Coming Full Circle [Venom, Phantom]

[Deleted]

Jericho was not even sure he knew where his feet were taking him. All he knew was that it was “away.” There was a slight pang of guilt he felt at having left so suddenly without a word, but he did not intend to stay away forever. He had just suddenly felt the need to get out – to get away from everything. He wasn’t sure what he was looking for, but he meant to find it, and he had set out to do that.

The past few months, his elation at having a home had seemed to fade. The sense of purpose he had felt so strongly when confronted with the beliefs of Eden and the chance to make a difference to the pack was all but gone. What else was there to life? Was he destined to play out his role in the pack forever? Hunt for them, eventually be expected to settle down with a mate and raise pups, and… and what? That couldn’t be all life had in store for him.

His pace had quickened and he was almost running as fast as his feet would take him. South. He must be heading south. The air became thicker, warmer, more suffocating. Even the ground seemed to play along; it was softer, spongy almost. Why was he running? What was he running from? It was impossible to run from himself or his feelings. They were following him. No matter where he went, his thoughts were still there. Alone. No purpose. Nowhere to go. They sounded almost jeering and he pushed himself to run faster.

Soon the ground had turned into marshland. It was unfamiliar to Jericho and he found himself slowing down and walking carefully, trying to make sense of the new sounds and smells and feel of the air clinging to his fur and his paws sticking a little as he picked them up. He looked around taking everything in, trying to distract himself from the sound of his thoughts.

Perhaps he should just turn around and go back. Plenty of wolves lived that way. Surely there were something to be found there, something he was missing. Or maybe it was something he needed to find on his own before returning.

A gust of breeze blew past him, carrying with it, among the many unfamiliar scents, a familiar one. Jericho distinctly smelled a wolf that he had met much closer to Eden. Osiris. His fears temporarily subsided and he followed the scent, seeking out a friendly face. It was not that he had felt a particular connection with Osiris or would call him a friend, but it was someone he knew in unfamiliar territory. Perhaps there would be something to be gained from a conversation.

It was not long before he found the dark wolf. “Hello, Osiris. What brings you this far south?”

Words: 476
Muse: meh
Tags: Venom , Phantom
Notes: well.. here goes nothing. =/

[Venom]

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[attr="class","pltxt"] The marsh was, as far as Venom was concerned, a pointless feature of the land; walking on soggy land and occasionally stepping fully into a puddle or pile of mud was not his idea of fun, nor was it conducive to hunting or even sneaking around. But the dark male needed to be careful around here, for the body count he had been leaving behind him was becoming perhaps a bit too much for him to remain hidden for long. Surely there were few wolves who could truly identify him as a killer--that black male who chose a coyote as a mate, the white brute who had witnessed his first kill, and were there others? By now the older male could not tell, and he chose to dismiss the thought for now.

There were no other wolves in the marsh, not that he could tell. It was an awful and dirty place, full of the smell of rotten fish and damp wood, and no smart canid would even bother venturing forth into it without a purpose. For Venom, it was simply to get away, for there had been a strange influx in the level of traffic where he was wont to roam, and this appeared to be the only place he could find a bit of peace.

That is, until he was caught off-guard by a wolf who seemed to know him; out of the dim light ventured forth a plain and unassuming figure, one who had clearly sought out the three-legged male and desired his company somehow. For a few seconds, Venom had turned and froze, his face carefully blank as he listened to the male speak a name that was not his. Osiris? When had he been Osiris? it was a name that Venom had not used often, for he preferred his own or that of his brother Kimset. A few more seconds later and his memory came back to him, the dark wolf splitting his lips in a friendly grin as he remembered the troubled young wolf before him.

"Jericho," he responded smoothly, hoping the inexperienced male would take his pauses as surprise and not confusion. "I could ask you the same, pack wolf. As a loner, I prefer to wander large areas and avoid the confines of a single territory. However did you get permission to leave your, ah... strict homeland?" he asked carefully, voice smooth as butter as he turned to face the one-time acquaintance politely.

Words || 421
Tags || @jericho, Phantom
Notes || WOW sorry this took so long. I hope it's not too awful. Dx
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[Deleted]

I could ask you the same, pack wolf. As a loner, I prefer to wander large areas and avoid the confines of a single territory. However did you get permission to leave your, ah... strict homeland?

Something was not adding up about this wolf. Had he not said he was also a pack wolf? Well, an ostracized pack wolf, but he had been planning to rejoin his pack in a year’s time, or something like that, if Jericho recalled correctly. His eyes narrowed as he looked into Osiris’. His smile, pleasant expression, and smooth voice all seemed out of place.

“I thought you weren’t a loner?” he accused the dark wolf. There might be a reason he had chosen to identify as a loner. Perhaps he usually did and only had told Jericho his backstory and forgotten he had? Or perhaps he had newly decided he did not wish to return to his pack. And yet, Jericho had been so quick to assume lying. It seemed oddly out of character for him, but rather than back down and apologize, he stood his ground, his narrowed eyes expectantly awaiting an answer.

His offensive posture was likely a defense to avoid having to answer about his pack. How would he explain that while he was hopelessly devoted to them, he had felt the need to run? He could not allow himself to think that his pack was not a good fit for him or everything he had wanted it to be. But there was no escaping that fact. He relaxed his posture and sighed.

“I didn’t leave,” he started in a harsh tone. “I’ll be going back. Eventually. Maybe soon. I don’t know. I just.. I just needed to get out.” He finished his thought very abruptly, not feeling like he owed this wolf any kind of explanation. “What about you? Will you be rejoining your pack once you are allowed?”

Words: 321
Muse: so bad…
Tags: Venom , Phantom
Notes: don’t worry about it! You’ve been crazy busy with moving and all sorts of exciting irl stuff. =) Really struggling with how I want this post to go. Trying to give Venom the opportunity without making it seem too… forced?

[Venom]

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[attr="class","pltxt"] When his warm greeting was met with careful suspicion, Venom fought to keep his face from shifting. If his lies were unraveling, he would need to act quickly and silence the tawny wolf before him; however, if he moved too quickly, he might be over-reacting and cause more trouble for himself. Certainly he could kill this wolf, should the need arise, but what if there was no need? Senseless bloodshed was not always something he enjoyed, though the secluded area he found himself in would be a prime location should he need to dispose of this wolf.

But for now, he waited. "Until my pack accepts me again, I am a lone wolf," he said quietly, the smile slowly fading from his face--preparing it for fierceness, though Jericho might see it as shame. "A pack who does not want me in it, does not want me to consider myself a part of it, either." The words, as always, came easily to his lips, and as he spoke, Venom chose to lower his rump to the ground, shortening himself so that Jericho might ease his distrust. Though he showed no signs of aggression, Venom was sure the young male was capable of it.

Questions were thrown at him after a brief explanation, and Jericho's defensive posture and attitude did not seem to be going anywhere; so be it. "I think the problem is not with me, Jericho, but you," he said bluntly, cocking his head curiously to the side and adopting a caring, concerned expression that didn't quite reach his emerald eyes. "You are troubled about your lot in life? Or is it your pack specifically?" Though he had just sat down, the three-legged male had risen again, and moved forward slowly, in case Jericho did not care for the motion. "Let me help you, friend, with your troubles."

The dark male continued to move forward, his motions slow and steady, until he was close enough to smell the other wolf's breathe on the wind. His green eyes locked with yellow, and for a split second, he felt pity for the creature before him. Jericho was struggling, as Venom had once done, and the cruelest thing in the world would be to allow him to continue in his struggle. So, with a compassionate sigh, the older wolf lunged forward and aimed his blunted teeth at the tender part of Jericho's neck beneath his chin, closing his powerful jaws around not only his windpipe but almost the entirety of the front of his neck.

Words || 439
Tags || @jericho , Phantom
Notes || Wheee hope that wasn't too horrible! Rogue, Kate told me to get it done so there it is. lol
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[Phantom]

The day had begun completely ordinarily. Too ordinarily, perhaps. The sky was a dull, dreary grey that threatened downpour, which soured Phantom’s mood. The black and white tundra wolf could survive easily in almost any climate, but sun was a personal preference of his. Rain was a nuisance that seeped into his thick fur and weighed down both his body and his spirits. He couldn’t stand the dampness of it; it seemed to take forever to—

Phantom shook his head at himself, clearing his thoughts and wondering when he’d become such a grumpy old man. He’d become a lot of things recently – things that he’d never expected himself to be. ‘Loner’ has been his title for so very long that it seemed absurd to be anything else, but he’d become a pack wolf, an assassin, and now the commander of Ananke’s legion tier in less than half a year. It still wasn’t clear whether or not these were positive changes, or if he was simply entangling himself in the lives of wolves that he would inevitably have to disentangle himself from. Not a day went by when his past didn’t weigh heavily on his shoulders, but if he had to bear that weight then he could bear perhaps a little more. Nimue was a good, strong soul that he respected deeply, far more deeply than he had the alpha of his previous pack, which he supposed could make a difference. But he doubted it very much, and every day felt a step closer to his inevitable loss of control. He was a time bomb ticking away in plain sight, and not even he knew how much longer he had left.

Out of aimlessness, he’d found himself in the marsh. Now that he had more duties, there was no reason for him to feel the same amount of restlessness as he had before, but he did. Phantom seldom visited the marsh, mostly because he had no reason to, but boredom drew him to its slightly more dangerous territory. As he picked his way gracefully across the soggy, squelching ground, an oddly familiar scent reached him. It was odd because, at first, he could not place it, but as he continued toward it he realised there were two distinct scents: one familiar, and one not familiar. The first he knew instantly belonged to a wolf he had met only once, a long time ago, but whom he had enjoyed his short conversation and hunt with.

Jericho, he thought, but did not call out. The second scent was unknown, and to Phantom, that was reason for caution. It could be anyone, but it was certainly male, and Phantom couldn’t think of many reasons why Jericho would travel so far from his home, one that he loved dearly, in the company of a stranger that smelt nothing like Jericho’s pack. It was disconcerting to say the least, and his shackles raised instinctively. Even more perplexing was the fact that the two had wandered into claimed territory. Jericho had seemed like an intelligent wolf when Phantom met him, and a respectful one at that. Either they wished to join the pack, in which case it seemed illogical to trespass and make such a bad impression right of the bat, or there was trouble brewing. Phantom was willing to bet on the second, although his heart begged for the first to be true. Jericho would be a welcome addition to the pack, and a welcome friend. He had precious little of those here. Even after meeting some of his fellow pack mates, there were few he truly connected with. There all seemed to either be yearlings, or as emotionally closed off as him, or both.

As he drew closer, his heart beat faster and faster in anticipation, as though it knew something that he didn’t. Eventually, through the foliage, Phantom caught sight of the two figures. He pressed himself low to the ground, the fur on his dual-coloured stomach almost tickling the wetland, and then paused to eavesdrop on their conversation. It seemed awkward and… Forced, though he couldn’t make out all the words. He crept closer still, keeping a firm eye on the jet black three-legged stranger, who Phantom felt immediately suspicious of. The way he spoke was unsettling, and as he was about to stand up and announce his presence, the stranger sidled toward his friend, smiled a sickly smile, and latched his jaws around Jericho’s throat with a snap.

“NO!”

The horror, the dread, the revulsion that ripped Phantom apart from the inside out was sickeningly familiar. In an instant, Phantom had dashed from his hiding spot and barrelled toward the interlocked pair with increasing speed. A vicious snarl ripped through his throat, foam forming at the corners of his mouth where his lips were drawn back to reveal the angry red of his gums. When he collided with the black-furred stranger, the impact shuddered through him, and he noted absently that pain seared down his shoulder. But he felt detached from the sensation, as though he were watching himself from above and noting that it would probably hurt.

“Monster!” he roared. “Monster!” The aggression with which the sound tore from his throat was physically painful, but again it was a dull distant sort of pain. His next words were strained though, his voice gravelly and rough and filled with the emotion it normally lacked. “Stay away from him,” he warned, standing over Jericho protectively and lowering his body over his tawny coloured acquaintance like a shield, “Or I will kill you.” He spoke with such bone-deep conviction that another part of him was terrified, one that regressed further and further away with each passing moment. Phantom knew, confident and resolute, that he would kill this wolf if his first instinct weren't to remain with Jericho.

Finally, he looked down at the Eastern Timber wolf that lay beneath him. Blood was everywhere. The fur on his neck was stained red, but the flesh was torn apart and mangled and it was difficult to see where teeth marks begun and where they ended. The life was leaving him, that much was obvious. For the first time in a very long time, Phantom felt completely helpless. There was nothing he could do for him now, despite every conscious part of his brain screaming at him to do something, anything. Somehow the impending loss of this life shook Phantom to the core, awakening something primal and unknown to him that he thought he had buried a long time ago. Already he could feel his consciousness slipping, something else emptier and more ruthless than he was begging to take control of his body.

“Jericho,” Phantom pleaded in a whisper, his voice strained and coarse. “Jericho, don’t leave.”

---

Word count: 1130
Notes: DRAMA QUEEN ALERT
Tags: Venom @jericho

[Deleted]

Jericho felt selfish knowing that hardly anything Osiris was saying about his pack or his position was interesting him enough to bother to listen to it, though he knew his questions were being answered. A wave of hopelessness seemed to rush over him.

I think the problem is not with me, Jericho, but you

Jericho looked up at the wolf. He had forgotten how unnerving his green eyes were. Try as hard as he might to hold onto the feeling he had first felt upon recognizing a familiar scent, the feeling of not being alone, the mood seemed to shift. It felt colder somehow. Jericho knew he was the problem. He was the source of all his problems.

You are troubled about your lot in life? Or is it your pack specifically?

As he opened his mouth to answer Osiris’ questions, the male stood up and walked over, comforting words coming from his maw. But something about it felt off. Jericho took a step back just as the dark male lunged at him. Jericho did not have enough time to even gasp in surprise before teeth sank into his throat and clamped down on his windpipe, much less form a coherent thought.

He knew it was pointless fighting. He could feel the little bit of life he had felt he had remaining slowly seeping from him, his energy draining rapidly. The only thing to do was go peacefully. He dropped to the ground, the only thought flashing across his mind being, Well… it’s over. And oddly, there was almost a sliver of peace until a voice seemed to pull him back.

There was shouting and a flurry of activity before a shadow passed over Jericho. He is finishing the job, Jericho thought solemnly. Good. I wish he would hurry.

Jericho. Jericho, don’t leave.

Those were not expected words. His eyes fluttered open and attempted to focus on a dark face bending over him. Who was this? Jericho was certain he was too far away for it to be anyone from his pack. His pack. He still felt a twinge of guilt over his sudden disappearance. Would they even notice that he did not return?

Jericho knew he did not have much time. Everything was feeling colder and more lifeless. He could hardly move and was barely aware of the sensation of thick, warm liquid draining from his throat. But the smell of the wolf reached his nostrils and he knew it was familiar somehow. It seemed so out of place and made no sense. Not that the physical presence of the wolf was inexplicable, but the emotional resonance was all wrong. It reminded him of better times, when things were simpler and he had been happier.

“Phantom?” Still, if he had to die, and if he had to die like this – with the least amount of dignity he could imagine, having run away from his home and family and not even given his attacker a good fight – at least he could be in the presence of a friend one last time. “Phantom,” he coughed out once more and then went silent.

His eyes were empty, staring into those of his first friend in his new life, probably his first friend ever. Jericho was gone, never having been able to say anything to Phantom. Not how much he had wished to see him again, not how well and fondly he remembered him, not even a thanks for having been there in his last moments. The wolf was now silent forever.

Words: 594
Muse: shockingly good.
Tags: Venom , Phantom
Notes: *cries* remind me why I did this?

[Venom]

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[attr="class","pltxt"] Though he had not gone into the meeting intending to kill, the endorphins that released in his brain while his jaws were locked around Jericho's throat reminded him of why he did this so often. The god-like feeling of taking a life always gave him that rush, and pleasure spread throughout his body as a result. Venom's celebration was cut short, however, when the roar of fury sounded from an unknown wolf. Immediately Venom unattached himself from his victim, but the furious wolf was faster than he would have thought; before he could turn fully to face the threat, a much larger wolf collided squarely with his shoulder, knocking the slim wolf back several feet.

With a cat-like precision Venom recovered and jumped to his feet, his bloody face fixed upon the black and white wolf who now stood over Jericho's quickly dying form. There was not anger in the emerald gaze of the smaller beast, but amusement; it had been a long time since he had been taken so off guard, and a sickly blood-stained smile drew itself smoothly across his maw. "Bravo," he chortled softly, standing absolutely still but fairly low to the ground, despite feeling as though the male would refuse to leave Jericho's side until he had gone. That gave Venom a precious few seconds to get a head start, for any wolf who barreled in as this one did would not hesitate to seek revenge.

"Enjoy his last moments. I certainly have," Venom quiped, ending the statement with a dark and maniacal laugh before he wheeled around and darted off, moving swiftly even on three legs. It had not been an ideal situation, but it also could have gone much worse; the danger was far from over, unless Jericho took longer than he expected to die, but it was no matter. Venom would run until he couldn't any longer, and fight if needed, and whatever the outcome he would be satisfied with his actions. He always was.

Words || 344
Tags || Phantom, @jericho
Notes || oops I'm the worst
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[Phantom]

There was nothing to be done. Jericho would die here, his last few precious moments draining away aside a wolf he had only met once. Had he a family? A mate, pups? Doubtless he had friends back in Eden, or someone who cared about him. And instead of being with them in his last few moments, he was stuck here, with an irredeemable, guilt-ridden monster who could do nothing but stare miserably as the wolf grappled with morality. Venom’s words dripped into Phantom’s conscious like poison, his heart thundering against his chest as he looked up at the villain with silver eyes aflame.

A blow struck his mind, and suddenly every atom in his body was filled with the desire to sink his teeth into Venom’s neck and let the life dribble unceremoniously. The metallic taste of blood flooded his taste buds, though it was nothing more than an illusion, a rekindled memory that had long been forgotten. The limp corpse of his father flashed in his mind, and he stumbled where he stood, recoiling at the image.

But Jericho spoke his name, faint and questioned. Phantom’s head turned to look at him, and when Jericho murmured his name once more, Phantom came back to himself. He sucked in a deep breath as though he’d been submerged under water, and his chest heaved with adrenaline, and the rush of an unfathomable number of emotions that assaulted him.

“Jericho,” he said, and noticed that the fur on his cheeks was damp, though he could not remember beginning to cry. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” It was no use, as the tawny wolf’s eyes had already slid closed, never to open again. Phantom’s throat spasmed as he tried to swallow around the lump in his throat. If he’d only got here a few moments earlier, perhaps Jericho’s life could have been saved, but those thoughts were wasted now. Phantom let his eyes flutter closed and head drop in defeat, which rested like a bow of respect. During the first and only conversation he’d had with Jericho, the two had discussed gods. Specifically, Elohim. Religion had never called to Phantom, but he felt it would be appropriate to utter a few words for Jericho’s sake, to ensure he got to where he wanted to be. “Elohim guide you, my friend,” he said, his hoarse voice barely a whisper.

When his eyes opened once more, all tenderness had fled.

Without another word, his body roared to life in pursuit of the creature who had ripped the life away from Jericho. Murder and revenge clouded his thoughts, blood red blurring his vision as he sprinted silently after Venom. Ever the ghostly assassin, the only sound to be heard was the whipping of the grass as he tore through it, though his ears roared loudly with the pounding of his heart.

The shadow across Phantom’s heart seized him then, and his consciousness dissipated.

---

Word count: 487
Notes: FINALLY. UGH.
Tags: None we're done here forever bye