Mountain of Dire Stay Close, Don't Go

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Snow had finally reigned over all the area’s around the Poison Path territory. All one could see in all directions was white and it was close to impossible not to miss the bitter chill in the air when you stood high and tail, ears pricked as the harsh winter conditions would root itself into the ear canal, making it a pain just to unfreeze yourself. It didn’t bother the head guardian as much as if it would have been other wolves, for he had grown up in the mountains and was quite use to the bitter cold that covered the area. Nothing seemed to be going quite right this winter, and the heavy winter snow was just to prove it. Winter had just begun and already everything had been covered in snow…though it was something to expect considering how high up in the mountains Poison Path was in. Ash was concerned about the pack as a whole, but mainly young Bella…though he had not seen much of Datura, he was still naturally concerned.

Ever since the disappearance of Treena and the reappearance of Rhysis and Naira his border runs had been tripled…though he had forced that upon himself, he was satisfied with the daily schedule in which he had ruled out through the other wolves, most of them hunters. Though now that Ava had disappeared, Ash had doubled his already tripled patrol runs and he was slowly starting to tire himself out. Exhaustion was clear in his gaze and a dark hue seemed to ring around his eyes, making his fur seem darker than it really was. He missed both of his pack mates dearly, their disappearances rocking him to his core. His mate first…and now his partner in crime…one of the wolves he could sit around for long periods of time and be completely comfortable with. And now…both of them were gone, and the only comfort he would be able to find would be in the mountains.

Scaling the area was an easy task, for he had done so many times, before and after he had joined Poison Path. It had helped him develop the now strong muscles in his shoulders, giving him more bulk than he had originally came to Relic Lore with. When he reached the large rock that would enable him to see over the territory he stared silently…his eyes scaling the large rock. It would take time and much work…but it was worth it. They were family, though not blood. He approached quietly, rearing back on his hind legs and attaching them to the front of the rock, before using his strength to push the rest of him up. Grunting with the effort, he attached himself to the rock, ready for the painful task in front of him.

He climbed steadily and shakily. It took hours…hours that he was willing to spare for this. It also helped him take out some of his anger, the exertion and space from the confinements of his territory was much needed and he took great comfort in his short freedom that he was living in right now. It took him long until he reached the top…the sun, just starting to set as it had been high in the air for so long. He had gotten up quite early in hopes to get back to do some patrols, but he had insured the others that he would be gone for the day, and he had faith that one of them would heed his orders and take over his shifts. Hopefully Tlarx and Athena would understand.

He looked over the land, his sad green eyes searching for any movement, any sign of life would be appreciated. He just wanted his family to return home and be with him. Why did they have to leave? His head raised and he called out for them. It was a powerful thing in itself and Ash let it all out. The pain he felt for them leaving, confidently, knowing that his pack mates wouldn’t be able to hear him and hoping to the high heavens that none of them were nearby. Otherwise, he didn’t care, he just wanted them to know. He wanted Ava back…and most of all he wanted Treena back, his true though. He knew that they wouldn’t be together as much as they had wanted to. Athena and Tlarx had those rights, not them. The two of them had respected the rule though…they knew they couldn’t have pups. But now, he wouldn’t even have her by his side any longer she was gone.

In a frenzy he started barking out their names repeatedly…hoping for an answer, for both of their voices to be granted to his ears…even one of them would have been welcomed. Deep inside, he knew though, he knew there would be no answer for them. But as he perched over the large rock and franticly cast his eyes around the mountains he couldn’t help the howls of despair and longing that took over him. And soon more shouts were going through the air, along with a few curses, “Treena!!! Ava!!! Where the fuck are you!?! Why did you leave us?!” The guardian was now worse off than he was when the two had first disappeared. Letting the anger and guilt build up in him for so long had taken its toll on his sanity and he had finally had to let it out. The sadness was taking over him, and all he could do was stare into the whiteness, while no reply greeted him for the longest time as he numbly stood here, his tail and ears lifted high and his position stiff as he looked over the mountains. Happiness was something Ash was going to have a hard time regaining.

I think I've finally seen the light..in you.

It took them a while to get back towards her kingdom, but they made it under the sunshine that Mother Nature graced them with. Her fiery eyes searched around the Lake, hoping to find a glimpse of her burly Guardian, but she wasn’t in luck. However, she soon found a fresh scent trail leading up into the mountains. A glace back at Nina, she nodded towards the mountain and she began her trek up the rocky ledges. It wasn’t as hard for her to scale the mountain as it would be for Nina, so she took more time than usual, allowing Nina to take her time and to not injury herself in the process.

Hours later, the masculine voice of Ash bellowed out around them, echoing against the rocks. She was right about his unhappiness of the recent disappearances, but she didn’t imagine that it was this bad. By the sound of his voice, he was far worse than she expected. A worried look plastered on her face, she sped off faster almost forgetting about the woman behind her. However, it didn’t take her long to find the man – he had been very close anyway. The burly man was in her sights, but she waited to go to him. He needed his sister not her. A worried whine escaped her, though, announcing her arrival if he hadn’t had seen them coming.

Nina would arrive soon to go to him, and then she would go to him. The siblings needed their space and they didn’t need another intruding in on it. Especially her.

|| Ash is welcome to make an appearance in any thread. ||

She had been traveling with Athena, with what felt like days, though merrily hours of torture as she scaled up the peak of her fears. This was no place for her to be and she knew it, but her family…her own brother was in trouble. His past actions were of no concern of his, and from the concern that Athena had portrayed over him, there was obviously something very wrong…though she had quite a good idea of what it was from. She didn’t know Ash very well, but he sure didn’t seem like one to get his duties tied up in his personal life, and it seemed that this is what would have been happening.

After many continuous hours of bleeding pads and silent complaints screaming in her mind, the call of her brother rang over the area. The call rooted her to her very soul, making her almost want to burst out in sadness. His voice contained the utmost pain and anger that she had ever heard anyone possess and immediately, though Athena was much further ahead of her, she took off. It was the first time she had ran since Elettra had operated on her leg and she had healed, and how good it felt to have the wind rushing past her again. If the circumstances would have been different, she probably would have enjoyed it, but when her burly brother came into view, her heart went out to him.

The rocky terrain under her bloody paws making her highly uncomfortable as she approached him head on, not allowing him to see any fear that she had, containing emotions being something she had gratefully obtained over recent up happenings. She approached the large rock he seemed to have climbed upon and Nina was silently impressed with her brother’s strength. He had changed much since she had last seen him. Healing was what he needed, none of the mental or physical herbs she could whip up, but the simple love of a sibling, it was all she could offer him right now. When he looked down upon her, she called, “Ash, I am here for you, brother. I have heard of the recent events…” It was not a shock to her, when he quickly scaled his way down the large pedestal and sat in front of her, pouring out the tale. And his tortured green eyes…held all the pain he had been holding in and now, it was all starting to pour out of his mouth.

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

After his long song ended his head dipped down onto the corner of his shoulder, choking back the sob he was deeply holding in. The sounds of approaching paw steps caused his body to turn around instantly, his eyes meeting the amber one of his alpha. No…he didn’t need her seeing him weak, she needed him strong, for if he had any weak spots, he would be vulnerable. That is not what Athena needed…she needed him to be strong for her, that was what he was there for anyways. He was her loyal second and would stand by her side until his death. She did not approach him, and when his head turned towards her, he was pleased to smell another scent just whispering on the breeze. He was so happy to see the face that accompanied her, even if it brought back bad memories that he had no interest in remembering.

Nevertheless, the view of his sister warmed his heart and he was content in just watching her for a moment. She had become much healthier since the last time he had caught sight of her. Though it was now not as bad as he had left her. She looked much stronger now, perhaps even stronger than she was when they had first formally met. It was nice seeing another wolf though, one that he was related to. Someone who could easily give him closure, especially after everything he had already done to her that had given her scars and terrible memories. He owed her much and her kindness to him in this moment just proved it all the more.

His large muscles flexed and he instantly leapt, landing heavily next to his smaller sister. His ears were flattened on his head, his eyes downcast, as if he were ashamed of showing his weakness to her and his alpha. When her words reached his ears, all he wanted to do was embrace her and breath in her scent, but she seemed on edge enough and he didn’t want to increase the awkwardness. He swallowed before speaking to her, letting the whole story out, rambling on and on. “I didn’t mean to be weak, sister. Treena disappeared and I missed her…without her by my side…I just felt like something was missing, in my heart. Ava soon, also disappeared…Nina she was my best friend and now she is gone. I guess…I guess I just needed to let it out, so that I could protect Athena and Bella.” With those words he nodded towards his alpha, respect and affection in his green gaze. He would die for her.

I think I've finally seen the light..in you.

The moment her fiery eyes hit the broken, burly man, they began to swell with tears. She knew his pain, his heartache; she knew how much it hurt, mentally and physically. It completely drained you when the sickness got a hold of you. It ate at your soul until there was nothing left besides an empty carcass. The thought of her beloved Ash going through that pained her. He didn’t deserve this; she may have, but not him. He was the loyalist wolf she’s ever seen and she has the lucky chance to be that one friend that he was devoted to. She was unbelievably lucky and she wouldn’t give him up for the world. A true friend and a loyal Guardian. One she would never want to be hurt.

As Nina approached her faithful brother, she stood back in the shadows patiently. They needed their time together, to catch up and bond once again. His sister was perhaps the only one that could truly make him happy at this dark moment. She could try, but she wasn’t sure if she’d be able to succeed. Their exchanges graced her ears and her eyes visibly saddened with remorse. Athena was used to betrayal and abandonment, but it didn’t mean it didn’t hurt her deep inside. She tried to keep a calm face for the others, but like Ash, she has had her times of bare exposure. It felt a little better to get the grief and despair out, but it never completely disappeared. It always lingered in the back of your mind when you remember certain memories of them, places you’ve been together, or times you think you see or hear them. The mistake of thinking you hear or see them at some point is the hardest part. The false hope that comes with it breaks your already broken heart into smaller and smaller pieces. Until there’s nothing left, besides the dust left behind.

The heart aching words her broken friend murmured broke her even more. She would have never of thought the first day she met this man that she would feel this much affection and appreciation for him. Poison Path wouldn’t have been the same if he never came to her doorstep. As he turned towards her once again, the affection and appreciation for him could easily be seen on her saddened face. Her burning amber eyes met his glistening green gaze, their feelings effortlessly exchanged. She needed him more than he knew, but at the same time he needed her more than he knew.

|| Ash is welcome to make an appearance in any thread. ||

Nina hated seeing her brother like this…broken and vulnerable. It was not something siblings liked to see in one another, no matter what the circumstances, usually, it could have been a battle between who was stronger, or feed off of the others strong points. Seeing her younger brother crumble before her brought pity to her. He certainly did not deserve this. Ash had obviously devoted himself to both of the young ladies he was speaking of and they had just ended up leaving. Treena’s case seemed quite suspicious to her though, the girl hadn’t seemed like the type to just up and leave without telling anyone, especially not her own mate. Whatever had happened to her sister in law…it had certainly not been good.

As her large brother rambled on, all she could do was be there, gracing him with her presence and giving him the comfort that he needed right now. When his words stopped, she stopped to repeat the last few sentences. Protect Athena and Bella. Her head lifted slightly, not in a dominant manner, but as if she had just figured out a puzzle. Each time someone left, Ash devoted himself to another, though she was sure he had been tied to Athena since he had joined Poison Path, the other name struck out to her. Who was Bella? A female perhaps, considering the name, another wolf that could crush her brother if they ended up leaving. The way Ash was handling things…it just didn’t seem to surprise Nina. He was covering up his burning pain with utmost devotion and loyalty to Athena and this other wolf.

When her brother walked towards his alpha, the golden healer silently walked by his side, their fur brushing, their paw steps in sync as they stopped in front of Athena. She was glad the female had helped her through the mountains, though her paws were now bloodied and her heart was beating a mile a minute. The mountains were definitely not her favorite place, and she had refused to come to the mountains when she had sensed bad of her mate…he had fallen and cracked his head…he didn’t even remember her. Nina pushed the feelings away quickly though, she had more important matters to attend to, much like her broken brother. Her tail swayed, listening to what was passed between alpha and guardian.

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

His sister nor Athena said nothing and for once, Ash was glad that no more words were uttered. He was greeted by complete silence. His own green eyes were watching the one emerald one of his sister’s. They were evaluating, eating his words and obviously thinking about them. Marcus, his father, was surely wrong about her, and now he would only frown upon him. His father had lied to him and Ash had taken an eye off of an innocent soul. His own blood. He could only feel pity for what he did, but considering that Nina had gotten up the mountain with only bloody paws, proved that her leg had healed marvelously, and she was now in the best condition she could possibly be in.

After several moments of silence Ash turned to walk towards his alpha, Nina by his side in the whole process. Her face seemed to be in another place, thinking about what he said or just thinking about something completely different. He hoped she was doing well to, but at the moment she seemed as though she didn’t wish to be bothered and Ash wouldn’t be set on breaking her concentration. His head then reached forward to touch the tip of Athena’s muzzle. He knew that she wasn’t doing too well either, with the rarity of Tlarx and disappearance of Ava and Treena. The white queen didn’t take betrayal lightly and the current drama with Naira and possible threat of her hanging over their heads…both of them were much more weary. “I’m sorry, Athena. I’m here for you…all of you.” Poison Path was his family, and he would have to do whatever he could to support Athena and everyone else within the pack.

I think I've finally seen the light..in you.

athena

she nourishes the poison in her veins

As Ash and Nina turned towards her, she managed to place a smile on her face for the sake of herself and them. She needed to reassure Ash that everything will be okay, but more importantly, she had to reassure to herself that everything would be okay. With Ash’s gentle words of reassurance, her heart and mind relaxed with ease and her smile became more genuine. Reaching forwards to nuzzle the side of his face gently, her fiery eyes couldn’t help back gaze into the deep emerald eyes of her true Guardian. “Thank you, Ash. You have no idea how much you mean to me and Poison Path. I couldn’t manage this without you.” Her words were true; they were always true when she spoke to Ash. Her burning eyes flickered over to the broken face of his devoted sister, Nina, her smile still playing on her delicate features.

“I think this is a new beginning for us, don’t you think?” She inquired, her anger and resentment towards the broken lady were no diminished along with the rain. This was a new chapter for them – a new leaf for them to turn over. Perhaps, for now on, they could consider themselves allies instead of adversaries like before. Athena would like that. Enemies wore down the soul, but allies can warmed your heart and made you at peace with yourself and others. Allies did more good to your soul than enemies and she was going to make an effect to change some of her relationships that she has.

|| Ash is welcome to make an appearance in any thread. ||

The woman stood by, her strong form outlined against the slowly setting sun. She would not to start heading back soon, for the trip back was quite a few days travel and Nina would need to make sure everything within her soon to be pack would be in order, along with the friends she would soon call family. Athena's words towards her brother truly lifted her spirits. The brute had ended up changing for the better after the mishap that seemed long ago. She lifted her head slightly towards the sky once again, her time here was running out, unfortunately. It would not be the last time she would see them though, she was sure of it. Flicking her tail behind her, golden ears twitched when the amber graze of the Poisoned Queen addressed her. With her words, a small smile appeared on her now serious face, nodding her head to the woman, "Absolutely," she paused, looking towards the sky before at the alpha once again, "I will keep in touch...as much as I can. If you must, the nearest location would be within the thickets." Yes, the thickets were quite a ways away from the mountains, but if the matter was important enough, all wolves in the lore knew some way to find one another. There were so many but it was a small world.

Butting her brother and his shoulder in affection she did the same in turn to Athena before leaving the white lady and brown guardian behind, so that she too could go to her new home. The scale down the mountains was a painful one, as the slight ache in her leg had returned. Of course, the golden brown lady had never expected her leg to completely heal from whatever had happened to it, but regardless she could walk on it and that was all she needed to do. Nina also knew that this would not be the last time she would see Ash Hervok and Athena Everfall. Their future would end up being more tied together than they realized.

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

The comforting words that left Athena’s mouth eased the tension out of his muscles, his green eyes watching her as they quickly embraced, his head curling protectively around her own. Pulling away from his alpha, his ears twitched as his alpha addressed his sister, no longer part of the Hervok line, but still his family. It seemed as though the two wolves had come together and settled their differences with one another. Happy with how this event had turned out, he was sad to see that his sister had to leave them, though he knew she had a life of her own. Nodding to her as she said her farewell, he quickly sorted her words into his brain. He had known from the beginning that her way of speaking was odd…different from the way other wolves communicated with one another. While some wolves could be brief, Nina would be too brief, and while some would be descriptive, Nina would be too descriptive. It sometimes took more time to process what she was saying, as much of her phrases had double meaning behind them. This one being her offering up her services when ever they found they needed her help.

As soon as the golden brown form of his sister disappeared, he nuzzled Athena gently on the cheek before indicating towards their home, “Let us go home then, and perhaps have some family bonding time.” He then waited for his lady to start off back towards their home, her Guard shadowing her every move constantly, as if he were her own shadow. It was almost like a dance, whenever Athena moved, he would move with her. Their constant progress did not take them long to return home, and Ash happily stayed by Athena the whole time, his mossy green eyes scaling the area for any kind of anger. Athena and Ash would stick together until every last bit of poison was bled out of them.

I think I've finally seen the light..in you.