to sleep until he heard the soft utterance of his name. He blinked open his eyes sleepily before his gaze was drawn to where Mortis was looking in the fire.

It took a few moments for Hikaru to realize the strange scent within their den as he lifted himself to his paws as he went to Mort’s side. "What…?” Confusion took him as silvery eyes widened in surprise at the newborn pup there in the warm ashes of their fire. ”Did one of Bas’s pups find its way here?” It was the only explanation he could muster, but even that couldn’t be. She had the scent of he and Mortis on her.

"Speech"

As Hika came over, he gently picked her up and started to clean her. As he did so, the faint underdeveloped patterns of her coat came to light. The scratches across her eye, the rings around her forelegs. He hadn't even processed her wings yet, but as he started to clean them he considered Hikas words and shook his head. As much as what his partner described made more sense… it didn't feel right in his heart.


“I don't believe any had wings.” He said softly. He hadn't seen any of them yet, they'd only been born the day before. But he had heard a little of the strange mutations on them. Wings, wings would have been mentioned. “I'd wonder if she was Halos, somehow. But that doesn't make sense either.” The mention of Halo didn't hurt as much as it had. Hikas presence dulled that pain. He leaned forward, pressing his head into Hika. Cradling the little girl gently in one forepaw pressed against his chest. “She doesn't have their scents. Maybe she picked up our scents from our den. But Hika… she has your eyes. She has my markings. I'm the only Fatalis with a line of wings. I… I don't know how.” He admitted, voice a little shaky. “I don't know why she's here or how she came to be. I wished for a child of ours, and somehow…” he shook his head. He was still struggling to admit The truth of it. “We should take her to Ignita, she's going to be hungry. At least for tonight. We could figure out something long term…” he hesitated “if you want to do this with me.” He'd already accepted this little child. Would Hika?

Hika’s curious silver gaze looked over Mort’s shoulder as he gently lifted the newborn and began to gently clean her. Obviously she was recently born from the after birth that clung to her wet fur. Mort’s careful cleaning soon revealed a tiny girl that looked so much like Mortis. The dark coat, blue markings, her tiny fluff coated wings… Mortis mentioned those wings just as Hika’s eyes fell upon them. No, this had to be Mort’s daughter but how? They were together now, there had been no one else in the den all night. How had she came to be? What was even stranger was along with Mort’s scent his mingled as well.

Hikaru leaned into Mort’s affections as the winged man went on, offering his own train of thought. Nothing of it made sense except perhaps that she had been the result of a heartfelt wish. The koi couldn’t deny how adorable she was, and the feeling of affection he felt as he watched Mort hold her to his chest protectively.

"Yes, she needs to eat.” He concurred, the tiny girl was already whimpering softly of hunger pains. "But she’s ours.” He continued determinedly. "I don’t know how she came to be, but it doesn’t matter.” He smiled with those words, enchanted at the thought of being a dad with Mort.

"Speech"

The little whimpers were pulling at Mort’s heartstrings, and he knew they couldn’t delay. She needed to eat, and fast. He wasn’t sure if Ignita would have much to spare with her own large brood. But if she could spare just a little, they could get up one of the Armada’s goats and whatever supplements the pack’s healer recommended. They could make this work. They had to, for this little girl's sake.

“Ours.” Mortis agreed in wonder, leaning down to kiss Hikaru. Just a soft brush on the other boy's lips. The girl's cries were too demanding, and he gently nudged Hikaru forward. “Let’s get her to Ignita and explain what happened to Basilisk.” Since they still needed the Warlord’s permission for this strange circumstance.

He stepped quickly from the temporary cave den they had secured for themselves, and headed to the Warlords den. “Ignita?” he called out softly at her door.


"Mortis Fatalis"

Ignita lay within the nest of freshly born pups just barely a day old. She was finally getting hungry again. Her whole body ached and trembled if she dared to move though.

A knock at the door caught her attention. She didn't immediately recognize it and instinctively she curled around her brood with a snarl on her lip. Her eyes flung open and locked onto the door. The voice though made her brow furrow and her body subtly relax.

"Mortis?" Maybe he just wanted to see the new babies, he was family after all. She could allow it she supposed.

"You can come in." She greeted, weary, somewhat wary, but still exhausted.


"Ignita"

This would be a mystery that haunted him for the rest of his life, but it was minor in comparison to the life he would be given. He and Mortis had a baby to themselves. They were a real family now and his priorities were swiftly shifting. He returned Mort’s sweet simple kiss before all of their attention was focused on getting food in their baby’s belly. Hika nodded as Mortis suggested they go quickly to Bas and Ignita’s den, she was the best place for their little one to begin. She had given birth not even 24 hours beforehand.

Hikaru took the girl gently, hanging her by her scruff in his mouth as the two of them made their way. The smell of new puppies filled his senses as Mort called out to the new mother. She invited them in, and Hikaru timidly walked forward, the tiny motherless girl plain to see. His silver eyes said everything, they needed help for their daughter.

"Speech"

Ignita’s voice when it sounded out, made her surprise evident. She hadn’t been expecting a caller so soon. Certainly he wouldn’t have disturbed the new mother if it hadn’t been urgent. He and Hika stepped into the den, the little girl still wrapped up in his arms, her eyes visible underneath the pillow covers.

“Ignita, I have quite a big ask.” He said, voice apologetic as he stepped closer, kneeling before her so she could see the girl, and unwrapping her a little. Her Fatalis markings and little wings made her origin very clear. Even through… it wasn’t. “She’s hungry…” His voice was a soft plea, a need.


"Mortis Fatalis"

The two males stepped in, sheepish and unsure. Ignita's golden eyes looked over them trying to determine what was going on before it all became clear. She tilted her head as Mortis started to present a bundle to her. Within was a gorgeous baby girl, with wings! With awe Ignita looked up at Mort and then back at his partner Hikaru! How could-? How did-? She was the absolute image of them both there was no doubt and she was just as fresh if not fresher than the milkdrunk nuggets at her side.

"Of course of course!" She exclaimed, rallying and adjusting to feed the new baby. "Place her here, let her have some." Ignita motioned with her chin.

She wasn't going to ask, though her brain would not stop picking at the mystery. "Oh Mort, she's beautiful. Hikaru, I don't think I've had the chance to welcome you properly, I'm glad you're part of the Armada! What's her name? What's the plan?" She asked, glancing at them both. She was completely ready to take on the girl as her own, but they may have other thoughts.

"Jamie"||"Iskandor"||"Selene"||"Citadel"||"Selene"||"Balrog"||"Ignita"||"Basilisk"