Firefly Glen I'm sorry if I hurt you, I'm sorry if it got that bad

@Toad Amelia maybe?

And so, she returned from her adventure. She had been gone for some time now; such a length of time had allowed her anger and frustration with @Holland to fade into guilt and something... deeper. Appreciation, perhaps? Affection? The thought made her heart flutter, the image of the man's scarred face rising in her mind, sending the flutter straight to her belly. Such feelings had been gone for years, buried alongside the man she had once called husband.

Was that... How she thought of Holland? Her ears pressed back to her skull, not in dismay but in surprise. Was that how he thought of her? Is that why he'd been so angry? The valkyrie paused midstep, blinking evergreen eyes as she thought of the man, as she thought of their argument and felt... so many things click into place. The butterflies in her stomach, the draw to see him, the way he'd been so protective. She could, of course, be reading him wrong, but Keres knew what a crush felt like, though she'd not had one in a long, long time.

Now, more than ever, she was happy to be home once more, delving into the Glen with the intent to seek the medic out and apologize for her behavior and subsequent disappearance.

The excitement Toad was feeling about visiting Yuèlóng after her discussion with @Kukutux was delightful, for she hadn't felt this hopeful about anything for a long time. It was true that Brecheliant was still holding itself in her mind as a viable option if she was unable to find a husband in Moonspear or the Glen, but she just loved the idea of being paired with a powerful man and strengthening the alliance between the coastal pack and the Glen at the same time.

At the same time, she knew that it was all a long shot. Though the fair white maiden had bumped the brown huntress's confidence, she still knew it unlikely that the coastal wolf would find anything in her worth taking as a wife. So, as she wandered, she tried to keep her expectations realistic. The portly woman was hardly a princess to be wed to a prince; she was merely Toad.

It was Keres, strangely, that she nearly bumped into on her way to the borders. The silver woman had something worried and intense on her face, so Toad immediately moved up to her and asked, Keres, are you okay?

Amelia, Keres breathed, drawing to a stop before they could collide. Yes, yes perfectly fine. Just dealing with the surprising feeling of actually being attracted to someone again after Erebus. Guilt flickered through the woman at the thought, uncomfortable and unexpected; was it a betrayal of Erebus' memory to feel such things for another man? Was she to stay true to him for the rest of her life? Surely not. Surely his gods would smile upon her continuing to live, continuing to pursue a happiness beyond just merely living amongst her family.

How are you? It's been a while. And it had been. Though the two only knew each other in passing, Toad Amelia had never drawn the ire of the silver woman and instead fostered fond feelings.

To hear her mother's name used for herself felt good from Keres, a woman she greatly respected. Nothing seemed amiss, and the mild worry that Toad had felt of the possibility of something nasty afoot vanished with the pleasant gaze of her pack mate. Toad couldn't help but grin wide and stupid when the guardian asked how she was, for there was much gossip to share.

I'm great! Kukutux and I are going to Yuèlóng to meet a man named Aiolos. Apparently, he is looking for a wife, and apparently, Kukutux thinks I might be a good match, she shared openly, unable or perhaps unwilling to control her excitement over the matter. Keres and Toad were worlds away in their day to day, but she figured that such news might be interesting to the silver woman.

Her tail waved, a smile spreading across her face at the news Amelia shared. Oh, that sounds wonderful! Do you know anything about him yet? Or just that he lives on the coast? And would Amelia stay there, or here? The concept of something arranged did little to surprise the silvered valkyrie, knowing already that it was a concept Kukutux had grown up with. And seeing Amelia happy about it, Keres had no reason to nitpick at the idea.

When are you leaving to meet him? Do you know?

I know that he has a son, Huojin, but the mother didn't stay. Kukutux said he's kind and polite, and high status. I'm a little worried he won't like me, Toad explained, smiling bashfully. The northerner had assured her that she was no mere girl, and that her kindness was an attractive feature. Still, she worried that Aiolos sought what all men preferred — someone as beautiful and elegant as Kuku. Those were features Toad simply did not have.

This month sometime. I wonder if Sialuk will join us, she answered, tail wagging.

Was Amelia intending to step in as the child's mother? Keres wondered this as the girl went on with her answer, pleased that she was pleased. Keres would never begrudge another their happiness; if someone's happiness wasn't hurting anyone else, then where was the harm? What's there not to like? She asked, waiting only a beat before continuing with You're kind, you're polite. I would imagine like attracts like, no? She stepped closer then, nudging the other female's shoulder supportively.

Hopefully this blizzard blows over quickly enough to allow you to go. I'd hate for that to delay your excitement. She was lucky to have beaten the snows home, and was glad that her timing seemed to be as good as ever.

Ignis was a northern man by hearth and blood -- he could tell when a blizzard was coming in to screw him over. So when the wind changed direction and the snow fell down harder, it was then and there that the pale Phoenix told himself that he needed to "Take his white ass home". He was still more than willing to continue on with his journey to learn more about the glen's allies (especially that...uhhhh...'Yweelung' place he had yet to properly pronounce) -- though he was not risking his damn life in order to do so. It could wait.

His large paws dragged him into the glen territory and he eagerly followed the familiar scent of his friend and mentor, Keres. He had not seen the Valkyrie in a while, and it would've been refreshing to see another familiar face after awkwardly forcing himself into conversations with strangers -- excluding Aliana of course (would she mind another visit once the blizzard blew over?)

Odd gaze finally recognizing the shape of a silvery plumage, his step softened in a way to kinda sneak up on her from behind. Although when the shape of someone else came into view, he drew to a stop and awkwardly shifted his gaze to the ground and back -- good job Ignis, now you just look like an idiot. So instead, the snowy brute opted to straighten up and clear his throat to announce his presence instead.

Wolf scent.

The earth leaked with its foulness. Yakwahe's nose inhaled sharply, wrinkling with intensity. With heavy paws he strode mindlessly over the border, tunnel vision setting in on the sounds and smells of three. It was the grey one he stalked, the one whose scent was heaviest along the perimeter of this wolf place. The she creature's trail was obvious.

None stopped him because of the groups closeness to their treasured border. Moving up behind and in the trees, no doubt the ones in front of her would see him, but he cared not. Furiously, he charged from the forest, hulking weight pounding against the ground as he reared up behind the grey one and roared, swiping a massive paw at her.

I hope that's true! she answered Keres, feeling her cheeks heat up as she struggled to take the compliment. Kukutux had said something similar, so she assumed it was possibly true? She liked to think of herself as both kind and polite, although she knew that her terseness could offend sometimes. She appreciated the nudge, nipping at Keres lightly.

She nodded, just as Āzon approached her from behind. She looked at him and tilted her head with a, hello, as he cleared his throat. She wondered if he might have business with Keres, but, something else took precedence.

The smell, and then shape, and sound of a grizzly bear came from the trees beyond them, and Toad shouted, KERES!!! in alarm. Immediately, her eyes were wide and all of the fluffy, normally friendly fur on her back stood on end. Fear clutched her heart, but all she could do was stand her ground and hope that her warning was enough.

The scent was undeniable. As soon as the air picked up upon the unfamiliar scent of not wolf, but a fauna in the works, Desdemona was quick to pace down the mountain with a momentum of non-stop running. Her jaded eyes focused ahead and the scent became more and more clear, and the image of a bear was clear within the guards mind. She could hear voices down below in the glen, and quickened as fast as a wolf could possibly go for the help and rescue of any.

But she was far too late, and seeing the early destruction, Desdemona knew there was no time to waste. She could hear the worrying call of others, but she already was high in the air, a tremendous leap with claws out and fangs open wide;

she leapt at the bear in an attack.

In a matter of moments, the world shifted. In another world, Keres would have turned to affectionately greet her friend and pupil, maybe headbutt his shoulder. He'd been gone a while, as she had, and she was glad he'd made it home safely before the blizzard descended upong them.

But safely was a relative term, wasn't it?

The bears roar rang load and alien in her ears. There was a second where she was sure fire consumed her leg but... then it died away and she wasn't even sure that she had even felt it to begin with. This contemplation happened in the blink of an eye, moments before her hurtling form collided with a tree trunk. Snow fell heavy to the ground.

The wolf followed.

By some miracle, she retained consciousness enough to send a call up into the air.

BEAR ATTACK BEAR ATTACK BEAR ATTACK

Now to sort out if she could stand...

The brute caught the eye contact of Toad, a pack member he hadn't had time to get properly acquainted with, and gave the oak woman a small nod in greeting as he approached -- a sort of pleading look in his eye that she'd hopefully forget the awkward first impression she had the misfortune of getting from him. Though this misfortune was nothing in comparison to what had come next.

Out of nowhere, the sound of a loud, blood-curdling roar deafened his ears and caused painful ringing that made him wince. His heart pounded in his chest with alarm, and when the prince would turn to see what the hell was happening his gaze widened in pure horror at the sight of an ursine. No, not a wolf he mistook as a bear like he did Aliana when they'd first met -- an actual fucking bear.

And it was heading towards Keres.

"FUCK--KERES NO!" Though his cries were far too late. The Valkyrie was soon to go flying into a nearby tree and he watched her form go momentarily limp. Azon's blood ran stone cold and for a moment and he just stood there -- heaving -- under the impression that the silver woman had died right in front of him. How powerless he had felt in that moment -- He could've done something -- could've sensed them coming from before, how did he not? In that moment, Ignis felt like a powerless whelp watching everything go to hell....

Just like his brother....

It was then and there that the Pheonix began seeing red. He did not care if his opponent was more formidable than the measly form he was in comparison, and he was far too angry to notice the sudden appearance of Desdemona -- and the fact that Keres was actually not dead. None of this mattered to him, because nothing would feel better right now than feeling his teeth tear a chunk out of the ursine fucker in front of him.

The pale sire snarled and lunged -- aiming for the bear's throat, face, anything he could get a hold of as soon as they collided...

The she-thing fell with the grace of a tin can shot by a rifle. He had little time to celebrate this brief victory, however, for as she stumbled to her feet, it was another she-beast that flew at him angrily. With the speed of lightning, she latched onto his front leg. But she was a little thing, and Yakwahe lifted his leg, her attached, and moved to snap his teeth onto her neck or back. Should he succeed, he would pry her away from him completely.

All of these motions shifted his neck up and away from the attacking white thing, who desperately grabbed instead onto his belly. It was so thick with fat, that the teeth felt like a bee sting — a thing he was most accustomed to from fights with the little insects. Little white insect, you will die, he thought.

Desdemona was there in a flash, clearly having detected the animal before any of them had. A split second made her wonder how it had gotten so close to the glen without anyone noticing, but she realized with astonishment the speed at which it charged. There was no time to howl for help, no time to do anything other than help in whatever way she could.

Amelia flew forward, loyally defending her friend and packmate from the horrible beast with snapping jaws, going after the back of its leg the way she would if a moose or deer had attacked. Concern for her own safety was absent as she made her move, fear flooding her senses and adrenaline taking over as Azon attacked.

Many helped to the fray as Keres stood perhaps paralyzed from the momentum, but Desdemona had to fully concentrate on the beast ahead. A wince and a cry yelped from the guard as the teeth burrowed into her fur, pulling and tearing- how much it had hurt. She could not remember another time having such a serious attack, was the mountain as abnormally peaceful at times, she felt her limbs had grown rusty for such an action..

Then she was torn from the bully, but despite the burning and the blood curling from her back, she lept to action moreso. None mattered but the factor where the bear was aiming toward, the bloodlust in the air and Desdemona- throwing herself right to the bears face.

To her credit, Keres only faltered once as she struggled to her feet, dazed and startled by the sudden turn of events. The glen was a cacophany of noise; her glen, her wonderful glen, why was this happening? Eyes wild and wide, she shook her head to try and clear the fog. Even if it lingered, the valkyrie was moving, diving into the fray without thinking about how she couldn't feel her leg, couldn't feel the blood pour through her fur and stain the snow.

She, too, moved to attack. In next to her friends and family, Keres set her teeth to tas, going for any opening she could. Fur and flesh filled her mouth but could they actually fell such a monster? Could they fell him without losing anyone? If the feeling in her leg was the only thing she lost, it would be a good day.

Short 'n sweet phone post <3. I'm not sure if Āzon got smacked up™ in that post but I'm assuming he just missed and latched onto his stomach?

More started joining the fray, and yet the pheonix was still not able to catch a grasp at anything going on in that moment through his primal bloodlust -- the need to kill whatever he'd been set on attacking. His target, which was the bear's jugular, was missed entirely and his jaws instead latched onto the large ursine's stomach instead. This was not a trigger to let go and try again however -- because as soon as he felt the bear's oily hide in his teeth, he shook and tore. An attempt to desperately do what he'd set out to and spill the animal's blood.

The nipping and biting made him even more angry, a deep and disgusted rage rumbling in his gut as the snow showers blew upon them. The fat one snapped upon his leg, severing a vein that let loose blood quickly. He flung his weight around, swooping toward her, lifting himself, and slamming his gnarled claws in an attempt to fall right onto her if he could.

The skinny one went for his face, and for a moment, her teeth snapped onto the lower part of his jowl, pulling and tearing. The white one tore at his belly, and a wound opened and bled.

With the push from the silver one pushing her mouth onto his belly, Yakwahe flurried his paws at all of them, charging one way, then the other, slicing his paws wide and hard with a fury that mirrored a demon. A monster in spirit, it was Yakwahe had gave bears a bad name, tasting the blood of the wolven lessers on his tongue and finally settling his sights on the little dark one.

He reared, flinging his arms such to displace any attacks they might have tried on his front. Then, he pushed his teeth at the skinny dark thing, closing them shut if he could feel fur, harder than before, hoping to shake the she-thing in a sadist calculation.

Toad tasted blood from the stinking animal into her mouth. She refused to spit, pulling at the wound as a hunter would. But the bear spun to greet her. She felt herself inhale hard as he rose on his hind legs, throwing himself down as she dodged to the side… poorly. He snapped his weight, eight times her own, onto her shoulder, dislocating it and breaking her femur.

She yowled in pain, lucky to be alive from the attack but falling over to her side as she shook in terrible pain. The bear swiped about his front, and his claws swept across her face, ripping apart the side of her snout.

Tears came then as the adrenaline drifted into pure pain, blood pouring from her. She rolled to try to rise, but her shoulder would not allow it. And at that point, she could do nothing else but yowl for help, a sound that dissipated so thinly that none could hear it over the bear's terrible roars.

What she saw could only be described in a one-man slaughter, as the bear terrorized the individuals at the glen and clawed his way to victory. Even upon skilled warriors helping to bring the beast down, they all seemed to be but an ant to his reign as the bear swatted them all and brought his terrible fangs to them..

Unfortunately she was a victim to him. Desdemona struggled and whined as she tried to release from his gripe, the fangs tearing closer into her skin and most importantly, her neck itself. She knew such a precise location would cause in a terrible consequence, and she was desperate to get away. Not only for her own survival, but the guard knew if she were to fall in this instance, there would less wolves to battle in the situation at hand.. To the wolves she vowed to protect, she needed to escape.

Yet, Desdemona in her powess could not.

As the bear shook her with such a force, there was an audible SNAP that rung out.. And she grew limp.

Jaded eyes staring out in a lifeless void.

The sound might not have been audible, but the moment Desdemona's life left her was something that could not be unseen. The limp way she hung, the sightless eyes, the lack of fight. All of it filtered down into one single, utterly driving purpose:

Kill the bear.

She dove in again, going for its eyes, its throat, ears anything she could reach, a terrible snarl echoing in the glen as she sought to exact revenge for the death of her friend.

His intentions lied in the continuation of his purge -- a part of him feeling some sort of sick satisfaction when a wound opened into the stomach of Keres' murderer, and another part of him wanting to vomit. The sound of screaming, yowling, roaring, and the tang of blood upon his tongue -- all of it made him sick. He wanted it all to stop, and the only way to make the chaos go away is to rid the glen of this sadistic beast. 

As if snapped back into reality itself, the ursine began flailing around violently until one of it's powerful strikes finally landed upon the pheonix and had him slamming several feet away from the carnage. His ears rang painfully and his vision became blurry, though his motive to defend his home never ceased -- adrenaline pumped feverishly through his veins and even made the wound which bled heavily from his cranium feel numb in that moment.

The snap that reverberated through the glen was unmistakable, and the darkish-brown a figure that went limp in the bear's grip -- he couldn't even tell who it was whilst the adjustment of his blured vision. Whoever that was, however, they could'nt have survived that attack.

And there Āzon was, sitting on his ass and watching ANOTHER glen wolf die infront of him.

The Pheonix raged.

And there was a stumble in his drunken steps before the pale brute charged towards his target, using his weight and teeth to make as much of an impact as he could. Ignis couldn't see jack shit, and didn't know which part of the bear he bit and shook into, but that was something he could worry about after his eyes cleared up soon. 

In between the stench of blood running thick in the air, Āzon could've sworn his mentor's scent was near him as well -- but since the woman was already deemed dead before his attack, he brushed it off as a desperate hallucination.

Once more the satisfaction of his felled opponents did not last long, for the snap of the little one and the break of the fat one enraged the lesser wolves. The silver one aimed at his face, snapping her foul teeth onto his thick, rolling neck. He charged toward the white one with her attached to him, for the white thing had been thrown but went for him yet again.

The white thing's jaws let loose on his armpit, and it hurt, and blood leaked from his wounds. Then he was a bear coated in comparatively tiny cuts, red stains blotching a filthy coat as Yakwahe finally aimed his mouth at the silver one on his neck.

He should have run, perhaps, but the rage blinded him. He hated these stupid dog beasts. And so he snapped toward the silver one hard to rip her from him and the world around her, eyes dilated in a murderous stare as he roared with fury.

Though darkness threatened to set in from sheer pain, Toad refused to go down without a real fight. She at last managed to lift her front half by putting all of her weight on her working shoulder, her other leg falling loosely under her. Her tail had also somehow broken at the end, but the pain of her face was what she felt the most as blood poured into her working eye.

With half a face she dragged herself toward the bear, just as Desdemona's body snapped and the monster shook her into the afterlife. Des, she tried to shout, but liquid was in her throat and lungs. This was all just a bad dream. A nightmare she would wake from any moment.

She saw the vague shapes of Azon fighting hard and Keres in a fit, but the bear's terrible sounds shook her ears. Feebly she tried to snap at him, but her teeth hit nothing but air as she wobbled on three legs.