aftermath {open}

[Deleted]

Cold and wet Phoenix trudged on through the wet mud mixed snow. His fur plastered to his skin showed how thin he was. His ribs showed a little but not much, proving he was getting close to starvation. Head low, he took another step then another. Phoenix's whole body ached and he could his paws were heavy with exhaustion, making every step an effort. The wounds he sustained burned and flashed with pain.

Most of them were just scratches which were on his legs and face. The most serious wound was his right shoulder. It made walking that much harder and as he walked he could feel the wound opening up again.

The maned wolf tripped on a rock hiding in the snow. He stumbled, his shoulder screaming in pain. Phoenix panted, a cloud of mist appearing under his breath. He looked up at the cloud covered sky. Brown eyes blinked as raindrops fell on his face, forcing his eyes to narrow. The rain wasn't as strong as it had been earlier. Ears drooping Phoenix forced himself back up and carried on. At this point he had no idea where he was going but little did he care. Some bit of his mind forced him to continue. As if every step could take him further and further away from the tragedies in his life.

Phoenix's vision blurred, eye lids growing increasingly heavy. Suddenly an shape appeared out of no where, blurred and unfocused. Phoenix leaned against a rock on his left side and panted heavily. He blinked several times but before he could regain his vision the blurred mysterious shape was gone. Too exhausted to continue Phoenix slumped to the ground. Just then he felt at peace, just let Mother Nature take hold and do what she wished.

To put his fate into her hands instead of fighting against it. The small part of him wished to continue however, but his body was too exhausted and in pain to continue.

words: 333 // tag: @anyone
made by Stardust

[Malachi]

Lonely...solitude was his only real companion anymore. Really it's always been that way even when his family was around. Being bigger than everyone else posed an issue for he often would injure without meaning to. Rough and tumble kind of male that felt like a stone standing against the world as it past him by.


Why should he care? He didn't. Or didn't care to admit it. Steeling himself against life, he wouldn't care for anyone again. Why bother? They just die or leave. He was better off alone. Safer for all parties that way.


But the wind brought a scent to him. It was male. A curiosity sprang within the black dusted male, but a war also came about within. One part wished to leave and go about his own way, not bothered by some stranger. The other side was interested to know to whom the scent belonged to. 


Compromising with himself, he decided he would find out who it was and leave after a short time. Malachi was not one to bounce into friendships. He wasn't sure what friends really were. He saw his siblings create bonds with each other but it seemed to be something out of his reach.


Stepping towards the scent, he saw a fire colored male. A kind he has never seen before in his long year of life. He seemed much older than that, his looks couldn't deny his young form had not had the soft life. 


Upon closer inspection, Mal saw the thin form of the male and wondered if his life had been touched by tragedy as well. 


Reaching his nose out closer to see if there would be some reaction to the closer proximity of a stranger. "Sir?" A baritone vibrated from his chest out to the stranger.


@tempest
OOC: hope you don't mind my boy joining. If you don't want him here, that's fine I can take him out.

[Deleted]

Phoenix wanted nothing more than to give in and he probably would have if that nagging will deep inside wasn't there. It was like a flame that wouldn't go out, insistent and strong. This will of his, the will to live, to take another step, to breathe. It was like this will was his own organ, like a heart beating, never stopping till the mother earth willed it to stop. This will has kept Phoenix alive from hardship to the next. It kept him going after the cougar attack, after losing his whole family except Darkfire. Others probably would have given up, especially after seeing what Phoenix had seen, the nightmares he had suffered thus far. But not him. That will to live would not let him.

Or was it really will that made him keep going?

Phoenix felt himself drift off of consciousness. He felt as if the earth gave way from beneath him and he was falling into the black abyss. As he drifted he couldn't help but think about his brothers. About Darkfire who also survived the cougar attack and was with him when they found Feuer and his pack and lived with them for a while. How the two parted ways and Darkfire blaming Phoenix over Feuer's death. Then Tut. He wasn't sure if Tut was even alive. Phoenix and Darkfire didn't see his body with the rest of their siblings and his trail ended at the river. He wondered many times before and in his heart he knew his brother must be alive.

He was too unfocused to hear the approaching sounds of paw steps. But when the other wolf spoke Phoenix opened his eyes. At first the vision was blurry but gradually the form focused and a large wolf appeared in front of him. For a moment Phoenix thought he was seeing Riska, for she too had blue eyes like water. "Riska?" Phoenix croaked, blinking. After another moment he realized this wasn't Riska. The beautiful she-wolf that became his friend in the pack. Delirious, Phoenix shook his head as if to clear it. "Sorry, I thought you were someone else," he said, his throat sore and dry as if he swallowed a whole bunch of hot sand.

words: 385 // tag: Malachi
made by Stardust

[Malachi]

Looking at the injured male, Malachi started to wonder what caused this wolf to suffer. If his mother were still alive she would have found herbs to supplicated healing and ease the pain. In reality every one of his family would have jumped at the chance to help someone. They were all so kind. 

Sighing inwardly, he wondered if they would be ashamed of him with his hesitation to help those who needed it. Then he shook his head and reaffirmed that he was helping them...by staying away.

The strange male spoke and broke into Malachi's thoughts. A name...Riska...Malachi's brow furrowed. Ignorant of whom he was speaking or why. Obviously this fire colored male wasn't all together but the cloudy newcomer was still trying to piece things together.

Next came an apology for mistaken identity. "It's alright. She will return shortly I'm sure." Odd, so he thought, for the male didn't carry the smell of having a female companion but perhaps she had been gone for some time, maybe searching for help for her companion, mate, or brother.

But in the safety from making to many assumptions, he started to think of what to do next. The dazed wolf before him may not make it until this Riska returned. His parents teachings began to creep into his mind, no matter how he tried he couldn't escape them completely. The love and kindness of his parents ran in his blood no matter how much he tried to ignore it. 

Wordlessly, Malachi turned and ran off. Perhaps rude, but that wasn't his intention. Nose sniffing the air and eyes alert, the strong male searched for something small and hopefully easier to find now that winters hardship was slowly ebbing away and springs promise was almost here.

There! It seemed rabbits didn't bother teaching their young to well. A small rabbit, something he normally wouldn't bother with, was scrapping the ground probably looking for the first signs of green grass or some sort of foliage. 

He slowed and watched the creature carefully. With his size and strength and cunning, Malachi was an excellent fighter but his brother, Kaze, was the better hunter. Now was a time he felt the need to succeed in his endeavor. 

A battle between a giant and a tiny creature had it's pros and cons. His strength and size against the rabbits speed and stature was a coin flip really. 

Deciding there was no time like the present, he padded closer and launched at the long eared mammal and......missed. Cursing himself as the rabbit took flight, he ran after it. Kaze would have done it right. He thought to himself as he zagged and zigged. 

In the middle of his own lecture, the rabbit slipped and stumbled and it was just enough to slow it down for Malachi to charge and snap its neck. He didn't relish killing innocent creatures....but it had to be done for survival.

Running back to where he first found the red male and dropped it at his feet, an offering. "It is not much but in your state, if you eat to much to fast it will do more harm than good."



@tempest

[Deleted]

"It's alright. She will return shortly I'm sure." the other wolf said, his voice distant to Phoenix's large ears.

Before he knew it he was alone again. The other wolf gone as fast as he appeared. For a moment Phoenix wondered if he had just imagined it, that the grey wolf was never there in the first place. Phoenix pondered it for another moment till the scent came to his nose. It wasn't his and it was indeed male. But then why did the other wolf suddenly left. To go get help? Or did the wolf just left him to die.

Phoenix tried to move but at this point his body was too drained to even lift his head. He opened his eyes again and stared at the bush in front of him, silhouetted by the blinding daylight regardless of the grey clouds blocking out the sun.

Everything was still blurry but after a moment that bush came to focus a little bit. It was alone like Phoenix felt. He couldn't help but wonder if that bush also lost its family like he had. I must be delirious, he thought, feeling embarrassed for even thinking of it.

What felt like ages he could hear the wolf approaching. Focusing on that bush had somehow brought Phoenix further to reality, away from the unconsciousness. Although he was still dazed and hazy his hearing improved a little. Still unable to move Phoenix opened his eyes again as the wolf came to view. His black nose twitched at the fresh scent of blood and hare. The prey scent alone gave Phoenix enough energy he had left to lift his head. His eyes fell on the rabbit and his mouth watered.

The other wolf dropped the dead animal in front of him and spoke. His voice reaching Phoenix's ears a lot more clearly than before. "It is not much but in your state, if you eat to much to fast it will do more harm than good," the wolf warned.

Phoenix grunted in acknowledgment and took a bite of the small animal. There wasn't much meat on it's bones but that's to be expected after going through a harsh season like this. He held the flesh with his tongue and let the blood trickle down his throat. Chewing at the meat a little bit more Phoenix swallowed. He felt his empty stomach gurgle gratefully and took another bite. It was difficult for him not to eat it quickly, but somehow he managed it. After he was done Phoenix licked his bloody muzzle and looked up at the other wolf. "Thank you," he grunted.

words: 451 // tag: Malachi
made by Stardust

[Malachi]

Eyes the resembled the sky after a storm watched the half starved wolf inspect and eat the pitiful offering before him. But Malachi made sure to step away from the stranger in case the instinctive possessiveness over food would take hold of the red wolf as he ate. 

True, Malachi's skill and strength against the thin male would be and unequal fight in his favor. But desperation was capable of making a seemingly hopeless creature powerful in amazing ways. Starting a rumble was the last thing on his mind. He was oddly just here to help. 

Oh how his parents would be proud to see this. But that only brought him sadness. They would never know. 

Thrown back to that fateful day when they were attacked by that behemoth and the screams of his sisters filled his ears. They were so young...he was so young. But he tried so hard to fight alongside his father. Until the time came Kismet ordered his son to run and not look back. Maybe he should have kept running. But after he waited in his hiding place for a while, he went back. He could still feel his mothers fur against his face as he nuzzled her until her body turned cold. He just had to say good bye....

His thoughts were broken into by the stranger and Malachi shook his head hard. "Yes. You're welcome. Do you require anything else?" A business like tone rumbled in his chest. He would help but certainly had no intention of doing anything else. It was to painful.

@tempest

[Deleted]

"Yes. You're welcome. Do you require anything else?" The other wolf said, his tone business like and a little cold as if the wolf was trying to distance himself from Phoenix mentally.

With a little food in his stomach gave him a little energy and he was able to concentrate a little more. Body aching Phoenix grunted a little as he sat up. He pressed his weight on his elbow before looking up at the other wolf. Seeing him more clearly Phoenix could see he was rather large. He could imagine if he stood up they would be nearly the same height. Most wolves couldn't match Phoenix's height do to his breed. Maned wolves are known for their coat color but that wasn't the only reason. They were naturally tall for their long legs, which is why they are also known as longleg wolves. Well they aren't widely known in Anikira. They are considered rare.

"You went through a lot didn't you?" Phoenix asked, a little frank about it. After what Phoenix went through you would think he would prefer being alone but it wasn't. He didn't want to be alone. During the time being in Feuer's pack he realized how great it was to have companions and friends. Feuer told him once... before that night he died, that living alone is worse than death itself.

His thoughts were interrupted by a harsh booming noise. Phoenix looked up and spotted dark grey clouds coming towards them. The wind was picking up and he could smell rain nearly as thick as blood. Below the dark clouds looked like they were pouting diwn yi the eart. Phoenix looked up at the clouds for a couple moments, judging the speed from which the clouds were moving. They were moving enough for Phoenix to clearly tell they were moving in just a heartbeat.

"Looks like a storm is coming," Phoenix said, confident now he was certsin. He fought to his paws, leaning against the rock for extra leverage. "We should look for shelter."

words: 354 // tag: Malachi
made by Stardust

[Malachi]

He didn't care for how he was growing up. In another world he may have learned to play nicely and bonded with his family more. He knew he was neither of his parents favorite but he was alright with that. 


Looking at the stranger now, a glint of sadness touched his eyes as he heard his next words. This male was observant and in touch with his senses very well. Malachi always assumed others would see him as just some rude punk who didn't know what a heart was. But the maned wolf seemed to see past that. 


Curious now as to why he picked up on it so quickly. Had he gone through something similar? Sympathy, empathy, fellow feeling threatened Malachi's stony walls that he had built. He mustn't allow them to fall so easily. 


"You could say that, yes." There, an affirmative yet incredibly vague answer. The grey wolf didn't relish solitude but knew the safety of having it. A constant battle within that may very well destroy him, but he didn't really care about that. It was a protection for others that Malachi stayed out of their life.


A crashing boom from above ended yet another selfish rant on his part. He must stop doing that. Following the gaze of there maned wolf, he watched the angry sky threaten them. Great...


His gaze was brought back to the earth and saw the maned wolf somewhat stand up and lean on an obliging rock. But he was right, they must find some place safe for now. 


Crossing his invisible borders of personal space, Malachi stepped closer and offered his shoulder for the other to lean on. "The rock will only take you so far. I'll walk with you and get you out of the storm." If accepted, it would be the first physical contact he has had with anyone since the death of his family and he wasn't entirely confident about it.


@tempest

[Deleted]

"You could say that, yes," the other wolf replied. Phoenix could tell he surprised the other male a little. It wasn't just that Phoenix was observant. He has a keen nature and a keen eye.

Maybe the two are the same but to Phoenix, observant wasn't quite the right word. In some ways he has a keen mind but one that runs on instinct and his instincts were telling him this other male was distancing himself mentally from him.

When Phoenix was trying to get to his paws he didn't think on asking the other male to help him. He had assumed the other wolf would leave to find his own shelter. After all the wolf didn't seem to want contact with others. That is why when the grey colored wolf came closer it surprised him to see him offer support. "The rock will only take you so far. I'll walk with you and get you out of the storm." The wolf offered.

Still a little surprised Phoenix blinked and stared at the other wolf for a moment. He nodded and tried to lean some of his weight on the other wolf's shoulder. Pain struck through his shoulder and down his leg as he pressed down on the wound. As soon as he got to his paws he lessened the pressure and the pain subsided a little. Injured leg held up Phoenix looked back at the other male. He was right, they were quite close in height, with Phoenix about an inch taller.

"Should we go?" He prodded the wolf a little. With Phoenix weak as he was he wouldn't be able to move very fast so the other wolf would have to do the leading. Hopefully the shelter wasn't far. He wasn't quite familiar with this exact area but he did know there were caves somewhere around here.

words: 320 // tag: Malachi
made by Stardust

[Malachi]

The whole time he was wondering why he was here, why he was helping. He was asking for trouble. But he couldn't just leave him here to get soaked or even die. Another wolfs life would nit be lost because of his lack of participation. A fight was different than leaving someone behind.

"Yes. There are some not to far from here." He wasn't to sure how fast or well, the maned wolf could travel in this state and decided the closest choice would be the best. He would need rest to heal. 

A thousand voices in his head, urging him to do as his parents taught or to just leave and forget he ever saw the strange male. Light and darkness danced together in his heart as his solid form served as a crutch for the injured companion. 

He then thought do the one called Riska, what of she returned to find her...brother, mate or whatever, gone? Would she be able to follow his scent in the coming storm? Or panic that she had lost him? 

Should he ask? Probably but that would be saved for a later time as concentration was needed to not rush the red male to much in case it would cause further injury. 

How much time had gone by, he didn't know. But the storm was letting loose it's rage as the first raindrops fell to the earth. Angry booms and crashing sounds became closer together as the storm approached. 

"It's just a bit further. If you look straight ahead you can see it." That was what passed for an encouraging pep talk for the grey wolf. Short and to the point and perhaps gruff. 

The rain was growing heavier, streaking down his coat and turning the mottled colors into a jumbled mess. Almost there...

@tempest

[Deleted]

"Yes. There are some not to far from here," the other wolf said.

Phoenix nodded and instead tried to focus on walking and keeping himself steady. His body felt weary and heavy but his mind was a lot more focused than it had been before he collapsed from exhaustion and hunger. Phoenix wondered why he let himself get like this. Why didn't he stop to eat? To rest properly? But as soon as he asked himself those questions he knew the answer. He wanted to get away as far as possible. As if he could outrun the tragedy that seemed to follow him.

As they walked the dark clouds came closer and after what felt like only minutes the clouds were above them, looming angrily, ready to let loose it's rage on them. The clouds rumbled and light flashed hostilely. His ears twitched as thick raindrops splashed on them. Some of the sky water trickled down the skin in his earlobe, evading the white hairs. It tickled him and he shook his head but didn't stop to raise one of his long black legs to rub the irritation away. The more they move the sooner they would find shelter from the storm.

Phoenix was trying to ignore the raindrops when the other wolf at his side spoke. "It's just a bit further. If you look straight ahead you can see it." Phoenix narrowed his eyes to block out the rain from his eyes and looked straight ahead.

There he saw a what seemed like a cave. His muscles and blood raced with excitement and just the thought of shelter gave new energy in his exhausted bones he never thought he had. As they continued Phoenix thought that the wolf was a little gruff and that. But Phoenix didn't mind it. In fact he preferred gruff spoken and straightforward type wolves than the ones that try to talk all fancy and dance around subjects like they were walking on scorching rocks.

Once they reached to the entrance Phoenix's heart dropped at the sight of it. A dangerous looking slope. For a moment Phoenix thought they could try their look at another place but right when that thought came to his head thunder boomed so loud it felt as if the earth could split in half. The noise would have made his hackles rise if the rain and sweat wasn't pressing his coat against his skin. Phoenix glanced at the other wolf. "Guess we have no choice but to use this cave," he said.

words: 431 // tag: Malachi
made by Stardust

[Malachi]

Thick fur sticking to their bodies they must have presented an odd picture, but why would he care? His life was odd, born that way. Nothing he could do to change it and really no use fussing about it.

Flattening his ears to keep the water from dripping inside of them so freely, he continued to walk alongside the stranger slow but steady. Once they reached the cave the other male voiced his opinion on the place. True, it wasn't Malachi's first choice either but it would work for what they needed it for.

"Where do you want to be?" He asked as he scanned the cavern to be sure no threat was here. Of course he already knew none was here or else the scent would have driven him to push he other male to find another spot. But Malachi was a cautious wolf and always triple checked, just in case. Didn't his family believe they were safe on the day of the attack?

He shook his head again, he wouldn't go down that path right now. It stole into his mind so many times. Haunted his dreams. No escape, he could deal with it but he would fight to keep his sanity, what was left of it. 

Taking a deep breath to calm himself, he busied his mind with investigation. "There?" He queried as his eyes indicated a flat corner by the wall of the cavern. Looked like a good spot to let the stranger rest. 

Hmm stranger...we never even exchanged names.. He thought to himself. What do names have to do with anything really? I'd be in the same place I am not whether or not he knew my name.

Waiting for the red males approval or distaste of his possible sleeping place, Malachi just stood at the ready. Nothing much else to do.

@tempest

[Deleted]

Together now, the two wolves carefully climbed up the slope to the cave. Phoenix put all his concentration on where he put his paws and the angle he put them in. It was difficult with using just three legs instead of using all four. It was also painful. Pressing his weight and climbing, Phoenix was forced to lean more to the other wolf and thus pressing his wound harder. Why he never asked or thought of asking the other male to go the other side before they even started this was beyond him. But more than half way up the slope it was pointless to ask. Phoenix just bore the pain and kept concentrating. He knew that he needed the help. There was no way he could get up to the cave without help.

Finally when they reached the top and entered the cave Phoenix never felt so relieved to get out of the rain and turn his back on that horrible slope. "Where do you want to be?" The male wolf asked.

Normally Phoenix would have shrugged but his shoulder was in so much pain he couldn't think of doing that. "I don't know. Wherever I guess," Phoenix replied just before another boom of Thunder sounded in the heavens. Lightning flashed and for a split heartbeat the cave lit up and the two wolves' shadows appeared clear and long before the light vanished with the lightning. Phoenix winced as they went to the cave wall. He sunk his unwounded flank against the wall, pressing a lot of his weight on it and just let himself sink to the cave floor. As soon as he lied down his body just flooded with relief and he sighed gratefully. "This is perfect. Thank you," he said to the other wolf and then realized they never introduced themselves. "My name is Phoenix by the way."

words: 320 // tag: Malachi
made by Stardust

[Malachi]

As soon as the stranger settled down, Malachi walked away and shook himself free from the plastering rain drops that saturated his pelt. His ears perked at the voice of his companion, surprised for he expected him to fall asleep. Injuries made everything harder and exhausted the body easily. 

Phoenix.....He mulled the name over in his mind. "Malachi." He said simply, catching himself before saying that his family called him Mal. What family? He had no one left.

Looking at the red male, the stormy grey eyes practically glowing with unasked questions as he sat himself on the unyielding stone floor. 

"Who did this to you?" He asked before he even thought it through, odd for him. For he may be opening up a story he didn't bargain for. Why should he care? In reality, everyone got hurt, everyone died. The circle of life. 

Malachi's scars were not to be seen, they dwelt within him. What if Phoenix was unlucky enough to have both? 

Or he was over reacting. Not everyone was destroyed by tragedy. Perhaps he just experienced an accident. That was a probable explanation as well.

He knew his mother would have found herbs to help heal the wound, but it wouldn't be much use to go look for them in this weather. Perhaps when the rain slowed he could find something.


Once again he quizzed himself on why he bothered. He was asking for it. To be crushed again. He just couldn't leave a wounded wolf to the fates. For all he knew, Phoenix was an innocent male who was at the wrong place at the wrong time. No need to abandon him for that.

Finally calm enough to settle down a little, he stretched himself out onto the floor and took a deep breath as he watched the storm thrash the outside world.  

@tempest

[Deleted]

Why Phoenix was still awake? To ask him that he would probably say he was just as surprised as they were. Although Phoenix was indeed exhausted and no doubt would love to sleep, but with this storm sleep seemed out of reach. With the thunder and the echoes with it and the rain pounding down on the earth it wasn't even worth attempting to try. However, there is another reason for it besides the storm. For a while now Phoenix had been plagued with nightmares. In fact he had been having nightmares ever since the cougar attack and it had only been recently that he had nightmares of his father falling, of him falling into the black abyss.

Malachi... so that's what his name is. It's not bad of a name. Definitely not one of the names his mother gave him and some of his siblings like Darkfire or Tut. He remembered his mother telling him she named him Phoenix over a legendary fire bird. Why she named him that was due to his coat. Although most maned wolves are red, few are as hued as his and Feuer's. In fact Feuer's name meant fire also to do with his rich colored coat. His mother always thought of Phoenix as just like his father. Phoenix's ears drooped at the thought.

"Who did this to you?" Malachi asked, snapping Phoenix out of his thoughts. For a moment he blinked at the other wolf, thinking what he meant before he shifted slightly and remembered the wound on his shoulder.

It burned and Phoenix could feel blood trickling down underneath the plastered fur. Phoenix licked it a couple times and thought whether to reply or not. At the same time images of the terrible experience he had receiving this wound flashed in his mind as clear and fast as the lightning outside. Phoenix remembered fighting, he could hear through the wound howls of pain and snarls and snapping teeth of rage. He remembered being knocked down from a large bulkier wolf, the alpha of the invading pack. The large wolf bit down on his shoulder and Phoenix howled and yelped in pain. Before he knew it that pain lifted and so did the weight all at once. When he opened his eyes he saw his father push the alpha wolf over the edge of the cliff with him along with it.

Unknowingly Phoenix was growling by the memory and shook his head to get the images out. "It doesn't matter who," Phoenix replied, gruffly. His tone a little tense. "He's dead and that's all that matters." Phoenix shifted a little and felt hot and irritated by his wet coat sticking to his skin like mud. Phoenix began licking his fur and rubbing his muzzle down to dry it since he couldn't get up and shake his coat dry like he normally would.

words: 493 // tag: Malachi
made by Stardust