Dragoncrest Cliffs jungle bird

Natjuk and Blackbear both launched at the same time, which should have made their attack foolproof. Blackbear hadn't been expecting to be knocked painfully off-course by one of the doe's fleeing comrades, but it was just the break their prey had needed. Teeth grazed fatally across her throat - she could not survive this. She would never have survived this. But she had life yet within her, and so the chase was on once more.

Blackbear let Natjuk get ahead of her while she paced away the second blow of the hunt, this one a bit harsher than the last. But nothing seemed to be irreparably broken, so she was catching up to the pair soon enough. When Natjuk seemed to lose his breath, she streaked on ahead of him, giving him a chance to recuperate. It cost her, but their reserves of strength would soon be replenished tenfold.

Hours passed this way, but soon enough, the deer slowed. Stumbled. Was only jogging along. Blackbear glanced toward her companion, tongue lolling out of her mouth as she tried to ready herself for what would surely be the finally showdown. But despite the arduous nature of their hunt, her eyes were bright with merriment.

Losers eat last, she called in a teasing tone, loping off to try and land the killing blow. She tried to rid herself of the sinking feeling in her chest telling her she likely couldn't beat out her hunting partner this time.