Tremors ; [Ryker]

[Zohartze]

[attr="class","plbase"]

[attr="class","pltxt"]It was like one moment she was in Acerbus, and the next she was here.

Zohartze walked the tunnel system in the dark, almost as punishment to herself. She’d been searching for her wayward daughter one moment, pushing through Kairos territory. Ossa had practically dropped off of the face of the earth. Isaiah returned from Vor’asa briefly and hadn’t seen her.

It took her too long to decide to depart. She was enjoying her time with Datura, but her time on the island also made her feel heavy. It wasn’t that the obsessions were coming back, but more that something within her longed to see the world with a new lens.

If she was honest with herself, the search for Ossa was halfhearted. She wanted to badly to care, so badly to break down knowing that her daughter was missing. She wanted to feel tremors in her soul so hard that they ripped through her bones, shattering her like some ornate urn of motherhood. She wanted her ashes to spill on the ground, for flowers to grow so tall that her daughter would see them from miles away and know that she was loved.

Her daughter was not truly loved, deep down. That’s where the restlessness came in. She felt obligated to search, no matter how fruitless—not because she had anything to say, but because she knew that would be the normal response of a mother.

She hadn’t bonded with Ossa like she had Olympus. She wasn’t proud of Ossa the way she was proud of Othrys. Her daughter was a source of both jealousy and bitterness. She felt more for Oeta, her stillborn pup, than she did her living one.

These were the lies that she made truth in her stomach, turning words over with acid and making them real.

The truth was that Ossa was dead. So she kept walking. Always south, never north.

Zohartze’s eyes adjusted to the darkness, her pupils took over her iris like a greedy hunter. The setting was so familiar, the smell the same as the cavern she’d been raised in, the steady trickle of faraway water the only sound save for her nails clicking on the rock. Beneath her feet, the rock was cool and smooth, carved away by ancient waters that no longer flowed. Briefly, she wondered if all of that water had emptied into the Eye.

She wondered if anyone could drink from the Eye since there were two corpses in it.

The unfeeling was familiar, and Zohartze was too uninspired to push it away, but not tired enough to stop walking.

She walked slowly, almost lazily, until she came across something shocking. A black wolf was laying near the wall, and even in the darkness, gold glittered across his muzzle and paws. The Mexican femme stood silently and expressionless, staring at the sleeping male. She only knew of one wolf like this—Vorilye. The alpha of Descai, the pack which Kairos had taken land from. The pack she belonged to. She’d watched Datura’s pups while she left for the conquest, but her closest friend divulged every detail of the encounter. Zohartze considered her options, all of which included some form of escaping unnoticed.

But the male opened his eyes and looked directly at her, and she froze. His expression was broken and his eyes were despondent.

She felt her soul begin to shake.

tags: Ryker  
words: 572
muse: gettin' there
notes: :'(

[newclass=.pltxt]position: relative; z-index: 200; opacity: 0; transition: all 1.5s ease; -webkit-transition: all 1.5s ease; -moz-transition: all 1.5s ease;[/newclass][newclass=.plbase:hover .pltxt]opacity: .7;[/newclass][newclass=.pltxt::-webkit-scrollbar]width: 8px;[/newclass][newclass=.pltxt::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb]background: #464b57;[/newclass]

[Ryker]

[attr="class","plbase"]

[attr="class","pltxt"]
Days turned into weeks. Weeks turned into months. And yet the pain never truly went away, even as the male could not decipher what exactly caused the pain. The headaches came and went, along with brief glimpses of what he may have recognized in his old life. But the world was completely foreign to him now, and it seemed that it intended to stay that way. He would never be able to go back to whatever world he left. There was an emptiness deep inside the green-eyed male, and although he hoped to find solace in his travels, there was always something missing.

As the time passed, Ryker meandered further and further south through Anikira, hoping to stumble upon something that would jog his memory. It was not necessarily that he believed answers would be found there, but anything that would make the confusion go away would be a step in the right direction. Yet every night, the nightmares were the same. The black, shadowy forms were upon him, and the glow of red eyes on the night sky haunted both his days and nights. Everywhere he looked, there was fear in his heart. They were everywhere and nowhere. He could not escape them in the daylight, for they plagued his very heart with their presence. He was cursed to live the same nightmare, he feared. Soon, those months would become years, and he would still be living in the darkness.

The trek through the desert had been long and cruel to the long-coated male, nearly driving himself mad in his own persistence to continue onward. Yet eventually his journey came to an end. There was no further south that the male could travel than the rocky alcove that was Xisyn. It was here he finally allowed himself to rest.

Although there was plenty of shelter around, the male situated himself in a great cavern, careful to remain out of sight from the entrance. Not all those around him were friendly, he had learned. The confused male encountered far more scrappy fights than he cared to admit, and his coat was rife with the healing marks of battle. His food did not always go down easy, either, which was evident by the particularly nasty slash on his right thigh. But as the male finally settled down to rest, he could not help but wonder where the wolves would come from this time. Would they be all around him in the cavern? Or would he still be at that strange lake, staring into the bottomless reflection as their vibrant red eyes pierced his very soul? A tired sigh escaped the male's golden muzzle as he settled down for another restless night.

"You are nothing.... she was nothing!"

The snarls echoed in the male's ears as the small wolf with the glowing red eyes mocked him, her companions circling the Mackenzie Valley male as three of the group struck, tearing into his flesh, ripping at his ears, and slashing at his soul. Their haunting laughs echoed as the warmth of fresh blood soaked his coat, the dizzied feeling of death surrounding him once more...

It was no different than the other nights. As the male resigned himself to the fact that the brief rest was all he would be afforded, he slowly lifted his black lids, the vibrant green eyes his mother gifted him staring straight at another wolf. He had not heard her approach, nor did he move quickly to confront her, because he could see something in her in that very moment that he also saw in himself.

Pain. Loss. Confusion.

Not many were privy to the anguish that was Ryker's inner demon, but something in the eyes of the smaller wolf led the male to believe he would be no true threat to her. And so the beast rose to his feet, lazily shaking his coat to rid himself of the dust and debris that joined him from the cavern floor. It was only then that he dipped his head slightly in greeting to the stranger.

No words were spoken. No words were needed.

---

Tags: Zohartze
Notes: So this was surprisingly good.

[newclass=.pltxt]position: relative; z-index: 200; opacity: 0; transition: all 1.5s ease; -webkit-transition: all 1.5s ease; -moz-transition: all 1.5s ease;[/newclass][newclass=.plbase:hover .pltxt]opacity: .8;[/newclass][newclass=.pltxt::-webkit-scrollbar]width: 8px;[/newclass][newclass=.pltxt::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb]background: #aabfe1;[/newclass]

[Zohartze]

[attr="class","plbase"]

[attr="class","pltxt"]As the massive brute rose to his paws, Zohartze felt pangs of both safety and fear, colliding against one another like waves in the ocean. He was enormous, but her two sons bested him in size. He was atrophied in both expression and frame, and while she was certain that her twins could beat him, they were not here. Her pride turned to dust, but with it her fear blew away was well. There was a certain serenity about this creature, and she sensed no danger as he tipped his golden muzzle in greeting.

The lack of figure about him might have been alarming to others, but not to Zohartze. She lived in solitude for almost all of her life, running from others in deliberate, frantic isolation. The depths of her cognizance consumed her, the darkest demons making camp and tossing burnt memories at her conscious mind. The brain was a horrifying safe haven for monsters, slowly turning its hose into a darker version of itself.

Perhaps it took a one to know one.

She met the eyes of the beast respectfully, a mutual gesture of understood respect. But if this was Vorilye, why hadn’t he smelled Kairos on her pelt and looked at her with disgust and hatred? She sniffed the air around her, and realized immediately that she no longer wore the scent of her homeland and packmates. It was as if she were wandering as she had just a year earlier—alone and without ties.

Internally, she allowed herself to break the bonds she’d formed. For a moment, she was not of Kairos. She had no children—she let all of them go. She let Datura slip from her bonds, stripped Goliath from her soul. She broke away from Messoria, from Typhon, from Isaiah and Sabaoth, from Tala and Xena and the rest of her packmates. For a moment, she was utterly alone again. She expected to feel relieved, free and quiet as she had once been—but she didn’t.

It hurt.

It hurt like hell. It burned her like a brutal flame, like two brothers dying, like three mothers drowning, like four pups scorned, like five loves abandoned, like six lonely, terrified, orphaned, broken daughters. The thought of losing everyone, losing herself in hushed dishonesty ached so deeply that the she-wolf outwardly winced. Was this the pain the male felt that shone so brightly in his emerald eyes, glistening as if it was only for her to understand?

Perhaps it took pain to know pain.

And so she let the feeling wash over her once more. The burden of Kairos that drove her to the mainland felt like a warm embrace, whispering its acceptance like she once whispered into the ears of her pups to never, never, never forget her. She needed to return to Ina’mos. To return home. But first, she wanted to understand. To explain. To thank this stranger for doing everything and nothing, and maybe even to apologize, for if the alpha of Descai had truly lost everything that sat behind his pupils, she was truly sorry.

Cautiously, Zohartze met his gaze once more. “Are you Vorilye?” she asked softly, her voice carrying through the caves as the autumn leaves fell above their heads, silent but heavy.


tags: Ryker
words: 548
muse: good!
notes: -

[newclass=.pltxt]position: relative; z-index: 200; opacity: 0; transition: all 1.5s ease; -webkit-transition: all 1.5s ease; -moz-transition: all 1.5s ease;[/newclass][newclass=.plbase:hover .pltxt]opacity: .7;[/newclass][newclass=.pltxt::-webkit-scrollbar]width: 8px;[/newclass][newclass=.pltxt::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb]background: #464b57;[/newclass]

[Ryker]

[attr="class","plbase"]

[attr="class","pltxt"]
Whatever was going through the small female's mind, Ryker could not identify. The only thing he knew was that somehow, she could relate to his pain. There was a curiosity in her gaze, a piercing feeling when she looked at him, that unnerved him. It was as if she was torn between wallowing in whatever misfortune had befallen her and trying to figure out if he was a threat. But there was something else here... Recognition, perhaps? Had he met this wolf before, somewhere in his past? Had they once been friends, enemies, or lovers? It was days like these that the fallen male could wish for nothing more than to remember. But with the memories, there was surely pain.

The emptiness he felt for no reason was rooted in his past. He felt it when he dreamed, and he felt it even more as he had trekked the stretch of Anikira. While there might not have been a reason or a trigger that the male could identify, there was something within him that was irrevocably tied to his past, and he feared he would never truly be able to escape it. There was only pain in that life, or so he feared. Ryker wanted nothing more than to free himself of the binds of his past and push forward. If he could do that, perhaps he had a chance at happiness. But while his mind battled over whether it was better to live in the light or the dark, the male was stuck somewhere in the middle. He could not find himself unless he looked. But if he continued to look, who truly knew what he would discover?

The Ryker he was now was kind and compassionate. He held no ill will toward others, and he wanted nothing more than to find a home and be accepted. He knew nothing of the old Ryker. Perhaps he was a ruthless killer, a renegade fleeing from those who sought to kill him. Maybe that is why the red eyes had come after him. Perhaps he deserved everything, and this was the universe trying to give him a second chance. Whatever it was, he would have to find himself, or he would have to reinvent himself. Straddling the line was causing him nothing but pain, and no being could live in pain forever.

But a small voice finally broke the male from his inner epiphany as the female, who he had almost forgotten was present, finally addressed him. But her question perplexed the male.

"Who is Vorilye?" he inquired softly, no recognition in his bright green eyes.

A sudden fear flashed through the male's body. The name did not seem familiar to him, but perhaps he had imagined his name being Ryker. Was he really this Vorilye that the female was asking? The fear was evident in the male's emerald eyes as he stared wildly at the she-wolf. But it was only after several painful seconds that he calmed himself. There was no way he could not know his own name; no one had called him Vorilye or Ryker for that matter. He would not simply have conjured a name out of thin air. He hung his head in embarrassment for even having to ask the next question.

"I... I am Ryker," he mumbled slowly, an almost hopeful look as he raised his eyes back to the female, afraid of her answer, "Do you know me?"

---

Tags: Zohartze
Notes: I love Ryker.

[newclass=.pltxt]position: relative; z-index: 200; opacity: 0; transition: all 1.5s ease; -webkit-transition: all 1.5s ease; -moz-transition: all 1.5s ease;[/newclass][newclass=.plbase:hover .pltxt]opacity: .8;[/newclass][newclass=.pltxt::-webkit-scrollbar]width: 8px;[/newclass][newclass=.pltxt::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb]background: #aabfe1;[/newclass]

[Zohartze]

[attr="class","plbase"]

[attr="class","pltxt"]The brute’s reaction both surprised her and flooded her with confusion. As he had a moment of panic and then calmed down again, Zohartze kept a cool expression. From every description she’d ever heard of Vorilye, this beast was a match. Unless this is his...

I am Ryker. Do you know me?

The diminutive female physically strained to hold her teeth together, her jaw attempting to fall onto the floor despite itself. This was the errant alpha of Descai? He was the reason that Kairos marched on Acerbus? While she had never watched Descai directly, she heard all the rumors. She was there when he was an alpha, when he acted like one, during the silent times. The most recent story was that he had crossed Goliath somehow. Ryker was supposed to be a brute among brutes, but this creature seemed kind and almost... fragile. The femme’s eyes narrowed for a moment in confusion before staring back into his. Is this some kind of a joke? she thought to herself, fear creeping back into her frame. But the look in his eyes and the embarrassment across his features spoke of actual innocence that reminded her of a child.

Zohartze relaxed and spoke slowly. “I don’t know you, Ryker,” she said, sitting on her haunches and cocking her head lightly to the right. “But I do know of you.” Had he forgotten? Was he sick? The female chose her words carefully. “I am Zohartze.” She paused for a moment, wishing Datura were here if only to help give her words. Zo knew her dearest friend would never take kindly to this particular stranger, but she was certainly more eloquent and tactful.

But the silence wasn’t awkward. It shocked her that somehow she was in a natural conversation with a stranger—and not just any stranger, but the former leader of a land her emperor had newly conquered. Frankly, she was shocked to be having such a conversation at all. Just one year ago she would have turned tail and fled. Just one year ago, she had to remember how to use her own voice.

After a few moments, Zohartze sighed, though it was not a huff of distress. A small smile trickled across her lips like an icicle melting. Her curiosity burned away in a blaze, though concern licked through like tiny embers. He was so close to Acerbus here—surely he knew what had happened. Surely he hadn’t forgotten everything. “Why are you in these caves, Ryker? What brought you here?”


tags: Ryker
words: 427
muse: goodgoodgood
notes: :o

[newclass=.pltxt]position: relative; z-index: 200; opacity: 0; transition: all 1.5s ease; -webkit-transition: all 1.5s ease; -moz-transition: all 1.5s ease;[/newclass][newclass=.plbase:hover .pltxt]opacity: .7;[/newclass][newclass=.pltxt::-webkit-scrollbar]width: 8px;[/newclass][newclass=.pltxt::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb]background: #464b57;[/newclass]

[Ryker]

[attr="class","plbase"]

[attr="class","pltxt"]
If the male had been confused before, the strain on his psyche was growing by the very second. Of me? How does she know of me? he thought with a slight panic. Maybe he had not been far off from his initial assessment. Perhaps, in another life he had been a cruel wolf who was infamous to those around him. Her reaction certainly was not what the male would have expected from another encountering a danger wolf, though. If anything, she seemed shocked. There was no real fear in her eyes when he stared back at her, his green ones probing for any sign or clue to what she meant. He was not sure that the question should even be asked, but could he truly live in ignorance for his entire life?

The urge to flee was swelling with each passing second, though he was not certain why. He could easily best this wolf in combat, but there was so much latent fear that he was not certain that he could even muster a strike against the other wolf. He was nearly immobilized by the fear that somehow, what this wolf had to say was going to open the flood gates, and his old life would come pouring back in.

"How do you know of me?" the male finally asked softly, his curiosity getting the better of him. The question lingered in the air as he sighed softly, the smaller wolf's question still ringing in his gold-rimmed ears. He had finally accepted that he might be able to move on with his life, and somehow, a stranger in a cave in the middle of nowhere was going to manage to prove him wrong. "I'm here because I don't know where else I should be."

The answer was simplistic enough. Yet there was so much more behind the statement than he could really verbalize. He did not know where he belonged anymore, and he was fearful of what he might encounter if he tried to go join a pack within the continent. If this wolf's reaction was any indication, he was recognizable by name alone. Perhaps changing his name would help him to blend in? Surely his appearance was quite memorable, but Ryker could not be too focused on that. He would have to do something to make himself safe, to start over. But what could he possibly have done that was coming after him now?

---

Tags: Zohartze
Notes: BAD POST IS BAD

[newclass=.pltxt]position: relative; z-index: 200; opacity: 0; transition: all 1.5s ease; -webkit-transition: all 1.5s ease; -moz-transition: all 1.5s ease;[/newclass][newclass=.plbase:hover .pltxt]opacity: .8;[/newclass][newclass=.pltxt::-webkit-scrollbar]width: 8px;[/newclass][newclass=.pltxt::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb]background: #aabfe1;[/newclass]