The Choice - Brian
He saw several figures ahead and felt a twitching desire call out to them. He shouldn’t be alone.
“Hey,” he gasped, coughing as the seawater burned his throat. “Over here.”
After parting ways with Bancha, Beat had continued to meander. He made his way into the east to the Moontouched Cliffs. His mind was full of questions and he barely paid attention to where he was going. The black and white brute did look up when someone called out, however. Purple and teal eyes narrowed for a moment, squinting to correct his poor vision. He saw a flailing figure up ahead and threw his meager weight into scrawny paws. The old man loped across the sand, kicking up granules as he went, coming ever nearer to the stranger. "Are you alright? Do you need help?" The Destruction man canted his head slightly, inspecting the waterlogged wolf that lay in the sand. "Beat"
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「she heard their murmurs- voices she didn't know. her ears turned to them, her sleek torso turning around as she changed her course of path. with times like these, no telling who might've needed a paw. so with just that in mind, the dragon moved with a paced trot. her silvery pools landing on a them both as she closed in without hesitation, seeing that someone was distressed. soaked, she sat along the side of them if they did not move- not wanting to get wet. "What's happened to you?" she asked softly, glancing them over before looking at the other who came to help. "I can help if you need me to." 」
⚔
Enyo approached the cliffs, the vivid red sky casting an ominous hue over the landscape. The wildflowers swayed gently in the breeze- how delicate they were next to the looming white stone. The air was thick with the scent of salt and earth, invigorating yet foreboding. As she made her way toward the edge, her piercing gaze scanned the area below, and her ears perked at the sounds of distant voices.
An unusual curiosity tempered her usual focus on the hierarchy of the Dunamis. There were voices ahead that beckoned her attention, hinting at a situation that might warrant her involvement.
As she neared the edge, Enyo spotted two figures: a smaller male, and another she-wolf radiating an ethereal glow. Both of them crouched by a distressed-looking wolf, who appeared to be soaked and bruised. The scene caught her interest, her innate desire to assert dominance flaring up at the sight of potential weakness. It would be easy to force the soaked one into submission... her mind briefly wandered to her plans for her slaves. At least until she remembered where she resided.
Such things would have to wait.
She approached silently, the soft rustle of her pawsteps almost lost in the winds that danced around the cliffs. Observing the stranger, a mix of empathy and calculation coursed through her. Her instinct to analyze the situation kicked in, weighing the benefits of offering her assistance against the prospect of remaining an intimidating presence.
"What's this?" Enyo's voice resonated through the air, rich and commanding. The others turned to her, their expressions shifting as they recognized the force of nature standing before them. "A lone wolf in distress? You don't smell of a pack." Her eyes glimmered with intrigue, assessing the newcomer’s state.
Enyo’s presence filled the space, an unwavering assertion of strength and authority. Though she maintained an air of aloofness, a flicker of genuine interest shone through her piercing gaze. She was no stranger to struggle, and while her demeanor often suggested indifference, she couldn’t ignore the magnetic pull of the unknown. Especially when it danced so closely with her need to be the solution.
"Speak quickly," she urged, her tone firm yet not entirely unkind. "I don’t have all day." The challenge hung in the air, a reminder of her unwavering dominance. The energy shifted around her, waiting for the response of the troubled stranger, her expectation palpable as she stepped forward, her silhouette cutting sharply against the red-lit sky.
She couldn't help but wish Erebros was here... He would know what to do. He was, in her eyes, the most skilled medic around. What would he do? What would he do?
"Do you need water?" It was the best she could come up with. But... as her eyes trailed they were surrounded by saltwater, "I could have one of my birds snatch you up a rabbit or something... even a fawn. You could drink the blood."
"SPEECH"
ENYO IS FOR MATURE AUDIENCES! SHE OFTEN DEALS WITH SEXUAL THEMES, VIOLENCE, GORE, AND ABUSE.
Enyo's companions Foberos, a large peregrine falcon, & Atromitos, a large snowy owl, are to be assumed as with her at all times unless otherwise stated
You're not feeling so well...
Epimethius
Advanced Fighter (90)
Expert Hunter (120)
2 Years
Male
92
Medilic
Epimethius found himself travelling along the east side of Boreas, and then he heard the distant voices of wolves. Followed by one he had begun to grow used too. His head hanging low as he walked towards the scene, ears flicking forward as he strains to figure out what is being discussed. He came up to the side of Enyo, the only one here he knew anything of. He looked over the scene realizing the stranger ahead of them was in some sort of distress. He would pause briefly, offering Enyo a nod of respect before stepping closer. "Enyo." Sniffing the stranger ahead of them, curious as to what could possibly be going on with them. Before he stepped back to Enyo's side warily. "I'm eager to help, but what is going on?" the question was aimed both at Enyo and the stranger, he was unsure of what to do in this situation. The plagued animals, the weird red sky. Everything was off-putting. "Talk"
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She’d been wandering the coastline for weeks now, driven north along ragged shores and hidden valleys by some restless pull. Maybe the hope for a place to call home, but it could never be so. It was quieter here, a far cry from the echoes of home that haunted her on darker nights. Each step she took brought her farther from her past—a curse and salvation all at once.
That morning, she’d traced a narrow path down to the cliffs to hunt, a ritual more for distraction than need. Fresh tracks along the wet sand and the faint scent of another wolf had caught her attention, but she hadn’t been inclined to investigate. It was rare she crossed paths with others in these parts, a comfort she fiercely guarded. She would not destroy her own peace in favor of mild conversation.
Then, just as she thought she would begin to head back to her makeshift den, voices began drifting on the breeze. A soft murmur at first, but it grew, mingling with the sound of the waves. Curious, she followed the noise to a rocky outcropping overlooking a sea cave below. From her perch, she caught sight of figures all encroaching. Annwyn narrowed her eyes, watching the wolves with a mix of interest and caution. It sounded like they were offering aid to someone, but she would have to move closer and down to see who. She let out a soft scoff, glancing over her shoulder to ensure her own path of retreat remained open. Heroics had never been her calling.
And yet, she didn’t leave.
Annwyn descended the embankment, each step deliberate, paws pressing into the wet sand as the muted jingle of her chains drifted through the air. Her icy gaze swept over the gathering, taking in every detail with a detached curiosity. She neither hurried nor hesitated, moving with the confidence of one who owned her every inch of space, though her place here was in truth tenuous at best.
As she came to a stop, her eyes fixed on the stranger, taking in his disheveled form and the unfamiliar faces of those who had come to his aid. She didn't speak. The subtle lift of her brow and the faint, unamused curl of her lips posed a wordless question to the group.
What’s all this about? her look conveyed with clarity, skepticism dancing in her eyes. She stood back, expression sharp and unreadable, offering no comfort, no warmth. Her gaze swept over each wolf, holding them as if expecting one to answer her unspoken question, asking them to explain why this mattered enough to gather like crows over a dying thing.
Pagan good times ahead.
Why the sky turned blood red, Seere had no idea and why she finds herself near the cliffs on this day, at this exact moment, she could not tell you why. But the voices pull her at her, urging her down to the sandy beach and toward a sea cave where a group of strangers gather around a wheezy wolf. Concern etches her features as she approaches, her medical bag as always, snuggly fitted over her shoulder.
Her voice is calm yet filled with the soft authority of a medical professional seeking to do their job as she says, “I am a healer and my name is Seere Klein-Destruction. Please, let me take a look at you.” Mismatched gaze roves over the strangers before landing on the wolf who seems to be having difficulty breathing and she takes a tentative step forward a gentle smile on maw as she tries not to overwhelm any of them.
Slow and steady wins the race.
Seere has a male Pallas's cat named Paunch and a female barn swallow named Aisling. They are always nearby.
You're not feeling so well...
Abyssinica
Khalif
Expert Fighter (150)
Intermediate Intellectual (40)
Pup
Other
128
Aislyn
Walking alongside their brother Dracun, Abyss is treading across the ocean-side domain, fading in and out of the crimson glow that showered down from the heavens. The odd events occurring around them hadn’t ceased- there were rumors of earthquakes down in Auster, and an entire beach being swallowed by the tremors. Abyss was intrigued no doubt- but they weren’t impulsive or naive. There was no sense in throwing themselves in immediate danger.
Still, their curiosity was a gnawing, relentless thing- and Dracun seemed just as interested in the ethereal events as they were.
And so, they’d ended up walking along the cliff-side in the east. The air was filled with salty sea spray, mixed with the sweeter fragrance of wildflowers. And the scents of many wolves congregating. There was a group forming in the distance, their voices a whisper on the breeze, but Abyss picked up the words “are you alright” and “I’m eager to help.” Someone in the group must have sustained an injury, and Abyss was naturally curious. Morbidly curious really. The thought of witnessing someone in distress, and using their suffering as a leverage chip in their schemes… it was a delightful thought- one Abyss couldn’t pass up.
Motioning to Dracun, the pair moves toward the congregating wolves. There are seven in total, and as they approach, Abyss is forming an assessment of each one. It's a systematic approach, starting from head to toe, and finishing with their unique characteristics. So far, none of them seemed to be a threat. Abyss decided to stay silent for now, watching from the sidelines, to see if the wolf in the middle of the group needed help. Since everyone was offering it to him.
There had yet to be an explanation for the strange red sky, ominous spires, and everything else that had been happening, thus making it easy to explore further and further outside of the Syndicate lands. Dracun was grateful too- not that he'd admit it, but it would really suck if they were forced to stay hidden away at home while the adults got to have all the fun!
He was traveling east in mostly silence with Abyss when they'd spotted a group forming ahead of them, seemingly focused on something- someone. Dracun could barely see who they were talking to, but he picked up a few words and it appeared that whomever it was was in some sort of distress, however nothing life threatening he assumed. Dracun turned to Abyss then for a moment, a brow raised in confusion yet mild interest. Not thinking that this wolf had anything to do with the phenomenon and had probably just taken in too much sea water or something, he remained quiet and at the back of the group with his sibling, but kept an ear twisted towards the voices in case something changed or seemed important.
And closer they came. Brian's shoulders sagged with relief because even though he had no idea what was going on, there surely was a chance they did, right? His stomach fluttered; he would have thought with anticipation, but it felt...wrong, too deep. Like something was stirring. Brian swallowed thickly, his stomach gurgled loud enough for the others to hear it, only for a stabbing pain to ripple through him, enough to drag a whine through gritted teeth. Healing, yes, he needed healing, badly.
It came on suddenly; tolerable one moment and writhing the next, had his back paws kicking shallow grooves into the sand as he laid there.
"I can-ugh, I felt something move." and that thought was horrific in and of itself, eyes wide with panic as his gaze flickered between the wolves. "How is that-" even possible, he wanted to say only for the words to be cut off by a cry.
Ripping, tearing. The sharp tang of blood as the side of his stomach split open, weeping a slew of squirming worms, all slick with blood and stomach juices.
Many, who also found themselves here for gods knew what reason, approached the pained wolf, offering aid and soothing words. Beat, being no healer, took a step back. Just in time, too. The prone brute released a wail of discomfort and soon his belly split open wide. Purple and teal eyes opened wide, jaw dropping as the most disgusting thing that he'd ever seen began to take place. Worms. Worms and dirt and slime and muck. It all poured out of the wolfs belly. The brute was as good as dead, so there was no helping him, but who was going to help the living? Beat skittered backwards away from the worms, bumping into a wolf or two in the process. Call it self preservation. He didn't want to be near the worms nor touch them. Could they even breathe the same air as someone that sick? "Beat"
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While the sight of wiggling worms covered in blood, bile, and other substances would normally be enough to make her freeze, the fact that stranger is in horrid pain and has had his stomach ruptured by these creatures is enough to have her diving for the wolf. Small paws cradle his head as he slumps over and she expertly shrugs off her medical bag, seating herself so that she can continue to hold his head with one paw while also being able rummaging through her satchel with the other.
Soft soothing sounds fall from her lips as his body convulses, weeping worms and blood across the sand. Seere withdraws a small vial from her pack, double checking its contents before uncorking it and helps the man to down the liquid. Once it gone, she abandons the glass container in favor of gently rubbing away the ceases of pain on his face. Softly, she murmurs, “Its okay. That will help take away the pain. Go to sleep now. The pain won’t follow you away.”
Tears sting the backs of her eyes as she coos softly to him, trying to help ease his transition from this world to the next. The vial had been a mixture of fly agaric mushrooms, jimson weed, kava, and cannabis and flavored with some elderberries. It was a poison she had concocted on her own and was meant to take the pain away and ease him to sleep before stopping his heart forever. Paws cradle his head, stroking his features almost lovingly as she waits with the dying man.
Mint and purple gaze travel to the worms that writhe on the ground around his body and she feels intense hatred toward whatever entity had forced this stranger to endure so much agony in their final moments. Eyes flick around the group, warily watching what their reactions to the strange and vile creatures that were birthed into this world from agony and blood. Silently, she questions why the gods must be so cruel.
Seere has a male Pallas's cat named Paunch and a female barn swallow named Aisling. They are always nearby.
「it all moved so fast. so many others gathered around, some stared and some insisted on helping. but no one could prepare them all for what would come next. the dying wolf ripped by the stomach auddenly, releasing heaps of worms and intestines out. an awful smell clouded around her nose then as she instantly jerked back, falling over a wolf as she scrambled away. gasping for air, Daenerys was spooked and more than anything confused. what was that!? her wide eyes looked at the faces around her, as if wanting reason to spill from their mouths. "We got to get out of here!" 」
⚔
Annwyn’s gaze sharpened, her lips curling back in faint distaste as the stench of blood and bile hit her nostrils. She observed, coldly detached, as the wolf’s agony unfolded before them, his pained whine slicing through the tense silence. Her icy gaze lingered on the writhing mess spilling from his side, the slick, wriggling parasites glistening like a macabre offering.
“How charming,” she murmured, voice dripping with sarcasm as her eyes flicked to the others, watching their reactions with a hint of satisfaction. “Where has this poor soul been…?” Her question was half a sneer, as if the scene before them only confirmed her suspicions.
As the wolf writhed, her eyes bore into him. “Whatever you’ve dragged from the depths,” she said, her tone steely, her mind thinking of the darkest places possible,“best hope it’s worth the pain.” She didn’t move to help, only watched, an unfeeling watcher to his suffering.
Pagan good times ahead.
She watched as his stomach convulsed, his body wracked with agony until, to her horror, his skin tore open. As Enyo stood at the cliff's edge, the atmosphere thickened with an impending sense of dread. Brian's sudden distress sent a jolt through her, and her instincts kicked into high gear. Interest twisted into disgust as his cry split through the air. She watched as the wolf’s body reacted violently, his muscles twitching, and his back paws carving desperate grooves into the sand. The world around her faded into a blur, her focus zeroing in on the unfolding horror.
The woman took a step back.
Suddenly a horrific explosion of writhing worms spilled from the wolf's open side, slick with blood and stomach juices. The gruesome sight twisted in her gut, a visceral reaction that drew a low growl from her throat. Danger. The acrid smell of bile flooded her senses. Enyo's mind raced, and a fleeting thought struck her. She wished Erebros were here. His healing skills could offer clarity to this terrifying situation. For now, she was stuck trying to infer. Was it a severe parasitic infestation? But as she observed the writhing creatures, she quickly realized that whatever this was, it was beyond a simple ailment.
The grey one bumped into her, drowning in his fear. It earned him a snarl. Dany's panic irritated her. Too much was happening. She needed to take control. Get the infected one away. Another gray wolf, a woman. Would offer assistance. No. This woman was a healer. Worms were infectious. Surely she knew that? Or was she too worried about being kind to consider preservation?
Stupid.
Idiot.
She could not allow this to continue. The suffering, the agony reflected in Brian’s wide eyes. It was unbearable. No poultice would stop his agony. Only death. Enyo’s heart pounded in her chest, urgency igniting her movements. "Enough! Step away from him!" she commanded, her voice slicing through the chaos like a knife. The time for hesitation was gone.
Raising her head high, she barked sharply, "Foberos! Atromitos!" Her command echoed as her loyal birds descended from above, their powerful wings stirring the air around her. She gestured at Brian with a snap of her muzzle, then at the cliff's edge. "Drag him off the edge. Now." The two birds responded instantly, swooping down toward the writhing wolf with a precision honed through their countless flights together.
Enyo felt no sorrow. It was necessary to end his suffering. The scene was too horrific to witness any longer. She moved closer, her instincts sharpening, preparing to assist her birds as they lifted him away. "We must act swiftly!" she barked, her mind a flurry of thoughts on how to minimize the trauma. She needed to protect the others, protect herself, but above all, she needed to end this creature's pain.
With Foberos and Atromitos moving to hoist Brian’s limp form, Enyo took a deep breath, her heart heavy with the weight of the moment. She steeled herself, resolute in her duty to free him from the torment that had taken hold of his body. The giant woman would attempt to push the dying wolf with the aid of her birds. She was determined to bring an end to the chaos and ensure that, whatever came next, it would be swift and merciful.
Most of all, she needed to ensure this parasite could not infect anyone else.
"SPEECH"
ENYO IS FOR MATURE AUDIENCES! SHE OFTEN DEALS WITH SEXUAL THEMES, VIOLENCE, GORE, AND ABUSE.
Enyo's companions Foberos, a large peregrine falcon, & Atromitos, a large snowy owl, are to be assumed as with her at all times unless otherwise stated
You're not feeling so well...
Abyssinica
Khalif
Expert Fighter (150)
Intermediate Intellectual (40)
Pup
Other
128
Aislyn
Suddenly, the space around them erupted into chaos.
The faint sound of labored breathing resonated from one of the wolves, a symphony of murmurs from the bystanders and the occasional pained groan underlining the gravity of his illness. His stomach was gurgling loudly- the rhythm was erratic, punctuated by sudden bursts that caught Abyss’ attention. They’d never heard someone’s guts sound like that. The pained expression on the male’s face was heightening, morphing into a look of terror before the climax came- the splitting of his abdomen, entrails and squirming worms spilling out of the cavity in pulsatile waves. Blood splattered in all directions, the worms seeming to crawl toward the bystanders. A few stepped back, while several stepped forward, trying to help.
And Abyss was not one of them.
Standing firmly in place, there is an unusual juxtaposition to the tense atmosphere unfolding around them. Abyss’ smile is almost disarming- the corners of their lips curled to reveal their fangs- as they flashed the dying wolf a wide, childish grin. Their face is alive with enthusiasm, their cheeks flushed and bright, while their smile reveals a childlike wonder at the macabre horror of a man’s belly splitting in two. “Did you see that?” They whisper to their brother, nudging him with a shoulder.
As the bystanders took action, Abyss stayed anchored in place, thriving on the thrill of the unknown. One wolf was giving the dying male a drink of something, and another, was commanding their bird companions to throw the body off the cliff. Abyss’ smile widened, their breath catching in their throat, as they found pleasure in the suspense.
What would happen next?
You're not feeling so well...
Epimethius
Advanced Fighter (90)
Expert Hunter (120)
2 Years
Male
92
Medilic
Epimethius moved forward his face turned to stare down the body in front of him, unease twisted inside of his stomach. He moved before he could fully comprehend Enyo's command, he moved with her. Aiming to push the animal away, while he did not know if this was the wisest decision he felt almost like he could not stop himself. He lowered his head as he tried to grab ahold of the back limb of the wolf, hoping to help drag him towards the ledge. His mind protested, he didn't want to kill this creature. But was there even a way this wolf could ever survive this? This could be a more peaceful, more gentle end for him than to suffer. At least that's what Epimethius told himself. "Talk"
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He wasn't sure what to expect of the wolf lying before them all. It was clear he was in pain, but Dracun was more interested than concerned. Nothing appeared to be wrong with him... at first.
Suddenly, the man had turned into a cornucopia of entrails and worms, stomach split wide and spilling forth contents he was both familiar and unfamiliar with. His gaze widened, shock and awe taking over his features and he couldn't help but smile a wicked, maniacal smile accompanied with a brief laugh. Not an awkward laugh either - one of pure amusement.
Abyss bumped his shoulder and seemed nearly as amused as he. He briefly took his eyes off the damned and turned to his sibling, acknowledging their question at first with a nod. "How rotten inside was he to be full of worms?!" he laughed and turned back to the scene, watching as others tried to remove the once-living. Was touching it so wise? Maybe they would all be infected with the worm-gut-disease this man had for simply being around him, but he wasn't about to touch it and figure out of the odds were greater. "You think anyone will believe us when we tell them?" he asked Abyss then, half turning towards them but being unable to remove his eyes from the continuing scene. There was a more serious sound to his voice now, however given his unfading smile, the amusement was still clear in his deepening voice.
It would have been kinder if Brain was not himself, if his mind had slipped away like the rest. But he felt it all and still, somehow the dread of it was worse than the pain, that he would die terrified and unable to do anything but writhe. But then came comfort, gentle soothing words, an even kinder paw that cradled him close and offered him something to drink. He would die but not alone, he found comfort in that.
What little respite Seere was able to provide was swiftly cut short as the falcon and owl grabbed at him with their talons and began to drag him back, scratching deep wounds that had the worms rippling beneath the surface. Brian cried out in pain, his paws dug into the ground as he tried to hold on, scrambling for purchase as he was dragged closer and closer to the edge.
Enyo's weight bared down on him and forced the air from his lungs, the pressure causing a worm to burst out of one of the scratches her bird companions made. Like squeezing water out of a sponge. It landed on Enyo's snout and quickly burrowed its way into her nostril before it could be swatted away, slipping and sliding down her nasal passage, eager to find somewhere warm to grow and multiply.
But her efforts were not in vain, Brian's weak form was sent tumbling over the edge. His end was neither quick nor painless; as he sunk beneath the surface, the seawater slowly filled his lungs and he drowned. So much for swift and merciful.
Annwyn's gaze hardened, the faintest trace of contempt curving her lips as she watched the unfolding chaos with icy calm. She remained a spectator, detached from the suffering as though it were a grotesque spectacle for her amusement.
"Mercy was never meant for him," she murmured, voice soft yet laced with a cutting edge. "If his mind is still intact, then let him cling to his dread. Perhaps it’s the only thing that truly belongs to him now." She cast a look at Seere, noting the small acts of comfort she still offered. There was something almost absurd in the tenderness, a kindness starkly out of place.
As the falcon and owl closed in, her attention shifted to their mistress. The black and white woman. Annwyn’s eyes narrowed, catching the moment the parasite emerged, watching as it found its new host with a morbid glimmer of interest.
When Brian’s frail form tumbled over the edge, her gaze followed him only as far as the fall would take him, showing no inclination to soften. "So much for kindness," she whispered with a bitter, mocking tone. "In the end, it’s his fear that remains, his final companion before the end." A faint satisfaction glinted in her eyes, as if the inevitability of his demise confirmed some belief she held. With the scene now over and done with, Annwyn turned to depart.
Pagan good times ahead.