Thicket of Secrets Wrath of a God

It would have been a lie to say that Iopah had not meant her presence as intimidation. Her ready stance was an offer of what she would meet him with. Iopah understood this silent show of force. She was a band wolf, raised on a mountain that forced it's packs into fierce competition with each other over prey and land. Every confrontation was a potential fight. In an effort to prevent such an outcome ever able-bodied member would appear in a show of force. Often the smaller pack would concede, avoiding any bloodshed. When Iopah and Kele grew old enough they too joined the ranks... thankfully never coming up against Kele's birth pack again. She smelt rather than saw the black wolf take up Nina's other side, drawing up Hollow's name from their previous encounter. Not having seen him since she knew nothing of his relationship with Nina, but as he joined their ranks, the band wolf in her crowed again.

However, it was not her intention to create a fight, so she merely watched, observing his reaction to both new wolves. His irritation to her presence was tangible, but Iopah stood immune to it. Neither drawing back in concern nor pushing forward to test it's bounds. Her place was beside Nina, this mere wolf was only part of the landscape. If he minded himself, Iopah could have no objections.

But she was not leaving the musculature rippling under her winter coat at his roundabout way of asking. Where had he crawled out of that he though he had the privilege to order lone wolves on unclaimed land? Slowly she extended her right foreleg in a rudimentary 'carry-on' gesture. It had all pretense of being amiable. "Please, continue." His whole demeanor was off-putting, even without a coherent explanation as to why. It was the feeling that, despite a normal exterior and an articulate being, something was horribly wrong inside. Iopah wanted to ask this strange wolf a question. Any question really, it wasn't as if Iopah was interested in the answer. She wanted him to react, to state his goal and leave. She was sick of this coiled waiting. If he grew angry enough maybe he would melt away, revealing a demon that Iopah always believed never existed.

Out of the corner of her eye she saw Nina's lips draw back and heard her words. The slight movement from the other females tail caught her attention, focusing it on her last sentence. Nina wished her to back away. She hesitated, not having the faith that Nina clearly had in this male. She averted her gaze from Nina's, shifting it back to Loath in open distrust as she turned from the pair. Quickly she trotted away, before stopping to spin around and continue watching. It was as far as she dared go. Iopah did not trust this male, she refused to leave Nina with him. She had only just found Nina. From her vantage point 100 meters or so away, she waited.

The young male didn't like this, he didn't like it at all. The way the male spoke, the undertone in his voice. Something about him just set Hollow's hair standing up. The yearling could have had all the fear in the world lay across his shoulders and he still would not have budged an inch. His rigid stance unwavering, Hollow showed no emotion besides the steel glint in his eyes that belied his stance against this male. IF ever there was a time when actions were crucial, it was now, one wrong move and Hollow would be on top of Loath ready to tear out his throat, but for now he held, held as much as he possibly could.

A few words from Iopah before Nina spoke, she bade them both to back away. But it would not be that easy, now it was Hollow's turn show his... darker, side. "Everyone deserves a chance." were his last words, spoken directly to Loath before he backed to where Iopah was and turned his back. Into the tress Hollow moved letting the shadows take him. He would move to one side with the wind behind him, and let the scent flow between both of them before moving away again to the other side.

All the while the yearling would shift back and forth, from his direct rear to the right side of Loath, and show Nina flashes of fur, he wanted her to know he had not gone, and if this male attacked, Hollow would be sure to intervene if necessary. Hopefully Loath had caught his scent as well, Hollow wanted him to know he had not gone, but he would not circle the other side. If he was right, Loath would guess he was being watched, and judging by his demeanor he would pint it out. At which point Hollow was prepared to stop and wait. let him think you are scared.

Whether or not Loath believed it was up to him, Hollow stayed in earshot, he had to hear what this wolf would say. It was possible he was mistaken about the whole situation and this was just a mentally deranged soul. Maybe it was his defense mechanism that caused his strange demeanor and cruel words. It had been said by Hollow himself, Everyone deserves a chance, just wait and be sure he what you think he is.

VIOLENCE! had such a nasty ring to it, such a pleasant sound at the end that it made you smirk like a fucking cannibal, the word itself could turn you mad on the inside, it was such a fucking pestilence to feel that ripping pleasure of wrath, the violence unfolding to left and right, flesh opening to gut every animal of its lungs and liver, to crack bones and bathe in blood and turn every movement that was right to the direction of hell and make violence the ultimate power of control, don’t believe in right and wrong but just move to violence, simply dance to the screams of your kill and do not look back, blood pumping in your veins and every movement is filtered and slow, you see it coming and every death is your account. You move only to the sacrifice to violence, your ballet is the way you kill and the backward sword of your blade is the way you feel every aspect of the kill. Feel the veins, feel the flesh that surrounds you and feel the lust and pleasure of the violence of those who took from you, those who defied you and never loved you, never believed you never would become you never would relief your pain and they were DESTROYED

Loath had no need for violence to live through others, his feeding off the weak had yet to start, he could do much better than violence. He could be violent, he could cripple, he could drown children and he could easily bite the balls off a male if he saw it fit. He wasn’t afraid of violence he was the brother of Loathe whose level of aggression could mature into violence. It was only with him that it was controlled and tempered to a level of dominance rather than pure violence of getting whatever they wanted. Without him she was a beast of violence and she would kill who stood in her way, those that would look in her and did not see her pride. The ivory goddess was not meant to be taunted or fooled, she was too mighty and strong, she had her wits as Loath had his politics. They each had their world and their strengths, but only together would they be at their strongest. It was why he needed her.

Those other wolves backed off by the wish of Nina and Loath’s orange eyes pierced through the others in a warning. They were closing in on a beast that would put up a fight if they cornered him, even if he could not take them all he would make sure no one went unharmed when they walked out of here, his body was relaxed though but slowly his vision blurred. He blinked slowly as one of them went away and Loath took a sudden step backward as if he had burnt his paws on the ground. He shut his eyes tightly together and his body jerked slightly, so his shoulders went upward and his head down and he held still for some time as the silence of the forest crept upon them. The others wouldn’t understand what was going on and it was out of control before anyone could even ask him what happened or if he was okay. His brain had clicked off and it was no longer in the presence of these wolves.

Fire. There was fire all around him, the ground was burning rocks, the trees falling with fire and yet nothing moved around him and he could hear nothing as the images before his eyes unwounded, his eyes opened and they looked hazed, yet not confused, his breathe became heavier and heavier, almost hyper ventilating and suddenly his body shook violently as he trembled to his left snapping the heated air in frustration. He was in control of what happened, he knew it was a hallucination and he tried to maintain focus on the figures he knew was there, he looked to where he thought Nina had been and shook his head side to side, trying to clear his eyes and see her again, but she had gone in the blink of his eyes. He pursed his lips inwardly before panting and pushing every little word out of his lips. ”Out. Of. My. Way.” It was not because he meant ill intend, but he could not be near strangers while this went on and he tried to back off, but his twisted worlds had moved every object from its right position, his paws stepping on tree roots, his body crashing backward. He snarled like a wild animal and flailed his legs around him, ensuring none of the others would get too close.

”NO!” He wouldn’t want them too close, he didn’t wish for them to be close to him where they could harm him, he would try and get back up but his back paw was stuck in those roots now and the more he was stuck the wilder he struggled and the more desperate the animal became. Every God has its weakness and his was being apart from HER. Without her he could not control reality from this wrenched up world, without her he couldn’t weight out reality around him, yes he would still hallucinate but objects and people would still be where they had been before, nothing would move. He could see where he walked, he would see the path to use, and without her he was blind in this burning world and how he fucking hated it, disgusted it. He needed her and he would struggle and fight, pant and gasp for his life the more stuck he was. He didn’t like strangers and he certainly didn’t trust them. If they got near him they might be asking for paws and fangs in their face.

(This post was last modified: Jun 12, 2013, 11:44 PM by Loath.)

Responses are slow from my end cause I just gave birth to a tiny boy.

She was pleased to see that her soon to be pack mates listened to her command, backing away from the seemingly crazed loner in front of them. The man truly did seem to be contemplating something, but before he could say anything, it was as if he collapsed on the ground in madness. The Healer almost took a step forward before thinking of her actions and staying rooted in place. She had seen something like this take place before in her past when she had been treating a patient, and though she had warned a visitor not to approach, they had and under the pressure her patient had snapped. The outcome had not been well for the other wolf. She, as well as her friends around, did not need to get hurt, so hurriedly, Nina called out to them, "Hollow, Iopah, go back to the others…stay together. I’ll meet you back soon." Nodding to them both, she turned back towards the crumpled white form in front of them. His screaming words of panic just added to her order.

She knew that she could do nothing that would help the man in front of her. He was going to have to get out of this…emotional fit on his own, for there was no herbal medicine that Nina knew of that could calm this. Not even the common herb that she had used for the past two years: lavender. So with one last parting glance, she turned on her heels and ran into the forest, her golden brown fur catching in the sunlight every once in awhile. She did not wish for things to go bad for the loner back there. Even though he seemed to be crazy, she was sure there had to be some kind of soft spoke beneath all that solid rock. Nina also knew, that the presence of her family would not help him one bit. And so, she was glad that Loath had gotten some time in peace and that Hollow, Iopah, and her had not gotten shredded to pieces.

End for me! <3

It seems when you're around, my life is complete.

Iopah sat anxiously, leaning forward to see better. She may have respected Nina's wish to give the male space, but she was making no attempt to hide her rapt attention. Her concerned eyes darted to the right at Hollow's movements. She watched him approach, her ears flicking in distress at the whole situation. Nothing was said, a quest understanding of sorts between them. He continued, and when he was alongside she looked at him wordlessly, and then he had passed. Dismissively, her gaze swung back to the conversing pair, though both of her ears swiveled to listen to Hollow's receding steps.

The distance hid the subtle changes in Loath's demeanor, Iopah was unaware anything had changed. The breeze shifted, bringing Hollow back to her attention. She could tell at once that he had stayed. watching in the forest just beyond her. Lulled by the inactivity ahead and the reassurance of Hollow's presence she spared a glance behind her. In that moment something changed.

There was a sharp sound of teeth and she was on her feet at once. The sight that meet her eyes was not what she expected. Loath appeared to be arguing with himself. He tried to back away from Nina, catching a foot. Thrashing, he fell and his shout rang out. Iopah took a single step forward in uncertainty. It was fear more than Nina's order that held her back. Once she'd seen a wolf have a fit. In the Black Hills an elderly wolf had start convulsing, tensing every muscle in his decrepit body. Iopah had been nearby and saw his wide blank eyes, jaws gaped wide in a silent scream. The sound of his jaws snapping together with all his force shook her to the core. Being only a wolf she had no way to know it was a seizure, caused by failing kidneys and dehydration. The knowledge would have made no difference anyways. Nothing could be done and he died five hours later. The event had terrified the nine month old Iopah, to see a family member experience that.

Fur slicked back in fear, she watched Loath twist on the ground. Nina's shouted order hit her like a great wave and she leapt back. There was no hesitation as she slipped into the forest towards Hollow. She turned to peer out. Nina had already started to run. Buoyed by the sight of Nina safe she turned once more and plunged into the heart of the thickets. Gradually her fear would play itself out, dimmed by the sound of her companions nearby.
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Io out.

He moved in silence, a wide circle,back, and forth. Mismatched eyes gleaming from the shadows, and black fur blending and morphing with the shades in the area around him. Hollow had become one with the thicket so to speak. He was a mere shadow, the sound of the wind rustled the leaves, or was that fur? A branch snapped far away, or was it close? He watched, for Nina, and Iopah, prepared to lay down his life if he must, for the sake of a pack not yet truly born. For the lives that would come and go in the thicket. Hollow was acting as though he were already guardian, though it would be some time before such a dream was even in sight.

Loath began to shudder, and tremble, and then thrash. As if a hot iron were being pressed to him from every angle. It was terrifying for a moment to see the wild rage in his eyes. The white wolf screamed a word in agony, or was it fear? Hollow stood still and watched, until Nina's voice rang out, bidding them away. Though the yearling wished for it not to be, he had no choice but to abide by what his soon to be leader had to say. He moved along his previous track until he met Iopah's scent. Hollow began a slow run along the trail until the sound of Nina, caused him to slow down. Once she caught up they could leave the terrible male and his warped mind to his own vision.