Skah Adeyemi

There is a silence here, profound and foreboding, the crouched hush of a predator at work. Too often the only sound, the only reminder to the travellers that they had not lost their sense of hearing altogether, is a distant and echoing swish of water as waves lapped along the shoreline and the land bridge that had formed only a few weeks before. What secrets await the brave, what horrors await the foolish, only the imagination can reveal - until the stillness is disturbed. One such beast was not foolish enough to disturb such a profound silence that had seemed to settle across the territory as the night had wrapped it in its all encompassing grip. Aqua eyes were no strangers to the darkness, nor were tipped ears unaccustomed to the silence. He had spent much of his life in silence, choosing the life of a shadow ever since he had been chosen as the Oracle's protector. No longer was there a spring in his stride and head was no carried low as to not attract any unwanted attention. He was not a being of companionship, nor one to fight. He was simply an extension of the Oracle herself and nothing more then that.

The male was a behemoth in size, a lumbering black mass with only some greys and creams to break up the seemingly endless darkness. He hadn't always been this large, in fact at birth he had been the last-born of his litter and had been noticeably smaller then his siblings. Now he had surpassed his sister in height and stood eye to eye with his brother. Shai had always been the largest of their litter but at a year it had seemed that a mixture of a growth spurt and endless training with their father added height and muscle to the male's frame. Now at the age of two the male had settled easily into his skin, no longer awkward on long legs that had suddenly appeared over night and in perfect control of muscles that rippled under thick sleek coat. To add onto that daunting appearance scars riddled his body, some older has grown back with pale fur over top but newer ones were still fresh and pink, showing beneath torn out fur.

Finally endless march seemed to halt and nose lifted to the wind, sampling the scents it brought to his quivering nose as it stirred. It tugged and pulled at thick scruff, tossing leaves at the black mass so he was forced to close eyes against the assault until it stopped. It had been some time since he had even wandered close to another?s lands, and this was as close as he would ever come. They had lived in peace for so long, the wolves of this land at peace and working together. But change was coming on the winds, his oracle had sensed it and she had sent him here to investigate. For so long they had listened to the fading howls of other wolves off their continent calling to each other, challenging each other and now they were coming. His oracle had seen it, she had predicted it and now he was here looking at the path they would follow to come to them. Deep breath was drawn in, a bit of a shake to it as lungs expanded then contracted to expel the air in a hiss through clenched teeth. They were coming...

"Speaking"

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Her lavendar gaze lingered on the horizon, studying the darkening outline of the northern lands. Their calls echoed endlessly, their calls for battle stringing into one long call. Some much bloodshed took place there. Her curiosity to know why was overwhelming. And yet, she did not want such bloodshed within her home. She had gone on for her brief to years without war, or any violence. She intended to keep it that way. But she couldn't help but wonder. It was only a matter of time before stranger began to filter into this place. Toes kneaded the sand uselessly. Charcoal legs were darkened by the water that had lapped at them before the cold finally drove her from the shallows. The wind tugged at her grey pelt, the soft moonlight giving her an eery glow. Audits tipped forward, the waves crashing against the sand, the salty air tingling her nose. She had spent her entire life here, without incident. She had grown up, growing into her lengthy legs and petite bodice. Her thick pelt was not enough to block out the autumn chill entirely. Soon winter would be upon them. She liked the winter. The snow particularly. A familiar cologne would pull her from her idle musings. Her expression would brighten, her gaze leaving the horizon to search the bridge that parted her world from the unknown. He was not easy to miss. His dark pelt, mixed with his ridiculous size stood out on the beach. Her tail would wag slowly as she turned, stilts carrying her towards him. A soft bark would leave her lips, a smile gracing her face. It was so see him alone, or to even see him at all. His days were consumed by the Oracle and protecting her, nothing else. She would attempt to close the distance between them, seeking to stretch up onto her toes to press her nose to his cheek. "Shak, awọn oniwe- ti ki gun." Words fell from her lips like the smoothest of whiskey. She would peer up at him throw her lashes, happiness etched deeply into the lavender pools. It had been far to long. "ọrọ"

Skah Adeyemi

He was immobile, a statue against the outline of the setting sun. There was nothing here but earth and water, no new scents to smell which lead him to believe that they had not yet come or that they had come in secret. Would they try and take their home? Try and claim the goddess's land? A tremor rippled through heavily muscled body as tail slackened behind him to lay limp along his haunches. Azure gaze was lidded, heavy as he stared across the land bridge and off into the distance of the lands beyond as if looking for some hint that they might be coming for them. He felt a dark omen washing towards him but he couldn't place anything more then that. Head would lower, muscles coiling. It felt wrong here, he felt wrong. Beast was about to turn when he caught the sound of movement. Were they coming? Tattered and pierced ears would lift and flutter as skull turned so eyes could take in the approaching form.

She was a memory from his past, a haunting memory of a childhood long since past. He was silent, stoic as she approached despite her warm demeanour and slight tail wag. He was immobile as he watched her, a million thoughts rushing through his mind. Why was she here? Alone? The elders would not approve, he had no doubt about that and yet here she was approaching him like it was no big thing. She would move towards him and for a moment he would have to hunt for her name in his memories as she leaned up to touch his face in a familiar manner. Gwena? She would speak, lyrical words slipping off her lips and slowly he would take a step back to regard her cooly. "Gwena, o yẹ ki o ko ni le nibi." His voice was a rumble, a smooth deep baritone that rolled from somewhere deep in his chest. Aqua eyes were cold, disconnected as he looked at her silvery frame then lavender pools. How long had it been since they had been alone together? Since they had spoken one on one? "Awọn ?gba yoo ko ni le d?n . A ko ba ti wa lati ṣe olubasọrọ pẹlu awọn Ikarun." His voice was stern, unwavering as he studied her cooly.

"ọrọ"

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He was different. He had changed in ways she had not expected. He regarded cooly, his eyes no longer warm and inviting. He accepted her touch but immediately stepped away from her. She would tuck away the pang of hurt she felt. No longer was he the Shak she grew up with. No, he was much colder, almost as though he had no idea who she was. When he spoke, his words were stern, disapproving, as though she was a child than needed a scolding. His tones are deep, enticingly smooth. He had grown much older, beyond his years, since they had last spent any time together. But he was no less attractive. He has grown into his lengthy legs and massive paws. He had filled out into into something gargantuan and powerful. His Aqua eyes still stood against his dark pelt, his captivating eyes that were surrounded by ivory. "Jọwọ , i ju emi o lagbara ti gbeja ara mi." She would peer up at him, irritation flaring. Was he really so far gone that he did not remember who she was? Her tail would stop wagging, her entire body stilling. Her stomach dropped. Realization had dawned on her. This position, this task he was given, it weighed so heavily upon him that all joy was gone from his life. It was no secret that the oracles protector would serve until they were killed in the line of duty or they were no longer effective. Her breath whooshed from her lungs softly. Perhaps he was still buried in there, perhaps she could drag him out of shell. "Niwon nigbati o ni o di iru kan fa ?" "ọrọ"

Skah Adeyemi

He had changed a lot since they were young. No longer was he the child who trotted along so happily behind his older brother, no longer was he the happy go lucky kid with nothing to worry about but trying to be like his big bro. It seemed everything had happened all at once for him, he had tried out to be oracle's protector simply because Shai had wanted to be it and he was the one who had gotten it probably just by fluke. He felt guilty stealing his brothers dream, guiltier still that his job had stolen him away from his family after the death of his mother. He had not been there to help, had not been there to support them. He had been there for his oracle and there he had been ever since. Barely a thought was given to the rest of the pack, to old fiends and old pack mates. He had no idea really what was happening beyond Ojiṣẹ, he had thrown himself into his work and tried to put everything else behind him. He could see it from Gwena's point of view. Before this last year they had been friends, best friends even. So alike. And now? There was nothing really. No common ground to keep solid conversation on. She would argue with him, saying she could defend herself and he would narrow his gaze and snort. "Ti o le jẹ . Sugbon nikan? Ti o mo bi ọpọlọpọ awọn ti wọn wa ni jade nibẹ, ohun ti won wa ni o lagbara ti awọn tabi ohun ti won yoo se. Gbogbo awọn ti a gbọ lati wọn ni awọn ipe ti iwa-ipa , ogun ati nperare." He would say, his voice getting progressively louder before he snapped his maw shut with a grunt.

Why was he getting so worked up anyways? It wasn't his job to care for the pack, hell he shouldn't even be here. He was here because his Oracle had requested it of him, because she had wanted to know more about the invaders and here he was arguing with an old friend about her safety. So what if she wanted to go across the land bridge. His gaze would snap to the land bridge, visibly trying to calm himself as he closed aqua eyes and breathed deeply. He would no look back to her until she would speak again and she would call him a drag. Slowly his eyes would open and skull would swivel to fix her with a hard look. "Diẹ ninu awọn ti wa ni ojuse Gwena... Pẹlu yi ilẹ Afara. A le ni gbogbo diẹ..."At first his voice was hard but as he spoke of the land bridge his voice would soften and his gaze would turn towards the land that had not been there a few weeks ago. What would come of this? Would they be over run? Invaded? The pit that was beginning to form in his stomach continued to grow, the feeling of a hand clenching around his heart beginning. Was this the start of the end for all of them and their way of life? For so long they had lived in peace and now? What was coming for them??

"ọrọ"

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His snort would only fuel her agitation, burning it into subtle anger. And then he would raise his voice. His own worries shining through in loud decibels. But she would not shy away from him, she would not be intimated. Lips curled back, her eyes narrowing. "Ni o ko si igbagbo ninu wa Goddess." She would hiss, hackles bristling, it was a rhetorical question, she really didn't care if he answered or not. She wasn't entirely sure why she was getting so worked up, or why she was so angry with him. As he reigned in his temper, she would try to do the same, forcing her body to not puff up like an angry kitten. When his gaze did return to her, his eyes were hard. His words were like a slap in the face. Much to her own credit she didn't flinch. Her eyes hardened, turning into lavender glaciers. "A ni ojuse gbogbo , boya tabi ko ti o gbagbọ o." Her words were void of any emotion, strictly monotoned. Her own gaze would flicker towards the land bridge. Her legs would move automatically, pulling her a few steps closer. She needed to be away from him. Her temper ran high, something that was unusual for her. Beneath her pelt, each muscle was tension with agitation. Her home would soon be invaded, without a doubt. Everything was about to change. An inaudible sigh would roll off her tongue, her gaze fixated on the horizon. She doubted that he would stop if she made herself a path down the land bridge. She wasn't even sure why he was, the Oracle was nowhere to be seen, and he was always glued to her side. He wouldn't risk spending anymore time away from her then necessary. Toes kneaded the soft ground, the unknown tempting her. It would be so easily to venture in without being noticed. For all she knew, she would just be another face. And yet, the comfort and safety of her home kept her rooted in place. She could leave all this behind. "ọrọ"

Skah Adeyemi

She was enraged, angry at him but whatever emotions she might be feeling seemed to go completely over his head as he looked around her and ignored her first comment. What did she even mean? What did his faith in the goddess have to do with his faith in her. Despite her anger he would fix her with a peculiar look, obviously her comment would be lost on him at the moment. He didn't understand her rage, why she was angry with him. He was here, following orders and she was here breaking the elders laws. Who was really at fault? She would speak again, talking of responsibilities and again he would snort but again he would not speak, simply fixing her with a look. She would gaze off into the distance, something about her look set him on edge and he would frown before turning and walking towards the beach. "Mo ni ise lati se Gwena. Duro jade ti wahala." His voice was hard, unwavering. He paused for a moment, tossing the words at her as if they were an after thought before he would start further down the beach. So far there weren't a lot of scents here but there was enough to make him believe that there were northern wolves here. He would find them...

-exit Skah unless stopped-

"ọrọ"

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He didn't react, didn't say anything. The only noise he made was another snort when she spoke of responsibilities. Her eyes would narrow further, suddenly no longer wanting to be around him. And she would get her wish. He would turn away, moving down the beach, tossing words carefully over his shoulder at her. Lips curled back, a low growl rumbling in her throat, but she said nothing. Without so much as a second glance in his direction she would step forward, slowly weaving a path across the land bridge. She didn't step foot onto northern lands, lingering on the strip of earth that separated the two worlds. Nostrils quivered, inhaling their multitude of scents. Her lavender gaze would linger, staring into the unknown forests and plains, curious to know what secrets they held. Turning away, she would venture back into her home, free to do so now that Skah was gone. Her steps were slow, gaze downcast, though her expression thoughtful. Perhaps she should have a chat with the Oracle. She never really spent much time with the pale woman before, it didn't seem like a bad idea to befriend her. Only downside was Skah. He never left the Oracles side, unless she sent him away, and even then he lingered. It was worth a shot, so leaving the beach behind, she would venture off in search of the Oracle. -exit- "ọrọ"