[BATTLE!] Friends Don't Lie [Open!]

[TheWG]

Edmund Helios

Pain and curiosity at the unknown ripped at the young male's heart, as he looked into the distance beyond the night sky. His paws stood on the edge of the in-between; the land that separated the Veldt and the nearby Volcano... He had a dream, about his father, his mother... Now something had driven him wild, an uncontrollable urge to know, to see the truth. Now, he could hold it no longer; he stepped over the line, and into the outskirts of the ash fields. Edmund knew not where to look, but by chance was going in the right direction, little did he himself know.

"Mom!"

He yowled as he ran through the dust, kicking up a bit as he went barreling carelessly over the hardened magma, going in for miles. The adolescent wanted to scream through the night to find his mother and know where she had gone, but a feeling of common sense stopped him finally when he reached the base of the active Volcano that defined the land around it. He didn't know where he was, nor what called home to these lands, but his blatant pain and feeling of betrayal wanted to say otherwise. How he wanted to yowl with all his anger at all that had happened to him up till now, his frustration and exhaustion from running here, all that had been bottled up in his emotional body, and Tanya's brilliant phrase popped into his head; Now I and Icarus can be together, in heaven. That was all it took. His claws raked the dirt in a sudden surge of rage, and his face began to feel warm, wet with a salty substance as he turned and hissed in the face of nothing.

He had kept so much inside, and now- away from Meurtrier, his stronger siblings, and Circa- he let it all finally come to surface, in the form of a mental breakdown. His paws swung at nothing as he sunk into a pitiful sob, cursing at the wind. The boy never even got to grieve, not like he wanted to. Edmund wanted to be by his mother's side as the remainder of his shattered family, but no- she left them, disappeared without a trace. And now- the news that his mother may be no less than a traitor made him loose it even more. Could it really be true?

Tired from running, and swinging his paws around, he finally collapsed into the ash, sobbing. Why me, why am I the weak brother, why do Corona and Alfwin not seem to care? He spoke in his mind, laying there in a pile of his own despair at the thought. How can they just move on?

A sound in the distance made his head shoot up, and his tears stopped themselves immediately as his green optics widened in alert. A figure stood in the distance, and he quickly scrambled to his feet. "W-who's there?"

[Caylis]

BRYNNETH SULLIVERI

Could it be really true? Edmund.. looking for her? Fear started to creep into her mind.. damn it.. was this a trap?! No.. no.. he would never do that, she knew her son well enough. She sighed, she didn't care what anyone said or did, she would reunite with her children, they were so precious to her even if they were enemies with Meurtrier! She did not care! With a cry of relief, she sobbed. "Edmund? Is.. it you?" she sobbed before walking up towards him, tears spilling down her cheeks. "Oh, Edmund! I'm so sorry I did this to you! I don't know what to do anymore! I didn't want to leave you, my children or Meurtrier! I'll tell you what you need son, no matter what anybody says!" she blurted it all out, the truth starting to spill out before going out in low whispers. "Edmund.. try not to wake them.. they'll get angry! Reno..Najisi..Lothaire.. Krankheit.. all of them.. oh, there's so much to tell you and I don't want to stay in this hellhole anymore...." she said with a snort given to La Morte. "I never should have went with them in the first place.. I wasn't thinking..." she said with a sad sigh, ready to tell him the truth.

Would any Meurtrierians follow him? Wait.. she didn't care, she guessed she had missed a lot, hadn't she? The last thing she would say was, "I'm sorry Edmund.. Corona.. Alfwin.. Meurtrier.. Jaaku..."

[TheWG]

Edmund & Circa Da'ei

Edmund's ears folded down as his mother appeared, seemingly out of the depths of his mind like a ghostly apparition. He was frozen, was this a dream? ...Or a nightmare? A terrible one at that... But as soon as he felt her fur touch his within close proximity, the tears began to fall again, though he remained unmoving with the fear that it wasn't real, and that it really was just a taunting dream. She rambled on, and he heard none of it, but he slowly wrapped his paws around her and whispered a sigh of relief and comfort that any loving family member would say to another that they thought were lost. "Y-you're alive."

But as those words escaped his maw, the comfort slipped away to realization setting in, and his tears slowly eased to a stop as his eyes widened. "You're alive." He said again, focusing on her, and preparing to back away. "W-where were you..." Though the trailing voice of his disbelief went unheard. Because she went on. His brow lowered, and he backed away from her as she finished her whisper, he was confused. This was real... His mother had abandoned him, and joined another pride? His heard whirled with rage once again, and his eyes shut tight as if he were in absolute pain. "You- WHAT? WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?" He yowled, bringing his paws to his head and holding it in confusion.

"Yes, what are you talking about, Brynneth?

Edmund snapped into focus again at the new voice, and his nape prickled high. Circa. He turned around, wide optics catching the red pelted lioness that had taken him in. She must have followed him here, he wondered how he could have been so stupid.. Had she heard what his mother said? No, she didn't, but he began to shiver anyway. She looked quite... Fearful in this state, her baby blue eyes looking as sharp as ice daggers and threatening as they looked upon his mother. She didn't know what he somewhat knew- but she very well knew that her former friend was alive, and was speculated; a traitor. Not only for leaving Meurtrier with other members, but for dumping her cubs upon her. Now Edmund shrunk away from his mother, unsure of how to take this all in- he went to grab his head again. Things were happening too quickly.

[Caylis]

Heart now shattered... Brynneth looked upon her former friend.. tears slipping from her cheeks. "C-Circa..." she said with a shocked and saddened gaze all in one emotion. "Circa.. I don't know what I was thinking... leaving like that.. I was just too depressed to think! I know how you must feel.. but I don't want to stay in this hell anymore... I want to just blurt this all out.. but if I do.. they'll kill me and they'll most likely threaten you all.. but I have to for my children's safety." she said with a depressed voice, almost choking, she spoke up.

"Circa, Edmund.. first of all, I want you both to know that I do not want to be here anymore.. I want to go back to Meurtrier and answer any questions thrown my way, no matter the cause. And before I say this, know that I am speaking the truth, I swear to the heavens and to Icarus." she said before taking a deep breath and going with a trying-not-to-panic tone.

"You see.. before the children were born, I had gotten into a quarrel with Najisi and Reno when I first joined Meurtrier, once I got used to Meurtrier, I have always regretted that foolish argument over disrespect. A few days before Icarus's death, I went to apologize to Najisi and Reno, which I found out.. that he was switching prides.. forming members to lead away from Meurtrier. The pride that I am currently is La Morte, a pride of ex-Meurtrierans, though I truly do not know Reno's true goal. I was originally going to bring the children when they were born along with Icarus, and I was to tell you, Circa.. but there was more to that." she said with a clouded look of depression before she looked to the ground, tears dripping on the hot ground.

"I said I would do anything to make them forgive me for that argument. And with that, Reno was the one who I recall to manipulate me into apologizing when it was all a trick. He told me not to tell anyone but something deep within told me that there was something suspicious about him, with that I was 'curious' about his whole pride affair and he told me if I told anyone this, he would make sure I would pay." he said with a serious gaze.

"I was scared that Meurtrier would be in deep trouble with Reno in the lead, it seemed he was jealous of Funeral. He told me that he was the right path. And so.. I wanted to check in what was going on and what they were planning, so I offered to join the pride while undercover." said the 'ess with her pinks gleaming.

"And ever since Icarus's death, I knew.. I knew that the children would be healthy enough to travel and I did not know that they were leaving soon after. I never even had a chance to say goodbye. And yes, the other ones who were missing are all back there but I do not know on what they're doing."

Looking into both of their eyes with a growl, she snorted while looking back to La Morte's camp, "I was planning all along to come back and tell you all everything but apparently, Reno and Najisi are quite aware of any signs of traitor blood and I couldn't escape just yet.. I was going to leave when the time was right."

She said, looking to the both of them with a serious look. "Beat me up, put me into slavery, kill me, do anything you want with me, but I truly didn't want to leave in the first place. I regretted it the first day I came here. I'm torn in two!" she said with a sigh with her pinks dimming a bit. "Any questions?" she said, for the two of them to hear.

[TheWG]

Edmund & Circa Da'ei

Circa simply stood with her cold gaze planted on the lioness as the speech went on, watching as Brynneth cowered onto the ground like a cub, it was almost pitiful to her. The lioness rolled her eyes, finding the explanation not enough for what she had put the cubs through- put Meurtrier through. Then again, she now knew the true story of the traitors, and where they had all went. The feeling edged a smirk- to the fact that she would be the one to uncover the secrets, and no one else... But she hid it easily, for above the pride of learning the truth, she had unfinished business with this daft lioness. Edmund had slunk closer to Circa, unsure of how he felt towards his mother, who seemed to be just as emotionally confused as he was. She wanted to come home, but why had she left in the first place? Her explanation fell short to him, he simply bit his tongue in pain. He had so much to say, but as he crept forward once again, Circa's paw stopped him dead. "Go back to camp."

"But-" His protest stopped short as Circa's icy gaze turned on him this time. "Go back to camp, and fetch Cocaine or Funeral. Now." She demanded, and Edmund quivered meekly, nodding. He gave one last look to his mother before he shot back off to the direction he came, fear clenching at his heart for what would happen to the one who birthed him... Meanwhile, Circa stepped down from the rock she had stood on, overlooking the sob story, and shook her head. tsk tsk tsk.

"That's a great speech, real emotional, but not convincing. You not only betrayed Meurtrier, your grieving children, and your friend... But also your new little pride that hid right under our noses! Well, not anymore obviously, you've done ruined the party for everyone, how does it feel?"

The last part of her sentence boomed within a range of quietness, now with the sinking feeling that Edmund's outburst could have alerted this said pride... And she was one Meurtrian alone, against a bigger mass. She prayed that Edmund would hurry, but she also hoped she had many moments to speak alone with her 'buddy', for she had a lot to say to the traitor that was once her friend. A hiss escaped her harshly as she leaned in to the plot of fur on the ground that was Brynneth,

"Meurtrier killed the bitch who killed your mate, and I comforted you when you grieved! And this is how you repay it all? Dumping your cubs onto me and joining a pride against us; and your own children? What kind of mother are you anyway?!"

She paused, then looked around the lioness shiftingly as the previous thought rose once again. "Where are they Brynn? Where did you hide?"

[Caylis]

BRYNN | CAYLIS

Brynneth's eyes widened at Circa's harsh words.. she was right.. what kind of a mother was she?

"You're right, what am I? I..I don't know what kind of a mother I am, I wasn't thinking at all..." she murmured before looking up to the female, looking into her blues. "For now, they are sheltering here, but I hear that they are to find a new place since this is not safe for... for the children," she said, going into a low voice. "Najisi had children... I think the father was Ceon of Chitor.. that's what I heard in rumors." she whispered before flicking her ears. "I don't care about them, I care about this pride no matter what anyone says or thinks. No matter what pain I grow through, I will love my children. I know what Funeral, Cocaine and possibly even yourself will do, I know not to underestimate them but I don't care what pain you put me through.. as long as I get to see my children one last time, that's fine." she said with a tired sigh, she knew what was to come, so with that, she stood up and waited for Cocaine and Funeral.. and awaited her punishment...

_____________

The Hallowess had been stalking the situation, was she needed to take this traitor down? She zoomed over to Circa and was at her side, eyeing Brynneth with a growl. "Good job, Circa. You have already proved your loyalty to Meurtrier twice the size. I'm sorry if I startled you.. do you need me for anything?" she said, unsheathing her claws at Brynneth, claws clicking with a tsk tsk edge to her voice. She wanted to help badly.. she wanted to prove her loyalty to Meurtrier.

[TheWG]

Circa Da'ei

Circa hardly flicked a look at the Hallowess, but was inwardly thankful for her appearance. "Keep a look out for the lord and commander." She said simply, turning her focus back in on Brynneth. The news of Najisi's betrayal came as no surprise to her anymore, not from previous things she had heard up to this point. As Brynneth went on with yet another speech, Circa's ears folded down. These lengthy monologues were getting annoying, quickly, and she was getting impatient. As it came to an end, she finally snapped.

"No matter WHAT you say to imply you're sorry, the damage is done! So if I were you, I'd remain quiet-" She hissed, suddenly realizing she was being a bit loud, and lowered her tone a bit, looking toward Caylis. "We need to get out of here, soon, or we'll have unwanted visitors."




[I'm opening this slightly for now, allowing for the leaders of Meurtrier and a couple La Morte members to hop in if they want to (being either members that will fetch the leaders or Najisi and Reno themselves). I just don't want this to get FLOCKED to just yet.]

[kahara]

(I'm assuming this is closer to La Morte's territory as it's in their subboard.)

RENO, SLAUGHTER, KRANKHEIT

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,450,true][bg=591818] ODYSSEIA DAKASA Table Coding © Warrah Editing - Kahara "I'm Speaking!' | I'm thinking.

(I hope that's not flocking it, but chances are Reno's going to order an attack on Circa and those of Meurtrier there -- and Brynneth.)

[Jason]

Outside of the leaders, few worse individuals could happen upon this scene. Sardon was probably the cruelest member of the pride, or at least the most actively vicious. He thrived on the pain of others, and upon catching the words as he hid in the shadows, a malicious grin caused bright ivory fangs to be exposed. He was in a position well suited for him. Stealth suited his intentions and interests well. But it was not entirely necessary in this situation. Many of the members had appeared, thus the panther hybrid of sorts grinned at the felines gathered. He slipped down with ease, lank body accustomed to such movement. "Dear Brynneth," he cooed ever so gently. "Are your desires to betray other's trust so strong you must do it twice?" He regarded the pair before him with interest, but his main interest was the female who was part of his pride. "Or are you so impulsive that you have no care for the feelings of others? You left this family, and now you disregard your new family, who took you in regardless of your faults?"

A member from neither group was also in the ash. Alfwin had taken to observing his brother, as he suspected there was something wrong with his beloved kin. As it had turned out, he had been right. Having tailed his brother such a great distance, He was surprised to learn that he had found their mother. He had no desire to talk to her, however. Given the chance, he would have attacked her. The young male was not forgiving.Unlike many, Alfwin knew it would be best if he left a trail easy to follow. Should he have gotten lost in his pursuit, he would have had no way home. As the others began to appear, his hackles rose. He was glad Circa had sent Edmund away. He did not wish to see his brother hurt. Edmund did not seem as suited for violence as many others. Alfwin greatly enjoyed it, however. He leapt from his hiding place and moved to Circa's side. His teeth were revealed, not as aggression toward his foes, but as hostility toward his mother. He brushed his shoulder against Circa. If things went badly, he at least hoped the others could follow the trail to avenge them. From his build and size, it was apparent that Alfwin took after his father's side. Only the slight variation in his mane indicated his relation to his mother.

(Alfwin is a a stalker of Edmund.)

[Reeku]

ZUNDE

[/b][/size][/center]

The large male had been sitting near Slaughter, Krankheit and a few feet away from were funeral was watching the scene. There was no need for him to roll in the soot to hide his scent he barely bathed himself as was always masked in it as he was always on duty patrolling.

Blood was boiling deep in his chest making his unsheathed claws twitch in anticipation. Why had Brynneth betrayed them? she'd seem perfectly happy whenever he had seen her. Perhaps it was all a trick. He hated disloyal lions with a cold passion.

As Reno opened his wings and took stage behind the traitor Zunde followed loosely behind the others. He tried not to think about the chances of meeting him during this little battle.

As he got closer he merely stared at Brynneth boring his eyes into her. She lied to them all and betrayed her pride and family. She should die for what she has done. Was the large males thought's until his gaze shifted to size up the other two Meurtrians who had appeared in front

[OnyxOryx]

Najisi Kain

The ess had been pacing, she had to tell Reno of the mission and that she'd be heading to Island soon to meet with her offspring. But she feared his reaction. Feared being called weak. She loved her first litter.. She hated leaving them at had to at least tell them her side. She hoped they'd not hate her..

So, here she was. Out on a sort of patrol or scout. Her cubs were growing each day and she was more comfortable leaving them in the pride's care for a few moments. Though a strange scent had caught her nose. So she had followed it. That was when she saw them. Circa of Meur and Brynn... She stayed low and had heard the whole thing.

Najisi was shocked. Hurt.. Terrified. How could Bryn? After Naji and Reno took her in. Najisi was even willing to risk her own life to ensure Bryn and her cubs made it to the new home safely. Yet here the ess was, blabbing everything. How did she even hear about Ceon? Her anger rose but fear overtook it. Did Bryn not realize what she'd done? Not only would Meur likely kill HER cubs because she was a traitor, but they would now raid Volcano and likely kill Najisi's cubs. Innocent lives would be lost because of the pathetic feline's big mouth.

She was about to step in, try to convince them it was only her.. Go back with them if needed. Anything to avoid the cubs, Reno, and the others from being discovered.. But Reno stepped in and ruined that plan. The Queen was unsure what to do.. Stand by her king, like a true queen would, or retreat back and hide her children.

Najisi decided to stand by Reno. If they could stop this invasion now.. Maybe the cubs would remain undiscovered. The camp undisturbed.. She slowly padded up to Reno, her eyes locking to Brynneth as she passed.

"How could you.."

She said quietly to the traitor as she took her place beside Reno, ready to defend her family.

[Caylis]

BRYNNETH | CAYLIS | ROSE | INFLUENCE


Brynneth growled and now raised her hackles, she was doomed.. no.. she didn't care anymore... she unsheathed her claws, eyeing both Meurtrier and La Morte with... a depressed state. She sighed, closing her eyes before sighing. "I am no use to anyone anymore.. I don't care of either of you kill me. Just... just do it.. I don't belong here anymore." she said lowly before laying down, letting at least someone kill her.. this was it... she wanted this to be over...

Caylis smirked as she saw Meurtrerian warriors come over at her side with a chuckle. "They're finished." She looked at the enemy boldly, wondering if Cassius would show up but was surprised on who she saw coming up behind her.. Rose?!

The red 'ess was serious as she unsheathed her claws, nobody messed with her birth pride! This was her chance to prove to Meurtrier on what she could do! She nodded to the Captain before she felt little squirmings in her belly.. she was pregnant but she had to do something! Blues turned to blacks, she lashed her tail.

The BloodBeast had arrived at Reno's side before gasping at the black Hallowess and snarled.. Caylis?! No way! He lashed his tail before nodding to the dominant of La Morte, he had nine lives for heaven's sake! That was because he was a pure BloodBeast and they were hard to beat! Hah! He would like to see them try!

[LAD]

Yasbi Neko

The ash covered ess heard the voices speaking, and with a flick of her ears she followed, stopping at the sites of her leaders and pride mates hiding in the shadows. Pink tongue flicked out as she too, stayed hidden, and her lips curled back In disgust with each spoken word. Brynneth was pathetic.

When Reno and Najisi stepped forward, she joined Slaughter, Zunde, and Krankheit, walking up to stand by behind Najisi - her family. She paused only briefly, head tilting to the side and thzen snarled softly in the back of her throat. These dumb Meur creatures. "I see your pride has no trust in one another to be following each other around."

She escorted softly, tail flicking side to side as she glared coldly at her enemies. Tipping her head to one side she clawed at the ground. "Oh please, let me kill her. Would love to sink my claws into that of a traitor." her voice remained soft, cold, biting. And even as a familiar scent of her own blood filled her nose she stayed focus.

Shed deal with that familiar scent later... if it was who she thought. Maybe that creature would be of help to them. Yasbi then blinked and she turned her head pressing her maw to Najis' ear and murmiring too softly for anyone else to hear. "Najisi? The cubs? Do you wish me to see to your babies?"

[/blockquote]


Sorry for any mistakes - posted from my phone.

[TheWG]

Circa Da'ei

Reno appeared from the ashes, and the lioness's fur rose, taking her icy cold gaze off of the shriveled excuse for a lioness on the ground. Soon though, more began to appear- but then again, so did more Meurtrians. With many gathering by her side, she let herself become more confident, and even smirked towards the other side. "Well well well..." She seethed, as Najisi herself came onto the scene. "The two-timing traitor, such a shame... I used to look up to you. Now you're no better than Brynneth."

Her paw lifted up as Alfwin gathered below her, and other Meurtrier members stood alongside her. Looked up to her. And that's when it hit her, she would be able to fulfill her duty today as a captain, if it came to it; she would lead them into battle. The pride made her fur stand again, but in eagerness rather than stress, if it came to the time, she would fight for her pride. Though no fur was flying yet, and a female from the other side simply made her laugh.

"Regardless, we know the truth now. And soon this pathetic excuse for a band of traitors will get whats coming to them..."

[kahara]

RENO DONOVAN, SLAUGHTER, KRANKHEIT {LA MORTE}

[/i] was on the line. Reno's leadership, his respect, the cubs, his pride. He had waited years for a moment like this. And he knew that the day would come, this day, where they would have no other option.

Reno lifted his head.

Eyes narrowed on Circa.

This was it.

"La Morte," There was a brief pause in his voice. "ATTACK!" The snarl was ripped from his throat and he immediately lunged himself with a roar at Circa and Brynneth. His claws unsheathed, teeth revealed in the snarl. He put trust into his pride, into Najisi. They would protect the cubs, protect the pride. And the pride would in return protect each other. Nothing meant more in that moment. They had to drive Meurtrier from their home; or risk extinction.

At the roar of their leader, Slaughter hesitated no further and immediately barreled toward Rose with a snarl. It had been years since Slaughter could properly fight, alongside his old pride. And now he had a chance to reveal his true talents. He aimed at Rose's shoulders, eager to draw blood.

Krankheit was the same, but he held back beside Yasbi and Najisi. He would assist them with whatever they needed. Defending the cubs, perhaps. [/ul]


ODYSSEIA {MEURTRIER}

[/blockquote]