Kotori was walking the perimeter with Hikaru, slowly growing use to the koi wolf.  He had proven to be useful in a fight even when struck by this horrible curse sickness.  That likely meant he’d be even more useful once healed unless he died.  It was unknown if all the wolves that were sick would even live or if they’d live but always be stuck with these mushrooms or crystals stuck to them or the madness that seemed to be in some of their minds.  While it was a fact Kotori knew it wasn’t a reality that had set on him in any emotional sort of way.

Kotori had stalled on the walk to look up at the moon that always seemed so large and encompassing in the sky.  A roar was heard and he glanced in the direction to stare in shock.  The bear must have gone mad and it's no wonder as both of its eyes had gems covering them.  It apparently had some ability to see the way it was charging straight at them.  The beat shook his head and roared again.  The large bear had cuts along its sides that also had crystals growing from them.  “It’s gone mad,” Kotori muttered as he started pulling himself a short distance from the other wolf as he hoped to once again be able to fight on opposing sides of the bear.  “I doubt he’s going to flee,” Kotori spoke grimly.

There was no great setup for this fight and as the bear got close enough Kotori met the bear’s charge, swerving to one side and running past, biting at the bear’s meaty leg and racing off a few strides to avoid the paw swung at him.

"Kotori Fatalis"

Hikaru was given the privilege, however brief it might be, of being partnered with Kotori to patrol the Armada’s lands. Despite the bright mushrooms on the side of his face and the blue glowing blood that seeped from their stems, Haiku could do what he needed to for the pack. Breathing still remained difficult, and he coughed far too much to help in any hunting trip. Patrolling had slightly less health requirements and Kotori was competent enough to hold the majority of the weight in their team.

As would be needed now as a roar sounded through the forest. Kotori made his way closer and Hika did the same. Both boys faced their opponent, the massive bear with crystalized eyes. Hikaru couldn’t even imagine crystals growing over his eyes, mushrooms from under the lids was bad enough.

"I think you’re right,” Hika weazed as he prepared himself to fight. He was slower, less coordinated, and hoped he’d be enough help to beat the bear off or put it down. Kotori mostly kept it occupied and Hikaru went around the other side of it. While his attention was diverted Hikaru landed a heavy blow to its neck and swiftly retreated.

"Speech"

As Kotori was darting away from the bear he saw in the corner of his eye that Hikaru got a good shot on its neck, a thin smile forming on Kotori’s face at the good damage that should have been dealt.  Considering Kotori was in better health for fast movements and close observation it made good sense in his mind to play the bait and run tactic and let Hikaru focus on the real damage.

As the bear stood on its hind paws Kotori ran in and jumped up to get a solid bite on a swinging arm, sinking his teeth in deep only to leap away as the bear swung his opposite paw to swipe him off.  Kotori landed smoothly, smugly watching the sick bear.  Some of his smugness died away feeling sick as he looked at the animal's condition.  A part of his mind imagined this as a mercy killing but to think of it that way was to take another way of looking at how his family suffered.

No time for thinking into it too deeply though as once more Kotori had managed to capture the bear’s attention for a second.  Snarling he made a mock lunge in to make sure it kept his focus on him.  Hopefully, Hikaru could make another solid blow so that this could be done with soon.  Fighting could be fun but not when he started imagining the blood in his mouth might be infectious.

"Kotori Fatalis"

The animal was mad from the sickness, something Hika was sure now was coming his way. Still, he fought with everything he could. The bear wasn’t going to stop, this wasn’t a simple defense of their home, warding off a massive predator, this was guarding from a frenzied berserker. Both young men danced with the infected creature, it was easy with it so subdued with the glowing curse.

Hikaru took his shot when he was able, working well with the younger prince as he played bait and Hika tried to blend in with the glowing background. He didn’t think the bear could see him at all against the pale backdrop and glowing mushrooms and crystals all around. The koi warrior dove forward, ripping and tearing with his teeth before he had to avoid the bear’s next blow.

"Speech"

Kotori might have had fun with this if not for the seriousness of it and how the sickness really weirded him out.  Hopefully, it was never a thing he got and if he did please not be the one where things grew from him.  Hikaru was doing a good job of getting in solid blows and Kotori honestly had no problem playing the bait.

Hikaru’s last attack had the bear pull back in pain with an angry howl, halfway to standing up.  Kotori charged head-on, head lowered.  The boy slammed his horns into the bear's chest, yanking them up and out.  His horns weren’t overly long and the bear’s fur was dense but he still felt them cut flesh.  Kotori bit at the slash marks but didn’t have time to hold as the bear was going back on all fours with its muzzle aimed at Kotori.  He darted away, rump end practically tucking under as he barely got away in time.

Still, the bite had gone in deeper once he’d started the cut.  Kotori spits out some of the bear’s blood.  Not that he had a problem with the blood but once more he imagined the potential of the blood itself being tainted.  Between the two of them, the bear was getting to look pretty bloodied and maddened or not it was growing weaker and slower.  The bear had no concerns with survival in its mind and had given itself several openings.  Hopefully, this was almost over.

Kotori Fatalis

 

Kotori dashed forward again, his head being the weapon of choice as he slammed into the bear’s chest. Hikaru tried to distracted as the prince did his work, but it was hard to keep his attention from such a horrific wound. Kotori barely got away as the bear got away from Hika and chased the horned boy away. Instead of recovering like it had a moment before the bear, pouring blood from its chest and its other wounds, seem to slow down. It didn’t mose as swiftly, its brain didn’t process as quickly. Now was the boy’s chance.

Hikaru leapt forward, aiming for the bears back. Hika went for the back of its skull. Without the power it had the bear was unable to dislodge him before Hikaru did enough damage to kill the bear for good. It gave out a surprise roar and suddenly collapsed beneath the koi wolf. It was dead.

"Speech"