Crim gave a throaty grunt. The bloody deer had been stalking him for some time now. It seemed that neither words nor actions could scare the fearless little fawn away. Crim was getting to the end of his rope; however, he would never admit the company was welcomed. Ly and Tyrn seemed to have deserted him. That Charrus brute was no where to be seen. Crim was practically alone, in a strange and new territory all by himself with only a little fawn for entertainment. Hunting was touch and go. Zyther could scarcely stand to know when and what Crim was hunting. The deer knew Crim would not survive if he did not hunt, but every time Crim went out alone, Zyther wrestled with images of packs of wolves running his mother down and killing her mercilessly. The thoughts sickened Zyther to the point of extreme discomfort when Crim left. His reasoning stood that so long as Crim was by his side, no wolves were out to play. Folly? Most defiantly.

Sighing, the blackened wolf stood atop a grassy hill that was slowly turning into rock. The salty air of the vast ocean could be scented even from his distance. “You see this, Zyther?” Crim asked in a soft tone. In all honesty, the deer had grown on him. It would just be nice for a change of companionship if only for a day. Zyther trod up beside Crim and sniffed at the air as well.

“Yes. What is that smell? It’s… different.” The deer ventured and tasted the air.

Crim smiled slightly. “That is the ocean. It’s a large body of water. So late that it is impossible to see where it ends. The water is not fresh like you might find in lakes and puddles. It is salty. I wouldn’t suggest drinking it.” Zyther looked off into the distance squinting at the faint line of blue.

“Can we go closer? I want to see this ocean.” He said and took a hesitant step forward, waiting for approval. Crim nodded and started off on a new journey. With no where to go, what qualms did he have with visiting the ocean? Several hours later, by the sun’s light, Crim and Zyther arrived. Ahead lay the ocean starting abruptly where cliff ended only to meet air. Crim was sure to caution Zyther of the dangers of adventuring too closely to the edge. It would be a shame for the little deer to make it this far only to die in a complete accident.

Suddenly, Zyther stopped with tail erect and ears alert. His brown optics were wide allowing more to be seen. “Wolf. I smell a wolf.” There was a hint of fear in his voice. Could he lay victim to this wolf’s hunger? No. Crim would never allow it. Narrowing his eyes, Crim padded ahead with Zyther in tow. Scenting the air proved this wolf to be Charrus, the lone brute they had met some time before. Needing a change of conversation, the brute continued forward easing the deer’s worry with kind, soft words.

“Charrus!” Crim called out with a cheerful bark. It was a far more pleasant greeting than what the grey and red brute had received earlier. There was a cracking in the air, a sickening crumbling sound of rock grinding against rock as the force holding the earth together parted and released. “Charrus!” Crim called our a second time, his voice filled with panic and misery knowing all too well what was happening. Darting forward, the smaller brute grasped for the grey scruff of Charrus. Catching it, Crim braced himself, claws digging deep into the rocky earth.

Pulling viciously, the red and black card marked brute attempted to rescue this wolf whom he had little emotional ties with. Unable to talk Crim yanked hard his grip loosening. The wolf peered at Charrus’ body with wide golden eyes knowing this was not going to end well. Giving it a last ditched effort, Crim yanked only to completely loose hold of Charrus’ nape. Yes. This was not going to end well at all.

"I'm sorry..."