Thread takes place immediately after this one
(Takes place around Vic's 8th cycle and Peanut's 3rd/4th cycle)

He was running, chasing down the estranged bird through the thick mists of Cetus. Fire licking up and over his maw with each hasty and hungry breath. He was somewhat impressed, somewhat... The bird could at least run, and boy did Vicktor love a good chase. It had been so long since a proper hunt had him stretch his legs properly. They were an easy prey to track, though knocking down every ounce of foliage in one's path was possibly not the brightest play.

It made tracking them rather easy...but even with the thick mist at times obscuring the fallen foliage just a foot ahead he could still hear them breathing, bellowing in their own odd ways. Could hear their shaking breath and each crack of stick and slap of mud beneath their avian feet. They were running to safety, or an attempt anyway; to find family.

Vicktor knew they wouldn't make it far.

"Clover Speech"
"Vicktor Speech"

He needn't look back, he knew the beast followed him; he could hear the ravenous crackle of fire from their maw. Could hear that guttural hiss that gurgled and crawled its way up from them with each breath of flame for each and every time they gained ground after him.

He knew he couldn't hide, each step gave away his direction. Even step in water and crack of a branch underfoot gave away everything. And even still the foliage he tramped and tore through would give away his path- it was pointless to try to shake him. So he just ran, hoping for safety. He hoped for family- to come across well-anyone now, family or not.

So he took another turn, sharp and sudden, heart caught in throat he took a moment to see- to look back if it worked this time.

It didn't.

He could see the flames eat the mist, red hot and approaching yet again. And that snarl, it mocked him like insidious laughter in his pitiful attempt of an escape. The beast was gaining ground and he knew not what to do...

The avian bolted to the left a pitiful attempt to lose him. Vicktor followed suit with ease. Claws sliding through wet soil he slid around the sharp corner; elegant and once again gaining ground on what he saw as an oversized turkey. A snarl erupted from his throat, fire bubbling outward as it licked hungrily over his maw and devoured the mist before him. He was so close to this bird- right on their trail; if only he could reach out and-

He swiped, claws overgrown but unsheathed even further; it was quick but he came back with blood. It was a hit, excellent. Licking lips he watched the turkey stumble- lurching forward with a painful screech all their own. He had hit his mark, some of it... But still the bird did not fall. This- upset him...a growl caught in throat; rough and a tad frustrated. They were still running, he'd have to end this soon; he was growing bored now- or so he told himself.

"Clover Speech"
"Vicktor Speech"

He lurched forward, a screech ripped from his throat as the beast clawed at his leg, he thought he was gone for- thought there'd be more. But the claws left as soon as they came, leaving red hot ichor in it's wake. They nearly collapsed, gasping with a startled and painful cry- but they continued to run- somehow. Peanuts ran, faster if that was possible- thoughts foggy and fear stricken they attempted to bolt to the side- again. Surely the beast wouldn't foresee another attempt, would they?

So he bolts, strafing to the right this time- only to stumble, collapsing and sliding thru the mud of Cetus. And its then he know the beast is on him- fire and a snarl crackling through the mists again; eating its way- he was there, almost laughing. Peanuts struggled, stumbling over long and tired limbs as they attempt to rise to their feet again. And its now that he calls out for his father- his name yelled outward in full-unknowingly the name is familiar not just to Peanuts- but to the beasts as well...

His hit earlier had thrown the avian into a panic, he watched them lurch forward- almost falling; he could taste victory already. But still they ran somehow-and then they slipped up. Running once again to the side, a bolt sudden and quick; Vicktor could already foresee it- they favored one side. Now where else would they run but that side. But as soon as they bolted- they tripped, immediately collapsing and sliding through the mud.

It was over now.

Vicktor was upon them and he readied himself, fire roiling in the pit of his stomach and flames licking over teeth. Pejorative fire churning, dancing over tongue and singeing the edges of the avian's feathers;-till they spoke. They called for their father- and that in itself was pitiful-but understandable...But-the name they spoke was so familiar- Vicktor knew it- he knew them very well in fact.

Memories flooded him, almost frozen in place over the toppled turkey- memories tinged with blood and a childhood that drove him to be- this Bile churned and pooled in the pit of his stomach, fighting the fire- subduing it if only for a moment; long enough for the avian to make their attempt at an escape. Vicktor did not react- almost frozen and unaware- something ate at him; fear and regret?- but something new boiled over that; anger. Hatred for what happened all those years ago...

"Clover Speech"
"Vicktor Speech"

Peanuts waited, eyes shut; flames licking at his feathers- singeing the edges as he waited for fire to overtake him.

He waited- and waited-but nothing happened, not yet- ruby eyes shot open and the beast before him was-frozen? Fire still flickering out of their open maw and up their teeth- but no action; no snarl- just frozen in- thought? Peanuts wasn't about to look a gift boar in the mouth, he kicked and jostled off the muddy Cetus floor; squirming and finding purchase with one foot. The other lifting alongside kicking mud back at the beast as they lurched forward. Stumbling again but finding their stride, limping slightly; silent with a panicked wheeze caught in throat.

They ran.

Vicktor stood frozen, heart racing with burning lungs that seemed to beg for air as he audibly gasped for it. For a few moments he stood still, lost in a concoction of memories. Once faded scars igniting in pain as he peeled at the edges for a cause of the curiosities. To feel anything else but this panic in his chest- was it panic?...-no he didn't panic- NO he couldn't- not- not anymore!

It hurt, like a vice, a serpent from his lower belly hot and inflamed constricting his heart; coiling his lungs too for good measure in his sudden uprising. There was too much to explain, the thoughts- images of his life that had passed through the cycles of the caves. Each one raw and fattened like an infection- blistered over from the years waiting for him to scratch just a little more for it to finally pop.

And pop it did...

Like pus, fire seemed to ooze from his maw, heavy and thick; a false bile rising and pooling at his feet. The mud almost bubbling as it hissed, the mist dissipating as he struggled- a muffled scream till finally he could be heard. Raw and furious it ripped from his throat as he set himself ablaze.

He would reap what their father had helped sow.

"Clover Speech"
"Vicktor Speech"

He could hear it-a scream from some distance behind him. But something was off- it sounded...in pain? Is...is that why it let him go? Pain, anguish-fury now? He could not tell, but that didn't stop the panic rising in his chest. So he looked back- nothing- and yet the beast sounded so close. He could only run, afraid to call out for anyone. Afraid to do much of anything other than put as much distance between him and that beast as he could. And the best way to do that was to lower his head and run. Brilliant ruby crest crashing and busting through the damp foliage of Cetus that stood in his way.

He had a head start, he could do this; he could make it home!

Wherever...home was...

Fire licked and burned his flank, a snarl upon his features he ran onward. Hunting down the turkey that was now the newly proclaimed object of his misery. It was a cruel and convoluted thought-to take this happiness from the father that had caused him so much pain- he was so young- so confused- it- wasn't fair!...Vicktor had nobody in that fight- while that boar had everything- a whole family even that came to his aid...

Well they wouldn't. Not anymore.

His stomach burned- not of fire but that of memories. Old wounds long gone- a hole just by his lower ribs- the broken bones he had sustained back then; the tears and bites of elements not his own. Screaming- the ache that they rattled now in memory- with each and every step it shocked him.

He would hunt this avian down and tear them asunder, leave nothing left. He would break them just as he was- but he would finish the job; he would not let this bird suffer as he had.

Vicktor would finish the job.

"Clover Speech"
"Vicktor Speech"

Fear being mistaken for curiosities he did not shy away from the foliage- lowering his crest he prepared himself for what stood in his path. The preparation wasn't long- but it was long enough as he bashed his way through- if only barely. He paid little attention to just how loud the victory was to others in the forest of Cetus. His heart already so loud and heavy and practically in his throat it was all he could really hear. He knew nothing- knew not the basics of survival; that even in a mist filled room- sound was as important as sight in others...

He knew not that the success here would lead him to failure...