[RAID] [Winter in Polaris] FROM YOUR COLD GRASP

James took flight and turned towards Hargrave, looking at the dragon and clenching his jaw. He sped over as fast as he could, ears pinning so that the wind didn't whistle in them. This had to work, just one more time-

He touched her with a hoof and sent as much magic as he could into the spell, grunting with effort. But it worked.

"She's purged," he said, "Thank you."

He landed and looked back over to the dragon, watching her leave. Too late. But at least he saved one of them.

Carja cried out as she watched Bone leave, ignoring her cries. Tears rolled down her face as regret welled up. She couldn't save her. It was practically suicide to go after those who'd followed Mother, and she had the rest of her family to try to protect. If she even could.

"I'm sorry!", she cried out after Bone, sniffling as she turned and fled, racing towards the rest of her family.

She'd be back. To save Bone. When she was bigger and stronger, and not weak. She didn't know what it would entail.

"Dad!", she cried out, "Grandpa!! Bone's gone!"

She skid to a halt, hot tears falling down her cheeks despite her trying hard to be strong and brave, her face contorting uncomfortably. She looked back and whimpered, lip wobbling.

"I-I couldn't save her," she said, "I-I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry."

- THE LEVIATHAN -

Vargas grimaced as he looked after the dragons. He wasn't certain they weren't both infected, wasn't sure if they were. He couldn't sense that the way Astraea could, but the other Master did not call out directions--and didn't interfere when the dragon did-... something, to Azigh. Vargas started their way with hurried strides and then, taking his cue from Astraea's pause, he hesitated too.

Damn it all--if only I could SEE! he thought, irritated. Was the corruption calling them to Ursa-?

He looked around, a grimace crossing his rigid features. If it was, the twin dragons might be a threat; and if Dread was fool enough to defend them, even moreso. Possibly that other littler one, too. Vargas tucked the idea away in his mind that he'd need to devise some plan to deal with Mother-corrupted dragons, and then turned toward his own people.

"THOSE WITH ME--SOUND OFF! ARE YOU YOURSELVES?" he demanded, striding toward them with booming voice.

First things first; he wanted to be sure that his spawn and allies were safe. Everything else could wait, if only for the moment.

There was a great dispersal, both of those afflicted with Hive and those who were not, parting opposite ways of each other. Dread's booming voice drowned out his thoughts for a moment, but he nodded to James attempted to cleanse those he could before fleeing himself, Comet in tow. Despite the bulk of the fight having ended, it still felt like a mess.

His attention turned mostly to Azigh, who seemed semi-conscious at best.

"The Hive," he muttered, half to Dread, have to others who might be listening. "There must be a node in Ursa, then; it was a suspicion, but perhaps now a confirmation. We probably cannot do anything about it right now. Let's—let's take care of those we have here, any wounded or recovering, and... we'll deal with it later. I need time." His body shuffled toward Azigh, nudging the large creature to stand and move.

Ruby eyes glanced up to the circling dragon. Hopefully it would not attempt a foolish rescue on its own, but Astraea did not feel like he could command it otherwise.

"Regroup. With those you know or those you don't. This isn't about alliance between ourselves—it's about working together against The Hive. We must not be so divided if you wish to save those who have gone to Ursa," he said loudly, eyes tracing those still close enough to hear him. He glanced around those present once more, noting some laying limp or unable to move. "Help those who cannot stand. Please."

With that, he struggled to move with Azigh, able to offer no true support physically, but still guiding him home.

Characters may exit the thread or continue to interact with one another. Astraea and Azigh are heading toward Ursa, but attempted to exit. They can be stopped for conversation.

New spell Cold Snap unlocked! This will be sent to all participating characters.

Cold Snap
Low Intensity Transformation. Extreme cold radiates from the extremities (feet, tail, nose, ears) by decreasing internal water temperature in these areas, and may freeze surfaces on contact. May give the user frostbite and can cause ice burns upon contact with non-users.

Thank you. No. Thank you. NO. Thank you. WHAT HAVE YOU DONE. WHAT HAVE I DONE. NO DON'T YOU DARE THANK ME, I HAVE DONE IT ALL WRONG.

She knew how it hurt. The lightning created this split second of pure, awful agony before it all popped into silence and nothingness. That rock that now surrounded his body had shown Tahi-shei more mercy than she could have ever managed in her whole lifetime. There was no apology that would do, because nothing could fix what had happened now.

Would it even work? Would it even matter-- had she just trapped him in there with it? Breathing quickly became a struggle to manage at these thoughts, because Madhukar had no way of knowing. It would be too much time, too much time alone, knowing what she did. Living with herself. Screaming at herself. And if he was in there with it that whole time... The dread of it was already crushing.

Well, she couldn't break down here, so she would clamp her jaw tight, screw the top and the bottom together.

At least it was over, for now. For now. For now. At least it was-- for now. The other stag was talking. Madhukar could barely hear it. She could hardly care. By the time they were finished with their speech, she was just about gone from this room, knowing she'd have to return. The only name that stuck was "The Hive", and the only message her brain held onto (in order to sting her even more with) was the one about regrouping. She had just turned her friend into a pillar of salt. Who else was there to 'regroup' with? Well, there was Sunny. There was still Sunny. That was comforting enough. For now--

Madhukar wasn't going to stick around. She was sick of this place. Tired. She would have to come back for Tahi anyways. 'Why is his gemstone so pretty?' It was a sickening thought. She had never seen his gemstone before. Now she couldn't get the sight of it out of her head.

Think "Speak"