[ORP] Dead Man's Chest (Everyone Welcome)

[Epine de Rose]

"Your companion is quite the liability," Metis observed as Zili bounded after the lioness and deeper in to the undergrowth. However, it seemed that Metis had decided his time was 'up' for now and that his attentions were very much required elsewhere. Consequently, they were left in complete silence for a considerable amount of time as Xochi led them in what would soon become circles.

...How did one solve such a puzzle when they were completely fired up and irrational?

This was what the second observer continued to muse over as she regarded the lioness and her companion thoughtfully. Metis had led them here, she didn't necessarily understand why, but he had led them so deeply into the throes of the jungle that if he did decide to unleash his wrath, then they would have nowhere to run and no help in sight. That aside, it was still safe to say that if the white lionesses were a short distance behind, then Metis would be outnumbered.

He was skilled and she had faith, but a small part of her knew this was asking for a lot.

Nevertheless, every instinct told her that on this occasion, Metis was operating in a manner that she wasn't meant to understand. He was doing that 'thing' again, it always served a purpose, but they never quite grasped the significance until it all came to a conclusion. No sooner had Xochi and Zili come in to her line of sight than she felt her mouth opening and the words escaping from her parted lips before she could stop them.

"You are going the wrong way..."

Kimaria

 

[Kimaria]

Liability? Normally Zili would have disagreed. It was Xochi's very nature that had dragged him from the depths of self-hate and despair. Her stubborn yet kindly nature that had given him hope for the future. It was what he loved abotu her and admired. Yet, in these circumstances...? Yes. She was being foolish and dangerous, but how could he blame her when she did not understand? When she had not seen what he had seen?

Howver, as nervewracking as he had found Metis' voice, it was better than the silence that followed. There, in the darkness of the wood, with only the sound of their paws crashing through the undergrowth and his haggard breath rasping from his lungs. Xochi was starting to get away from him, too, and he reached for further strength to hasten his pace.

He was almost running parallel with her again when the voice had him jumping in fright. He swung in the direction it had come from, knocking forcefully into Xochi who was bowled over onto the ground. Instead of complaining, however, she fell silent, straining her ears to listen.

There was another one out here.

Another one.

"Xochi," he hated how his voice shook, "there's something I have to tell you--" what a pathetic way to declare one's love. But was it not better to do it now rather than die and not ever getting the chance to tell her?

"Shh!" Xochi pulled herself calmly up to her paws, "we're going to right way. They're trying to distract us." And though she had started to breath hard from exhaustion, she moved on in the path they had been going.

Epine de Rose

 

[Chi Sohma]

The lion pair ran through the caves, following the natural paths until Avrae's steps stopped and Rahman struggled to keep up until then. With the Echos, their captain's voice traveled through. Turning his head back for acceptance of the order. They needed to be careful!

Avrae had been following a blood trail all the way up until this point. There were multiple claw marks on the walls. No blood trail to follow. She didn't know what to think, but the rage, fear and loneliness of not knowing whether her family was dead, or not. Closing her eyes tightly, Rahman finally caught up and saw the look on Avrae's face. His tail fell flat and so did his ears.

"We haven't seen anyone here.."
"We haven't gotten to my mother's den... "
"I don't think their here... if they were, wouldn't Black Sam have told us? He isn't here- crazy going head first in to the tunnels. Captain said we needed to head back.. I think it's a good idea. You should figure yourself that everything that was once here, is gone."
"No.. No one would have known my mother and I's stash.. Please let me at least check for it. If it is uprooted, then my mother is alive. If it's not.. then she .."

Rahman nudged her face. "Is lost, and we'll have to go on vikings to find her. Stop being dramatic." Pushing her shoulder as he continued on in front of her.

"After this, we're going back. Ok."

Avrae didn't know what to think of say, but give a nod to his demand as she walked passed him to show him the way. They got to the den, rocks were overturned recklessly, there was a struggle here... Avrae continued to inspect the walls... holes were dug within the den, destroying the place. Minding her step, she sniffed around and pressed her paw against the walls.

"Looks like a full clean out.." He muttered softly.

Avrae began to cry, as she began to hit the walls furiously!

"Woah~ woah- calm down - calm down~" Rahman began to try and hush her, and as he did, he noticed the wall begin to come down, and the wall that was of vines, began to fall to the floor and oh and behold. Her family's treasure.

"You know.. I was told pirates were stupid but that is ingenious."
Avrae looked back at him with anger, as she went in to the wall and pulled out a few satchels full of shiny things. Coming to her side and lowering his head, but she didn't hand him over anything. He looked up at her, with sincere eyes. "I wouldn't dare Avrae.. you know that."

When she retorted back, her neck hung just a little lower. "I'm fine." Turning her head and walking back.

Rahman felt the emotions coming out of her, but rather than say anything else that could potentially have her shut down on him, he continued on passed her to be extra protective then. Leading them down the path back, or he hoped was the path.. The sounds, every step they took echoed, but at least he recognized her steps. It wasn't until he heard something else- the brush against the wall maybe?

He lowered his body and continued on, in case he needed to pounce on whatever it was. When the sounds got louder, he took a step back and lowered his maw against her ear. "Is there another way out of these caves?"

Avrae puffed her chest out and psuhed him aside as she began to run towards the sound.
"No-! Damnit Avrae!" Trying to catch up yet again, hitting turns not so gracefully, and hitting the walls slipping and sliding til finally he grabbed her on a straight away and tackled her down. Some treasure escaped from her satchels.

"We don't know whoever did all of this- there could be MANY of them! Don't be stupid- think!"
"I WILL KILL THE ONES WHOM HAVE DONE THIS!"
"And they will overpower us- and kill us relatively quickly. Then your family's treasures will be forfeited- and I would die. Can I just say, that although I have fancy company~ I don't want to die today." Growling at her a little before nudging her face with his own.

"We get to the captain, tell him the condition of the caves, possibly meet back up with your uncle."
"..." She was heaving and steaming with anger, but he was right, and with her hot head she still wanted to bolt to whoever was here to steal and kill her family. But this male was right...

"If we go back a few meters, there is a weak wall that was made a long time ago for an escape path. We can use it." Nearly feeling as though he were pulling the information out of her jaws.
"Let's go." Helping her roll over and helped pick up a satchel and followed her lead. Right up until the escape path- which was already uncovered. Avrae softly touched the exposed walls, taking a deep breath before going though.

At an air of caution, Rahman walked closely behind his partner. At the exposed light, he immediately pushed her rump out and took in the fresh air.
"By the gods- It's SO stuffy in there!" Gasping some more before shaking his head.

"Time to find the captain~"

Epine de Rose

 

[Ctrl F Greenie]

Time had stood still briefly enough for the lion to recognize his name when it was being called. Not once, but twice. The name was drawled in a pirates accent - a tune he both enjoyed, but would happily have done away with. It was just one of those things. The tune seemed to a twang a mark of concern and he made quick work of changing his direction to aim it towards a pair of males he didn't immediately recognize.

Recognizing that they might know more than he - once he caught the second part of the calling about two found dead - he was quick to address them about the issue. "Do you know them?" He queried the pair of lions almost immediately upon his arrival to the destination. His next stop would definitely have to be Tethys at this rate. Before it had been to merely find out what was happening closer to the scene where the bird had gone, but he had ample other reasons to bring forward now.

"Come along. Tethys won't want us wandering about much longer." He peered skyward wearily, but said nothing more on the matter. He decided to take this moment following the briefest of conversations to begin towards his original goal while hoping nothing else 'jumped out at him' in a matter of speaking.

Chi Sohma

 

[Epine de Rose]

"No, you are definitely going the wrong way," Adrastea murmured gently, though much more softly this time and only audible to the lion who hadn't immediately followed after the red lioness. Adrastea couldn't understand those who were so foolhardy, but they seemed to be increasingly common in this region and both phantoms had come to acknowledge this. While Metis may have chosen to use this to his advantage, Adrastea had begun to struggle - after all, how did one lead others to the promised land when they were so confident they knew best?

As if to make her point clearer, the lioness deliberatelly flicked her tail, allowing it to be visible briefly against the tree line before she made quick work of moving herself away from that specific spot. She could hide easily again, melt into the shadows, but perhaps Zili would have the forethought to stop and listen.

All of Metis's actions had been deliberate and self assured; they had been purposefully orchestrated to lead them on this chase so that it would culminate in them finding what he wanted them to find... and yet here they were walking right passed it. Was it deliberate that they ignored the whimpers and ragged breaths, or was it that their senses were so blind to all that was around them? Adrastea would have liked to explore this more closely but this was simply not an opportunity she would have.

...The scourge did not operate in such a way, at least not normally.

"Your ears, they do not seem to work," she added with a small sigh. "We wonder why..."

Kimaria

Sorry about the wait, busy week. ;o;

Tethys had continued after the avian towards his destination and had eventually slipped into the caverns that he had briefly explored once before on a previous viking. Though Avrae may not find comfort in it now, when the white lion became aware of her concern, he would at least reassure her that the Pirates had been long gone before the Vikings had arrived the first time. More importantly, the land hadn't been left in this state when they had visited either. The Scourge that now festered in this land had arrived later meaning that it was likely those she loved were safe.

...Or at least Tethys would hope so.

It wasn't long before he had been led to the destination he needed to be shown though, and immediately he had wrinkled his nose in distaste at both the smell and the state in which the caverns had been left. They really didn't have any regard for the 'vessel' from what he could see. They had passed several 'spots' where the fallen lay and nothing seemed to indicate that efforts had been made to lay them to rest properly.

Ah, but the scourge didn't believe in that, now did they?

His lips had been drawn into a thin line as he eventually reached where the other captain had been guarding and he took a breath. It wasn't long before his scout joined him either, with Lawsonia dipping in to the caverns now that he had graced the band with the orders. Fortunately, they seemed to have spread quickly and credit to those captains who had also joined them, they had enacted their own orders just as swiftly!

"And what do we have here...?" he murmured softly, though a part of him already knew due to the fresh blood under his paws.

show spoilerhide spoiler

DavyJnah

Moving this on a little, feel free to jump back in whenever Cythraul is ready! <3

Chi Sohma

Sorry about the wait!

Ctrl F Greenie

 

[Kimaria]

"Xochi! Get back here!" Zili hissed, a sudden breeze sending the fur along his back prickling up with unease. He did not want to be left alone and, if that was someone in the shadows there then the voice was right. They needed to go that way.

The red lioness through a distrusting look over her shoulder and, for once, Zili decided to throw caution to the wind and take charge. They were being led into a trap, no doubt, but nowhere was safe. And surely...if the phantoms had wanted them dead, they would be dead by now? Right?

Right...

Still, the dark lion was eternally grateful when he heard Xochi rushing to catch up and took courage from her presence drawing up alongside him.

"You better be right," she muttered softly.

"I saw something."

"Shh!" the female interrupted, straining her ears to listen. "Maybe you're right after all."

Epine de Rose

 

[Epine de Rose]

Adrastea was soon satisfied that at least one of the lions in question had a brain, and with the attention of the black lion now firmly pointed in her rough vicinity she took advantage of it. Metis had taken his leave to address other matters but throughout this entire turn of events, the phantom female had noted what he seemed to be trying to do. Thus, she had taken up the mantle and began to lead them in the right direction, down the beaten trails they should have gone through if they had been paying attention.

...Perhaps now the red lioness might see something, hear it, smell it...or even touch it. The blood would soon begin to lead down a particular path and still fresh, it would lead them to where they needed to go. Still, in order to make them follow her she was going to have to be strategic in her approach which wasn't really her forte. Quite frankly, this type of duty wasn't the forte of any female phantom, but when needs must, they would give a whirl.

To be honest, if it helped Metis, then she would do everything she could.

Thus, it wasn't long before she was deliberately snapping twigs. Flitting with ease between the shadows, she marked the path they should take with sounds and hoped that on this occasion, they might make it where they needed to go before it was too late...

Kimaria

 

[Kimaria]

They had been going down the trail for a few moments before Zili realised the track was familiar. Plants had already been brushed aside - or broken if they'd been too far across the trail - meaning that they had either been here before, or someone else had. A few light breaths and he was fairly confident they had been here before. He wasn't sure whether that was a good sign or not. Closer to their group, yes, but certainly not out of danger.

What were they expected to find out here?

Xochipepe paused, lifting a paw to inspect it. "Blood," she whispered, her voice a strange tone. Zili wasn't sure whether it ws concern or anticipation? Or maybe she'd finally settled into her business head.

"We're being lured," he said needlessly and, with a nod, Xochipepe moved ahead, breaking into a hurried walk with Zili following. "They want us to find whoever this blood belongs to."

And Zili doubted it would be long before they did.

Epine de Rose

 

[Epine de Rose]

The red lioness would have done well to learn from her comrade, such was the black lionesses observation as she continued along her way. Sure enough, it wasn't long before they finally came into a small grove. Warm, but away from the harsh light of the sun, it would have been a pleasant place to rest had it not been for the severity of the situation they now found themselves in. Alas, while lured, it appeared that 'whoever' had led them down the path, didn't appear to have said an immediate trap.

...Instead, it looked like they had simply been led here for the sole purpose of finding the victim. Unusual to be sure, given phantoms should have killed their victims outright, but was now really the time to query this strange turn of events?

Once again, Adrastea had fallen silent and had slipped carefully into the shadows. Selecting a perch a considerable difference away, it was time for her to also allow the pair to wander. She had brought them as close as she could without exposing herself, and both the scent of the blood and the haggard breaths would be significantly easier to hear now. Just ahead, if they were astute enough, whatever awaited them was right inside that strange grove.

Alas, it was a surprising distance away from where the ritual sights should have been.

Kimaria

 

[Kimaria]

The pair shifted closer together as they followed the trail. Zili was near terrified. Deathly afraid of what they would come across. A horrible scene like the one he had witnessed with Destati...or maybe simply...the end of the line for them both. Even Xochipepe seemed to be treading a little more carefully now - as if picking up on his emotions and allowing them to temper her usual brashness.

"Perhaps you should wait here," he whispered, his voice sounded strained.

"And leave you to fight them alone?" she shook her head, defiant.

Zili could not help but feel sad at that. There would be no fight if these monsters wanted them dead. Just a massacre. He'd be no help in a fight and Xochipepe would soon be overwhelmed.

The sound of the haggard breathing momentarily faded but, after a few moments came back louder and more pained than before. They were so close now...his head was spinning. He wanted to vomit.

The path narrowed and Xochipepe took the lead, moving with a sternness that had to be admired. And then she stopped, the breath sucked out of her and he knew they had arrived at the place the Phantoms had meant.

Epine de Rose

 

[Epine de Rose]

When Metis had made his decision regarding this particular individual, he had taken great care to move them without making too much mess. In all honesty, he had been rather benevolent, and once they had been settled into the grove he had left her in the care of Adrastea to attend to the immediate wounds. It had been quite the turn of events, a moment in which the phantom had been expected to heal the white lion who should have long been dead by now.

...Truthfully, Adrastea had done quite well to stem the blood and for the time being the victim was out of immediate danger. The white lioness would need assistance, sooner rather than later, but she wouldn't die for now. To say that she was in discomfort was an understatement, Adrastea knew the lioness would be in agony, but the black lioness was at least satisfied with her own handiwork.

What the pair of Vikings thought remained to be seen though, how they reacted to the white lioness as she lay upon the grass with little strength left was another subject of interest for Adrastea as well... But for now she knew her duty, she needed to keep an eye on them and make sure they did what they were meant to do i.e. take the unfortunate lioness home again.

She didn't know why Metis had decided on this, all that she knew was that for some reason, he had deemed it necessary. On this occasion, he wanted to let one of the 'corrupt' go... Just like she had once before.

Tet - 5 | Metis - 5+ | Adrastea - 5+ | Lawsonia - 4

 

[Kimaria]

She looked gone already, a pale, shaking ghost amongst the foliage. Wounded but...alive.

Alive?

Zili didn't think they left anyone alive. Certainly that had been the case the last time he had come across one of their attacks before. Yet, for all that she was injured, she was alive. Why, then, could he not be happy about it? Why could he not race forwards, help her to her paws and whisk her out of danger before the phantoms changed their mind and came for them with tooth and claw?

You know why, a little voice whispered in the back of his mind, sending a shiver through his body, this is a trap. She was only alive because they wanted her. What? Did she have a message? Would she turn on them? Or would she simply bleed out and die before they'd even managed a proper rescue attempt?

Xochipepe, on the other hand, had indeed rushed forward to help the pale lioness, drawing up alongside her and giving her a gentle nudge on the side with her shoulder, "it's ok, it's ok," she said, soothingly, "we'll get you out of here. You're alright now." Then her soft eyes turned hard and she cast an angry glare across at Zili who leapt to attention at the scathing look he saw there.

"Help me with her!"

Then, at last, he had moved forward to support the strange female's other side and stood silently as Xochipepe encouraged her to gather her paws beneath her. "We'll get you to safety," the red lioness promised, "easy does it."

Epine de Rose

 

[Epine de Rose]

Such methodology wouldn't work, Adrastea knew this. When the black lioness had intervened, or rather, when Metis had intervened, the white lioness had already lost far too much blood. Her energy was sapped and had it not been for the hulking form of the black lion, they would never have been able to move her. It had been Metis that had carried the lioness away from the scene, and in parts, dragged her... But they had still made good time and he had delivered her to a grove with enough space for Adrastea to work.

Unfortunately the lioness was not magic though and she could only do so much, it would take significantly longer for the pale lioness to recover than a few hours. She would need shelter, food and water; better yet, the lioness would need to be carried if she were to get anywhere useful. It was in these moments that Adrastea chose to keep silent and simply observe, they had reached an important cross roads and now, they would need to decide how to proceed.

They did have allies near by and if they were to retrace their steps (when not going in circles), it should theoretically be easy to find the shore again. Aid was a distinct possibility if they went to get it, and they certainly had the numbers to do so. Alas, on this particular occasion Adrastea wasn't entirely confident in which choice they would make... One seemed to understand how they functioned, the other seemed rather bullheaded. It could lead to some rather conflicted decisions that would benefit none of the parties.

...She'd made a promise though and she wouldn't intervene; not until she was told to anyway.

Kimaria

 

[Kimaria]

"It's no good," Zili replied after a moment, "she's too weak." It was probably too late for her. Zili didn't think it was possible to be attacked by the phantoms and live - not with the colour her pelt was, anyway.

"Crouch down," Xochipepe barked, "I'm gonna drag her across your shoulders."

She'd barely given him a chance to move before she was hauling the poor half-dead lioness across his back. She was a slight female, perhaps, but a complete deadweight and he felt his front legs tremble as they took on the extra weight. Zili was a tall lion but his build was more athletic than strong and he panted from the exertion of trying to stand - even with Xochipepe holding her in place with firm jaws.

"Go slowly," she spoke through clenched teeth.

And he did. Not because he wanted to (no, he'd have chosen running if it had been an option) but because his strength wouldn't allow him to go any faster.

And yet, somehow, between the two of them, they part-carried and part-dragged the poor wounded lioness back down the path.

Epine de Rose

 

[Epine de Rose]

The orange and black male was the first to see them; having been sent explicitly to collect the remainder of the band, Zili and Xochi had been two of the only ones that had been left to find. Based on the feedback from others, he had quickly discerned they were in this direction and had made for them as quickly as possible. To say that he had been slightly alarmed by the amount of blood had been an understatement; but it hadn't been long before he understood why it was there.

As the pair slowly but surely dragged the injured lioness back to camp, they finally came in to view and Lawsonia closed the gap between himself and then. At the moment he wasn't entirely certain if the individual on Zili's back was even alive, but he surmised that if they were carrying her, then she must be. Otherwise, they were wasting a lot of energy in order to bring back evidence of a fatality.

...A fatality they already knew had occurred based on their findings already.

"There you are," he remarked as he glanced towards their companion and then towards them. "Tethys wants everyone back," he paused and nodded to the lioness on Zili's back. "And I think it's an understatement to say he might be interested in that..." he murmured softly. "Or her," he amended softly.

"Regardless, we need to head back and regroup," he concluded and gave a nod. They may or may not be turned around after their adventure, but he at the very least remembered the way he had come and would lead them back to the band to recover...

Kimaria