Greatwater Lake Teufelskreise

Ayana's demure smile was met with firm indifference. Conversation with this gilded passerby could be considered a kindness. She best be glad there was a sliver of mercy within him else this meeting would have gone south quickly. It still might. Nothing was set in stone, after all. Her fear was not helping matters, either. It showed in her bulbous turquoise eyes and her quickened breathe. It riled within her like a sickness, dripping from her mouth in black ichor. Dread bred dubiety, but this he managed to contain.
INDENTShe revealed her beginnings. Ah, so she was born into a nomadic pack as well? There was not many of those as far as he knew. Once she announced her pack's name, the air around them grew onerous. Eyes distant, jaw clenched, body statuesque – Tatsuya was visibly impacted by Ayana's portentous reveal. Aquila Summit...He suddenly wished he had not left the spire at all today.
INDENT“ここでは私たちの「友人」、貴重に私たちの要求を暗唱。それらのすべて、ためです。そして、何のどもりません。あなたが行う場合は何が起こるか知っています。” Tiny notes carved in flesh for first offense. Maiming for second. Living evisceration for the third. How could he forget the gritty penalties for the thoughtless? Queasy, Tatsuya looked away once he began licking blackened teeth, framed by obsidian gum and stringed by caustic saliva. Like staring into the pits of hell.
INDENTTatsuya looked down at Ayana's paws. Why was the world spinning? Stop...STOP!
INDENT“You have transgressed against us.” The man let out a miserable burble, blood seeping through cuts and abrasions. They would scar, but fur would hide them. Of course. Mar them where others won't see. Some things never change.
INDENTDizzying. Why was everything so bright? The wolverine closed his eyes, shielding them. Sound failed to reach him. The high-pitched cry of locusts, the croak of bullfrog, the impalpable breeze bumping cattails together...His perception lied only in the past now. Sand, blood, poison...Aridity made him thirst. Rent flesh upset his stomach. A foul odor was emitted from Sakuya's mouth which now teased his cheek. “続けます,” the slayer urged. None gentler than a lion unto a lamb.
INDENT“Now you will pay for your life.” The words. They came. Like bile spilling from his tongue. The captive protested, each inarticulate grunt and whine hitting him like a kick in the gut. This was torture all its own, forcing this man to squirm and tremble in fear for his life. Tatsuya wished to break away from here. This moment, this place – please, JUST PLE–
INDENT“But I am not without mercy!” exclaimed the tyrannical psychopath, slithering close to the bloodied and broken interloper. Did he draw close for the kill? But his words – mercy? Since when is he EVER compassionate? You hapless fool. Wish for death. It is preferable. Trust me. Of course, he pleaded. They always plead.
INDENTTatsuya heaved dryly.
INDENT“If I spare your life,” he paused, voice singsong, “what will you give me in return?” Tatsuya and the rest gathered 'round their prey – like vultures – need not read minds to see the man's answer: anything.
INDENTAnother heave. Not so dry this time. Emptying his stomach on to Ayana's pristine mitts, Tatsuya leaned back with a throbbing head and a sour taste in his mouth. I can't, I can't. Lips caked in vomit, he stumbled away to the lake, taking huge gulps. The gelidity of the water soothed him. Mentally, physically. Senses returning. The sun still glared. He needed to return home. Now. Right now. Finding his center, he weakly roved through muck and marsh towards Otter Creek.
INDENTAyana was forgotten. Momentarily. Should she approach him, he would kill her. He departed by giving her a loaded stare. Do not look for me. Do not follow me. Do not speak my name. You look for me, I will kill you. If I am unsuccessful, I will spend every waking moment finding a way to end you. Do. Not. Seek. Me. Out.