Giving Ground {{PRP w/ Mortil & invites}}

[nightblood]

Blackened clouds covered the skies as rain poured down upon the earth. A wolven figure stood alone on the edge of Arnlan. NightBlood gazed up into the sky, taking a short break from her patrol of the borders. She stared hard at the clouds, daring them to let the sun shine through. On this dark day, she was not a happy wolf.

Arnlan, it seemed, was dieing around her. Original members were lieing low, as if afraid to show themselves. Upon her return to the pack, she had seen only a handfull of those who had long since carried the Arnlanian scent upon them. Sofika and Karolek were, as always, trying to do their best to keep the pack together, but she had seen only a meager prize for their efforts.

Ziko, the black and red yearling, had been sighted with Sina, a newly accepted yearling. NightBlood had been the only one to greet Pollux and Orion, the siblings, as they returned from their successful hunt. Pollux was also one to help Blood in her duties along the border. She didn't need it, but inwardly thanked her anyway.

NightBlood knew Grebo and Myth were trying to be active and thanked them for it, but still too many members remined unaccounted for. Why? Did they sence some ill fate? Were they fearful of these new members? Or were they conspiring against the Alphas?

Blood let out a snarl at the latter. Surely, not Arnlanian wolves? Not against wise Sofika and kind Karolek? There was always that chance with others, but she had heard no whispers of such a thing occuring. Instead, the whispers spoke of something else: A meeting. A pack meeting! Yes, that should rid the pack of its inactivity.

In attempt to cheer herself up, NightBlood pulled her eyes away from the clouds and down towards the ground, reminding herself of what had transpired in the last few weeks. ShadeBlood had returned to her. Wonderful Shade! Such a happy event it was to see him be accepted!

And Archer! Upon meeting him the first time, Night would have never guessed how close they would get, how much their destinies would intertwine. Here they were, lovers- mates! The word would have never crossed her mind if she had never met him.

Blood looked to the sky once more, this time, with a smile. Archer was somewhere in Arnlan, probably thinking of her. She had to litterally pull herself away from him in order to fulfill her duties tonight. Maybe he was even patroling the borders? Either to help her or to 'run into her', she would never try to guess.

NightBlood shook herself out of her daydream. She had a job to do and she was not getting anywhere by simply standing around. And the ground was getting particularly wet here. She loved the Arnlan summers- never too hot, and only rarely too wet. That was one of these days- almost WAY too wet for her.

As she took a step, the ground shook beneath NightBlood. No, not shaking, sliding. Land slide! It happened too quickly for her to react. The top soil could no longer grasp the solid rock and ground beneath, sending itself and anything above it down the steep hill. Rocks and trees were stirred and uprooted. All around her, chaos reined. The sounds were deafening, she couldn't hear herself think!

Almost as suddenly as it had started, the ground came to rest at the bottom of the hill... and Blood quickly found herself in darkness.

[Electus]

As it so happened, another wolf was out today. Quiet as a shadow, the ash-grey wolf slipped in and out of the eternal darkness of Arnlan's shadows, blinking distastefully at the deluge that had poured down moments before. Rain. Why did it have to rain? Mortil hated rain. It was as if the heavens themselves were spiting him, spiting him and his...other side. Indeed, even Mortil himself was beginning to wonder what his purpose in life was. After all, he was an outcast from society as a rule, his yang side usually too much of a risk and all. And indeed it had been. The scarred warrior trudged, sopping wet and very dejected, in no apparent direction, sunk in a gloomy reverie that seemed to last forever.

Why? Why did he have to endure this madness? He didn't want, he certainly never asked for it! He gave a small and very soft sigh, his memory reaching back into only days before. Back to the ugly fight between him and Archer. He had never wanted, never even imagined that it would go that far. But that was in the past now.

Mortil hissed slightly in pain as water from the nearby trees dripped onto his back. His back was covered in tiny scratches, and a small gash on his forehead wept a constant trickle of crimson blood. He hadn't gotten into another fight; he had been training at the extreme edges of Arnlan, training without a rest. Several days of training in a harsh evironment wasn't good for anybody, least of all him. But he was determined to endure it. If he could get stronger, perhaps he could rid his yang side altogether. It was a thought, but not likely.

~Get rid of me? His yang side though amusedly in his head, ~You'd have more luck getting rid of yourself.
~Shut up, you bastard Mortil thought absently, straining to see ahead in the mist.

The ground suddenly shook. Or at least, Mortil thought it did. Maybe...no, something was wrong. Again, shaking! What was going on? Mortil tensed himself, snarling. What was going on? He wasn't very familiar with Arnlan territory yet. But he caught the tang of blood. Both literally and figuritively. He broke into a lope, fast as a shooting arrow. It didn't take him long to arrive upon Nightblood's plight.

The ash-grey wolf was torn in indecision. Should he help her? She didn't like him. She didn't know him. All she knew was his yang side, how it could kill, how it could hate. It was like his original pack all over again. But he shook the thought from his head. One had to start somewhere. He sat on his haunches, issuing a bell-toned howl. No way he could do this alone. There was too much chaos and wreckage, too much everything.

"NightBlood, wake up...c'mon, damn it!"

[nightblood]

-So cold...-

Night felt as if she was pulling herself out of a frozen lake. Yes, she'd done that before. Her mind slipped and fell back into the water a dozen times before a paw finally touched the shallow floor. But she had to keep going. She wasn't out yet. Slowly, the pain set in.

-No, no, no! Go back! It hurts!-

In the frozen liquid, pain didn't exist. She would be numb to it. But she refused to go back, knowing that the numbness would only pull her into sleep and, from there, death. She moved on, pulling herself over and under pieces of ice, all the while increasing the pain that came as her body became a bit warmer.

"NightBlood, wake up...c'mon, damn it!" a far away voice called after sounding a howl.

-I am awake!- she called back silently.

Finally, she felt herself laying on something soft and wet, even cold. At least it was warmer than the waters she had just been in. Without opening her eyes, she tried to push herself up, but to no avail. She was pinned. By WHAT?

"Where'm I?" she asked no one in particular, still refusing to open her eyes.

A wave of realization washed over her. The land slide! Rocks! Trees! ARCHER! No, wait. He was safe... wasn't he? Yes, she had only been thinking of him. But then... who's voice...?

Eyes shot open. NightBlood was finally able to take in the destruction around her. Logs, rocks, fallen trees... everything was mixed in with a thick layer of earth- including her! But it was another figure that caught her surprise. Mortilitas Umbra had appeared.

"DEMON!" she roared as another growl erupted in her throat. Lifting her head, she continued, "FIGHTER'S BANE! TRAITOR!!- Oh!"

She had another few choise words for the creature that stood before her, but the softness in his face caused her to stop. The real wolf's mind had taken over now. Yes, she would have recognised the murderous glint in his eyes if the Fighter mind was still in control.

"So you're in your right mind then?"

The question was not meant to be answered. She was mearly stating a fact. To show that the answer didn't interest her, she tried to figure out her current situation.

Only her right leg lay stretched forward before her. Trying not to panic, her mind ordered her left paw to flex. Pain shot through her arm. Yeah, she still had her paw. Something was stuck in it. And that shoulder was bruised badly. NightBlood looked above her. More rocks and dirt.

"Greeaat... so that's why I can't move worth shit."

It was true, each time Blood tried to move a limb, she found it stuck against or under something. Sticks poked at her in all directions. Rocks were pinned in uncomfortable spots. And a boulder simply refused to budge away from her left shoulder. Giving up, she turned to Umbra.

"You're the one who howled, right? Hope someone comes soon," she said, resting her head on the ground. She growing sarcastic as the pain stabbed at her mind.

[archer]

[Sorry for not being very acctive, I have a cold and feel icky]

Archer had been in true form as normal, following Nightblood around, his tail wagging back and forth in tune to a little song he was humming with every step. He had known Nighblood was around here somewhere, he scent tugging on his nose. Grinning, the black wolf set off toward her, his feet moving over the ground, but as he saw her not too far away, the land moved around under them, above her. He only had a moment to look up as wave upon wave of stone and earth collided with her, as well as himself. There was a deafening roar as everything fell in the landslide's wake. He yelled out, fearful and uncertain. His voice seemed to raise above the earth's roar, and he pulled himself forward. He instinctive suged upward, mind reacting to the fact he was in harm's way, his voice calling out as pain struck through his body, several stones and sticks digging into him. He kicked off of a rock, managing to keep his head above the landslide. As finally it stopped, he looked down to see his backlegs covered by a tree. Turning with all his might, he twisted himself free. Then, the next thought was Nightblood.

"Nightblood! Blood, where are you!?" His voice was embedded with a threatening tone, something made only of one tone, anger. His eyes flashed red as he heard Mortil, a growl erupting his throat before he he made a note. Maybe he was trapped, too. Instantly, his legs picked up ground and he listened, ears straining. Though in mid step, he paused. Was his mother safe? She had been following him. He cursed, saying a few choice words as he was torn between the two things that mattered most to him. His mother and his mate. Turning, he knew his mother would be alright, she was stronger than anyone else he knew. 3

Then, he heard Nightblood, her voice sounding as if she was buried underneath something. Growling again, but this time from effort, he pushed his legs forward and moved toward Umbra, his teeth bared, but he paused as he heard Nightblood, her growl catching his attention. "Blood?! Are you alright? I managed to free myself, maybe I can free you.' Immediately, he began digging at the rocks and earth, his powerful forelegs shoving dirth and earth out of the way with every clean and strong sweep. He started to pant, but had only managed to create a small hole into the mud, almost for looking through.

Deciding he needed more power, he closed his eyes, focusing on the blood lust than ran through his veins. "Umbra, if you value you're life, move away." He said as he opened his eyes. No brown gentleness could be seen as the blood lust flashed through him, turning his eyes red. He would not allow the earth to beat him, but as he dug, it seemed to be fruitless, and he slowly began aware of the pain that was now attacking his body. He was cut open by limbs and stones, and he had broken a nail while digging. Archer reluctantly moved away, pacing, snarling. He was pissed off, and that showed as he snarled at the rocks. Blood, his own stained the earth where he had been digging, but he would be fine.

"Damn it! I can't do it." The anger was not hidden in his voice, nor was the panick he felt. What if they couldn't free here? What if…? He did not want to know the answer to that.

[Electus]

Mortil cursed silently as Archer assailled the rubble. The ash-grey wolf sat back on his haunches, some short distance away within earshot, his mind churning in thought. He could almost swear that he heard gears whirring and and electrical currents burning as he thought furiously. Nothing could get NightBlood out. There wasn't enough help. But maybe if they moved away enough. Or perhaps...maybe... Mortil contemplated. He had one card to play, if it didn't work, it may be the death of them all. He could...but would he cooperate?

~Hey! Umbra, I want your help!
~Oh, so now you want my help, hm? Hmph, very well. Who do you need to kill?
~Not that kind of help you bastard! Try and get Nightblood out of there!
~Oh, very well. But-
~JUST DO IT!

"Archer...", Mortil said softly, tensing his muscles. Time to see if his training had paid off. He was sure he could restrain his personality...He was sure of it.
"Back away. Whatever you do, don't get near, not until it looks like he's gone. If he takes over.....please...kill me." Mortil then closed his eyes, focusing. Alright...here goes nothing. The ash-grey wolf's eyes snapped open. Suddenly, his eyes turned blood-shot, and he growled horribly. There seemed to be a brief hesitation as his yin said fought for control, succeeded, and then brought his impressive force to bear.

He dug into the dirt and mud, slashing more of it away with broad sweeps of his paw. But it wasn't enough. He knew that he was accumulating more injuries, but if only he could get a little bit more....

"Damn! It's not enough!"

Mortil slowly stopped and leaped back a little, panting. "Dammit....Gods blood! Think....think....!"

~Having a little trouble finding ideas, Albireo?

"Don't call me that name! Mortil snapped out loud. He shook his head and then turned to Archer and Nightblood. "Right well, is there anyone else in Arnlan that would come and help us? Someone you two know? We obviously can't do this alone. If maybe....three of us. Yes, that would work. Three of us, at the same time. We need another."[/b]

[nightblood]

NightBlood looked up through a tiny hole in the cieling. The hole itself went through an entire three feet of solid rock and dirt, hardly worth the time to make it wider, but it served as a fine window as she watched the goings on up on the surface. The hollow she was in was at least eight feet deep and just as wide. Eight feet was nothing for her to jump if she could get herself unstuck.

Mortil's grey had gone, replaced by a black shadow.

"Umbra, if you value you're life, move away."

Archer! So her love had escaped the danger! Of just clipped by it... Either way, he was alive! She gave a reasuring bark up to him as the sound of digging continued. It was enough to inspire her to try and wriggle free. As she did, she could feel the tips of broken branches digging further into her. Blood didn't care. They were pin-pricks compared to the giant rock on her shoulder and the stabbing pain of the huge thorn in her left paw.

As the smaller rocks sifted at her sides, so did the boulder. It was as big as her, deffinatly weighed more. It fell a whole inch when Night knocked free a pebble. Her shoulder screamed as the pain rocketed through her. She gave a yelp in surprise and desided to lie still, hoping Archer hadn't heard her, but knowing otherwise.

"Damn it! I can't do it."

"CAN'T DO WHAT?! DON'T YOU QUIT ON ME!!" Blood roared up to him. She was not about to be left for dead, not again, and sertainly not by her lover.

"Archer..." Mortil cut in, "Back away. Whatever you do, don't get near, not until it looks like he's gone. If he takes over.....please...kill me."

She knew what the words meant, but didn't entirely thought she could believe them. Was Mortil letting Umbra take over? She had never heard of such a thing. Night had been getting along with Blood, but never once imagined letting her take over. It just wasn't done... was it? As more digging sounds commenced, she contemplated the idea in her mind.

-They are cooperating, at least. That's a start.- Blood said, interupting her thoughts.
~Yes, but... what if?~
-No. Umbra will not do such a thing. He has a goal. He is focused. Nothing will deter him until it's finished.-

But Blood did not sound too sure of herself, and Night was worried.

"Damn! It's not enough!"

Umbra's voice this time. She could tell by his tone.

"Dammit....Gods blood! Think....think....!"

Mortil again.

"Don't call me that name!" he snapped out loud.

~Cooperating, you say?~
-Yes... cooperating...-
~Hmm...~

"Right well, is there anyone else in Arnlan that would come and help us? Someone you two know? We obviously can't do this alone. If maybe....three of us. Yes, that would work. Three of us, at the same time. We need another."

NightBlood could see his eyes through the window as he spoke. Her mind instantly found a name and face. He would help. Without a doubt, he would help.

"I could get half the pack here," Blood called up, listing names in her head. She knew Pollux and Orion would traverse half the territory to help. Sofika and Karolek would run the whole land looking for her. Ziko, well... he would need some encouragement. Myth, Grebo, and Sina would feel the obligation to aid her, but only one would follow her scent from half way across the continent over two years' time.

"But if we only need one," Night continued, "ShadeBlood will do."

With that, she lifted her head and howled. The song was forceful, in order to be heard clearly through the debree. He would know it was her voice. He would know she was calling for him, her cousin.

[archer]

As he dug furiuosly, small whimpers escaping him as he dug and dug and dug some more, trying to free his love. He growled, snarled in effort, raising up with sore and tired forelegs, paused for a moment and then came crashing down with all of his weight. One hundred or so pounds of force fell down upon the debree, causing some of it to fall out of the way. He smiled as the hole widened a little and he could see her clealrly stuck.

"Archer...""Back away. Whatever you do, don't get near, not until it looks like he's gone. If he takes over.....please...kill me."

For a moment, he was torn between his loyalty and his need to protect those in the pack. He was forever loyal to Sofika and Karolek, but he also knew that he had a right to defend himself from the Umbra side of the ash gray wolf. After a second or so of his internal battle, he made up his mind that he was going to protect the pack from Umbra should anything go wrong. Getting to his feet, he moved away, allowing his hurting paws a break.

For a moment, a fleeting horror ran through his brain. If there was not a way to get her free, what would the pack do? Nightblood was an important and much liked member, they needed her, Archer needed her.

As he watched the other wolf attack the rubble, Archer forced the negatives out of his thoughts and made the positive come to him. He knew that Nightblood was alive, stuck, but alive. She was there for him and he was going to help her. It was once said that when a wolf has somebody that they need to protect, the wolf's power exponentially increases. Now that he had to help the wolf that had his heart, he was uncertain about whether or not that statement was true.

"Dammit....Gods blood! Think....think....!

There was something new, an idea perhaps? Archer knew all sorts of fighting manuvers to free oneslf from the onslaught of attacks that came with battle, but in its own way, this was a battle and he planned to win, no matter what it took or how long it took, he would be the victor.

"Don't call me that name! "Right well, is there anyone else in Arnlan that would come and help us? Someone you two know? We obviously can't do this alone. If maybe....three of us. Yes, that would work. Three of us, at the same time. We need another."

First off, Archer only knew of his mother, but who did Nightblood know. They needed help, either Archer worked with Umbra or Umbra worked with Archer. They had to do this together, had to put aside all theire differences and loath for one another and work to free the she-wolf that had been merciful on their souls and accepted them into the pack. Closing his eyes in thought, Archer growled under his breath, muttered to himself. There was a puase before he opened them to reveal newly blood stained eyes.

As he dug, Archer could hear Nightblood calling out to him, her bark a good sign. As he stopped, pain in his paws pinpricked from all that had dug into him. He shook his head doubtfully, but did not panic, yet. When he heard a yelp in pain or surprise, he did not know what to do, but spoke to her. "Please hold on" It was the first sign of outward affection in front of others he has shown.

"CAN'T DO WHAT?! DON'T YOU QUIT ON ME!!"

This caused him to take a step back. The roar of his lover making his eyes turn even darker red. They could now rival Nightblood's own red eyes. As he looked down at her, those red eyes glinted, the pain and worry showed on his face. He thought for a moment before answering. "Alone I cannot free you, Umbra can't either, but we are not going to quit on you, I can't do that." His voice was soft, but very worried, although he tried to remain in control of himself.

As he watched helplessly, he had a moment to think clearly.

"I'll kill him if he tries anything.
"Oh no you won't!

Archer's blood lust side was talking to him! Something like that did not occur very often, but he has always known it to be a part of him, like an ear or his tail. As the blood lust spoke, he was forced to shut it out. Never could he let it come out of its own accord, it would kill him to allow that beast to surface ever again. It was how he faught Sallin wolves, and only that knd of power wass reserved for them.

"I could get half the pack here," "But if we only need one,""ShadeBlood will do."

With that, she howled and he was at a loss to know what to do. He was friendly and kind, but also power and dangerous, but in all of his experience, Archer was stuck in a sitaution. Well, it was time for Archer to get to know the Blood line and help them out. "Shadeblood… Archer took note of the name.

[nightblood]

ShadeBlood stiffled a growl as he hunted. A stone gray rabbit had crossed his path. By the look of it, the thing was injured. He could smell its blood from a couple yards away. He crowched down, folding his ears back and lowering his tail from its sight. He stalked the helpless creature as it nibbled on the low-lieing grass.

Hind legs launched the black and brown wolf forward as he took off toward his prey. The animal tenced for a moment, then rocketed into its den. ShadBlood took no notice. A howl had interupted his meal and it was its source he was headed for. This wasn't just any call for him. It was from his cousin, NightBlood. She was in trouble.

The loyalty and respect he had for her was often found between siblings, not cousins. But the way they were raised, they might as well have been siamiese twins. As her howl shook the air, he had forgotten his hunger. It was as if it no longer mattered, was no longer a part of him. She had called and niether Hell nor high water could stop him from reaching her.

Crimson read eyes dimmed and glowed in the coming and going of light through the tree leaves. The bandana on his foreleg rippeled in the wind. As he ran, ShadeBlood lifted his head and howled his own notes. His deep voice rivaled hers. The call announced his coming and warned others to get out of his path as he made his way toward her.

He had felt the ground quiver and give while he was hunting, but hadn't persued its meaning. He had been too hungry. As of now, he began to curse himself. He should have howled to ask if anyone else had felt it.

His eyes soon glimpsed two wolves in the distance. One was Night's size, the other slightly shorter. Some how, they were standing right where Shade had esimated Night's call had come from.

He aimed himself toward them, slowing his pace to a gallop and then stopping short on his next step as he stopped only a few feet from them. He glanced at them. Both were Arnlanians. He could smell the pack scent on them. However, the black one, the taller one, carried a good amount of NightBlood's personal scent. Although he didn't smell her blood, this fact alarmed him.

Blood lowered his head and growled, fangs bared. The only possible explination he could come up with was that the black male had done something horrible to his cousin, and a primal anger awoke inside. ShadeBlood had not trained enough in Draviria to gain a 'proper' trained side of himself. His was more primitive, and he had been able to fight it down upon leaving his home land. But it had grown stronger in its dormancy.

-What has he done? Kill...-
~Don't jump to conclusions!~
-...Kill...-
~Stop it!~

He shook his head as Shade gained control, but the growls did not stop. He turned to the one who carried NightBlood's scent.

"You there, uh... Dark One, where is my cousin?"

His eyes were drawn to the black wolf's paws. His own blood covered them as well as a heavy amount of dirt. He looked to the gray wolf's paws. The same. His eyes found a hole in the earth, and from there, he began to scan the landscape. Everything was upturned and ruined. Land slide. He glanced a second hole- this one leading to darkness, much like a cave would. NightBlood... was she trapped?

Not waiting for an answer, Shade looked through the make-shift window. There, in the shadows, was his cousin. Pinned under a boulder, it seemed, or else she would have already been back up here. The hole was not yet wide enough for him to get through.

ShadeBlood's eyes scanned the area again and returned to NightBlood's form. A small joke formed in his mind. It would comfort her to know he was there and that he was in a good mood. She would guess that there was no immediate danger, even though he knew she must be injured some how.

"Jeeze, Night! Are you that fat!?" he called down to her.

His crimson eyes turned to the black and gray wolves before him, weither or not she answered.

"Names an ranks, both of you."

He paused, letting them answer. They had tried to help, that was good enough for him to consider them friends.

"As Night might have said, I am ShadeBlood, her cousin. What has happened, and who has a plan?"

His own plan began to form in his mind, but he wanted to know if anyone else's could out do him.

[Electus]

Mortil looked the newcomer up and down slowly, noting all his physical attributes, and possible mental state. So this was Shadeblood, Nightblood's cousin. Both like yet unlike, he mused to himself. But the distinction was lost on the ash-grey wolf. There was a life at stake, and no time to waste. But Shadeblood did demand his name and rank. The warrior sniffed. Who was he to go about demanding names and rank? Until further proof could be shown that he was of higher rank, Mortil would have preferred to give a sharp retort instead. But he desisted.

"The name is Mortilitas Umbra", Mortil said quietly, tilting his head, "I'm a subordinate here in Arnlan." He tilted his head to the opposite side, to the left as he pondered. A plan? He didn't really have a good one, so he kept quiet. Unless Archer had some brilliant plan, or Shadeblood, Mortil would have to think some more before speaking of it. Meanwhile, he shifted restlessly as he continued to stare balefully at Shadeblood. On a regular day, anyone would find it disturbing to be visually dissected by that piercing golden eye.

~Well, what do you think?
~He isn't at grips with his bloodlust. In a sense, he's kind of like you, Albireo, except you have a different problem, yes?
~Oh, shut up. I don't like being called that name anymore.
~With good reason, I suppose.

[nightblood]

A familiar scent invaded the area, accompanied by a series of growles. As she guessed, ShadeBlood suspected the worst when he caught her scent on Archer. But the growles soon stopped. Crimson eyes had locked onto each other.

"Jeeze, Night! Are you that fat!?"

-He'll pay for that one.- Blood said jokingly.
~He's not panicing, at least.~

She lifted her head when her cousin asked for their names. Mortil was the first to answer.

-He'll never believe him if Archer tells...-
~Will he say it?~
-Possible he won't... Not with Mortil around...-
~Possible he will... You never know...~
-No... you don't...-

"I have a plan. How about we get me out of here?" she called up, wether or not Archer told the two they were lovers. She had to keept the boys on track. There was no telling how long she would be down here and she did not want to wait for them to congradulate or joke around.

While they formulated a plan, NightBlood dug at the ground again, but one paw was not enough. Abandoning that, she planted her right paw firmly on the dirt. Pain shot up to the back of her brain as she pulled her left leg forward, but she didn't stop. She had to see what was wrong with her paw. She gritted her teeth, bared her fangs as she growled, and ordered her arm to pull forward harder.

Pebbles and rocks were knocked loose as a strong leg shot them out of their positions. The boulder above her lurched, but held its place among the rubble. And blood spattered across the walls...

With a gasp, NightBlood's eyes widened as the one with sight took in the mangled form of someone's leg. Nothing was broken, but the wrist was twisted out of place. Deep cuts made large gaps in the skin, pulling it in unnatural directions. A huge thorn had lodged itself between the index and middle paw pads, the end of which could not be seen. The fur of this leg was drenched in red, but the pattern could easily be distinguished: black and tan.

What was this new thing NightBlood felt? Cold envoloped her again and her stomach felt queezy. Blood loss...but, surely not... Inwardly, she did not want to believe this thing before her was her leg. Night hadn't spilled blood in months... not this much of it at least.

A crazed confusion ran through her mind. No... it wasn't possible... This pain wasn't hers... This leg did not belong to her... Yet it was connected... So, the crimson liquid that dripped out of this thing...

"BLOOD!" she realized, "IT'S MY BLOOD!!"

Her voice shook with terror, yet it held its deep verocity. The very air shook as it reverbiated off the walls of the cave. Loose rocks and dirt fell from the cieling. NightBlood could not stop looking at the sight, however much it pained pained her to. Niether Night nor Blood could tear her eye away. It was as if they were both turned to stone. Niether knew who had yelled out and niether knew who was howling now or weither they were in pain, terror, despair.

If this was her leg... what did the rest of her body look like?!

[archer]

(You've watched Gaara, haven't you Blood?)

There was the sound of someone approaching, and with that, he heard a growl rise. His head turned as he looked at what he thought as a twin of Nighblood. He saw the threats made, Archer stopping a growl as it rose in his throat. He put black ears back against his skull, backing aaway. He would not hurt him, no the resemblance was a family marking, that he could see. He was wondering how exactly they were related and found his answer when Shadeblood addressed him.

"You there, uh... Dark One, where is my cousin?"


Archer could no help but look Shadeblood in the eye, his brown ones stricken with fear but understanding. "Nightblood, is under there. He said, as he pointing to a bloodied paw at the mass of earth, trees ,and stone. He stood back up, his body quivering for a moment as adrenaline searched through his veins as for a second, he thought he must have to fight to save Blood, but now it seemed they were one and the same.

"Names an ranks, both of you."

He turned his head toward him. He hated to be ordered around, but this was not time to be getting headstrong about something as simle as names. In his head, he hoped Nightblood would not kill him for saying this to this male. "Archer, subordinate. Though, I would greatly appreciate it if you treated me as your equal' He knew it was like asking to be called a god at times, but they needed to be equal now, or settle their issues in a fight. Guessing my markings, he figured that this wolf was her brother or something, little did he know how strange this was about to get.

"As Night might have said, I am ShadeBlood, her cousin. What has happened, and who has a plan?"

He let his mouth hang up for a minute or so, but looked at the male with a perturbed expression. His brown eyes showed slight confusion, but he nodded. "Dig the hole large enough. We need a little help, as you can see." He said, raising a paw to the male to show his point. "Go down and get her, bring her back and then call Cota, my mother who is a healer for whatever injuries."

He looked over as Mortil introduced himself. As if answered Nightblood's question, Archer looked over at Mortil, giving him a death glare, telling him if he ever repeated to anyone what he was about say he could be turned to a dead corpse. "There is one more thing. I do not wish you harm, nor your cousin, particularly her. You see, we are" Archer gathered himself. "mates" He looked at her, hoping she would not try to harm him in anyway for that comment.

"I have a plan. How about we get me out of here?"

Archer nodded, eyes meeting with her, promising he would not give up on her. With as much reluctantcy as a husband could muster, he managed to turn back to the others, his eyes closed. His barriers had been breached that night with Night, the female's he loved so much gentler side. He had to control himself not to break down in fustration. He made his lungs work, forcing deep and agonzing breaths into his body, calming his mind. A moment later though and his eyes shot open. He had heard Nightblood fighting to free herself some, and did not know what to expect.

"BLOOD! ITS MY BLOOD!"

This was followed by a round of howls and Archer knew that they needed to calm her down. Instantly, he started to dig frantically at the ground. "Nightblood! LISTEN TO MY VOICE! Calm down. Please! Do not injured yourself further. Mother will help you, so please try to remain calm. If not for you, then for more" Every fur on his body was standung upright and he looked even fluffierr than normal, like heh ad been left in the dryer too long. He caught her eyes and turned his head toward her, showing her the distress and blame he felt. Archer felt like this was his fault, that he had not been there to protect her and now she was hurt because of him.


"I never should have left her alone! This is all my fault!
"Everything is always your fault, idiot
'Shut up! You are no good to anyone, so shut up!
"Fine, but do not come crying to me when she is dead
[/i]

The blood lust laughed at the silence that followed the comment, knowing Archer would never allow her to die, not without taking his life as well. Gritting his teeth, Archer dug faster than before, harder. Blood was soaking his legs as the upturned landscape grabbed his legs. He bared his fangs and he did not bother to hid his emotions. He had a mind set to help, and that was all that mattered to him, to get her out and out of harm's way. His eyes were red, and his teeth bared, growling constantly, both ears were against his skull as blood laced upon and down his forelegs. His mouth was open as the eviler side of his personality surfaced unoticed by him. Arrow was Archer's kinder side, Archer the actual killer. His body seemed unkept suddenly, but there was something different. This time, he and the blood lust worked side by side, as allies to free the one they loved. He was in control.

[nightblood]

{{ XD So THAT'S where I heard that! ^^; Fits the situation, though, don't it? :) }}

ShadeBlood pulled his ears back as he was answered with a retort. He lowered his head in a quick appology, realizing that he had been a bit... too authoritive upon his asking of their names. It was habit; his way of ordering that specific thing, as he had once been an heir to the rank of Beta. He was sorry he hadn't broken that habit now. They couldn't afford sudden duels here.

Instead of vocally appologizing for his outburst, he listened to Archer's plan.

"I like it. Simple. Easy to remember. And I see you've already been digging. It may be easier said than done, getting her up here. We don't know exactly how she's trapped. We'll assess the situation once we get down there then."

He took a breath, upon which he choked as Archer announced the relationship between him and NightBlood. Nighty? Mates? WHAT? He bit his lower lip, half heartedly trying not to laugh. No use! He broke out in a fit, even going so far as to throw his head down and laugh at the ground. He took a few awkward steps and stopped at the opening of the hole they had dug.

"Bloody! This guy's dillirious! He says-!"

"I have a plan. How about we get me out of here?"

The laughs suddenly halted as a pair of crimson eyes widened. As the sound of Night's digging continued, he turned to the black wolf with disbelieving eyes. Blood wouldn't avoid a conversation like this unless...

"You're serious..." he said, locking eyes with his.

In his mind, he thought that what he was hearing was impossible. But he quickly accepted it, seeing the truth in Archer's brown eyes. This was no time for doubt, not when NightBlood was in danger. Still, he didn't know how to react to such a thing. For help, he fell back on a simple comment.

"Then you do, in fact, deserve more respect. You and I are brothers from now on. But know this: You break her heart... and I'll break yours right out of your chest."

"BLOOD! IT'S MY BLOOD!"

He jumped at the sound of his cousin's shouts. So did Archer, but in a different direction. A blur of black grazed his nose as NightBlood's mate passed him to get to the window. He heard him shout something through the howls, something his ears couldn't pick up. However, he could tell he was trying to calm her.

Her howls sent him side by side with Archer, clawing at the earth in a mad rush to get to her. But the hole would only allow one of them at a time, so he kept back, digging around Archer as fast as his huge paws could move.

"Eyen! Ah tah morai nai ai relai Ai ORAI LERAI YU!"

There was no logical reason why ShadeBlood reverted to Dravirian principals. Perhaps he felt it would calm NightBlood. It should... if she didn't explode in fury of hearing the language agian. Archer and Mortil would probably think he had gone crazy.

"Get in there, Archer! I'll follow!"

Less than a second later the hole was wide enough for a wolf to crawl through. ShadeBlood turned to Mortil, his red eyes bright in warning.

"Stay above ground unless we call you. We need someone to pull her up."

He pulled his ears back in another appology if he again sounded too authoritive, then dissapeared into the darkness.

{{Trying my hand at giving Draviria its own language... I think it works... ^^; }}

[Electus]

{{ Sounds...indian-ish }}

Mortil started from his calm reverie. Pleasantries were exchanged, vows were made, and general hustle and bustle that had nothing to do with him. He was getting up again, to resume digging, but that's when it happened.

"BLOOD! IT'S MY BLOOD!"

Mortil was visibly shaken, and his single eye widened slightly. Blood? Yes, he could sniff it....no, not blood! Anything but....

"Blood....blood...!

~No! No! Calm down!
~But....
~NO!

The ash-grey wolf closed his eyes and shook his head violently until his world spun around him and he felt his head preparing to hit the ground. But there were more important things at stake. Shadeblood and Archer had cleared a path, and Shadeblood was practically tearing down to reach his cousin after telling Mortil to stay where he was. The warrior nodded silently, his single eye roving around. It was then that he truly appreciated how lonely he was.

It occurred to Mortil that NightBlood was very lucky. She had a lover, and a cousin who would gladly sacrifice an arm and a leg for her. Probably even more. Archer apparently had a mother, and a caring one at that. Mortil sighed softly, his breath barely flowing on the dead wind. He had grown up knowing the love of a father and a mother. He had matured after having both bereft from him. It seemed very apparent that if (heaven forbid) NightBlood should die, she would live on in the memories of those who loved her, and that she would have grievers that numbered among many of the pack.

But he? He had none, he had no one to rely on, no one to depend on. His aid here was probably just an ironic twist of fate, a spiting of the heavens above that laughed at his misfortune. No, he did not have anyone at all. His father was dead, his mother was dead, and anyone who knew him was dead. The latter was probably untrue, but as usual, Mortil was digustedly wretched, disgusted at himself and at his plight. During the excitement adrenaline and tension had kept these foul thoughts at bay, but the reprieve he had allowed all these trip-ups and feelings to come rushing back.

For who would mourn Mortilitas Umbra if he took to the grave?

{{ Urgh...I'm feeling a little angsty and saddish at the moment, so I thought I'd take the chance to do some soul-searching during the lull with Mortil. He's so unloved! *huggles* '^^ }}

[nightblood]

{{Oh my dawg! He really does need some love! I almost cried at that! Maybe I'll get NB to be his fwend...Can't be SB since I'm in limbo about desiding when/if Shade's gunna die... As for the language... I use the suffix 'ai' WAY too much...}}

NightBlood averted her eyes slightly to see a black figure digging at full power at the sides of a sky window, brown-red eyes flashing in the darkness. Archer... yeah, that was his name... Wait, what was going on? Why did she have to remind herself? That's right... blood loss. The blood was draining from her, confusing her a bit.

His voice rang against her howls. Her terror eased as she halted her calls, his words calming her. Just the sound of his voice was enough to comfort her, however scared he might have sounded. He was scared for her. And at that moment, she realized that he would be in danger too.

Loose rocks and sticks hung menesingly from the cieling. If he wasn't careful when he got down here, he would be injured as well! She pointed her muzzle at him and opened her mouth to speak, but a stab of pain stopped her. Where from this time? Her ribs... perfect.

"Eyen! Ah tah morai nai ai relai Ai ORAI LERAI YU!"

ShadeBlood's voice. He had spoken Dravirian. Blood could fall asleep to that music, but noted the fear in his tone as well.

-What... why am I so important to them?-
~... They care, Blood.~
-Care...? About me?-
~Yes.~

"Venin! Shadoai! Idaro, lai kainai!"

Night was growing weak and her body grew colder. Her voice shook, but did not fade. However, the blood loss began to take it's toll. Her head wavered, growing too heavy for her. She was succombing to a deadly sleep that would not end unless they could get her to Cota in time. But Blood was not about to let their body fall into greater danger.

An inch before NightBlood's head would hit the ground, it shot back up with a defiant growl.

-YOU faint.- Blood ordered. Then, with a softer tone, -I'll take it from here.-

Blood did a quick evaluation of her situation, ignoring any and all pain. She tested the liimts of the rocks and dirt under her to see how packed they were. A breife glance above, and she saw that the boulder that trapped her was firmly held in place by a large tree. After a moment, she knew what needed to be done.

"Get in there, Archer! I'll follow!"

In that same moment, the opening became dark as figures fell from the surface.

-Well, here come my knights in shining armor...-

[Archer Wants Present]

((Our characters are all alike, a minipack. Love the language, sounds ancient. and yes, to does fit))

I hate feeling like this

His body disobeyed logical reasoning as dug, his body surging forward as the need to feel her near him again drove his thoughts. Blood dripped from his legs and stomach, but he dug even more, not caring about himself, just wanting to get her out and safe. His ears were forward and his brows furrowed, but a determined and rather pissed off expression decorated his maw. He refused to go down without a damn good fight. His fangs bared as he tensed his body, stopping as a vilent shake from Mortil caught his attention. Archer loosed a feral snarl, obviuos going into autopiolet with his emotions, restraining them as best as he could. His voice rang out and sounded deeper and short as he tossed a command at Mortil. "Umbra! Get a grasp on yourself or die!" Later, he knew he might regret those words but he would not allow him harm his mate.

So tired of trying to fight this

There was the exchange of uknown words, some sort of wording much like his own. He could not identifiy it, but he shook his head, clearing all the emotions with a swipe of his emotional barrier. His eyes suddenly changed to a hellish red and he stopped digging, listening for a moment to the sound of footfalls coming from the left. He heard the soft partter of paws on mud, then the audible gasp of a she-wolf. Archer did not have to turn to know who it was. Cota had come in search of her son, and she saw the blood on him. Archer stared out at the remains of the forest in front of him, hearing Shadeblood's order.

"Get in there, Archer! I'll follow!"

Cota ran forward, to make an attempt to stop Archer. His reactions however were faster than hers as he tensed and leapted downward, feeling the stems and sticks scratch against him. Cota's white wsa out stretch, trying to grab him. Her paw missed him as he glared at her and then jumped downward into the abyss. Cota stood stunned, then felt something warm at her feet and looked down to see her Archer had formed a bloody puddle. Her eyes widened, but she stood still, eyes closed. "Do what you must" Her words were soft, only met for Archer to hear. He heard them as he landed on his feet, new cuts bleeding. Quickly he assessed the situations.

"Take the pain away"

"Blood.…" He said as he stood there for a moment, panic rippling through his core. Archer moved slowly forward, paws hurting with every step. He had broken nails, but did not care about himself at the moment. He placed a paw on her and felt her colder body before pressing his cheek to her fur. "Please, stay with me. I don't want to loose you" With that, he moved away, reluctant. Archer scanned her position and set eyes on the tree, bounding upward. He landed gently and pushed against the tree, eyes closed.