Is There Truth in the Legend? [Goliath/Open]

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White foam topped the waves as they crashed onto the beach, constantly pushing forwards and pulling back, as if the sea itself were trying to climb its way onto Ina'mos, just like the sopping wet wolf that struggled to make it onto land. She fought hard with the waves, bobbing up and down with the current, pushing forward with a determination rarely seen in the easy-going female. Shaking legs finally grappled for purchase on the sand, and she dragged herself from the watery prison that threatened to pull her back. Euryleia used the last bit of strength she could muster to pull herself up the beach, finally collapsing into a sandy heap, looking almost like a sand dune as the color of her fur blended with the sand.

It took the young wolf a moment, but eventually, she regained enough strength to lift her head and peer around at this fabled island. Apart from the sandy beach, it was very green. To her left, the trees thickened and got darker, and to her right spanned a stream, coming to meet the sea. Euryleia smiled to herself. See mother? No giants here. She sat up slowly and looked around from her spot on the beach, trying to guess the size of this island. On either side of her, it didn't seem to end. How was this place not swarming with wolves? It surely looked plentiful. Off in the distance, she could even see a deer peering back at her with almost as much curiosity as she watched it with. The long and exhausting swim here could be the sole reason for that, though. Maybe the stories she had heard as a pup were just to discourage wolves from venturing this far. Surely many have died trying to get to this place.

As her strength started to fully return, after quite a long time, the cream-colored female stood and shook the sand loose from her coat. It fell like snow, and she smiled. Even if there were no monster wolves to face, this place surely was beautiful. Nothing could convince her to go back now. She assessed her choices, and decided not to follow the swampy trees, instead wanting to follow the stream back to its source. Her small paws leaving their mark behind her, she ventured to the small stream. It didn't take her long, just a small sniff, to realize that this wasn't sea water. It was fresh. Glad for the drinkable water, Euryleia paused to drink her fill, not having realized how drained she was from the swim. Licking her lips as she finished, she padded upstream, ever curious.

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|OOC| I'm taking advantage of liquid time here - as Goliath will soon be starting the Xion/Gol fight thread, this will take place after he returns to Ina'mos.

|BIC|

The falls were thunderous, yet somehow the raucous noise brought peace to the alpha’s wild mind. His own thoughts were so unendingly rampant, yet by comparison to the waterfall’s boisterous cacophony, his mind seemed to house barely a whisper. He could lay by the falls all day simply listening to the water-beaten discord, if it meant silencing his many inner voices. Xion had been punished, so the inner demon pressing for revenge had been quenched for now – to be replaced by a thousand others, thirsty for more, craving for retribution yet to be discovered. It did not end. His body thrived for purpose, and without it, he was tormented by the very emptiness that threatened to consume him. More sinners needed to be found, to be branded by Fenrir’s wrath. Only then could he rest.

His ears perked, concentrating on the rushing voice of the cascades – and his mind was silent again. Peace, if only for a few moments. 

The smell alerted him first, before any other sense engaged with his surroundings – a faint aroma lingered in the wind’s gentle grasp, unique from Ina’mos’ unadulterated fragrance. A foreigner. His eyes opened slowly, revealing the depthless blue that hid beneath. Anger did not stir in him – the scent was undeniably female, so the urgency to rise and meet this stranger head on was not necessary. Her scent blew from the east; she was approaching, lulled by the freshwater stream that channelled from the Liandry falls. Or perhaps she was drawn to him from intuition. His power was tangible not only in his imposing presence, but in the very air he exhaled; every measly breath flowing from the source of his greatness. 

“By all means… invite yourself upon me,” he muttered darkly, the words barely audible beneath the grating chuckle that lined his throat. Whether a potential disciple or merely a new plaything, Goliath awaited the appearance of this newcomer who had so brashly, and foolishly, set foot upon this island. His island. 

He lifted himself easily onto all fours, his supple joints allowing the transfer of the enormous weight to his burly limbs, though his tendons protruded from the strain of his movements. The sight of him was breathtaking; a terror amidst the serene paradise, a demon in broad daylight. Vacant eyes sharpened with perception, staring into the opaque shade that guarded her from him. She was close; he could sense her obliviousness, but he had no intention of allowing her to walk unwittingly into him. Terrorising her would offer no reward to him; his mind was in too manic a state to harbour games.

“Offer yourself to my judgement, stranger, and you will be spared,” he spoke with a masterful combination of invitation and authority in his thundering voice, which outmatched even the waterfall for its ferocity. A moment passed, before his tone descended to a more gruesome register. “Run, and I promise your death will not be a quick one.”

TAGGED: @aly

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The faint rumbling of a waterfall ahead drove Euryleia onward, looking around her as she went. She was overcome by the beauty of this place, how there was something new over every ridge, behind every shrub. Her pace quickened, anxious to see all that she could before dark. As she followed the stream around another curve, a sound that rose above the cacophony of the falls stopped her in her tracks. Fear flooded through her body, followed by embarrassment. How had she missed the scent? Now that she knew he was here, she could definitely sense his mark around her. From the commanding tone of his voice, she could tell that she had trespassed onto his land.

Recovering from the initial shock, Euryleia pressed onward, albeit slowly this time, and with her head low. She was determined not to turn her tail and run, before his second threat. Any other time, any other place, and she may have. This was it, though. This was what she had came here for. To test whether the stories had been true. As she rounded the last shrub, she froze as she finally saw him in all of his glory, staring her down as if threatening her to turn her tail and run. The wolf before her was massive, surely the source of the legend of the giant wolves. He was not as large as a bear, but still more menacing. Perhaps she had made a mistake in coming here.

After she took him in, she remembered herself, and lowered further. “I apologize for intruding. The legends don't quite do you justice.” Her eyes flicked up momentarily to meet his, gauging his reaction, watching to see if he would attack. “I have came a long way to see this island for myself, to see if the stories were correct.” If he wanted, she could live at dawn, as soon as she rested. She wasn't going to offer up the information that she was exhausted, though. Waiting, she hoped dearly that the rumors of the cannibalism here were false as well.

Note from Staff: Remember to bold speech <3

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|OOC| Sorry for the short post, m'dove <3 It's late, I suck.

|BIC|

Goliath did not have to wait long, thankfully – barely a moment after his threat had been spoken, the intruder revealed herself. A slender femme fair of pelt emerged from the security of the shadows, her gentle stature held in obvious surrender. Stepping closer in accordance with his command, the scant light illuminated her, drawing attention to the rosy hues interlaced with the cream of her fur. Her appearance was unique, to say the least – genes refined over time to incorporate a remarkable yet subtle twining of colours that captivated Goliath’s attention almost immediately.

I apologize for intruding. The legends don't quite do you justice.

Legends? A smile cocked his mouth, dispersing the grimness from it. It was no surprise that the greatness of Kairos had transcended the waters, but hearing her meek voice profess the truth of his immensity was most gratifying. “Rumours rarely bring justice, whether good or bad – but I am glad that your journey has not been met with disappointment,” he spoke unassumingly, though his voice was projected with an imposing lilt. Her body was lowered in resignation, her apology seeming genuine, bur whether her words were intended to flatter or placate him… he did not care. They pleased him all the same.

“It was brave of you to approach me, and wise for you to concede your mistake. Too often I see one absent the other – wisdom without bravery, or courage without wit. But you…” his burly voice mused with slow enjoyment, observing her coy submission with a delighted eye. “…I have a liking for you, little one.”

Finally, her dark gaze lifted to meet his, clearly apprehensive of whether he was going to make good on his threat, until finally, her thoughts were given a small, dainty voice.

I have come a long way to see this island for myself, to see if the stories were correct.

His enormous head turned to her in inspection, her small stature barely a waif beside his monstrous frame. Her motivation seemed odd, given that she must have relied on the fact that those stories had been false - who else would willingly wander into a territory filled with all means of despicable brutes and hideous beasts. Unless - it was danger she sought as much as truth. “The legends that you have been told stand as pale ghosts beside the legends that have been hidden from you.” He took a single step closer to her, his neck arcing to lift his leonine skull above her as a profession of his dominance.

“Do you know who I am?”

TAGGED: @aly

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Her eyes followed him carefully, watching him for signs of disapproval. It seemed as if he were just as curious as she, and was pleased with her words from the smirk that he failed to hide. His words were still powerful, every one laced with a silent threat. This male did not play around, and if he did, it was on his own terms. He praised her bravery, but truly, it was only stubborn determination to see that these rumors were false. Though there must be a grain of truth in every legend, she had relied on the grain being very, very miniscule. To her suprise, with the evidence standing above her, that grain was quite large.

His words made her smile nonetheless, hoping that what he said of bravery and wit were true, as she did not really know herself. She wished it to be true at the least, but the little bravery she could sense in her body started to slowly shrink as he seemed to grow before her as he warned her that the legends did in fact leave much behind. As he raised his head, she lowered her own even farther, letting him know without words that she was nothing, that she was at his mercy.

When he asked her if she knew his name, she raked her mind for any name spoken in the stories. “No sir, no name was ever mentioned in the many versions I've came across, but the idea stayed the same. All of them implied that you were evil embodied, the son of the devil if not the devil himself.” Cautiously, she raised her head slightly, so that she could speak to his face and not his his paws which were themselves larger than many prey she had caught on the main land before coming here. “To be honest, I did not believe them, but I see now that they were correct. If only they could see you as I can.”

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|OOC| Tag me with @ zenith so I know when you've replied!!

|BIC|

From the lowering of her stance and the blank expression written on her innocuous face - further enriching her innocence - it was clear that this female hadn’t a clue who she was standing before. His eyes searched her, vaguely aware of her discomfort as she searched for words to salvage her poise.

No sir, no name was ever mentioned in the many versions I've came across, but the idea stayed the same. All of them implied that you were evil embodied, the son of the devil if not the devil himself.

Goliath’s brow raised a fraction, charmed by the notion that his identity could have been twisted so vilely. It seemed strange that such a foul misrepresentation brought an appeased gleam to his face, but the faint sway of his tail advertised his amusement, rather than resentment, of that fact. The hill folk and their quaint packs were such a god-fearing lot, twisting tales to justify their own apprehension of the unknown world. He couldn’t care if they hated or dreaded the thought of him - let them quake at night, hiding from all the wrong demons! Let them forge their ghastly legends, for it would not protect them from him.

“Those tales are right, in all but name. I am no devil incarnate, though the god Fenrir lives in my blood,” he regarded her with a solemn expression, his regal gaze harbouring no ill intent, for once. “Greatness and power so often become gnarled by misunderstanding, and from this, fear and your false legends are born. I assure you, the only beings that should fear me are sinners and non-believers."

His posture was rigid, held impossibly tall, but appeased by her passive nature, he allowed himself to sit, the calm movements of his tail sweeping a veil of dust into the cool air. The waterfall reverberated behind him, moistening the air with a fine spray that was cast away by the delicate wind, causing glistening beads to form along the tips of his thick fur. This female was obviously coiled tightly in apprehension, expecting herself to be struck down at any moment by the abhorrent beast that plagued her myths, and so rapt in her anxiousness, he caught himself watching her with an unspoken, almost gentle, curiosity.

“I am Goliath, alpha of Kairos and sovereign of Ina’mos. Brand me a devil if you wish; the title brings me no shame. But tell me this – now that you’ve discovered the monster in your fables, what will you do now?”

TAGGED: @aly

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Her words seemed to please him, despite the fact that she had blatantly admitted her disbelief. It was probably the fact that he had stories circulating about his menacing self that made him so pleased, but Euryleia was not complaining in the least. She would keep this wolf before her happy as long as she could. The brute was easily double her size, no doubt even larger than that. Looking down at his enormous paws was enough to intimidate her. As he sat, Euryleia hesitantly raised her head to a more comfortable position, so she could see him better as they spoke. Unless she said something displeasing to him, she didn't believe that he would hurt her now, or chase her off. The latter seemed almost impossible given the island they stood on, so it was harm she was most worried about.

It didn't surprise her in the least that he was descended from a god. He was easily the largest wolf she had ever seen, and it would really fuel the stories that were out there about this monster. “I agree, and your isolation does nothing but encourage these legends. You cannot say you are not proud of them.” She smiled and joked nervously. The smile on her maw fell as he spoke of who he was, and she lowered her head again, though not quite so low as before. She took a moment to think of her answer, not truly knowing what she planned on doing.

“So there is a pack, led by the devil.” She smiled as she raised her head back, though still lower than his, helped by her small stature. “I have been many places, and never found a place I was willing to stop for an extended period of time. Your island is plentiful, and easily the most beautiful land I have ever seen. I would like to stay here, if you would have me, Goliath. It would be an honor to have a place in this pack of legend, even if the stuff of legend is not completely true. My name is Euryleia, and I would like to see the truth for myself, be a part of it, if you would let me.”

TAGGED: @zenith

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|OOC| Sorry about the wait! My exams are over now so my replies should be lightning quick! ;D

|BIC|

I agree, and your isolation does nothing but encourage these legends. You cannot say you are not proud of them.

The alpha’s expression hardened intently, almost impressed by the petite femme’s attempt at jest – albeit a shy and uncertain attempt. A faint smirk appeared on his face, wordlessly agreeing with her, although pride was not the sentiment he would have chosen to describe his conceit. He was indeed pleased with his accomplishments and the awe that it inspired, but it was a combination of fulfilment and purpose that allowed his pride to flourish, not these so-called legends that surrounded his name. He cared so little for what others thought of him, whether great or evil, for his resolve was divinely chosen by the gods. Petty fear from simple creatures was no reward to him.

I have been many places, and never found a place I was willing to stop for an extended period of time.

Goliath nodded in understanding, knowing that wanderlust all too well. “For a time I also believed I was condemned to roam alone, too misguided and burning with youth to bow to anyone. I refused to settle amongst those unworthy of my name… so I built Kairos from the bones of my birthland, and founded it with something that no other pack on Anikira has in entirety – strength.”

Many of the packs that existed in his first year of wandering were gone now, and even the ones remaining he suspected would fade with time, as things born of weakness were meant to do. Kairos would not be fated to follow, because he would not allow it to. He stood as a monument’s to his pack’s permanency, inscribing in stone its unbreakable ideals and creating a towering monolith that nothing could tear down; this monolith would continue to rise and grow until it breached the sky, where he would finally be able to look Fenrir in the eye and find his retribution.

My name is Euryleia, and I would like to see the truth for myself, be a part of it, if you would let me.

The brute’s expression remained unchanging, for her words did not surprise him. Why else would she have ventured across the waters if not to find him and implore for a piece of his greatness. It was as he believed… the weak were wise to align themselves with the strong, but even the strongest had need for the weak, or else become unbalanced by their own hubris. “If the fates have brought you here to guide you to purpose, then I would be a fool to stand in their way. But I will not lure you into Kairos under a veil of deceit – any duty you have under my rule will be second to the duty that nature first bestowed to you. Every year you will tempt the gods to gift you with life, and if you are worthy, this island with be filled with your offspring – refuse this obligation, and I’ll have no use for you.”

This girl was meek, which was precisely what they needed, and her words thus far seemed to be aimed at pleasing him – but would she be able to commit herself wholly to Kairos, and surrender the one thing that she had utmost reign over.

TAGGED: @aly