NOTE: This takes place on the back-most wall, in the back-most corner of the room. This is after an assumed week after the conception thread (Nevermind Yesterday) and another week before The Fiery Pit - Part 4.

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Precious. Precious life. He'd not expected it. He'd hidden away, cowered from the repercussions of his accidental cast- expecting damages, blood, torn friends. He was so certain that sudden flux of magic would have been another horrible power, another horrible mistake. Instead, he'd found himself stuck to the floor as the magic faded. Aided by his beloveds, bird and cat alike, the trio had been surprised to find their individual shards stuck to the stone floor, as if sealed amongst the quartz there. They parted ways unknowing. Now, days later, he knew what had happened. The stones grew, and in just a short time, he could already see the tiny lifeforms growing inside. He wasn't sure what had happened to cause it... but he was sure of something. He'd soon be fathering two, true, children. He'd have to be watchful. He'd have to be gentle, caring. He'd have to be protective. He'd have to let go of the past, and give these two new little lives an easy way. He'd protect them with his dying breath if he had to.

Since their conception, since his realization, Cancer had become even more reclusive and hard to find than usual. He spent his days building, in fact. A black quartz castle of sorts, with walls to surround his growing children, to protect them. He'd spent a long time so far casting, taking breaks only to hunt, sleep, recover, before inch by inch, continuing his build. He spent every moment wearing that stealthy, defensive armor, in case anyone dared to attack while he worked... in case Raheerah moved from Polaris, to find the cat that woke him, that stole a scale from him- that planned to kill him, once and for all.

Even now, he toiled away at his task...

...even as his exhaustion pulled him away from work, towards sleep, the gem-encrusted cat worked tirelessly on. His paws shone with the dazzling proof of his effort- and his lack of natural talent regarding such magic. Tiny slivers of gemstone broke the skin. He bled as he worked, paws riddled with misplaced, poorly casted and thus, oddly grown gems from his arms- adding more scars where his prior mistake had left many ugly gouges before. That day was special though. Those scars were special. He held to that as he worked, adding more layers by hoisting stone into place where magic wouldn't grow crystal instead.

@Niru Come join me sonny boy

I didn't exactly knew where I was headed. But I did know, something pulled me toward this section of Orion. The wounds were healing nicely, the edges no longer pink with freshness. The middle of each gash still sore and rather newly scabbed over, soon to break again as my movements aggravated the soft carapace. Jaded lenses took to the flooring, still overrun with sadness. I could not shake this melancholy, I could not give into it either. Or had I? Did I let this depression, which only began when father disappeared, overwhelm me? I couldn't be for sure. I just knew I needed to find him, and soon, if I didn't want to feel like he'd officially abandoned me.

And as if ny prayers had been answered, there in the distance something stirred. I kept my distance for some time, rounded ears erected and pointed toward the..odd situation. I cleared my throat, and decided to approach. If its a stranger, cancer would want me to investigate. My own curiosity nagged at me, begging me to see what was happening. But vigilance is key, and I'd always exercise caution. If there's one thing I learned from my first battle, it is to always be prudent and never allow foolish anger to overtake you. I learned such a lesson the hard way. But nevertheless, as I neared with my glacial pace I was soon to recognize the subtle glint of armor. Could it be? I rushed now, skidding to a halt before him and cussing at myself inwardly as the gashes then seeped small trickles of blood from the epicenters- upon my rib cage, slashed the length of my neck, and about my muzzle.
"I am so happy you're safe,"
I breathed with a sigh of relief, forcing a small grin to my face as the large gash near my lips began to ache with the gesture. I would wait for his reaction, either acceptance or rejection. Either way, I was just happy to see him.

@Cancer

Paranoid mind heard only the approach of larger paws behind him, so when Cancer turned to face the approaching male, he wore a severe expression. Upon recognizing Niru, however, he calmed- then visibly tensed yet again at the sight of his boy's new scars. The leopard stepped towards his son, bringing a paw to his face quickly, roughly, with a scornful glare at the wounds.

"Who did this?" Savage temper was held back by an eerily calm voice, quick and sharp, demanding. "You left Orion. Things have changed. We've a new purpose here." He spoke quickly, pointedly, then turned away from his adoptive ward to return his gaze to that of his biological offspring, forming inside their crystal wombs nearby, tucked behind stone walls for safety- by chance. The family would suffer no fatality with this secure location- so long as the able defended the young.

"You'll not be the youngest for long. Recover quickly, because in some days time, you'll be in charge of protecting these two. I won't be here to do so myself, but I'll set you up well. I'll be back." He glanced over his shoulder, morbid. "Maybe." The plan to take on Raheerah was a foolish one, but one he felt was his to undergo. He had to make up for it. He had to defeat the beast, return the cave to the prior peace he'd shattered in waking the dragon in the first place. "Tell me everything, and I'll return the favor, yeah?"

@Niru

He seemed...off. But I listened to everything he'd said. I answered in chronological order of his inquiries.
"some..big mutant thing. I didn't catch her name. She spoke I'll of you, called you a terrible person and screamed the mistakes you have supposedly made. I saw red, and attacked. I was foolish to take her on, I almost died. But I escaped last minute, tucked away to heal. I've learned from it."
I offered a forced grin, as the pain seared the largest scar on my face.
"I'm to have younger siblings?"
I wanted to clarify, following cancer to try and catch a better glance at the growing gembounds. I'd never seen something like it, I've been present for hatchings sure but..actual babies growing? Never.
"i have been told many things. Whether or not they are true, father, i want you to know that i am always yours. I wont ever turn my back on you. Even if they can't forgive you, i did the second they said something."
I knew none.of his past was my business. I knew none of it involved me. But if my words meant anything, if they held any weight, i wanted him to know i could never shy away due to mistakes. Because i knew he wasn't a bad person. He was just misunderstood.

@cancer

Niru spoke of a beast, a female. Cancer went over the possible foes in his head- Kerberos was male, and obviously so. Then, Niru went on to explain why the fight had occurred, and the leopard found his chest tightening. It was time the cub knew the full truth. Steadying himself for the horrible conversation to follow, Cancer turned to look his boy in the eye, expression sullen and worn.

"I've a story for you, Niru. Sit, and listen." He instructed, tone softer now. He took a seat beside the half-built wall, resting against it, so his growing children were still within view as he gazed upon his adopted heir.

"I was born in Pisces Cave. Bevy found me, and became my closest friend immediately. We sparked the idea to recruit others to live with us, to protect the cave we called home. Our first recruits were a bear and lioness- Leon and Makyna." He paused, tension flaring before he regained control and continued onward.

"At first... At first, I couldn't have been happier. Makyna and I became close, and soon, more joined our group. We decided on a name, Maji Walezi... and I became their first leader." He again paused, but this time, to collect his thoughts.

"I did my best, had the best intentions... but I was a cub. I was young, and stupid... and in love." Makyna. "What we had was nothing more than silly romance. Makyna had always loved Leon... right from the start. I thought... I was jealous. I acted out on that jealousy, and took it out on Leon, though he'd never done me wrong before. I took everything he said or did personally, passed it off as attempts against my authority as Leader. Really, I just felt as if he were getting in the way of mine and Makyna's happiness."

"So when Makyna and I one day fought, and nasty things were said, and Leon charged at me..." He cringed at the image, that savage snarl across the larger bear's face as he appeared through the tunnels towards him. "Leon attacked me first, but I led him away from our home. I had him chase me all the way to Monoceros. There, we fought... we almost killed each-other, over a stupid girl." Then, eyes that had fallen to the floor now returned to meet Niru's gaze, cold and hard.

"I would've killed Leon in cold blood that night, if it weren't for the ground cracking apart just as I hoisted the blade to his stone. I fell, and the earth swallowed me into a pit, deep in Monoceros. There, I met the Lamb... and Raheerah."

He went on to tell the story of how Amaria came upon them, having chased after the fighting pair not long after.

"As she came to lay beside me, the lamb stepped forward... and she touched me, and took my hurt away. She healed me completely, in a way I've never seen before, nor since. That... hurt her, though. She took my injuries as her own... and that woke Raheerah." He explained that the dragon had attacked, but he and Amaria had escaped. He told the youthful lion about the Trial in Pisces afterwards, leaving out the more personal moments of panic and disdain, but filling the boy in on everything he needed to know- and in a way that left him looking quite guilty indeed. "I know what I did was wrong... and my actions led to Raheerah's escape. That dragon attacked Monoceros, and when I heard the battle here, I tried to take him out then. I gained my first scale from that fight... but Raheerah broke free of me and fled to Polaris. Now, he's lighting the caves ablaze... and the mutant woman was right- it's my fault."

His gaze turned to the sleeping children.

"...I won't let them wake into a world of fire by my paws. I won't let them burn. I've done a lot of wrong... but no more. I'm repenting. It might kill me... it might change me, cripple me... lead me down an even darker path." He turned back to Niru, determined and savage. "I won't let that dragon burn our home to the ground. I owe Origin Cave some redemption. I brought this chaos into our world... I'll be the one to extinguish it, once and for all." He narrowed his gaze. "With or without my son beside me." Now, it was time for Niru to judge him for the truth he now knew.

@Niru

I listened to everything he was telling me. I didn't make a peep, nor tear my eyes away from him the entire time. It all came together now. What makyna was saying, what the mutant beast claimed. They were all true, but that didn't mean I loved him any less. It took me a minute to process, collect, and compose myself as I sucked in a steady, slow breath.
"I wont let you fight that dragon alone. I don't even want you to fight. Is there any way we can rally troops? While I wont let you go alone... I'm rather useless. My magic - or lack there of - consists of gusts of wind and vibrations."
I was so disappointed in myself. And I was so scared for cancer. I didn't want him to fight, to eradicate the dragon. He didn't mean to unleash the dragon. Why is this only his fault? Anger swelled within me now.
"forgive me father but I fail to see why this is solely your fault. If he attacked first, with or without provocation, why were you seen as attempting murder? If you ask me, you were defending yourself."
I turned my head now, showing the full extent of the scar running the length of my neck, the epicenter seeping blood from the action.
"never the less, I will help you in any way. They may have turned their backs on a fellow gem but I could never - especially you. I don't care what you've done, said, experienced. I don't care what they've said, done, experienced. What matters now is you, me, them,"
I gestured back toward the growing gems.
"you aren't alone."
The words were juvenile, moderate, smooth - sincere.

@Cancer

The first words Niru spoke were that of a brave young man, but Cancer shook his head. No, he needed Niru here, protecting the twins. If anything were to happen to them...

The cub's next words stung and warmed him all at once. Cancer considered his son with wet eyes, then without a word, stepped forward and with one tattered forelimb, rested a paw against his son's chest with a broad smile forming across his face- wartorn and brittle.

"You're a brave cat, Niru. I couldn't be more proud of you." He patted that spot, then lowered his leg to turn back towards the sleeping gems. "You'll stay put in Orion from now on. There are dangers. There's been others here. They come and go, they never see me, but they're here... and they're unwelcome guests. Intruders." He looked to Niru now with utmost seriousness. "Protect the twins with everything you've got, alright?" He stepped lightly into the small castle walls and sat to rest both front paws on each growing gemstone. "They need to be guarded when I leave. I'll not leave them alone." And then, he turned to Niru and his smile was sadder, a little more sober. "Keep that brave heart, Niru. You'll need it in the cycles to come. I have a feeling that Origin Cave is about to get a lot more... lively, sooner than we think."

@Niru

and while i was unsettled by the fact that he would go alone, that he almost had to go alone, he was right. the babies needed my protection. he looked at my father with a solemn expression, truly saddened by his misfortune in life. why hadn't i been around sooner to help him more? i blamed myself now, just wanting and wishing all of this to go away for him. but i nodded nonetheless.
"of course. but they need you too."
i looked toward them again.
"just like i do. so you have to come back. just keep that in mind, for me."
my voice was softer, less rigid than before.

rounded ears swiveled and erected toward them, a small grin played with my marred features.
"i hope they'll become more of an opponent than i am, father, for i fear i am rather useless. i still don't know what to call my magic. but look, this is all i can really do."
i summoned my magic now, pulling energy from the imperfect oval tsavorite gem as i attempted to show him the gusts of winds i could summon -- oooo scary.

and soon, it came in soft breezes at first, then i attempted to really show him what kind of wind power i could scrounge up. the winds became powerful blasts for just a moment, whipping the tawny fibers about my hide around until i released it, and looked back at him.
"my magic might be more threatening the more i get to know it, the more i get to use it. but for now, what with the mighty creatures i've come to figure out live here, i rely on my physical abilities. which, even then, being still an adolescent yet..."
i let my voice trail off, reiterating silently how much of a disappointment i thought i was, how much of one i didn't want to be. i hoped i wouldn't fail him, i hoped i hadn't failed him. i waited patiently for his approval or disapproval.

@cancer

Ooc: poopy mobile reply lol ill edit later

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Cancer regarded the youth with silent consideration. His expression was far from hopeful. This fight would be a suicide mission for anyone else, it might even be one for the black leopard himself. Still, he was responsible. He had to bring order to the cave again. He had to end Raheerah's reign before it could reach every corner of the cave. He was responsible for this.

"Niru, I wouldn't be asking you this if I didn't think you could handle it. I trust you. Don't doubt your powers. They will help you when everything seems most lost, remember that." He spoke with conviction.

The cat stood and took tentative steps over to the half-grown youths. There, he placed a gentle front paw on both.

"I... can't promise I'll come back from this. If I do, I might not be the same cat. If they... if they emerge before I return, bring them to Magi Walezi. To their mothers. You stay with them." His expression became sober, strict. "Don't you ever leave their sides. Their safety is first priority, do you understand?" He sat back, waved a paw for Niru to come close, and if he obeyed, the older cat would guide his son's paw onto the smaller, red and green.

"Remedy." He's named them long ago. He placed both of his own paws on the larger blue stone. "Cure."

@niru

mothers. brows arched and i did as was asked, allowing a paw to follow cancer's and placed upon the green as he spoke, remedy . then to the blue, cure. i smiled softly, not understanding the full cost of these little gemlings which still grew. they were now my life, and i wasn't sure i could comprehend that or..enjoy that. however, whatever cancer wanted is what i'd do. and who knows, i'd probably fall in love with them the minute they emerged.
"remedy and cure. and mothers? what are their names? so that way i can bring them to the proper females."
i said matter of fact, pulling back as i sat before cancer again.
"you're really brave for wanting to eradicate the dragon. and alone."
i nodded solemnly, truly saddened he took on this burden all alone. i wished i could be more help to him, but i guess, if i wanted to help i'd stay here and protect these two gems as if they were my own.

@cancer