There was a brief, faint sense of distracted apology along the link. Mother was busy: she could not devote full attention to a conversation, at this time. And--beyond that--was the threat of discovery; a risk she could not take.
She spared only a brief note further: a reassuring answer to Aethereal's question, and an invitation. "No. A child is not its parent's slave. We seek those who serve the Father. Should you wish to speak more, Aethereal... come find me in Ursa."
The Praetor who had pulled ahead had returned, during this exchange: and the one Aethereal had sensorial linked approached it, and bowed its head.
The first pressed mandibles neatly around the neck of the servant--and then there was a sharp, crushing sensation that ripped through Aethereal's link, mostly dulled by Mother's intentions but there, nonetheless.
The link, abruptly, was severed--and the head of the killed Praetor rolled away, the body collapsing where it had stood, stoneless and doomed to slowly waste to fungus-infused dust. The first turned, hurrying off to do... whatever business it might have, back in the throes of war.
Behind it, the fallen body--not near any of the Gembounds, by design--cracked and then exploded, threads of webbing shooting in all directions, glassy shards of carapace detonating like shrapnel. Fungus drifted down on the thin breeze, spores clouding the area.
@Aethereal
Watching the Praetor bow to its own death sickened Tourmaline. What kind of creature would willingly lie down and die for no apparent reason?
"That's horrible," she mutters, backing away from the dead thing. "How..."
She turned tail, scrambling deeper into the bone fortress. She'd hide there, until the distant sounds of roaring quieted. Then she'd slip away to Polaris, back home, back safe.
Exit Tourmaline
The moments passed slowly, painfully - quiet save for the thrum of the magical barrier and the occasional clack and chitter of an oversized insect. Relic gave both of the other defenders a glance and a nod, the only gratitude she could spare at this moment. What did the creatures want with the valkhound? While the other's complaints were understandable, she couldn't help but feel curious. She was old enough to keep that to herself though.
She watched Aethereal leave the shelter. If the praetors changed their mind, would she be quick enough to save her? Should she even try? Would the others even think to come to her aid? She was not a bitter animal, but if the other gembound had fraternized with Order in the first place - maybe what came of her was none of their business. 'Stay here.' Relic didn't want to trust Her words.
And then - and then the other came back. The crushing of a shell, slicing of flesh, it happened so suddenly that the hyena almost didn't feel the wave of nausea as with a thud, the other creature's head collided with the floor - and then the body, after a few too many seconds of pause. Their translator disappeared shortly after, whatever link they shared severed with the killing. Had she felt it too, Relic wondered - the jaws pressing against flesh, the mind escaping the shell?
Without proper vocabulary to describe how fucked what happened was, a too delicate "Oh." Was all she managed. The smaller cat disappeared into the fortress - maybe she had the right idea. "Don't look." She looked to both of the children, wings spread in an limp attempt to shield the view. What did it matter? All of them had seen it. All of them had watched. "Let's... Let's go." She moved in the direction Tourmaline had scurried off in, not paying attention to who followed her - or who didn't.
table by dark
[ exit Relic ]
The enemy and the confusing valkhound retreated farther into the room of bones, and only then did Wulfsige step from the barricade he and the other two Protectors had made. His gaze caught Khloros' for a brief moment. The fear was.. surprising and yet not, given the situation. Fear in the face of an encroaching army was to be expected. But he was under the impression that the fear was directed- was caused by him.
That was unfortunate. He did not want to cause terror in anyone but his enemies.
"It is the power I taught you. To see the enemy that hides within this nest." He told Khloros. "I cannot explain any more. Order marches on.
It Pierced him all at once. Fractal crystal shards driving into his mind, his awareness, driving out all other sensation and thought. He winced, teeth gritting and a slightest growl sliding between his teeth. His magic was Untrustworthy. Nearly against him. He needed to solve that. But now was not the time.
After taking a couple moments to recover, he would lift his head to regard those who hadn't yet left, voice raising into an attention-demanding call. "ORDER WON IT'S BATTLE." And he would make a sweeping gesture towards the destruction the Drones has wrought. The despicable mold and webbing that already began to creep across stone. "THIS CAVE IS NOT SAFE! FLEE TO POLARIS! YOU WILL BE PROTECTED." A brief pause, a breath taken. "I WILL NOT MEET YOU THERE. I MUST SPREAD WORD OF THE DANGER." And then, he would go to do just that, leaving Teosar and Aether to protect the others.
Exit thread
@Khloros
Aether considered. There was a doglike loyalty to it as it answered, a sad wrinkle to its face. "I will... come with you, whatever you choose. I am sorry I was too slow, last time."
It still didn't quite know what had happened, there, but at least Wilder was alive--and now that it was here, it could ensure she stayed that way.
@Wilder
Coyote stayed back, body again in an arch, tail tucked and ears pinned.
She had quite literally no idea what was going on, or what she should do. Bones didn't seen to be needed any longer. Fear gripped her, and she cowered deeper against the stone, eyes squeezing shut.
There she stayed, trembling in terror. Not even her magic answered, leaving her feeling incredibly helpless on top of everything else.
probably exit Coyote unless addressed!