Mishaa's Story

Schemeko looked at the great statue and archway in great detail. They definitely did not have anything like this back in the swamps. No great monument or testament to Hemlock pride or some other sort of intangible ideal. Schemeko honestly didn't care about the ideology of Nationalism and other chauvinistic dogma. He found things like preserving historical documents and building monuments and maintaining them was a waste of time. Whats the point of such things if it could be so easily taken away? Of course they have wars over it to protect not only themselves, but their packs and their symbols of nationality. If they truly wished to keep their precious little items they would kill everyone to ensure it's protection. Schemeko finds it very humorous that they kill themselves over something so materialistic. How naive they all are...

If it was up to Schemeko, it would be fitting to end their concern and destroy everything and then maybe they can truly live before they die themselves. Schemeko had no interest in civilization and community as it too is a waste of time, trying to preserve that which could be easily taken away. Not to mention the most laughable part of it all...once it's gone everyone becomes lost, as if they needed these things just to be themselves. Fools, really being foolish. Schemeko thought to himself ending his tangent.

Schemeko for the most point only nodded and hummed listening to Nova's comments not really responding to them with anything substantial. That was until Nova mentioned something noteworthy, "Isn't it a bit odd how we are facing the front of a statue that can only be some kind of entrance when we are supposed to be trying to leave? It could only seem that we are being taken deeper into the cave, instead of the other way"

Schemeko thought about Nova's words as he looked at the statue and their current progress from the room to here. From what Nova said it seemed to make...more sense than he wished it would. Schemeko responded to Nova quietly. "You have a point there...it would be logical to place something as...splendid as this for all to see...at least if I were to make a monument it would be for the public eye." Schemeko said concurring with Nova. "Also if your nose is as good as anyone's I think you could remember the smell of the air above ground, from the smell here below....it's different..." Schemeko paused as he sniffed, "...I don't wish to alarm you but to me...the air smells mustier than lighter..." Schemeko trailed off as he looked ahead. He awaited to hear if Nova would agree.

Until that point, Nova had been largely ignoring on of his most useful senses, smell. Perhaps he had overused it in that great fire, and was subliminally restricting himself to just breathing, instead of analyzing the information his nose was giving him. At the advise of Schemeko, he absorbed the various scents of the air and could only conclude that the Hemlock was correct. "Indeed, the smells of a cavern can only be getting stronger, not weaker. Unless this cave is shaped like a dish, in which we would have to go down before going back up, I feel that something is very wrong with our escort." Nova responded quietly, unable to stop himself from jumping to conclusions.

He looked up towards WarriorDemon, pensive. Her gait wasn't of the ordinary, nor did she seem to have any fresh wounds. Could she have been drugged or beaten into leading them to their doom? He doubted the latter, WarriorDemon would have much greater resolve than that. Where was she leading them?

In order to assure himself of their situation, he decided to see if the others were of the same opinion. Calling up to Cerise in a whisper loud enough to reach her but low enough to keep WarriorDemon from hearing, he asked her if she felt if something was wrong with their situation, motioning that she should come back and join them. He repeated the process with Artemis and Wytlius who was trailing behind. If they were to be attacked, he supposed there was strength in a group.

Cerise followed Warrior quietly. Ignoring the vacant sounds around her, like the occasional clicking of a rock hitting the ground...or water droplets hitting gathering puddles. She swished her tail, in result, kicking up a small cloud of dust and dirt. The dust that floated through the thick air gathered in her ears and nose. This irritated Cerise but she disregarded this completely once they reached what seemed like sacred ground. An arch stretched above them. A wolf statue topped it all off. It was absolutely magnificent. It certainly impressed the white wolf. It was almost like the carved statues she had back home. Most were of past alpha's, birds, or wind diety's that the Avira worshiped.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a whisper of some sort. It sounded like it was coming behind her and Cerise turns her head around to see whispering to her if anything felt 'out of the ordinary'. Cerise turned her head to the front. Now that he said that, something did feel a bit...odd...She did catch a glance from Warrior who had looked at her wings. It was a look of...disgust...Or so it seemed. Yet, Cerise disregarded this. The place they were heading in did seem a bit 'out of place' as well. Cerise though couldn't quite put her paw on it.

Cerise looked back at Nova and carefully slowed down until she was beside him. Just as she managed to walk beside Nova, the pup spoke up.

"Not...WarriorDemon. No smell from fire like rest of us....." The pups notion was correct. On further notice, Warrior didn't have that ashy smell like the rest of them...This whole situation was starting to unnerve the Avira even more. Where exactly was Warrior leading them? She hoped it had no guards or overall fighting in that matter. Cerise was absolutely exhausted. She hadn't had a break in a long while. And staying up all night to watch the group didn't help. In no way was she prepared to fight off a bunch of muscular wolves. Especially if they were that 'blue team' guys that attacked Nova. She slowly moves her head closer to her friends.

"Wh-where do you think we are going...?" She whispers.

Nova was as shocked as any wolf would be at such a sudden turn of events. The sudden change in atmosphere was almost too catastrophic to handle. The jeering, the bright lights, the mere presence of wolves served as a stark contrast to their stressed escape that only moments before had been at least tentatively going to plan. Where had WarriorDemon just led them? And who was that down in the middle of the arena, being massacred by some sort of bear? An enemy of the state? A prisoner like them? Some unlucky winner of a deadly lottery?

"WarriorDemon" had disappeared into the stands, as her little shadow display before entering the arena seemed to reveal her true persona was in question. She would be impossible to track down among the crowd of wolves whose personalities could only be described as sanguine.

Peering down again into the arena, Nova realized that the unlucky contestant was making eye contact with them, and in a flash Nova could not deny who it was down there. And it only took a moment more to realize there was absolutely nothing they could do to try and stop the proceedings. If they were to even sneeze out of line, they would be promptly zapped by their seemingly impulsive guards, who for some reason seemed more interested in them than the fight. Almost like they had seen it before.

Nova turned to his companions to say something, but no words came out. He had no plan, no idea, not even an appropriate comment. All he could do was watch.

As Warrior led them down even more into the corridors, Cerise was about to question if they should move any further, when the doors behind them shut. Cerise jumped out of place for a second and looked behind her. The doors had already locked so there was no escape. Cerise's legs couldn't help but shake as the already leery mood heightened incredibly. Cerise's eyes darted around every corner of the room they were in and was just about to step out of place when she felt a course of energy travel throughout her feathers and down her spine. Electricity.

Great. Why is it that electricity had to be involved. Sure, Cerise could deal with Dimitrios ten times her size, Hemlocks with teeth the size of daggers, or a Tenneth that could breath the hottest fire on earth! But Cerise could NOT handle even the tinniest little zap from a Boraks mighty lightning abilities. Cerise quickly stepped back. Avira were always prone to lightning strikes back at home. Special oils inside their feathers attract electricity and their tiny bodies and bird-like hearts have no chance of surviving a strike. Even a move not meant to kill, such as paralysis, could indeed kill them.

Cerise gulps down a bit of air. She could feel the electrical charges pulsing off the lightning wolf with every heartbeat. At this moment, she decided to look at what they were guarding. A huge arena with a small contestant who was getting a beat down from some sort of bear. Warrior had already gone, but the contestant looked so much more familiar. Then it made eye contact. This wolf had the same milky white eye as Warrior did...Wait a minute.

Realization hit cold a hard, and Cerise? Well, she was about to fly right out of place when another surge of energy coursed through her body. Cerise trembled violently. What could she do? What could they do!? Cerise looked around at her friends. Her eyes showed that of worry and fear. She just hoped someone had a plan...Her eyes reflected what she wanted to say. What should we do? What should we do!? and she hoped that her friends could tell what she was trying to say because the only thing she could say were words choking on words. A simple, "Wha-sh-w-we..." Before she said no more and just watched her friend in the arena.

The sudden exclamation made by their Borak captor snapped Nova out of the lulling trance of defeatism that clouded over Nova as he watched the fight. If the Borak had not been wearing a face of frustrated impatience, he would have assumed he was trying to take them for fools. What exactly was he saying? The bear was going to destroy one of WarriorDemon's souls, yet they get to choose which one? Quite frankly, Nova had never really thought of BattleDemon and WarriorDemon being different people, or "spirits", as this wolf seemed to call them. At the best, WarriorDemon was just some strange new personality brought on by BattleDemon's sickness. At worst, WarriorDemon was bordering on BattleDemon's doppelganger, but was never actually a different soul.

Of course, there was always the third option of running out into the arena to try and actually do something. But only if he wanted to be promptly be zapped, scorched, drowned, poisoned, crushed, and strangled by the guards, as well as any angry spectators who felt like interfering with an interloper. Even if he made it through that, he was still injured from his beating, the only purpose he would serve going out there is something else for the bear to chew on for a while. Not the brightest of prospects, and he certainly couldn't distract the bear long enough for WarriorDemon to escape, if escape was even possible in this underground prison.

A small bastion of nationalism held out in his mind as he thought of the situation. Here was an easy opportunity to have another foul Alva ridden from the world. It would certainly make his conscience, and his report, a lot cleaner when he returned home. He shook his head. He had already decided against that thoughtless Dimitrios extermination order.

Instead of addressing the Borak, Nova decided to address Cerise, to gauge her opinion and allow her the final say. "Should this Borak speak the truth, should we not rationally choose the form that gives her the highest chance of survival? BattleDemon?" he asked. The Borak strangely seemed to be ignoring everyone else they had corralled in, and focused only on himself and Cerise. Some strange mind game perhaps?

Schemeko heard the little pup speak what was nearly a coherent sentence. Was the pup correct? Did she not smell of fire? Schemeko promptly sniffed to access and prove the statement true. Warrior here did not smell like ash and soot, meaning she wasn't there during the fire. Yet she was there! Schemeko saw her and tried to help her but another realization came to him, he could not see the burn marks that he was sure Warrior had suffered. This revelation could only mean one thing...this isn't WarriorDemon. Before Schemeko could speak he found out that the fake had led them into some sort of strange room when the door shut behind them. He turned around and then back forward to see and hear the sounds of many wolves clamoring in some sort of wild stupor as Schemeko could see a bear down the way. Taking a better look Schemeko could see that this was in fact an arena, complete with crowds and competitors. Speaking of competitors one of them was the bear and the other was some poor wolf being thrashed by said bear. And that poor wolf upon examination was in fact the real WarriorDemon.

Schemeko couldn't help but feel some grim delight in seeing Warrior being beaten to death. It certainly made up for her attack against him a while back. Obviously this was some sort of game and Schemeko admired these tunnel wolves for their attention to detail and flair for theatrics. Schemeko noticed that Boraks were keeping them at bay as to not interfere with the preceding match that has laid out before them. The Bear suspiciously looked over towards them almost demanding something until a Borak snapped at Cerise and Nova.

"You must choose!" It's blonde fur crackled and electricity ran down it's back fur like waves. "Choose between BattleDemon and WarriorDemon, but beware that if you choose to keep the Warrior wolf, then she will have a higher chance of being killed. But if you choose the Battle wolf, she will have a higher chance of surviving. The bear is doing you a favor to kill one spirit off and let the other live, so choose and answer to the bear."

Those were the words Schemeko heard from the Borak as it addressed those two. Schemeko was intrigued by this and was curious to see as to how this bear would kill a spirit. He was tempted to answer for them by saying that he chooses the Warrior but it would leave him in bad standing with the others. As of right now they were his only chance of escaping this mad house besides what security can these wolves offer him? Most likely once Warrior is dead then they are to be thrown out in the fray. Schemeko really had no interest in becoming mere entertainment for these "mole" wolves.

Cerise was startled by the sudden snap of the Borak. It's crackling fur sent shivers down the wolf's spine. Why did Boraks have to show how 'great' their powers were...

As the lightning wolf spoke, Cerise listened. Her ears would slightly swivel towards the arena then to the talking wolf. One could tell she wasn't really focused on the scary looking Borak wolf. More of Warrior.

When the Borak finished what he was saying, Nova had spoken. Cerise's ears swiveled toward Nova. Her eyes still fixated on her friend. "Should this Borak speak the truth, should we not rationally choose the form that gives her the highest chance of survival? BattleDemon?"

Cerise thought for a moment. It would be her first choice here...But why would the bear give them a chance to choose whether they wanted either Warrior or Battle...But isn't this whole thing just one big game to get Warrior killed. Scratch that. All of them killed! Why would SkyDancer set up this whole thing so she could let one live? Was it torture? She did just send a mass of brutes after Nova. Thank Isra they didn't kill him, but now these games? Cerise was really leaning on the torture idea. Makes her wonder whose next...

She hesitantly opens her maw, as if to speak, but no words came out. Well none yet. After further thinking, she finally speaks up.

"Y-Yeah..." She simply says with a slight nod. She was a bit worried her answer would be inaudible from all of the fuss in the arena...

Nova was beginning to give serious thought to the notion that their captors may have doctored the food that they had provided. What else could explain his sudden willingness to believe anything that he was being told? The more he heard this Borak talk about this pluralism of spirits in...WarriorDemon's?...body, the more he was starting to wonder what they hoped to gain with this whole charade. Like any wolf he had at least some beliefs of the mystic and unexplainable, but this discussion was pushing it. To think that this bear was somehow empowered enough to destroy a soul and reincarnate another just sounded like an entertainer's smoke and mirrors.

Sitting down for the first time in ages, he studies his paws. He preferred not to see a wolf get gored by a bear. He wished he had not given up on trying to convince himself this was all a feverish dream, and that he would wake up in the middle of the woods any moment now. At least then he would have something else to occupy his mind. He had given up on fear, fear was no good when you finally accepted your fate.

"You heard our decision, did you not? Just let it stand and move this charade on" Nova said impatiently.

Oh what a sight Schemeko had the privilege of seeing. WarriorDemon has been metted out the punishment that Schemeko could not have provided...he could only think that could have been him earlier. Still it was savage and even though it was entertaining it was very much brutal. Schemeko is not one to be squeamish but seeing a bear rip into her like so, made Schemeko feel a little sick. He began to wonder what the Borak spoke of is true? Will she survive and have one of her "souls" taken? Schemeko was undoubtedly interested in this claim to see if such a thing is possible. Once the bear finished it's mauling it left what he believed to be Warrior's corpse, now she is nothing but carrion. Yet, everyone in the arena stood silent after the strange noises Schemeko heard and felt the intensity upon him as well. Is she alive or is she dead? Schemeko would be impressed to see any wolf survive such an onslaught. Then the silence was broken as Warrior opened her eyes and the crowd exhaled. He could hear a growl and then a howl from WarriorDemon or at least he thinks it's WarriorDemon. But much to his disbelief something else surprised him.

As soon as she howled the pup howled back. While she howled she stood before them as her fur glowed a dim greenish-yellow and Schemeko was indubitably surprised. Was she a hemlock? Schemeko thought as he sniffed. She was. He could tell that the tips of her fur are secreting poison and recognizes this particular toxin from it's scent. Schemeko was confused however, he had never seen a predominantly white hemlock. White is at best a secondary coloring but to see so much of it on her....she couldn't be full hemlock, could she? The temperature seemed to become cooler but Schemeko didn't pay too much mind to it, as the next thing to come out of the pup's mouth would surprise him. Mishaa actually spoke! He couldn't believe the sudden change in diction as he never heard her speak so coherently before. Sure there were mistakes but the pup actually spoke more words and formed a reasonable sentence no less! Not to mention the vocabulary and she seemed to understand what she was saying as well. This pup has more potential than Schemeko previously believed. He wondered though, was she heard?

To say the truth Nova was more than a little bit surprised about how the "fight" proceeded. Though he preferred not to watch the majority of it, he had taken enough occasional glances to get the gist of it. In fact when the lumbering bear hefted its bulk away, there wasn't a doubt in the Ausi's mind that the Alva was nothing more than a body, to say nothing of the two souls that apparently dwelled inside. Nevertheless, the night, or day, or whatever it was by now, was full of surprises, and WarriorDemon managed to display at least the fact that she was alive with a howl.

Before much else could be done, a nearby howl returned the gesture. Snapping his head to the left, expecting to see Cerise as the owner of the remark, he was nonetheless shocked to see Mishaa speaking. Not just talking, but orating an entire lecture to this strange society of wolves. He knew that her vocabulary had been expanding exponentially, but this display was certainly enlightened. As Nova had no desire to do anything but listen, he did so, and yet, he began to feel a strange sense of relaxation pass over him. His sense were becoming more collected, his muscles slowly becoming less tense. He realized then that the room was cooling, in a way that was almost imperceptible, granting much relief to the heat sensitive Ausi.

How was this young wolf mastering such a feat? The cooling of an entire atmosphere was remarkable to say the least, an was only practiced by the Ausis most adept at their elemental abilities. Nova himself was not particularly proficient, but he could get by. But lowering the temperature of an entire area was far beyond his abilities.

Awkwardly glancing around, he noticed for the first time in the nearest groups of audience members the Arlyne wolf that had been drawing water from the well. He had been the wolf that Nova had talked to about the crystal cave clock, and the last person Nova saw before he was ambushed. Catching the older wolf's gaze, the other wolf quickly turned away, pretending something else had caught his attention. Nova scowled. Was everyone in here in on this plot?

***

As matter of factually as a wolf who had been asked the color of the sky, Tiberius responded "You of course! Do ya see any otha wolf around here with feathas?" Returning his attention to the larger wolf who seemed incredibly pleased to lead them to a bite to eat, the young Arlyne followed him as he turned around. He watched the large wolf, imagining those wolves he had seen fighting earlier. Once you grew up, did you have to fight? If so, he would much rather remain young and out of the fray. No use being physically mature, if it only means you will have to start taking lives.

Cerise just watched, mouth agape, as the bear started tearing into Warrior. The sight of the brutal scene made the Avira nauseous and her mind kept telling her to look away but her eyes were focused on the scene. Every movement the bear and Warrior made, her eyes were fixed on. It was like her soul told her to do something about it. Yes, she pictured her, Nova, and Schemeko coming to aid but logically, there was nothing they could do. And her brain made sure that this was clear.

As soon as the putrid scene was over, Cerise bit her lip and held her breath. Seconds passed and Cerise's hope had quickly diminished. Her friend was gone. She could already feel the tears in her eyes. The ivory wolf slumped to the ground, covering her eyes with her paws. Avira's were particularly sensitive when it came to loosing friends. If a wolf were to die, there would be a whole crowd filled with wolves that might have just known the wolf. Most would be shedding tears, howling sad cries, bringing candles to set adrift into the skies at night. These aren't the same candles used for just nightly occasions. These have silver tied at the shaft. Down below, attached to the bottom of the ribbon, were feathers.

Tears rolled down her cheek. She refused to say anything, or do anything. She was having one of those moments where she just wanted to rip something to shreds, but bawl her eyes out at the same time. She continued her crying until a howl abruptly echoed through the arena. Cerise uncovered her eyes and, to her disbelief, the howl belonged to Warrior. Cerise got up as soon as another howl could be heard. Soon after this, someone began speaking. Cerise turned her head to see Mishaa speaking in complete sentences.

Cerise listened to what the pup was saying. She was right on everything she said, Cerise could give you that. Cerise was the least bit of surprise though. All she wanted to do was help her friend. But a couple of guards stood in her way. Boy if she saw that deceiving snake SkyDancer!...Well, it wouldn't be to pretty.

Cerise growls at the guards. "These wretched games of yours are over! Now let us through!" She snarls.

Once the stone stairway was set in place, Cerise immediately flew off towards the arena. The seaweed she was given earlier had almost completely restored her wing feathers and flying was becoming more of an ease. Once the wolf had made her way to the body in the arena, the first thing that caught her eye was the immense amount of blood soaking in the dirt. The scarlet liquid turning a burnt red color as it mixed with the dirt's darker brown.

Cerise's eyes trailed from the blood to Battle herself. It was in this moment that the Boraks menacing sneer broke through her mind.

"If you bring back Battle Demon, she will not be the same."

What exactly did he mean by this? Paranoia set in almost instantly. Question flooded in one by one but for now, she managed to keep a steady expression with at least a glint of hope in her eyes. "Battle! A-Are you alright?" Cerise says.

As Nova watched the exchange between Cerise and BattleDemon, his ears twitched nervously. A growing feeling of dread was starting inside him, as he realized how quiet this formerly boisterous arena had become. At least it was some kind of emotion. Not only was there no conversation or jeering, but there wasn't a cough, a shuffle of paws, or even a creak from the wooden supports. The only noise that could be heard was Cerise's nervous stutter still rebounding off the walls. It reminded him of the calm before a storm, as if any moment now Blue Team would swoop down and seize them all in one go at it. He had no doubt they could.

"Cerise...I think she needs more help than we are able to give." Nova remarked quietly, almost ashamed at the sound that his voice made as he broke the silence. Not to mention no one here would be willing to help their victim. Nova had to wonder how they suppressed their guilt, or did they honestly find no fault in what they were doing? Was this whole fight just routine for them? What if it was even worse than that. What if they actually though they were doing the right thing?

Schemeko walked up the stone steps placed by a Dimitrios from these caves as he entered the arena. Schemeko took his time as he casually walked up to the rest of the group. His face didn't show the same concern, as the rest were feeling for BattleDemon. In fact it was hard to discern his emotions from his countenance as Schemeko was feeling a mixture of both intrigue and disappointment. He would never mentioned the feeling of retribution he had over what had transpired. In the mean time though he had the same interest in BattleDemon just like everyone else as the scientist with in can't help but wonder about Battle. The conversation, although from far away, he had heard the gist of the conversation as BattleDemon can't seem to move. She is obviously extremely injured as she did just survive a mauling but for how long exactly? Sure the Bear didn't finish her off but her injuries are most certainly grave...she will most likely not survive the night or day whatever the time may be. What could they possibly do to help BattleDemon? None of them had medicine and for sure that none of these other wolves will help her either. After all they did all come here to watch an execution. Speaking of which they have been oddly silent this whole time. Schemeko would assume if you've came to watch an execution you would be most disappointed to not see anyone die. Then a grave realization came over Schemeko what if WarriorDemon wasn't the one to be executed...what if it was them?! But who is the executioner? It couldn't be the Bear could it? No he left the arena. Was it going to be one of these wolves? There are many but Schemeko was sure they are just spectators. Maybe it will be that Borak or Dimitrios from the entrance? Possibly but he found it a bit unlikely they would try and kill so many at once. They could always call more he supposed. Maybe it's SkyDancer? Nah, that would be a bit ridiculous why would she dirty her paws just to kill them?

Schemeko went over possibilities over his head until he remembered the Borak's words. If they said BattleDemon then she would not be the same as before. Was she going to kill them? Schemeko backed up a little bit as he looked at the others. "Um, fellows...don't you find this situation to be a bit strange?" "Don't you feel like something is amiss?" Schemeko asked calmly as to not betray any feelings of panic or fear. He looked around them as the audience hasn't moved and they weren't even talking. If one was to attend an event no one would leave until it's over and strangely enough no one has. This wasn't over and he hoped the others may pick up on that. If not then Schemeko was going to have to be blunt about it.

Cerise lifted her head until her eyes danced across the different faces of the wolves in the arena. The suddenly quiet mood left an air of suspense within the arena. That's when she realized everyone was just...staring. No talking could be heard for Cerise will hear it. Not even a whisper or a cough.

Cerise's ears flicked toward Nova then to Schemeko as they both spoke. She did indeed want to help Battle, and now, with the arena being as still as it was, she wanted to do it as soon as possible. Cerise spoke quietly, as if she was afraid her voice might reach the ears of the spectators above.

"W-We have to get out of here. Nova, help me. " Cerise says before nudging her nose against Battles side. "come on Battle. We have to go" She whispers as she tries to help the injured Alva off the ground.

Cerise was suggesting that he help support BattleDemon? Just moments before, he had been the one needing a shoulder to lean on. However, considering the relative state of everyone, Schemeko seemed to be the only one that had escaped injury so far, at least as far as he could recollect. Maybe being asked to help wasn't such a bad idea after all, considering what was left of the pain in his battered shoulder had been reduced to a dull throb.

Nova was not a vicious wolf by nature, and SkyDancer's sudden appearance aroused surprisingly little aggression. He watched her like a healer observing a disturbed subject. Or maybe even a master watching two of his subjects fight out what had been a life long grudge. Nevertheless, he didn't even feel like anyone in the audience cared that he, or for that matter Cerise, Schemeko, or Mishaa, were even there. It seemed like all SkyDancer wanted was a bigger audience for her humiliation of BattleDemon, and a more personal one at that. In a way, Nova pitied her. She had to invent this whole little game just so her little "victory" over BattleDemon could be spotlighted. Either she was as insecure as a child, or as vain as an elder. Neither of which seemed to be aspirations to try for.

Almost experimentally and with a tinge of anger long suppressed, Nova reached back his hind leg as SkyDancer pranced behind him, satisfied when he felt her stumble to the ground. He couldn't let everything go to plan. "Come on you snake. Why couldn't you have faced BattleDemon yourself? Anyone can act brave when they have a bear." Nova commented objectively, not turning around to face his host.

Cerise watched as a turn of events started to take place. Cerise immediately had stepped back when Battle had snarled at her, knowing maybe she was still recovering from shock and was just a little overwhelmed. Battle had managed to lift herself off the ground and then, abruptly froze. Glued in place, unaware of anything around her. That's when SkyDancer got involved. At the sight of her, Cerise pulled her ears back flat against her head. The white she-wolf slapped and teased her friend, hissing the most contempt things in her ear before chanting and prancing around as if there wasn't a care in the world.

And all through this time, Cerise was resisting the urge to fight back the impulse of completely ripping that throat of hers out of her body. No... Scratch that...Cerise decided that maybe that would be just a bit too harsh... Thoughts danced along Cerise's mind until Nova kicked the winged wolf and Cerise couldn't hold back a snort that bubbled up her throat quickly after. SkyDancer seemed angered but paid no attention to Nova...at first. Instead she went on with the show before she walked over to Nova. Cerise tensed but calmed down when SkyDancer only turned out to be whispering in the Ausi's ear.

Although she couldn't hear the inaudible speech she was giving Nova, she could read the glittering in her eyes and knew it was something devious. Mishaa's voice suddenly penetrated the silence and the temperature in the air dropped significantly. Really, it made a shiver run down her spine. As proud as she was of the little pup, Mishaa was not the priority on her mind. Cerise nodded slightly, in agreement with the pup before turning her left side on SkyDancer. A smirk played on her lips before she spread her right wing, slapping SkyDancer hard in the face. An exact replicate of what SkyDancer did to Battle earlier.

Cerise cleared her throat quickly after before speaking. "Your not the only one with wings, just so you know..."

Nova had long envied BattleDemon's remarkable ability to keep her emotions hidden from onlookers, and now he did so more than ever. Nova had to act quickly to contain the flash of hope that sparked across his face as he considered the offer. To go home. It was the offer he had been coveting for so long. To see his friends and family, and most of all, finally unburden himself of his travelogues worth of information. Before he had left, he had been assured a lucrative appointment of his choosing should his information prove worthy. And he knew exactly what he would request. An officership.

Not a combat officer, of course. But the much sought after Lieutenant of Logistics. To be able to pursue his passion for fishing, to oversee the vast web of road networks that scratched along the surface of the Sharikeres, and of course, to be as far away from the front as possible yet still able to do his part. And of course, his position would survive after the war, if there indeed was an end, as his pack always needed seafood. Perhaps he could even travel abroad again if he ever regained his spirit for it, under the excuse of looking for new food sources to bring back to the pack. Indeed, it would make his future much more certain. And certainty is what the moment lacked.

But yet...who was it that was giving him the offer to escape? A wolf who he figured didn't give two hoots about his well being, and who he doubted would willingly spare some of her troops for an escort. Besides, he had seen how good her word was, or more appropriately, how bad. Why was trust always the common denominator of these complex decisions?

"Well, considering how much your word has meant thus far..." Nova started to respond, when he realized that SkyDancer was no longer in front of him. She was tens of feet up in the air, dangling Cerise like a toy. And there was nothing he could do to intervene.

The Events around Schemeko went from bad to worse as the situation quickly escalated. First they were going to help WarriorDemon or whatever she goes by, out of here and then comes the root of the problem, SkyDancer. Schemeko didn't know too much about this wolf aside from her being the orchestrator in all of this. Already she was incredibly arrogant and pompous from what he could gather but she certainly has a mean streak as she slapped the wounded BattleDemon. Even with Nova kicking her it didn't adjust her attitude as she soon spoke privately towards him. Schemeko was curious as to what she said but he could not make out any definite words as she finished. Whatever she said to him, Nova certainly lit up. Not in anger but...happy...relieved...excited...hopeful? Maybe? Soon though Cerise would slap SkyDancer in a similar manner but it didn't seem to have made the same impact as SkyDancer's. Then in a fluid movement SkyDancer carried Cerise up in the air towards the cave ceiling. Schemeko looked worrisome as he saw Cerise dangling. She took a rather harsh beating and was now hanging around SkyDancer's mouth like bait on a hook. Schemeko wouldn't be too concern considering Cerise can fly but she did say her wings were injured. Could she survive? Unfortunately there was nothing he could do, he wasn't a winged wolf, nope just a basic ground walker. He was ashamed about it though, he really didn't care for wings or flying anyway.

Schemeko noticed the temperature continuously dropping. He wondered where it came from? Was it from Nova? Schemeko looked over to Nova but as far as he could discern is that he is not the culprit. Usually Asuis have to focus rather intently to change the temperature and at the moment he just seems concern for Cerise. It could be from the audience but he seriously doubt any one of them would intervene during this event. Then Schemeko looked at Mishaa again her vocabulary has improved as she insulted SkyDancer. Schemeko thought about it some and maybe...maybe she is the one causing it? Her white fur could be that of an Asui but that would mean she is a mixed breed. She began to bark at SkyDancer and already she was filled with rage. Then from out of nowhere he heard a large crash like broken glass as an icicle hit the ground. Where in the world? Schemeko thought as he noticed it was tinted red. Schemeko looked up to see a rather surprising sight.