Assistance (Sabaoth)

[Typhon]

A hulking form raced through the swamp at a terrifying speed, crashing through vines and snapping small trees as though they were twigs. The beast was apparently overcome with fury, if his raised hackles and hideously scowling face were any indication. Green eyes stared unblinkingly ahead as he continued on his rampage, ignoring the scrapes of sharp branches that tugged at his flesh. Typhon had one thing on his mind, and it was that he needed to let go of this frustration before it killed him.

You are going about this all wrong, rolled through his thoughts, unbidden and unwanted. Hold in the anger, and use it to fuel you. It is motivation, and you are wasting it. With a terrible snarl, the Emperor snapped his teeth shut on a hanging vine and yanked with all his might, taking a sickly satisfying feeling in the crack of the branch it hung from, even as the mutilated piece smacked into him. As it crashed to the swamp floor, Ty skidded to a stop and stood still, his breast heaving from the effort he had been exerting for what felt like a lifetime.

Stopping was what caused all of the emotions to rush back, and reminded Typhon of why he had begun running in the first time. Only these distractions could relieve the heaviness that weighed upon him in the wake of his parents abandoning him, and the moment they were gone, the weight returned, nearly crushing the gargantuan wolf beneath it. Sadness and pity flooded his brain, blocking out more words from his subconscious as he collapsed to the ground in a giant heap.

This was what he had been reduced to; the leader of Kairos was a lump on the ground, overwhelmed in his young age by the responsibility of holding together so much land, so many wolves. Goliath and Datura had dumped this upon him weeks ago, and still he had not managed to find a balance between the stress and anxiety it caused him. Never before had the poor creature felt these emotions, and now it was all he could do to recognize that he could not wallow forever. When he found himself succumbing to the helplessness, it sparked more anger, and so he ran in metaphorical and literal circles, leaping from one extreme to the next.

He had not eaten, hardly slept, and certainly not taken care of himself. His pelt, so similar to his mothers, was dingy and tangled, and his eyes were duller than the dirt he laid in. Typhon knew that he needed to change, to find a way to cope, and yet he could do nothing. Olympus taking on the responsibilities of the Agoge had helped, but there was so much more to leading Kairos than teaching the young. Ty worried of a revenge strike from Valyn, and of more wolves leaving as Tala had done, and perhaps most of all he worried that his lack of leadership skills would cause an uprising, and force him to leave.

What if her were challenged? In this state, any wolf could come along and end him. Typhon had no sense of his surroundings, was not in tune with his senses, and he could not do what he needed to do for himself to stay alive, let alone all of Kairos. He needed help, and soon--it would not be long before the stress won out, and he shuddered to think of what he might do. The voice in Ty's head might seem to have his well-being in mind, but it might just give up on his as easily as help.

Words || 613
Tags || Sabaoth
Notes || SOMEBODY HELP HIM

[Sabaoth]

All in all, it was not terribly difficult for Sabaoth to find Typhon when he decided to go searching for his nephew. The scent of the Emperor had lead him to the trees of the swamp, and from there it appeared to be a simple matter of following a trail of broken branches and shredded leaves. It was clear that wherever Typhon had gone, he was not in the best of moods; this, however, did not deter Sabaoth in the least. Forwards the General pressed, following both the trail of destruction and the scent of Typhon, his pale eyes glistening in the dull light of the surrounding forest.

It did not take him long to find Typhon; it was easy to spot him where he stood panting beneath the canopy, his hulking form unmistakable. It had been some time since Sabaoth had last been able to pause to speak with Typhon; from the discovery of the crazed Valyn femme and her pregnancy to her death and the birth of his young, the General had been busy. And still now he was, for the agoge was approaching, Odara was heavily pregnant, and Roka had her paws full with the seemingly unhinged pups he’d sired. But Sabaoth had known that he could not put aside speaking with his nephew any longer, and it seemed a fortunate thing that he had. Typhon was in a poor state to say the least, his eyes listless and dull, his pelt a filthy mess. For a long moment Sabaoth stood still and silent, simply observing his Emperor, taking note of what he had become.

And strangely enough, a feeling that Sabaoth vaguely recognized as pity stirred in his gut…which lead to anger. Typhon was a bright, fierce young brute, so full of life and strength. He should not have been in a state to warrant pity. Sabaoth had seen how very strong Typhon could be; this ghost of a wolf who stood before him was not the brute he knew.

”Typhon.” His voice was sharper than was proper, but Sabaoth did not care. Emperor or not, he would not stand by idly mincing his words while Typhon fell to pieces before him. ”When was the last time you’ve eaten? You’ve bathed?” The silence that surrounded his guttural questions seemed more prominent than ever, Sabaoth’s eyes narrowing into slits. ”Can you even remember? Or have you gone entirely mad?”

With a shake of his head Sabaoth stepped forward, peering more closely at his nephew. It was more than simply his appearance; it was his entire demeanor. ”You are not the Typhon I know,” he said quietly, holding the Emperor’s gaze. ”You are practically a stranger. Is this what you will allow yourself to be reduced to?” The hardness had left his voice then, but the boldness had not. A part of the brute felt guilty, for perhaps if he’d sought out Typhon’s company sooner, he would have been able to prevent the Emperor from falling so very far. But there was nothing to be done for it now aside from attempting to pull Typhon from his slump.

TAG: Typhon
WORDS: 520
NOTES: awww man I already know what Sab is gonna say in my next reply. HEARTBREAKING, IT WILL BE.

[Typhon]

As he lay there, feeling useless and defeated, Typhon felt delusional; visions of brightly colored birds and insects danced before his eyes, which flitted to and fro to follow their motion. And they spoke, loudly, in a harsh voice that sounds awfully familiar...

With a start, the emperor realized that he was not imagining the voice, and he twitched his head to the side, looking at his uncle for the first time in weeks. In fact, he had not seen Sabaoth since... since...

Well, since Goliath and Datura had left him. Left all of them.

With an effort, the young male lifted himself slowly from the ground, turning to fully face the angry facade that was his dearest family member. Sabaoth had been a bright beacon in his life, always understanding and willing to help, but now... he was simply angry. The insolent words he spoke should have hurt more, but it appeared that Typhon was immune to them for now. Everything his uncle was saying had gone through Ty's head already, and so it was not new information. Hearing it from his beloved uncle, however, did not leave him entirely unaffected. By the time Sabaoth had finished speaking, there was a buildup of feeling beneath the surface of the emperor, and it wasn't until it broke free that he realized it to be fury.

With a snarl reminiscent of a lion's roar, the huge wolf bunched his legs and sailed through the air at his uncle, gaping jaws aimed directly at Saba. It was foolish, the dumbest thing he could have done, but Typhon didn't care. He was full of pent-up energy even after his destructive rampage, and hearing Sabaoth call him as pathetic as he felt was, apparently, a last straw. With a hefty smack he made contact, his teeth slicing easily into the side of Sabaoth's face before he sprung backwards again, chest heaving once more to let out the adrenaline he had built up.

"Shut up," he seethed, his voice starting quiet and escalating in volume as he continued to speak. "Just shut up! I've been left here with everything to do and no idea of how to do it! My parents barely bothered to say goodbye to me before they dumped the fate of Kairos in my lap! WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO, UNCLE?" His last few words were screamed in Sabaoth's direction, spit flying from his mouth as he stared angrily at his uncle, his face a twisted and furious mess.

"I can't do this," he said immediately after, his expression shifting gradually to one more similar to the apathetic one from when he lay on the ground. "Saba, I can't. I can't be Goliath. I've never been like him, and I've got no instincts to lead. I can't even get past his leaving, how am I suppose to lead a pack?" Tears rolled down from his emerald eyes as he spoke, but Typhon didn't care; he truly felt broken, unable to move on from his loss, and if anyone would be allowed to see him at his worst, it was Sabaoth. "Help me. Please. Uncle..."

Words || 550
Tags || Sabaoth
Notes || What is WRONG WITH ME

[Sabaoth]

Sabaoth could clearly see the rage building behind Typhon’s flickering emerald gaze. It was something he knew well, for Sabaoth had walked side-by-side with the torturous, helpless fury for all of his life – and likewise he knew what Typhon would do next. Still, when at last Typhon leapt for him with an echoing roar, Sabaoth did not budge. Even when he felt the sting of teeth against his face, when the scent of coppery blood filled the air, he was still. Only his eyes followed Typhon as the Emperor backed away a fraction, roaring his frustrations to the world. And on he went, until it seemed he’d burned out, practically deflating before Sabaoth as sobs slipped from his throat.

”Typhon.” Once more the youth’s name fell from his maw, but there was no scorn now, no judgment. It was said to draw his attention, to pull the youth from the grief he was steadily slipping back in to. ”I have known loss. Nearly my entire family was slaughtered before my eyes long ago, when Ina’mos did not belong to Kairos. My brothers and I survived through the grace of our mother, who tossed us into the ocean at the expense of her own life. And when I washed ashore, I’d thought my brothers were dead, too. I wandered for months, maddened, wreaking havoc and destroying everything in my path. And yet none if it helped. It only left me more angry and confused than I’d ever been, until my usless, reckless rage landed me face to face with a cougar.” Here he paused, tilting his head a fraction to bring attention to his scarred visage. As he moved, blood dripped from the wound upon his cheek, splattering upon the leaves beneath him. Sabaoth did not notice; he was enraptured by his story, for it was not one that he commonly told. ”And still I thirsted for blood, for revenge, for anything to sate the horrible loneliness within me. And then I discovered that the pack who murdered my family was long gone, my brothers alive, and I had reached the lowest point in my existence.”

He trailed off, shaking his head slowly as he looked at Typhon. ”You are right. You are not Goliath. But that is not a bad thing. You shape your own fate, Typhon. And you do not have to be your father to be great. Kairos is still grand…but under your rule, it can be magnificent.” While the brute was not accustomed to complimenting others, there was nothing but sincerity in his tone. ”You wish to know what you are supposed to do? You are supposed to hurt. You are allowed to feel pain. But you are not supposed to crumble beneath it. You rise from the ashes of your grief stronger than you were before, wiser, better. You stand up and lead the wolves of Kairos as only you can do, because it is you they look to for guidance now. And you heal. You move past this. You become an Emperor that will be remembered long after you have passed. You do not need your father for that.”

His tone fell now, so soft that only Typhon could hear it, his eyes intense as they gazed at the other male. ”You ask me to help you, and I will. I have stood by your side through it all; I did not flee with your father as I could have, but instead decided to stay, because I know what you can become. I would give my life for you – at a moment’s notice. And through all of your hardships, I will be here, Typhon. And so will so many others. Kairos belongs to you now as a pack belongs to its Emperor, yes – but it also belongs to you as a family.”

TAG: Typhon
WORDS: 637
NOTES: FOREVER CRYING

[Typhon]

Sabaoth, true to form, had done nothing when Typhon attacked him, not even flinched. As always, his stoicism and bravery knew no bounds, and the young wolf felt the awe of his uncle rise exponentially. But it was in the background, as was everything, clouded by his own swirling despair and defeat. Nothing mattered right now but his own feelings, and those were killing him slowly from the inside out.

After his outburst, Ty stood silently, gazing at his uncle through his blurred vision, unsure of what to expect. His uncle was not the type to respond well to such behavior, and the young male knew that his lashing out had been completely reckless. But Sabaoth began to speak, spoke at length, and his words caught and held Typhon's attention fully. Long ago when he was a pup, Ty had heard part of the story involving the cougar; it had thrilled him then, as most stories had, but now it only did more to break his heart. Saba went on to explain almost the entirety of his past, the drama of it all dwarfing Typhon's own problems.

How could he be so utterly pathetic when all of his family was so strong? Datura had been the strongest wolf he knew, not a weakness to her, and after hearing Sabaoth's story, he found his uncle to be just as strong. How did these things happen? Was it the hardness of loss and pain that created strength? It had to be, or he would not be here speaking to his uncle. What threw him for a loop, however, was the string of compliments he received. It was very uncharacteristic of his uncle to speak highly of anyone; while he would not deny anyone the feeling themselves, he did not often go out of his way to make a good trait known to be obvious. But he told Typhon that he could bring Kairos back to glory, to make it great. Sabaoth believed in him, despite having no reason to think so.

Whether or not he was right did not matter; it was the conviction with which he spoke that touched Typhon's heart, that stopped the flood of tears and grief that had been flowing. Before Saba had finished talking, Typhon had lifted his frame back up, his strength slowly but surely returning with every word. His uncle promised to stay, to aid him always, and the green-eyed brute felt as though the world were turning again. "Saba...." he started, then stopped, shaking his giant head. "Uncle. Thank you for sharing your wisdom." Ty paused, unsure of how to continue; there was so much to say, and the young male was having trouble forming the words.

But he needed to say them. "Goliath has gone, but I still have a father to look toward, thanks to you," he said quietly, shifting his eyes slightly to look at his uncle's eyebrows, finding it impossible to gaze into his piercing blue eyes right then. "I'm... sorry. Sorry that I haven't been able to handle what life has thrown at me. Your words... make sense. And your vow to stay has meant more than I can say. I will do my best to keep myself on my feet, but... I can't promise that I won't take advantage of your willingness to help." He smiled a little then, laughing awkwardly as he again shook his head. "I've really done Kairos a disservice by allowing my grief to control me. I hope I can fix it."

Words || 611
Tags || Sabaoth
Notes || This is horrible

[Sabaoth]

As Sabaoth spoke, it was as if he could physically see the fire returning to his nephew, life seeming to flood the male once more as his shoulders straightened, his eyes no longer damp. Though Sabaoth did not say so, it was a reassuring sight. It had been worrying, to say the least, to his nephew utterly defeated and lost, and though Sabaoth understood why, it was not something the brute ever wanted to see again. It would have been useless to deny the fact that Typhon had earned a place in Sabaoth’s heart, shriveled and small though the organ was, and Sabaoth found his shoulders relaxing from relief as Typhon began to speak.

”You have always been like a son to me,” he said, his voice quiet as his gaze dropped towards the earth. He was uncomfortable with displays of affection, but he understood when they were necessary and this one certainly was. ”Even before I truly became a father, you showed me what it meant to care for another as if they were one of your own. And you do not need to apologize for how you have reacted, Typhon. You are young, and the responsibility placed upon your shoulders is huge. That, coupled with grief, would have been too much for almost any wolf to handle. But you are strong. And already you are working to overcome it.” For the first time, Sabaoth’s lips twitched, a suggestion of an almost-smile.

”I will be here if you ever need to come to me for anything at all,” he said. ”No matter how trivial you may think it is. I apologize that it has taken me so long to find you. If I’d known you’d been so grief-stricken…” he trailed off sheepishly, shaking his head. Truly he felt guilty for his brief absence, though it had never been intended. Life had become unexpectedly busy, but Sabaoth had learned in his time spent within Kairos’ ranks that family trumped all – and Typhon was more than simply his nephew. ”You haven’t done Kairos a disservice. Quite the opposite, actually; the others seemed awed at how you have stepped up to take responsibility for the pack.”

At least it seemed as if the familiar light had returned to Typhon’s emerald eyes – the eyes of his grandmother, and Sabaoth’s mother, Ahri. It was always startling to glance up and meet the vivid green gaze of his nephew, but Sabaoth did so now. ”My children…they will be leaving for the Agoge soon. I imagine you’ll meet them there,” he said with a wry twist of his lips. ”They’re all extraordinarily driven, and passionate. Even Liadan, the sole female.” There was no judgment in his tone as he said this, but inside pride; it was clear that he cared deeply for his children, and though Sabaoth inwardly snarled at the terminology, he’d been almost a doting father when they were younger. ”They’re quite the handful…but I’m sure they’ll return victorious and strong. Their mother misses them already.” And though it was unspoken, he did, too.

TAG: Typhon
WORDS: 510
NOTES: OOPS

[Typhon]

Though it was subtle, Ty did not miss the relaxation in his uncle as he spoke, nor did he think he had been wrong to say what he did. Sabaoth was father to his own blood now, which would always mean more than his connection to his nephew, but Typhon knew that Saba was and always would be there for him. After all, he already had done more to help him than any other wolf, stood by him with every moment he had to spare, and some he didn't, as now--the Agoge was starting, there was land to protect and youth to teach, and yet his uncle was standing here building Ty's broken will back up instead.

What did shock him, though, was when his uncle's eyes shifted to the ground--Typhon had never known his uncle to be unable to look at someone while he spoke, and the action caused a slightly frown to cross his features, until the twitch of a smile became obvious on Saba's lip. The reassurance he received, not only in words but in actions, caused a beautiful warmth to blossom up through the young emperor, starting in his chest and spreading all the way down to his toes as they clenched in the moist dirt, letting out some of the wonderful energy that was now returning to him. It had been a long time since he had felt it grow in a positive way, and it took all he had not to dance about like a pup, or to pounce foolishly on his uncle as he had in the past.

When Saba spoke of the pack being impressed by him, Ty snorted loudly, shaking his head again with a lopsided smile on his face. "I doubt anyone is truly in awe of me, but I appreciate you saying so," he responded, before his face turned a little more serious again. "And I doubt that my grief was prolonged through any fault but my own. I should have sought you out as soon as Goliath and Datura left, not weeks later when the fact had time to eat away at my soul. It doesn't matter how long it took us to have this conversation, uncle. What matters is that it happened."

Before he knew what he was doing, Typhon had stepped forward and pressed his shoulder against the side of his uncle that he had scraped with his teeth, brushing the fresh wound with his ear as he halfway embraced his uncle, letting out a shuddering breath that, it seemed, was the end of his emotional display. Just as quickly as he had done it, the young wolf pulled away, stepping back far enough to give Sabaoth the space he knew was needed--after all, the grizzled old brute was not one for such things, and Ty did not want to push it upon him. But he had been unable to continue without at least showing that much gratitude.

At the mention of the Agoge, Typhon felt the familiar pressure of his position upon his shoulder again, though it no longer terrified him. Olympus was helping with the monumental task, as was his uncle; there was no reason for the Agoge to be scary the second time, nor any time after that. "I'm not surprised to hear that any children of yours would head to the Agoge so soon," Typhon commented with a hearty laugh, the joy of it somehow better than it had ever been before. Recovering from such a deep low truly was a magical thing, and the young male hoped he could keep climbing until he was back to himself fully. "I do plan to ship off to Vor'asa shortly, and I will be sure to seek each of them out as soon as I can. I'm sorry I haven't taken the time to know them before now," he added, only a tinge of sadness to his deep voice. "I'll make up for being an absentee cousin, just as I will make up for buckling under the weight of Kairos. Disappointing myself again... it's not an option."

Words || 704
Tags || Sabaoth
Notes || Oh LORD

[Sabaoth]

The small display of affection offered by his nephew was surprising, to say the least, but Sabaoth did not dare step away. Instead he remained standing still as Typhon moved to embrace him, allowing something that he usually might not have in the past. But since having children and watching them grow, Sabaoth had grown more tolerant of affection from his family – and Typhon certainly qualified as that, both as his nephew and as the son he had come to be. As Typhon stepped away, Sabaoth paused for a moment, regarding him with the ghost of a smile upon his muzzle. Though he would not say it, Sabaoth was glad that he and Typhon had connected once more, for he had formed a strong bond with the Emperor, one that he was not eager to see fade. And truly he’d meant what he’d said – he would die for Typhon should it come to it, for Typhon was already proving to be a better wolf than Sabaoth. Instead of resent the fact, the General simply wished to see Typhon succeed, just as he did with his other children. That, above all else, would have allowed him to die happy.

As Typhon spoke again, Sabaoth allowed the smile to at last show throw, shaking his grizzled head slightly. ”Do not apologize to me,” he said. ”You’ll meet them soon enough, and when you do, you’ll understand why it feels as if I’ve aged six years in the last few months. I swear they must have gotten their spunk from their mother. Exhausting little things – though I suppose they’re not so little anymore.” A quiet chuckle slipped from his lips before it faded, and his gaze slid over Typhon’s form once more, one ivory brow quirking upwards. ”However, if you’re thinking of going to Vor’asa soon, you may wish to clean up a little. And actually eat something. You look like you could blow away with a strong gust of wind.” While Typhon did not truly look weak and frail, Sabaoth couldn’t help but poke fun at the brute a little, and as he moved past the Emperor he nudged Typhon’s shoulders with one of his own, encouraging him to fall into step beside him so that he could proceed. Though he was young, Sabaoth had not forgotten that Typhon was his Emperor now.

”Come. We can go down to the beach so you can both eat and bathe. A two-for-one deal.” A wide smirk stretched across his muzzle as he looked back at Typhon, shaking his head so that another droplet of blood splattered to the earth from his wound. ”I’m sure this lovely scratch you’ve given me could use some washing, as well. Now I’ll have a scar from Roka and you. I just keep getting prettier and prettier with each day.” There was nothing but amusement in his tone, for Sabaoth had never cared about the state of his face – unlike his brother Isaiah, who would have perhaps had a heart attack should he suffer even the smallest of imperfections upon his smug face.

TAG: Typhon
WORDS: 514
NOTES: here u go u falcon

[Typhon]

Upon hearing of Sabaoth's apparent trouble with his offspring, Typhon laughed heartily, the sound pleasing to his own massive ears. It had been too long since he had truly laughed, and it was the thought he had that caused it, not Saba's words themselves. "That's a shame, Uncle. I remember promising you I would teach them bad behaviors myself, but it turns out they inherited them instead," he joked, his grin as sincere as it could be upon his face. "Though I can make another promise, this one being that I'll keep them out of as much trouble as I can. Knowing their father, I'm sure there will be no end to their antics."

As attention was drawn to his current state of being, Typhon glanced down his own side, brow furrowing slightly as he noticed how slim his form had become, though it was hard to tell with the dirt and tangles that his fur was covered in. Truly he had let himself become a mess, and the longer he looked at his own imperfections, the worse they seemed. It was only when his relative nudged his shoulder that he was able to focus on his surroundings again, and the task at hand--Sabaoth wished to help him, and was casually leading the way while making it seem like he didn't much care, in true Saba fashion. The familiarity brought a smile back to Typhon's young face, and he took long steps to fall into rhythm next to his uncle.

"You're not saying you'll help me wash, are you?" Ty teased back at his uncle, dancing a bit now that there was renewed energy in his springy step. "I'm not sure we're that close, Saba, but if you know any untaken females, I wouldn't turn down the offer." Smirking, the brute nodded his head at Saba's fresh wound, small and insignificant compared to the majority of his old wounds. "I bet that scratch goes away after no time at all. Lucky for you I didn't really want to hurt you," Ty joked, pushing his Uncle with his shoulder before kicking himself into gear, tearing up damp soil as he sprang into a run.

Unlike his previous rampage, this foray through the forest at near-top speed was a joyous one, something that any wolf would see if they looked at the expression on the tawny brute's face. Sabaoth, like a magical herb, had very nearly wiped away every bit of negativity there was dwelling in Ty's brain, and with only a few words had turned his entire mind back where it belonged. Once more he felt unstoppable, confident, capable, and most of all... happy. Goliath and Datura were gone, there was no denying the fact. But Sabaoth was and would remain forever, and life moved on.

Typhon slowed his pace and finally came to a stop as his paws hit the gritty sand of the beach, his muscles somewhat tense from the run but not unpleasantly so. It would take more work to get his body back into the shape it needed to be for him to appear as impressive as he once had, but the male felt that it would happen in no time. Without checking to see if his uncle had followed, Ty trotted more slowly to the edge of the sea, moving forward until all four paws sat in the oddly calm water. Sea salt invaded his senses even as it cleansed them, and Typhon took a deep breath before slipping his entire body into the water, swimming a short distance before surfacing with a splash and heading back toward the land.

It would take more than a few dips in the sea to fully clean his coat, and the salty taste burned his already-dry tongue as he began to lick himself dry, but it felt good to groom, to do something Ty used to dismiss as unimportant. It was the routine, more than the act itself, that served his psyche. "Tell me about them, Saba. Your pups," he said after only a few moments of grooming, though he didn't bother lifting his eyes to see where his uncle had ended up.

Words || 750
Tags || Sabaoth
Notes || omg my baby.< 333

[Sabaoth]

"You're not saying you'll help me wash, are you?"

At this Sabaoth paused, sputtering as he whirled to face Typhon, his lips peeling up into a snarl as the young brute continued to speak. And before Sabaoth could even get a word in the mottled male was off, streaking through the forest with a ringing laugh that made the General growl, leaping forward to follow his nephew through the forest. And despite his reaction, Sabaoth was secretly glad to have been the butt of Typhon’s teasing jabs, for it meant that the Emperor had truly returned to his old self, seemingly having crawled out of the deep, depressing hole he’d landed himself in.

Sabaoth’s muscled ached as he bounded through the forest, dodging the thick trunks of trees as he followed in Typhon’s wake. It felt so very good to run, to simply toss his worries to the wind as his paws devoured the earth beneath him, carrying him closer and closer to the sandy shores until at last he came to a reluctant halt alongside Typhon, breathing heavily. Pale cornflower eyes slid swiftly across the horizon to ensure that they were alone, and once he’d confirmed it Sabaoth started forward, trailing Typhon down to the edge of the water.

His gaze slid to Typhon instead, watching as his nephew plunged into the depths of the ocean to cleanse himself. Satisfied, Sabaoth lowered himself to his haunches, his paws barely touching the place where the waves kissed the sand. His gaze flitted to the horizon as Typhon drug himself out of the water to sit alongside his uncle, and for a moment Sabaoth did not move, stirring only when the Emperor’s voice drew his attention, inquiring after his children.

”Taranis is the firstborn,” he informed Typhon, his shoulders rolling forwards as he spoke. ”He is…different, now. Roka tells me that she worries for him. He has always been a charming young boy, but he has grown quiet and strange. Still, I feel as if the agoge will set him straight. He is still young, and pure of heart, I think. And then there is Rhys, the second born.” He glanced towards Typhon, smiling slightly. ”He resembles his mother a bit more. He’s smart, and ambitious. He wishes to be a warrior one day. And Kegan…well. The boy is soft, and I think that he fears me, to be honest.” At this he frowned, shaking his head slightly as he glanced towards Typhon. ”It’s maddening. I wish only to teach him, to help him…but he hides behind his mother and seems to want nothing to do with sparring or improving his skills.” He gave a slightly shake of his head, willing himself to be calm as the frustration rose in him.

A moment later, however, his gaze softened, a mingled sense of pride and love showing in his eyes as he continued. ”Liadan is the only girl. She’s small…but so very fierce. She’s practically fearless. I fear she’s made me soft.” A low chuckle slipped from his tongue, his head shaking back and forth. ”I love all of them dearly. And though sometimes they frustrate me, I could not be prouder of each of them. Though I must warn you, if they return from the agoge and say that their cousin Typhon has taught them tricks to play upon their father, I will flay you.”

TAG: Typhon
WORDS: 564
NOTES: UGH THESE TWO < 3

[Typhon]

Typhon reveled in the peace he felt now, seated on the beach near his uncle, pretending nothing had happened. It had taken weeks to get to this point, weeks for him to accept that facts were facts and that he couldn't change them, even if he thought he had the energy. He could have gone after Goliath and his mother; he could have left with them as easily as he had stayed. But his parents had given him a task, a huge task, and the part of him that had integrity had kept him stationed on this very beach. As Sabaoth began to talk, Typhon lifted his emerald eyes to stare out at the glittering sea, knowing the memories bubbled beneath the surface but refusing to let them back in.

It would still be a long road, but thanks to Saba he had gotten the best new start he could have hoped for. Returning his attention fully, the young male continued to groom as his ears focused, hearing that the first two boy were well on their way to becoming functioning members of Kairos, a smile stretching his lips momentarily as he heard that Rhys already desired to be a warrior. The happiness faded slightly as Sabaoth lamented about his third boy, apparently a quiet and fearful brute, not exactly the type of wolf these lands were known for. Worry flooded the emperor as he heard the frustration in Sabaoth's voice, wondering if it truly was that bad; a doughy wolf with no desire to learn the basic skills would not last long in Kairos, and the last thing Ty wanted was for his uncle to have to lose a son to another pack. Better that, perhaps, than he die trying to fulfill a role not meant for him, but still. Perhaps he and Olympus could speak to the boy, convince him to follow the path all males did. If not, well... he would think of something.

Talk turned to the sole female of the litter, and Ty flicked his eyes up while he groomed to observe his uncle as his tone turned to melted chocolate. Clearly Liadan was a favorite--there was no shame in having a favorite child, Datura had taught him--and amusement danced behind his eyes as he multi-tasked. "She's made you softer than this sand, Uncle. That much is obvious. I would hate to see someone threaten to harm her," he said with a chuckle, genuine happiness for Sabaoth's joy obvious in his tone. Typhon was infinitely grateful that he was sharing these things, and so readily; when he was a pup, his uncle had never lied, but neither did he speak quite so much, nor so openly about his own. Then again, he hadn't had his own until now.

Taking a break from his grooming, the young male sighed softly, shaking some wet sand from his paw before he spoke. "As far as Kegan is concerned..." he started, then paused, frowning to gather his thoughts. "I will do what I can for him, as patiently as I can. Do you believe he is simply afraid of you, or does it sit deeper? I am more than willing to assign him a less warrior-like role, but he must still complete the Agoge and prove himself. Can he do that?" There was pity in his eyes, but not his tone; if Saba thought Ty felt bad for asking these important questions, he might begin to change his mind about his ability to be Emperor.

"Rhys I'm sure will be fine, as should Taranis, but I will seek them out individually and learn what I can of them while teaching what I know," he added to lighten the mood, smirking before he spoke of the female. "As for Liadan, if she is fierce as you claim, she will grace me with another scar before the Agoge is through. If you have enough children I might look as grizzled as you by the time I've been Emperor for a year." Laughing out loud, the male laid down in the sand, caring little that any grooming he had done was now undone; Ty intended to go for a longer swim in just a little while, to prepare himself to head to the Agoge.

"It sounds as though you've sired a good group of souls, Saba. I am happy for you," he said softly, a genuine smile spreading across his face as he gazed at his uncle. "And I hope that you do not stick to that promise, either. Though you should know that I intend to advise them against revealing who it is who taught them; I've no desire to have your teeth on me again." It was a joke, and yet truth; sparring with Sabaoth was a blast, but his ferocity and skill meant that hits landed much more than Typhon preferred.

The beast glanced up to the sky after he spoke, watching several seabirds float overhead as though they were weightless, blocking bits of the brilliantly blue sky from view. It was a beautiful day, warmer than it had been, and so very calm. The part of Typhon that believed such things thought it to be a sign, something to tell him that he was on the right track. "I almost feel myself again, Uncle. If I had known it would be this easy, I would have sought you out weeks ago." he said with a frown, though as he lowered his head to gaze back at Sabaoth again, the frown once more became a smile. "Something to keep in mind for the next tragedy, I suppose. Whatever will I do when you've gone, Uncle?" The words came out unintentionally, and the very thought gripped at Ty's heart with an icy hold, momentarily clouding his mind with a rush of painful emotions before he was able to suppress them. Sabaoth would never leave him, he had said as much more than once; no need to panic over something that was so unlikely.

Words || 1072
Tags || Sabaoth
Notes || omg I LOVE THEM they are perfect UGH

[Sabaoth]

Softer than the sand. Though Sabaoth aimed a half-hearted snarl in Typhon’s direction, it faded quickly to be replaced with a smile. It was true, after all; Sabaoth had never expected to become so very soft, all at the paws of his daughter. But Liadan was fierce and yet also somehow sweet, as determined to make him proud as her brothers were. Never could Sabaoth have scorned her for her gender, because she had proven from the beginning that it did not matter. She was just a lively, just as loved, even if she was small and female. And anyone who dared to underestimate her…well, Sabaoth nearly chuckled at the thought. It would be a mistake – much like it would be a colossal fault for someone to attempt to harm her, for Sabaoth would rip them limb from limb with glee.

As talk turned to his sons once more, Sabaoth dipped his head in Typhon’s direction, allowing a brief flicker of relief to show in his gaze. ”Thank you. I’ll feel much better knowing you’re looking out for them. Especially Kegan; I fear that anything I say will be lost on him, since he is frightened by me. I am not sure if it sits deeper…it is difficult for me to try to speak with him. But I think he would be relieved to be offered a position that did not require him to be a warrior, and if that’s what he wants…then I will not complain. Perhaps if you mention it to him, so that he knows he has options, he will more easily complete the agoge. I think he could do it now, if he must…but I think it wouldn’t hurt to give him more incentive. A little hope. ” He watched from the corner of his eye as Typhon laid in the sand, and a moment later the General followed suite, laying his head upon his large paws as he stared out at the waves. A breathy snort slipped from his maw as Typhon remarked on stealthily teaching the children mischief, and though Sabaoth did not reply, his cut his eyes sharply towards Typhon as a jesting warning. So much had changed over the course of the last few months, and he lay reflecting on it until once more Typhon spoke, drawing his attention.

”It’s good to see you behaving like yourself again. I was worried for a moment that I had lost to you madness,” he said, something that Sabaoth was very familiar with due to his own close call with insanity years ago. ”Never hesitate to find me if you feel that way again. I will always make time for you,” he said, his tone serious as he lifted his head to glance towards Typhon. ”And you don’t have to worry about me being gone. Not for a long while, at least. I will be here until I die, and I’m not keen to do that yet. You’ll have to put up with my snark for several more years, at the absolute least.”

At this he grinned, the smile looking savage upon his features as his scars stretched taut around his lips. ”Besides, I’m not so old yet. I’m only a few years older than you, pup,” he said, a quiet laugh sliding from his muzzle. ”But don’t tell Roka. I think she doesn’t realize how much of a cradle-robber she’d been. She’s practically an old woman, you know.”

TAG: Typhon
WORDS: 595
NOTES: WOW I'm the worst

[Typhon]

Typhon nodded along with Sabaoth's words about his smallest son, mulling them over in his head. Traditionally, Kairos males took on tougher, more active roles as warriors, generals, etc... but there was plenty to do across the four territories they controlled for him to find a less brutal job for Kegan. There was no reason he had to become a warrior, though it would likely cause some of the other males to look down on him--particularly, Ty thought, his half-brother Olympus and likely Kegan's own siblings. As long as the pup could handle the Agoge, he would have a place in Kairos.

"I will do what I can for him, Uncle. As long as he can overcome some of the mental barriers and harsh words, I'm sure he'll do fine after the Agoge," he said after a beat, smiling softly. "I will reserve my judgement for when I finally meet him, but if he has any bit of you in him, I have no reason to worry, and neither do you." Though he was not quite positive that he spoke the truth, Typhon's words were meant to reassure his uncle more than they were for anything, and he hoped Saba did not hear the doubt and worry hidden beneath his words. Some wolves were not meant for the harshness of Kairos, and while it had become less rigid beneath Typhon's rule, it was still a brutal place to be, and no home for cowards.

As his companion settled in beside him, Ty wondered if he could get away with silence for a time. There was so much bliss in staying quiet, now that he had less tumultuous thoughts rolling around in his head; the soft slapping of waves on sand was the most comforting sound he could think of, and simply knowing his uncle was next to him was just as soothing. Except when Sabaoth spoke again, interrupting the calm that had smothered his worry, though it was not entirely unpleasant. At least now he was calm enough to understand the words as they were, without thinking about them.

Green eyes peered into blue again, and Typhon's face fell from a smile to a stoic expression. Madness... that was the word for it, and yet it stung. Ty did not think of himself as having gone mad, but rather simply unable to handle what had been handed so unfairly to him. As he came to terms with it, he still did not imagine it as madness, and his face slowly turned down into a frown. "Do you think I'm mad, Uncle?" he asked quietly, his eyes full of questions he would not yet ask.

Sabaoth had always been honest with him, never said things in any way that wasn't the truth, and usually as facts that were not always easy to hear. The young wolf knew that his uncle was glad to have him back, to see him improve, but the fact that he thought his nephew capable of madness was chilling. Why would he think it, if it were not the truth?

He wouldn't, crawled a voice in his ear, one that very nearly made him jump. You have always been mad, my son, have you not seen it? Why else would I speak to you, if you were not just unstable enough for me to influence? The words sliced through him, cutting more deeply than his uncle's accusation, and the young wolf fought to keep his face from displaying the pain they caused. If he was simply a madman, how could he be a leader? What future did he have, if every rock in the stream would plunge him into insanity? There was no way for him to hide it, clearly, and it would happen again if he didn't find a way to quash it now.

Sabaoth's joke went through one ear and out the other, completely ignored by the young wolf as he battled his own psyche for control. The turmoil he had escaped was roiling inside him again, and it was only a matter of time before he lost it again--wasn't it? After all, madness could not be cured.

Words || 732
Tags || Sabaoth
Notes || Bloop