ORIGIN

δεξιά . κέντρο . αριστερά

Kerberos stood in the way of Aza'zel, the news long past his ears. There was a pain deep in his chest, a great ache from knowing he had let Aza'zel and more importantly, Ashtoreth, down. Retrieving Liora, saving her from Gertrude-- well, sort of-- would never be enough. Even when Ash returned home, safe and sound, if such a day ever came... He had failed, and deep down the usually short-spanned attention of the pup would not forget this moment in his life. He had tried to stop Ash and Liora from wandering off, he had, but Arkrael's call pulled him to answer. He could only be in so many places at once.

And now, in this moment, he had drawn himself to this point. The edge of Tunnel K, where the stone archway towered above even his height, where Life and Death held a careful balance with one another. All of Giggle's teachings flooded through the canine in the moment as he stood down his leader, a coldness in his paws that his magic could not fend back. He had tried. The cerberos was loyal to the end, and although Aza'zel could fly, the massive guardian could touch the top of the cold stone exit with ease and stop the avian if he tried.

"I'm sorry Aza'zel," the words parted from his teeth. As one throat clenched shut, another spoke up as though picking up without a single breath. "I cannot let you go--"

"Hasira has Ashtoreth, and he is not above killing her," he spoke softly, as though explaining the death of a parent to a child, though he was doing something of the opposite. "Our only hope--" "--Is that he will use her--" "--As a bargaining chip--" "--A hostage--" "--Against us, and thus keep her alive."

The dog's pink eyes bore into his leader. Ever word was a mark of betrayal, and he knew he would soon feel the wrath of his superior against him. He knew that there was no stopping Aza'zel from saving his child, not with words. There was a reason why his leader had been crushed to near death, only to return a cycle later. Aza'zel did not let things like this go... No father did. He knew the wrath of more than just his own Alpha.

But Kerberos could hope. He could believe, that maybe, if he listened and spoke, perhaps he could get Aza'zel to understand. He held back from trembling, just barely, as his body felt a swell of heat in his core that left his paws all the more numbly cold. His stomach felt buried deep under the stone, and he was not ready for Aza'zel's words. The only thing Kerberos was ready for was the battle to come. The canine knew that without reason, only physical might would stop his leader.

"Don't make me protect you."

δεξιά . κέντρο . αριστερά

Kerberos winced as Aza'zel squawked at him, desperation in his voice. The dog couldn't help but see himself, desperate to protect even if it meant threatening someone. All too many times he has tried to help as a pup, back before he knew the right words, only to stumble and get hurt for it. There was just one thing-- the guardian would fight only to stop the Bone King. He would not hurt Aza'zel if he could help it.

Armor glinted in his eyes, flashing in the light of his own body. His hot, feverish glow lit up the usually dark, shadowy cavern, making himself a blindingly obvious target. The bird breathed in and Kerberos dug his claws in, summoning his magic in preparation. He was so, so sorry. This wasn't what he wanted at all. He would fight regardless. Wind hit him hard and his heads bowed as his body was shoved back, nearly knocking open a path for Aza'zel to escape in.

"NO!" Kerberos roared, snapping his teeth as he lunged forward, shoving forth his magic in a hard expell. Without anything to grip on to, Aza'zel would hopefully be tossed back with ease from the low level magic. "If you go, he'll kill her!" He frantically urged his leader towards reason. "He'll use your weakness against you, Aza'zel, he'll kill you both!" Then what? Leave Bonebound without a leader? Liora without her father?

{ FIGHT STATISTICS }
KERBEROS v. AZA'ZEL
ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE

{ ATTEMPT }

~ push aza'zel back!

{ DEFENSES }

~ puffed up, legs apart, tail high-- defending the entrance more than himself

{ INJURIES }

~ prior injuries;;

• in good condition!

~ current injuries;;

• none yet!