TIME'S UP (OPEN)

[kahara]

EVERYBODY

Cocaine had dragged himself from the water and shook off those who came near. Whether the fighting around them stopped or not did not matter to him. He heard Atryn. His son was inside and alive still. It eased his worries, but not for long. The commander would not go home without his son. So concentrated on Najisi's words, he was shocked when the ground shook from Neo's land. Cocaine didn't need to look to Neo to know it was him. Who else would make such an introduction? The corners of Cocaine's gums twitched up in a wicked, devious grin.

"You don't have the guts, Najisi. And even if you did, if you kill Atryn, I will personally see to it that Osic, Zenith, and Carnal -- yes, Najisi, Zenith and Osic still live." His tone was like venom and he spoke without pause until the end, where he licked his lips. Perhaps Najisi could be coined as a liar, but Cocaine? While definitely manipulative, he would certainly kill Osic and Zenith if Najisi killed his son. Carnal, on the other hand. Well she was loyal. He wouldn't harm her, but Najisi had no reason to believe he wouldn't. Carnal was, after all, still Najisi's daughter. He rolled his shoulders and stepped forward. "Here's your one and only offer. You give us Atryn, and we leave. If you don't give us Atryn, we still take him by force, and we'll kill all of the young inside." Cocaine growled. He was not above cub killing cubs who were not his own or not of importance to Meurtrier. Though perhaps kill the parents and take the cubs.. that wasn't Cocaine's thing though. Completely annihilate La Morte. Now that was his thing.

Dazeon whined behind Slaughter and Yasbi. The yellow brute heaved and huffed, coughing up blood. The broken rib must have pierced something inside. Hopefully it wasn't too much. The taste of iron was far from pleasant, and being faced with the giants of Meurtrier.. well Slaughter began to count his prayers, to say the least. Which was hard to tell from outward appearances. He continued to try and growl in his defense. Dazeon crawled back in the den, and nearly jumped when Omen had climbed up the backside of the den, soaking wet from the attack. Influence and Caylis were at it now, but Omen was in the den, as was Tanzel and the others. The sisters-in-law exchanged glances, and Dazeon moved toward Jericho.

"P-please.. we.. we don't need him. Throw the cub out.." Dazeon whined. He crawled over to the soaking Omen who had flopped down int he nearby den, panting hard. Dazeon looked up at his aunt with big eyes. "Don't let the scary lions hurt my siblings.. please.. Aunt Omen.." Dazeon began to whimper. Omen looked to Tanzel, and Tanzel nodded then walked over to Jericho, her voice low.

"Is it really worth it?" She asked. Tanzel wasn't about to let her young be killed over a cub she didn't want in the first place. Was.. was this really all because of Ceon? Her first son? Was this really all linked back to him? Why.. Ceon..?

Reno and Crowther were headed for the ground, but not for long. All of the La Morte dominant male's energy went into his wings, and he reared up to bring himself higher into the sky, to avoid a nasty impact with rock and grass. Whether Crowther stayed with him was dependent on if Crowther retaliated against Reno's swipes in the air, and his attempts at nipping and biting Crowther.

Siakon's eyes grew wide. She was unaware Asera was dead.. yet. It was Fracture who had her frightened. He had leaped at her and was about to barrel into her when a nasty snap was heard. Siakon stood stone cold, blood dripped from Fracture's neck. "..Lothaire?!" She gasped. That was who helped her? Did he.. "Is he.." She leaned in. No, not yet. Fracture was still fighting for what little life he had left. Snarled bubbled with blood, gurgling as he gasped for air. His claws flailed wildly in attempt to slice Lothaire. His eyes, shoulder, chest, anything was game for Fracture; who would soon be dead in a matter of mere moments.

It gave Siakon a chance to look over and see Sinna, Camry and.. oh.. oh no. "A..Asera!!" Siakon wailed and rushed over to Camry and Sinna, looking down at her sibling with dismay. "No! Who.. who did this!?" Siakon yowled. Anguish washed over her. This was too much.. too damn much. She swore vengeance on Meurtrier. They had to pay!

Death was never easy. Two had fallen so far. Asera and Fracture. Fracture would find himself greeted by a light, warm and red, like blood, yet familiar. He would protest. Stain needed him still. Meurtrier and Odysseia needed him still. But this light, this warm light, calmed him. It told him they would be okay, and they would meet again someday. But Fracture's time had come to an end. Somehow, this calmed Fracture. He felt.. at ease, almost. He would miss his loved ones until they could be together again, but for now, he'd found his peace in war, serving a purpose he thought was right.

As for Asera, she wouldn't be alone either. A light shimmered, a light only seen by the deceased, by those gone. It turned into the transparent figure of Ceon Suldan, father to Asera. He smiled warmly at her, and reached out with a paw. "Come, my daughter. Your life was short, but there is still much to see. Be at peace, love." His tone was melody like, calming, soothing. He waited for her to join him. And together they would walk the heavens until they needed to welcome another family into eternal sleep.

[/ul][/blockquote]

[Avian]

Warning; fictional characters fighting, violence, Death

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▲ Lothaire Long and Mizuki Blaatt

The feeling of claws down his shoulders made him close his eyes in pain till it was all over and he let Fracture's body down to the ground. Ocean blues flicked from Fracture to Siakon, adrenaline still bumping through his body. "A-are you okay?" he said inbetween his breaths. It was over so fast. Blues switched to Fracture again, "Yes.. He is dead".

Meanwhile; "If that beast wants Atryn, then give it to him!" snarled Mizuki and sent the rest of the adults in the den a harsh look. She wanted this to end. For Porcelain, for Lena, for La Morte. "Are we really gonna jeopardize our own young for a meutrian cub!?".

[OnyxOryx]

Najisi Kain

Osic was alive? More anger flushed through her. No doubt she'd never see him again. No doubt they'd make him a priosner or force him to hate her. And it was all HIS fault. A grin crossed her lips as she gave in to the rage. The hate. The anger. She ignored the behemoth who had landed. He wasn't a threat. Yet.

"Jericho. Take the cub up the big tree."

She ordered. And glared cruelly at Cocaine. She wasn't giving up the cub. Atryn was her only link to saving her family. She wasn't going to just hand him over.

"You see. He is fine. But you underestimate me. After all, I betrayed my pride.. And created this group bent on killing Meurtrier, right?"

Her tone was a bit sarcastic but held a deep venom in it. She sneered and waited for that to sink in.

"You can kill us all Cocaine.. But would that REALLY make up for the loss of your cub's life? If you love him.. would you really be able to live with yourself knowing you had a chance to save his life but didn't? Because, like the rest of your pride, all you cared about was bloodlust. But hey. If you wish to explain that to the boys mother.."

She growled out. She looked to Jericho and back to cocaine. All she'd need to do is say the command. The tree was thick. Big. It should keep Jericho safe from that behemoth.

"And I WILL kill him."

She snarled and whipped her head back to Cocaine.

"If you want him back alive, we can work out a deal. AFTER you call off this raid and we arrange a proper time to make a deal."

She heard the pleas of the others. It hurt how quickly they turned on her.. How soon they lost trust in her. She wouldn't let them hurt the cubs. She would die defending them. She held firm. But deep down, she was worried.. It didn't show. But she felt unsure of herself now. With everyone so quickly ready to just hand them the cub. Did they not think? Even if they gave the cub back, did they honestly think Meur would just take their leave? Hell no! She had to make this work. B

-----------------------------

Asera Kain-Suldan

The ess could see her family, but she couldn't reach them. Why? Was.. Then a light hit her. And a voice. She whimpered and looked around. She saw a bloodbeast near her.

"Dad...?"

She whispered and moved to him. It was her real dad. Not Reno. She moved toward him and hung her head.

"I.... died.. Didn't I?"

[kahara]

(Small post, it shouldn't cause anyone else trouble.)

COCAINE, TANZEL

[/i] She asked, gestured toward the commander. Tanzel knew this was a tough situation. "They've done so much, are we any better if we do the same in return..? And even more, how can.. how can you be sure he's telling the truth? That your children, in their pride, are still alive..?" Tanzel knew the pain of losing her young. As did Najisi. But Tanzel would not stand for this. She just wanted her family safe. Neo loomed on their sights and Cocaine wasn't much smaller than Neo. It was terrifying.

At last, however, Cocaine straightened out. His frown returned, eyes narrowed. Like the good old days. He seemed a little loose to the current situation. "Like I said, Najisi. You kill Atryn, and I will kill Osic. Osic, Zenith, Carnal. You will all die eventually, and at the paws of Meurtrier. My mate will understand, and she will support me and, she will help me rid of all of you. Are you still so thick to how we work, Najisi? And to think, you were once one of us.. well, a little." He rolled his shoulders and snorted. "Last chance, Najisi. Hand Atryn over, or Neo and I will personally tear down this den and ruin everyone inside of it." Cocaine demanded. Though he did worry for Atryn. His son was the whole reason he'd gone so far. Just knowing Atryn was in the jaws of the enemy, in a tree, was terrifying enough. Though as if a tree would protect Jericho and Atryn. Neo was a beast of many sizes and capabilities. They wouldn't be safe for long, not if Cocaine gave an order.

Everyone else was quiet or growling. Omen and Tanzel didn't want this nonsense to go on any longer. They wanted to be safe...

It was as if they'd all held their breath.
Time was ticking.

---

Ceon still smiled and leaned down to nuzzle her. His spirit warm. "Yes, sweetheart, but it'll be okay. Come with me." It was clear whatever mental diseases plagued Ceon in his life did not ruin him in death.[/ul][/blockquote]

[OnyxOryx]

Najisi Kain

The ess felt lost. The others didn't understand. She wasn't being dumb. She HAD to get this to work. Or theyd all be dead anyway. She turn to Jer. What to do? That's when it hit. He think she's bluffing? Proof.

"Jericho!"

She commanded, a subtle tail flick was given after the command. If he could knock the cub out without really hurting him. Maybe it'd be the proof enough to get Coke to open his eyes.

"Last chance Coke. Retreat and settle on a meeting. Or things get ugly."


-------------------

Asera Kain-Suldan

The spirit sighed sadly. But she followed. She hoped they'd be allright. She would miss them.

"It's nice to meet you Finally..."

[kahara]

swiggity swag

Cocaine moved forward. "STOP!"

[/color] His voice boomed, shocked, lips curled up in a snarl. A moment of hesitation as he leaned down to Najisi. "Volcano. Bring Atryn. I'll bring Osic and several of my warriors--" He leaned back up and spat off to the side. "We swap there. Do not double cross me, Najisi. Or I will return here, and I will bring more than I have now -- and next time, I won't blink twice if Neo should feel the need to uproot more than trees." He snarled. As much as the commander wanted to leap in.. Atryn was at risk. He knew Najisi -- but this guy, Jericho. He may actually harm the child. Ryssor had gone through enough.

---

Ceon smiled and nuzzled her. They moved into the light, where they would talk, laugh, and wait in peace until they had their turn to welcome family home.[/ul][/blockquote]

[LAD]

Everyone

Jericho had dashed up the tree, ignoring the others. He had climbed in between the branches, even though his muscles strained terribly. However he also knew if that big brute tried to get to him, he would more than likely injure the cub as well as Jericho. Then the order was given. Jericho placed Atryn down on the branch and lowered his muzzle to him. Then paused, head tilting upwards at Cocaine's roar. His eyes narrowed at the commander and he swallowed harshly. His heart pounded within his chest but no one else here would know that Jericho nearly just had a panic attack. Unlike what everyone believed, he had just been scared for his, and Atryns' life.

Cyber growled dangerously at Corvette as the shark teeth snatched a small portion of his flesh off when he did not dodge in time. He did his best to avoid the fangs and the tail though, and lashed a clawed paw out at Corvette any where he could get while avoiding said fangs. Then he saw that beast take off. "LA MORTE! TO THE DENS!" He roared out before turning his attention on the beast before him snarling viciously at him as he swung a heavy paw at Corvette's head, hoping to land a harsh blow.

Camry lurched to his paws at the roar, then turned to Sinna and Siakon. He nuzzled Sinna and then looked towards the other sister. "This battle is not over, and we are needed. We must mourn Asera later. C'mon." He whirled around and darted past the battles towards the dens where he would burst out behind them cutting off the entrance and exit.

[/blockquote]

[OnyxOryx]

Najisi Kain

"Volcano then. I want Zenith there as well. Same goes for you. If you trick me. Or pull an ambush, I will make sure Atryn is the first cub in this war to die."

She growled. Inside she was terrified. They were leaving? Really? She didn't cave. But there was pain in her abdomen. The stress.. Was it hurting them?

"The next full moon. We meet then. If all goes well, Atryn will remain unharmed."



---------------

Asera Kain-Suldan

With one final look back at those living, she moved with her father, crossing into the land beyond. She was lucky. She was spared the grief of war that was to come.

[Dingo]

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» CROWTHER & PORCELAIN

Crowther could feel things shift as Reno reared upwards. The winged male decided to save himself for the moment, but as soon as he got balance he would be after the La Morte dominant again. The opportunity, however, would not come so easily.
Crowther released Reno, his wings flaring out as soon as the other male was out of his clutch. This slowed him down, but he still landed harshly on the ground, even on all fours. Influence's attack came next, but Crowther found that the red Bloodbeast was soon gone. "Touching," he snarled. Neo's comment was hardly acknowledged. Crowther had bigger fish to fry besides reacting to the beast's pride. Keep sights of the real enemy. But they were gone now, and very few were still left on the original battle field. Much of it had moved elsewhere, and Crowther hoped they hadn't retreated already. Within his quick glance around, he noticed that there had been fatalities. Among them.. Fracture! "No!"
As Crowther recovered, he growled, shook himself off, and took a defensive stance. Orange eyes scanned the skies for Reno as blood from his attack trickled through his fur. Influence, too. That bastard would get what he deserved, and Crowther was more than glad to give it to him. But he was nowhere to be found.
He raised his wings in preparation for flight, but his battle took yet another turn. Crowther stumbled as Sardon collided with his front legs. He fell to his elbows with a grunt, but responded by quickly collecting his limbs and rearing up onto his hind legs. With that, he attempted to crash down onto his new opponent with claws extended to snag any flesh.

As the sound of violence and hostility outside continued, Porcelain stared at Mizuki for a few moments more before fleeing to hide herself from the chaos with Shakespeare. Atryn, a Meurtrier cub? Meurtrier was closer than ever! The adults were urgently trying to protect the cubs, and Porcelain would not deny them that by getting in the way. Quivering where she huddled, she covered her head with her wings in an attempt to block out the yelling. Once again, her thoughts snapped to her father. "Make them stop!" Her cries were muffled. "Stop!! I want to go!"

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"speech" // thought

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[kahara]

YEHAW

[/i] She purred and laid down. Dazeon ran for his mother and nuzzled her softly. When Cocaine and Neo both had vanished from sight, Slaughter gasped and coughed; blood again. "Damn it." He said.

Reno stayed in the sky, looking across the mountains.. was Cocaine.. retreating? He flew past him and down to Najisi and the others. "Najisi," He nuzzled her softly. "What happened?"

Cocaine continued down the path and eventually exited to where a few were still fighting. Fracture's body.. oh, oh no. He became furious, but upon seeing Asera being mourned, felt a little less hostile. An eye for an eye, then. "MEURTRIER, we are done here. Someone help carry Fracture's body back. We've a long walk ahead." He ordered. Cocaine longed for.. Ryssor. For the throne. For Funeral and Grenade. And above all of that, for some peace and quiet.

Siakon glanced up from where she mourned. All of the voices had been blocked out.. was.. was Meurtrier leaving..?[/ul][/blockquote]

[LAD]

Everyone

Jericho's heart stopped. Or it felt like it. They were leaving. Just like that. He swallowed harshly and flicked his tail, but stayed in the tree, slumping down and holding Atryn close to him. His eyes squeezed shut, and for the second time in his life he felt. So many things, so overwhelming. Another harsh swallow. All for this little cub...

Camry froze seconds before he charged into the pathways as Cocaine exited and called Meurtrier to a halt. To a retreat. He stepped back. They had won? He flicked his ears unsurely but turned back to Sinna anyway and pressed back into her side should she allow it. "Well, never mind then." He murmured softly, eyes wide. But he looked at the sisters and sorrow filled him. "I'm sorry Sinna... I should have stayed with her..."

Cyber lurched backwards away from Corvette regardless of what the male would do when Cocaine appeared and he stared wide-eyed himself. They had won? What on earth had happened? He looked around and noted Darrium's body laying there. He shook himself awake and dashed to the bloodbeasts' side. He was breathing, but was out cold. Grasping Darrium's scruff he pulled the bloodbeast away from the entrance and began to take him towards the den after those who had exited past. It would be quite something to be heard that was for sure.

Donato growled gently at the loss before he stood. When they exited the den he tilted his head at the dead and moved toward him, grasping Fracture by the scruff and then slipping his body underneath him. He was injured, sure, but he would carry him. Donato then turned to Neo. "Shinku is outside of Arelth, unconscious." He told him, then began walking as well.

Malluce would have dodged Victor all he could, his nose crunched up in pure distaste at having ripped the tongue out. He was disgusted, and that had not been his intent at all. But when Cocaine and the others appeared from the pathway he lurched past Victor and towards them instantly, noting the retreat. Yeah, he would never admit it, but seeing the fury in the creature's eyes, he had been scared.

Yasha, Kardei and Yasbi all stared in surprise at what had just happened. Cocaine retreated. It was a victory after all. However Yasbi's attention quickly turned back to Slaughter and she ducked down to him. "We need a healer!" She called out, softly beginning to groom Slaughter clean from the blood. In all reality, all the characters posted felt as if they were in a dream.

[/blockquote]

[OnyxOryx]

Najisi Kain

Najisi began to shake once the enemy commander had left. She growled at Tanzel's narrowed eyes. She HAD to do this. Why didn't they understand. If they gave up the cub then and there.. Coke would have still killed the cubs.

"Reno..."

She murmured. She was scared and the pains in her abdomen were getting worse. She had been struck hard by the raging male, but she chose to keep that to herself. There was something she needed to take care of. She was Queen.

"La Morte.. GATHER!"

She roared out. Tanzel and the other's mistrust.. Mizuki's outburst.. and the look Tanzel gave her. They needed to be addressed now. If La Morte was to survive, they needed to TRUST each other..

[kahara]

LaMorte-ians

- MEUR HAS LEFT -

[/i] She turned away and went with Omen for the gathering. A meeting in the dens. Siakon heard the call.. oh.. oh mother. She didn't know about Asera yet. Siakon, with head down and tail dragging, walked through the pass and to the dens, where she sat on the bridge to listen. Reno leaned into Najisi, then moved away as she called. He nodded to her, and spoke softly. "Lothaire killed one of them during the fight.. and.. we lost one too."[/ul][/blockquote]

[Dingo]

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» CROWTHER & PORCELAIN

Crowther didn't have the chance to see if he had done any damage. He male turned away with a snarl and pumped his wings a few times to catch him up to the others once he heard the order for their leave. Was this retreat? Or had they completed their mission? Crowther spat on the ground and limped after, eyeing Cocaine and each of the members. They were a few short now.. Would they catch up, or was the group prepared to leave them?
He wondered what had happened through the mountain pass. Perhaps that was the densite of La Morte. He said nothing, only grunted occasionally out of pain. All would be explained, he was sure. They were leaving without complications now. Weighing the odds this time, Crowther considered himself lucky, even if he hadn't had the most satisfying of fights. He cast a final glance behind him before following after the leaving group of Meurtrians.

Things seemed to settle down now, but Porcelain still trembled and shied away around the others. She looked out only to seek Mizuki and Lothaire among the gathering pride. She was tired now, and still quite shaken up.

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"speech" // thought

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[OnyxOryx]

Najisi Kain

The ess winced as aother pain hit. Reno seemed to not notice the blood on her chest. Good. She turned to Siakon and nodded sadly. A victory, but a blow to hear they lost one. She would ask about who it was in a moment and send another to fetch the body to perform proper rights.

Her head looked back to the Suldans and Mizuki. She let her nostrils flare and motioned them to step forward. She was not about to berate them. Or bring them down or yell off with their heads or send them into exile. That was not Najisi. That was not La Morte's way.

"Tanzel. Mizuki.. What you did back there... Was out of line. I am Queen of La Morte. But Disrespect isnt the issue. Trust is."

She said. Her tone was stern but soft. She held kindness in her voice. She was not angry with them. If anything, she was hurt.

"Keeping Atryn is risky, and normally not something I'd have agreed to. But it happened. Without warning. We had no time to prepare. I need you to trust me. This pride will stand no chance if there is no trust.

I understand your concerns. I do. I have my own worries. But I need your trust. Cocaine was in rage. Add that giant into the mix and they would be unstopable. I would have /died/ to defend your cubs. Think about it. If we had given him the cub, what would have stopped him from ordering the behemoth to attack and kill us all? We can not trust that they would have just up and left with the cub all happy happy.

Hell, there was a chance they could have demanded Jericho's life as payment for the theivery. He is my brother. Just as much as he is yours. We are a Family. I promise you. I would NEVER so recklessly endanger the lives of cubs for my own gain. What I did.. how I handled it, was the only way to ensure our young were safe. When you so openly protest me, it makes my bluff all the more noticeable.. And makes me look weak. Puts us at a greater risk.. So please.. I need you guys to trust my judgement. Have Reno and I led you astray yet?"

She said quietly and calmly. She was just trying to explain the reason. Not call them out. That was why she chose to speak to them before the rest of the pride showed. They needed to band together. No doubt.

She then turned to Siakon and dipped her head. Time to address the situation of the deaths. It was never a good thing. Naji didn't enjoy killing Meurtrians about just as much as she didn't like watching pride members die. Sensless death.. Thats all this war would ever be..

"Siakon. Death is never a good thing. We will give rights to the fallen meurtian as well. Even if they took the body. They deserve that much. Now tell me. Who is the unfortunate one we lost? We will remember them as a noble warrior. We must retreive the body as well."