Vicktor took off, sprinting with fire coating his pelt. Exhaling fire with each heavy breathe that escaped the inferno in his lungs, he was ravenous. The mist fled, dissipating from the heat that rolled off his flank; the fire devouring everything it touched. Every little thing that dare stood in his path. Foliage, water and mist alike.

He followed the tracks- the obvious evidence of where the large avian had been bashing it's way through. It made sense now- that the bird ran head first- it hardly used its head for anything else it seemed. But that made this easier- made sure he would find them; though there wasn't a doubt in Vicktor's mind on that. But he hardly needed the path of trampled foliage and disturbed mud. Especially when it seemed that the turkey had bashed through something up ahead-a bit a ways up ahead but he knew their rough location.

The sound was loud, sudden and even from where he was sounding- barely successful. A tree splintering and busting open to give way to something panicked. Vicktor carried on, snarling as he shifted his path only slightly. Cutting through the trampled foliage- a path already cleared for him that made his travel time just half of the avian's...how lovely!

His body ablaze he screamed- commanding an element he knew since his birth. His pelt rose, fur bristling with a charge that vibrated his every bones. It took just a few seconds till electricity jolted out from beneath his claws, answering his call. The current shooting through the wet forest floor, the pooling of water and mist that both he and this bird no doubt still stood within. He'd find them- he'd hear them scream; he was sure of it.

He was so close to victory that he could almost taste it.

"Clover Speech"
"Vicktor Speech"

Content Warning
This post contains potentially sensitive material:

violence

Peanuts was running- panic in his chest and throat. He was doing well! The pain in his leg hardly noticeable, at least for now as he ran so desperately. He dared not look down, or behind himself again; having already rolled the dice of chance a few too many times before. He felt as if he was...almost free? The home stretch even! The beast had yet to catch up to him and he had yet to-

A scream?-not of pain from the beast behind him but one of-

Fear took over- or so Peanuts thought; he went still? Body stopping abruptly as he fell to the mud below. A delayed onset of pain that rattled him from his feet to the top of his skull. It jolted him, legs numb and suddenly limp. Sending him sliding through the muddy floor of Cetus as he barely rattled out a scream himself. He convulsed, electricity scorching the bottom of his feet, trailing up his legs like burning black snakes. As the portion of his mass that touched the mud directly shook violently in turn- till finally it stopped.

He knew not the cause- nor the element; but he knew it wasn't to kill...

His plan worked- a scream hung in the air so tantalizingly. A reward for his effort, it stayed just long enough in the air, leading him closer to the downed avian. The sight was magnificent as he approached through the burning foliage and fleeting mist. Vicktor's body still ablaze as he prowled closer with each rattling breathe. The avian was struggling- it seemed his element had done well. The bird's limbs were refusing to stand and fight the obvious convulsions that were still effecting them. He could only smile- well if one could call his snarl something so welcoming.

He made his way over- in no rush now that he had them where he wanted them. Pulling himself forward through the mud in silence, save for the violent hissing of fire against the wet substance. Taking his place standing over the turkey, a small but obvious attempt and action to pin them further into the mud below as he placed unsheathed claws atop their breastbone. Fire billowing from his flank, eating at the avian's dilapidated plumage; billowing strands of smoke from the bird itself.

Pushing his weight downward upon them he smiled, saliva dripping like orange ichor it burnt and hissed while it spilled over the bird who struggled helplessly beneath him. There was still some fight left in them, that much was clear from their pathetic attempt to wiggle free and escape. Inhaling deeply he could feel the fire churning once more, white hot bile rising in his throat.

He was going to burn them alive.

But- he couldn't-not when that bird spoke up again- finding their voice and screaming for him. The name of their father hanging in the air- a final push- a final attempt for- anything it seemed. A name so familiar yet again it surprised Vicktor once more. He stood still above them; fire dying down in both his throat and his flank...

Memories once again assaulting him in a barrage of images and phantom pains.

"Clover Speech"
"Vicktor Speech"

Content Warning
This post contains potentially sensitive material:

violence

He twitched and convulsed within the muddy floor of Cetus, breathe caught in throat he struggled to breathe as muscles tightened and seized. It hurt-more than he had even known in his life...which wasn't saying much as his young age- but still it was almost more than he could handle. All he had to do was hold out a little longer, right? He could do this, Peanuts could do this!

Then he caught sight of the beast. Flames billowing from a burnt ebony coat, jaws dripping with liquid fire- even the mists parted for their arrival. They were an omen- they were death...this was the beast his father told him about. The- muscle spasms- the burns- everything it all made sense!

Death was at his door now, claws pressing down along his breastbone, making him sink deeper into the muddy floor below. Peanuts struggled beneath the weight, struggled to move- let alone breathe. The fire burned and ate away at his plumage; the scent was revolting- and the sensation brought tears to his eyes. Delicate flesh hidden beneath dark feathers screamed, fire hissing and licking leaving burning bites in its wake.

He could only stare up at the beast, look into their open maw that glowed bright white now-they were readying something. They were going to burn him alive- and yet he could only think of one thing to do. To call for his father...again...it had stunned the beast before- stopped them if only momentarily; it might be just what he needed to escape once more.

So he did.

And he found his voice, a deep inhale that rattled his lungs when he spoke. It was sharp and sudden but grew louder than the beast's own hungering crackle of fire. He called for his father by name, such a specific thing to stop the beast's onslaught. But it worked once again. They stood there still above him and pushing down with a heavy clawed grip. But they stopped dead in their tracks, fire dissipating and silent. As if in some sort of coma, they did not move, only stood there unblinking.

Peanuts knew not what else to do, he could not move from under the beast's grasp- they had him pinned on his back, claws almost burned within his breastbone...Except-...Peanuts lifted a leg; an attempt to slash at the beast's belly from below. Lifting it slightly to push against the soft flesh that was so helplessly exposed as the beast stood above him. Only- his foot convulsed, an aftershock of nerves, electricity or quite possibly fear. He missed. Only a solid tap of ill aligned talons at the end of his foot reached the beast's underbelly...and even then- it was...nothing...

It was now staring up at the beast whose face twisted in malice did he realize his mistake. At least he tried- that's all he could do in the end. Perhaps he'd see his father after all. Perhaps he too was already dead.

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graphic themes

death

His fur was bristled and clumped from char and mist alike. Strings of smoke dancing off his form as he breathed- heavy and deep; maw agape he was silent- save for a strangled hiss caught in his throat. The ravenous flames had died down-but still he grew hot. He was- frozen- lost in thoughts; memories of the past. Memories of him and the battles he had taken and been pushed through as a mere child. Lost and alone-no friends..no family- even that doe-she turned on him too hadn't she...

Fear grew in his gut, it was cold and painful- a memory of a life that he never had- one that was ripped away from him. Wrong place, wrong time and the wrong company who too were confused in fire and shock. He had no place for this emotion but still it nestled violently amongst the burning anger that slept there.

He knew not how much time had passed- only to suddenly grow evidently aware that...the avian below him...had attempted to gut him- just as their father had done all those cycles ago...The bird's long talons pressing against the soft under-flesh, tapping along hidden scars that had blossomed beneath his fur so long ago...

It ached- it burned- but there was no bloodshed, no harm done save for the pain of memories that bloomed in it's wake and touch. The cold pit in his stomach began to boil- the ice of fear melting as coiled anger writhed like burning snakes. Fire biting at his hackles, anger lodging itself in his throat with a gut-wrenching snarl and a spat of hot spittle he focused on the bird below.

Claws digging into the burnt and ashen plumage he adjusted himself, pressing down on the bird's breastbone. His mouth glowed, maw dripping with hot saliva he seethed fury upon them. He did not speak- spared no words for the avian. Staring them face to face it would be obvious his mouth was growing brighter and brighter. Till suddenly he screamed, guttural and raw he pushed air from his lungs- all that he had in that moment till fire came to his call.

It licked up his face, shooting out of his throat and engulfing both the downed bird and Vicktor's own front legs. He continued- screaming through pain both phantom and current. The sounds of crackling fire- and of fat and skin popping underneath such heat alone would drown out the bird's own screams.

He would reap what their father had sowed.

"Clover Speech"
"Vicktor Speech"

Content Warning
This post contains potentially sensitive material:

violence

gore

graphic themes

death

The beast noticed- almost immediately and still Peanuts held onto hope- it did...take the beast some time to ready themselves but once their claws dug further into their flesh- hope left. He was already burnt- skin swollen and blistered and plumage a pitiful mess of smeared ash and dilapidation. But the beast drew closer, face to face with a hot and heavy breath. He could not say anything- couldn't even scream...it was his turn to be frozen now. Trapped on his back with painful tremors still rattling through his legs he twitched beneath their clawed grasp. Red ichor running over pink and blistered skin- till suddenly the beast screamed.

It was loud and raw and in itself it sounded like it hurt to unleash- ripping from the beast's throat...making way for the fire that soon enveloped him. Peanuts too screamed- at least he was sure of it- but none would hear it; not even himself. Especially not over the beast's own efforts. Not through the crackling of ravenous fire nor the bubbling and popping of his fat and skin alike.

Feathers burnt to ash, skin bubbling to a painful red and soot black. The stench itself was painful- everything even more so.

This was the end, and all he could do was let it happen.

[d e a t h]

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death

He screamed till he ran his throat raw, though the fire didn't help him either. But still he carried on exhaling the ravenous flames till he could barely stand atop the avian. His body trembled- not from fear but from exhaustion, he continued till he could take the pain no longer and even then he pushed onward. Tears prickling his eyes- hazed and glossed over from the smoke that billowed from beneath him.

His claws sunk deep into the bird- soon falling through into wet and sloppy viscera. Their body was charred and eaten by fire, and there was little structure to hold him up now from the assault beneath his grip. Finally though Vicktor stopped- inhaling sharply and suddenly; greedy for air he sucked it down as if he was drowning. His eyes a haze as he collected himself- still lost in thought and furious desire.

He blinked, once...twice- finally a third time he focused on the mess beneath him. Rage subsiding he felt...calmer now that he had won. The bird though was- unrecognizable...there wasn't much of a bird left truth be told. Save for the body and skeletal structure- and even that brilliant ruby crest that laid almost trapped in the dried mud of Cetus now. Collecting himself he pulled his paws out from the scorched viscera of the avian, earning a squelch with the sudden and abrupt movement.

He brought himself down lower, taking a piece of the charred avian in his mouth before crunching down on it. He would not waste this- not after using so much of his resources so suddenly. He was exhausted- mentally and physically. Silently he would pick at the carcass of the perished gembound below him. Crunching through charred sinew and scorched bone alike, savoring the pieces that were still somewhat fat and ripe with flesh and blood.

He took his time- though being ravenous it didn't take long as most the avian had been eaten by his flames prior. But still this meal was more than enough. Licking over teeth and saber-fangs he eyed the gem that jutted out from their skull. It was scorched black at the front- a simple fix and he'd have it clean for his...collection- only he found the stone made up their entire skull. He hummed, grumbling to himself in thought as he snapped the neck clean between jaws freeing the skull from what pitiful scraps he chose not to devour.

He looked over the scene one more time. Eyeing the scarce carnage he left for the lesser gembounds who might be so inclined to take a free meal themselves. Vicktor soon took off, a slow motion of a trot in his pace. Breathe steady and deep, eyes half lidded and a new gem and trophy gripped between his jaw.

[exit]

"Clover Speech"
"Vicktor Speech"