Noctisardor Bypass [raid] going deeper underground

I didn’t realize it was my turn, my bad on the delay!

He knew Mahler was not the kind of wolf to approach offensively. The man was a brute, a great dark wall set firmly in their path. Aventus knew all this, and went for a frontal assault anyway, believing it would give Arielle time to snake past and pursue their real target.

Only Arielle did not do that; it was Merrick who tore past both his fellow leaders on the trail of Laurel, and Arielle joined him in assaulting the colossus that was Mahler.

He did not know if his heart would sooner burst from a sudden rush of love and loyalty or a crushing rage that she would endanger herself like this. He did not have time to ponder it; he was wrenched side-to-side, blood spilling from his shoulder, which went numb with how blinding the pain of it was. In return, Aventus chewed into the side of the man’s neck, not deep enough, no, not close enough to be fatal—!

Then he was torn free and sent off his feet. Only a very short distance, but far enough that he could not regain his balance he landed, instead careening full-force into a tree. A sharp yelp and hiss of agony drowned out the very gentle crack as one of the ribs that broke when he was four months old fractured anew.

Aventus’ silver eyes lit up bright with pain and with anger; he bared his teeth and tried to force himself forward again, but was stunned for several beats, during which he could only watch in horror as Mahler turned next to his mate.