02-12-2021, 11:04 AM
Any other lone predator would’ve taken that kick and retreated. They wouldn’t have risked a second or third that could’ve maimed or killed them. But this thing? It wasn’t any other predator. Despite bashing into branches with the tips of its leathery wings and a chase that would surely lead it into thicker terrain, it kept coming. Kaenros just hoped that the rough light path it was taking would hold it back long enough for him to pawn it off on the other creature in the field.
His adrenaline fueled daze was interrupted by a soft hissing and grunting coming from ahead. It didn’t last long but was enough to give him a better point of reference as to where he needed to head. Just as black limbs began their slightly altered path, Kaenros launched from a sprint to another gear he didn’t know he had. He had caught sight of the cat-shaped thing just before it disappeared beneath the monster and was certain it was the reason the disgusting thing hadn’t backed off from difficult prey. Why would it when it had back up that he had lead it straight to?
Stretching his head out even farther, he barely saw where the cat had launched itself and let out a half-whinny, half-snort of surprise. The stench that emanated from the wounds punctured in the arachnid beast was even worse than its body odor. Kaenros couldn’t believe the scene behind him, nor the feminine laughter now coming from the hell-born sight, but also couldn’t stop to take it in. He could just barely make out the cat between furious, teetering leather wings as the monster refused to give up on its pursuit of him despite its new passenger. The tree line couldn’t be too much farther now. He’d be able to slip away from this whole nightmare and break back to the shore. The queen of Palamov herself wasn’t worth this.
”Oi!”
what?
Kaenros turned his head to try to get a better look at whichever one of the predators had spoken. His iridescent eye flickering from the shaggy furred hell creature now rocking frantically to its smaller, feline rider clinging to its segmented back. That’s when the voice came again, the tone light and words almost playful. His shock kept him from fully comprehending exactly what was being asked of him but they weren’t truly meant for him anyways. The absolute, whole body numbness was overtaken completely by a chill that soaked into his bones when the pair suddenly disappeared from his limited view. Ears pricked to the sound of claws sliding through leaf litter, he planted his forelegs, tucked his head, and began to lash out in another wild kick. He wasn’t keen on letting it close enough to hook its claws in again.
When he made contact, he let loose a half-squeal, half-snort. His target was much closer than he had prepared for. Just barely beginning to stretch his limbs out to land a blow, the weight that crashed into his hocks was lithe and firmly bound in thin fur and muscle, not even half the size of the beast. It was there for a brief moment before black capped limbs flung it back the way it had come. Kaenros landed heavily in the firm earth and pushed his long frame forward once again in another leap away from the scrambling noises and heavy panting behind him. Even if he had looked back now to confirm what had been caught in his kick, he wouldn’t have been able to make out the cat-turned-horse currently facing the still raging monster.
It was only when the world grew still did his small hooves come to an uneasy stand, quite a few yards now from the pair of combatants. Finally the world was lit again.
The cat was gone and there stood a very confused looking beast. With its limp wings and almost lost expression flickering across too many eyes to count in the brief second of light, it almost looked pitiful covered in thick, oozing secretions that matted its black fur. He figured that had been the source of the new foulness in the air and the result of the now vanished cat’s claws. Kaenros’ limbs scream to run. To get away from the thing. But he couldn’t move until he knew where the other predator had gone. Though it didn’t seem interested in him, that chance was still there.
With the next flash of lightning, he didn’t have to make that decision. From just above the hell-beast, a massive hairless creature had appeared. The now pitiful thing stood no chance. It’s last action had been to let out a sick, wet gurgle from its pulverized lungs trapped beneath the immense heft of the entity dropped above it. Still just out of range to view the stranger’s newest transformation, it was her voice and laughter that lead him to abandon his worry about the cat.
The cat-giant that could also apparently turn invisible, had stuck her neck out to save him. Or perhaps just wallow in the remains of her kill. The wet sucking noises and rancid, sulfuric stench coming from the direction of the massacre painted a vivid enough picture for him, one he was thankful was at least mostly swallowed by the darkness as he very cautiously approached the now-horse(which was not surprising at this point in the ordeal).
His brain, still fighting with his instincts to flee, took a bit longer than expected to formulate words. At least his tumultuous mind gave his body time to close the gap. Kaenros was sure to stop just outside of the splatter. With how the thing reeked, it’s bodily fluids could be corrosive or carry pathogens he wasn’t keen on catching. Head low to give one of the leathery wings a cautionary huff, he finally found his voice.
"Are you alright?" was the best he could come up with. His tone was uncertain though there was genuine concern there. She had just been through quite the ordeal even though she looked wholly intact despite being batted around by wings and then his own legs. The multi-hued stallion’s wounds, all but forgotten with the adrenaline still pumping in his veins, were the only source of copper blood he could scent but she was rolling about in the remains of her kill. Beyond the all encompassing dark, the viscera clinging to the young mare’s well built frame made it hard to distinguish much of her dark features.
Having allowed a few seconds to pass for her answer, he raised his delicate head back up to rest high above his narrow shoulders. With a soft dip of it, Kaenros spoke again with gratitude coloring his rich voice. "I must thank you for saving me," polite words stinging his throat on the way out. He was going to pawn this creature off on her to save his own hide while she had killed it for the both of them. Was it guilt that was eating away at the pit of his stomach or embarrassment that he was too weak to hold his own. The fresh gouges near his right hip had begun to make their presence known as his body began to calm, giving him something else to focus on. Nevertheless, he had to know more about how she had done it. ”You’re a shifter, correct? I’ve never seen either the cat or the hairless beast you turned into..." Iridescent eyes growing curious, he continued on with a curt jerk of his head towards the absolute mess of inky flesh, bone, and thick, black fur, "Nor that thing."
@[Dretch]