@Caiaphas
Why did he do it? Why did he go back into the storm? There was much regret when he realised he didn't recognize anything after the storm. Not only that but he was extremely exhausted that he was still feeling it this day. Maybe he got stronger but it's not worth it if he couldn't get back to Rain. She was left injured and what's worse is that it's already been a couple days. His only clue is the mountains so he's been following them. Rain had likely moved on to some place else, The was no doubt that she needed him. But it looked like he wouldn't be of any kind of help.
Nishu has been searching with the minimal amount of rest he needed. It made the following days harder to deal with but he couldn't waste time. From these flatlands he was able to get a good view of the mountains. Sunspire could be there, in fact maybe the Spire was over there but would Rain be there too? It would look bad for him to be there without Rain. So what could he do? He completely lost Rain and had no idea where to go but forward.
He needed some high ground. That should give him a better chance of finding her. He jumped down from a small edge. He had some difficultly in getting back up after landing. His muscles never really got a chance to recover. He kept pushing onward like nothing was holding him back but there is no telling when exhaustion will strike him down.
a crash from ahead caused caiaphas to pause from her prowling along the loamy soil -- a single paw uplifted over a hapless toad that had frozen with orb-like eyes glassy and wide in terror. she remained motionless for a moment, her hefty paw overhead like a poised guillotine -- and with a growl towards the rotund amphibian she scuffed dirt in its direction and strode ambitiously towards the source of the noise. the toad was lucky that day -- for two reasons -- one, he was incredibly inedible (but not un-tormentable) and two, whatever that noise was intrigued caiaphas more than harassing a being of a smaller order.
as she pulled across the rise nishu inte had just leaped from she stopped, realizing the scent was familiar and all too contemptible. her hackles bristled instantly and her tail rose confidently over her bony hips -- as way of announcement she ushered forth from her narrow muzzle a low growl. she remained assertive in her posturing, but did not pursue him -- instead the falcon-yellow of her fierce gaze followed nishu inte with acerbic quality.
Something was odd, like he was being watched. He kept going but slowly, trying to shake off this feeling that something was going to happen. His best chances would be to hold a strong dominate form in hopes that will intimidate whatever danger there could be. If he had to fight he would only be able to with half his strength. He was looking around more cautiously until he finally decided to turn around to see someone he least expected.
He turned and looked up to make eye contact with the evillious stare that he remembered rather well. "Surprise surprise, my Queen." He said confidently with grin. Although he did have better lines planned for this encounter but his response wasn't within those plans.
An old enemy was before him so he couldn't show any signs of fatigue. There was no telling what Caiaphas would do but surely it wouldn't be anything favorable for him. This time he wouldn't dare avoid eye contact, This time he was watching carefully for any signs that she would attack. He would be at a disadvantage but he should be fine as long as he hid that fact. "Has the sea been treating you as fair as it did to me?" He asked, taunting her a bit. The sea was quite kind to let him and Rain live but how would Caiaphas feel about that?
despite the menace of her aspect, the siren queen had no intentions for physical aggression -- while nishu inte drew himself up in preparation for some battering charge, caiaphas found herself scheming of other ways to assail him. she did not catch the drift of fatigue that cloaked him, but she did notice he looked somewhat rough for wear. perhaps the flatlands had been as unkind to him as she had been. she certainly hoped so.
it stroked her ego to untold lengths to hear him refer to her as a queen -- even if the title was speared with patronizing barb. "a surprise to see you alive. perhaps the mothers had planned for this day." she goaded, knowing an irresolute praise towards the religion he scorned would likely irritate him. she fell silent then, a casual sweep of her tail given in confidence of her stature. she was sure the loquacious male would rebuke shortly - it was only a matter of time.
Although irritating it was a bit of relief to see that she hasn't changed much. He still wondered how someone ended up being like that. He wouldn't have cared about it if it didn't lead her to go crazy. This mother's talk was already annoying but it even felt pointless saying something. They were even close to the coast. Isn't it the sea where her 'mother' is? It's not like he ever understood this religion and he never will since it's complete non sense anyway.
"Right, the all knowing mother can explain everything. Or maybe this is just what happens when I search across lands. If this was planned wouldn't you have an ambushed prepared or atleast a precaution?" He looked around for a moment. "Not a single follower is showing? I kinda expected Spyridon to appear by now." He said, seeming disappointed that nothing was appearing but that was really for the best. He would be screwed otherwise, there are no cliffs to jump off this time.
His confident gaze returned to meet the other. He wanted to move on and continue the search but turning his back on this wolf may not be the best idea. He was still prepared for some sort of attack.
like a true nonbeliever, nishu inte recoiled from her devout assertion -- quick to focus on her apparent lack of knowledge in his survival. the she-wolf issued a sly smile -- an ugly one that painted her narrow muzzle with insidious humor. "the mother works in ways mortals cannot fathom." she supplied airily, staunch in her conviction despite being an irresolute heathen herself.
it appeared her solitude did not go unnoticed -- caiaphas was quick to shrug, the stab rolling off her shoulders like beads of water on a duck. "i like to be alone sometimes." she rose, stepping towards him with her feral gaze locked on his own. "but you? you always struck me as dependent - social.. where are your friends, nishu?"
Did she think she was immortal? Or was it another way of trying to explain something that couldn't possibly exist, since no one is immortal. Either way her head was in the clouds and wasn't going to come down anytime soon. Nothing she said would bother him until it was aimmed at the reason he was here, alone. Without realising he turned away and tried making an excuse. "I'm just on my own for now, passing a bit of time." For some reason he needed to clear his throat once he finished his excuse.
"Don't you have the need to step on others. or perhaps you can't because alone there is not much you can do. Doomed to pick on little guys?" He said with a chuckle. Alone she didn't even seem like a threat. What could she possibly do alone? Nothing big for sure but really he shouldn't underestimate her. He continued to stand firm towards her. He shouldn't waste anymore time here but he could risk an ambush if he turned. He felt like he needed to distract her somehow. He stood there thinking, trying to come up with something distracting.
the she-wolf's gaze was cutting as she peered down her sharp muzzle at nishu. the keen glare of her yellow eyes filled with skepticism. the ushered throat clear the male issued forth only seemed to catalyze her doubt -- for a moment her oversized ears pivoted, seeking any detection of unwarranted sound about them.
"does that mean you are a little guy?" the coywolf spat, canting her head sideways in feigned curiosity. the flinty nature of the male before her made her remember why they had thrown him from their cliff all that time ago.