Darkness Dwelling (OPEN!!!)

[.Rabid Lycan.]

Lucifer huffed disapprovingly, rolling his eyes as Damien began to protest once more. It was fun at first, but continuing to argue a pointless perspective? What are— Damien had ceased talking, a subtle wave of emotion ringing down the male’s spine. And Lucifer noticed it.
“What? What is it?”
Frowning, the brute tilted his muzzle to the air, shoving away the ordinary reek of fir and hare and the stale of the air. Faintly, the essence of fire burned their way into his nostrils, and Lucifer sneezed in recognition. Smells like ash… it can’t be a fire, or there would be smoke. It has to be a Hellfirian. And Damien is very tense… could it be Morgan?

Zeffen, too, halted in his chase. The distance odor of familiar fire—Hell’s fire—swelled both hope and hesitation in his chest. It could be Sylvana… but it could also be another Hellfirian. Damn it all—all these scents smell the same! Tightening his jaw, Zeffen rode onward, his figure springing from the earth to close the gap between Sylvana and himself.
And, unintentionally, to charge ever closer to Damien and Lucifer.
Please let it be her! Pines, most decaying but some alive, constricted his movements as he drew nearer. He was no longer concerned with silent steps, and the snow crackled beneath his weight with every bound.

[Sivoncé™]

"Shut up you blithering idiot!" Damien hissed, a soft but deliberate rebuke. Adrenaline began to flood through his system. Someone was coming...a confrontation was at hand. He barely realized his own body as it sank into a defensive crouch. His tail lashed agitatedly behind him. Why, of all times, do I have to be stuck here with Lucifer? Darker fears danced darkly at the back of his mind. He couldn't let himself think of Sanceul now.... But where in the Hellfire is she? She could be anywhere, he didn't know. Great job, Damien, you're an awesome friend, you know that? He hushed his internal berating now, tensing towards the woods. Something -- someone -- was approaching them. Fast.

Sylvana hadn't realized Damien was tensing until another breeze has stirred in the underbrush. That scent....even under the soot and ash...she would know it anywhere. Thoughts of Damien were discarded. What did it matter? What did anything matter? Zeffen was here, he'd understand why she came here. He'd understand why she had to run. He wouldn't ever think of going back to Blood Mist either...
Or at least, to Sylvana, it seemed nothing was worth getting stirred up about. Her beloved was here! Everything else...it would wait. The world, breathing, blinking -- it all would just have to wait for now...
And then she was tearing across the clearing towards Damien and Lucifer, bending her stride towards the woods.
"ZEFFEN!"

[.Rabid Lycan.]

Lucifer curled his lip, slightly annoyed but acting more offended than he actually was. “Touchy,” he muttered quietly, lapsing into silence. He crouched lower, his frame dipping below Damien’s superior size until he was fairly hidden—a black smudge darkening the snow. His crystalline gaze narrowed as he sought the silhouette of the oncoming wolf. What if it is Morgan? Will a battle erupt right here, and now? What if Damien loses? He frowned. …and how am I going to get out of here without being noticed?
He tilted his gaze to the side, seeking a path to safety until a blur of movement caught his eye. A femme was approaching from behind, and Lucifer was unfamiliar with her. His lip curled as he stared. Who’s this?

Zeffen broke through the trees, the dark pattern of soot on his fur laced with pale snowflakes. His vision was hazy and blurred, and yet he charged onward with expert clarity. Sylvana, his lover and sole true friend, had called his name. He scented her now, unimpeded by winter weather and conflicting odors. She was so close now, and all he wanted to do was hold her and finally end this pursuit.

Lucifer whirled around at the sound of crunching snow, and another blur of a wolf was speeding in their direction, emerging from the trees. Who…?

[Sivoncé™]

You've got to be kidding me....
He couldn't allow himself a sigh of releif. Morgan would've been worse, far worse, would he not? But all the same...he'd barely fought Zeffen at all, he'd been too concerned over Sylvana. I don't know what this wolf is capable of....or if Sylvana would defend us if he tries to attack...and where in Hellfire's name is Sanceul? She turns up every time something happens....or when nothing happens, and then we make something happen climbing up trees....well, anyway, I'm gonna yell at here for leaving me alone on this one...
Assuming Zeffen let him leave after this.
He settled back, muscles tense, eyes locked on Sylvana and Zeffen as they met.

At last!
She stopped as the distance evaporated between them. In an instant, she was burying her muzzle in his shoulder, tears leaking from her eyes in a mixture of sorrow and earth-shattering joy. Too long, the worlds and layers of existence have kept us apart, Zeffen. No longer. I'm here now, and I'm not going anywhere. We'll never be apart again. Ever. She collapsed into his arms.

In the darkness, a pair of eyes flickered to life, watching the scene with silent, watchful curiosity. I shouldn't be here...these are Hellfirians! But I'm one too...ugh, they don't look too bad! Sylvana wasn't there when they snagged me....maybe these are friends....
Tentatively, Risika stepped towards the brim of the woods. No, no...I'll stay...stay and wait a bit longer.

[.Rabid Lycan.]

Let the lake flood the shore, earthquakes split the ground, and flames hail from the sky. A single embrace was all he acknowledged and all other focus withered away. His senses locked onto the emotion of the moment, and, at last, their agony was assuaged. Just a touch, and he was spiraling into a void of ecstasy.
I’m not alone. I found her…
“I found you,” he echoed softly, his sealed eyes tightening as familiar warmth spread from her body to his. And I’m never leaving.

Lucifer gawked at the sight, bemused by the arrival and actions of the pair, and hardly daring to breathe as the two exchanged near silent greetings. He blinked, casting a brief, questioning glance at Damien before returning his attention to the others. If and when they notice us, what then?
Uncertain, the male shuffled backwards, tilting his ears forward to listen for signs of aggression.

Sure enough, the heavenly sensation did not last. The joyous reunion was interrupted by unwelcome scents—of Hellfirian and foreign odors, to be exact. Cracking open one eye, Zeffen slightly tilted his head into the direction of the source. There, two wolves were settled, and Zeffen stiffened under Sylvana’s grasp.
…friend or foe? Who are these? That one male… I remember him from somewhere. When? I— He snapped both eyes open. He was with Sylvana when she last died! When that femme attacked me!
His fur bristled subconsciously, willing the neighboring wolves to depart and allow Sylvana and himself a chance for peace.

[Sivoncé™]

While Sylvana remained enveloped in sheer bliss, Damien's eyes swiveled once more to a disturbance in the undergrowth. He stifled a sigh, frustration flaring in his belly as the tension rose once again. What now? He gave the air a sniff, but all he could smell was Hellfire...
Not another one of them....
He took a tentative step towards the shaking brush.
"We know you're there. Face us, or stay where you are and be a coward," Damien challenged, voice low and grating like a snarl.

Sylvana, just catching the tail end of Damien's words, narrowed her eyes at the necomer. Her lips pulled back in a show of open hostility. "It's it's a Blood Mist, let them come! I'll kill the bastards myself!" She remained with Zeffen, but her posture was stiff with anger.

Risika held her position, not at all perturbed by the threat of the dark-furred male. When the female added her threat to the mixture, Risika's white fangs flashed with a pearly smile. Ah, I've heard right, then. There are other rebels out there....a little uprising, eh? I think I'll join in the festivity... With a sway in her step and a smirk on her maw, she parted the wiry branches with a lowered, creamy white head and emerged into the clearing.
"Don't worry, I come in peace and all of that."
Sylvana's maw closed in a firm line of confusion as she recognized her packmate. "Risika? But--"
"I am not of Blood Mist!" She growled fiercely.

[.Rabid Lycan.]

Zeffen’s eyes darted from his mate to the thicket, and a defensive growl trilled in the back of his throat. If Sylvana despises BloodMist, than so will I. Still brushing his torso against her fur, Zeffen pivoted to face the newcomer, who emerged from the forest with words of sincerity.
The brute hesitated, uncertain of the fae.
“…if you aren’t of BloodMist, then what are you doing here?”

Lucifer grimaced, observing a confusing exchange of threats and inquiries. What’s wrong with these wolves? Better yet, who are these wolves? Who’s on whose side? Even Sanceul’s less complicated than this!

[Sivoncé™]

Surprise momentarily rippled through Sylvana's expression, mingling with the hate that sprouted in her eyes at the mere mention of her former pack. "Why did you leave them?" Her inquiry was icy and evasive; she hadn't yet decided whether or not to believe Risika's story. After all, the girl's notorious for traitorage... How many times had Risika made up her mind on something, then taken it back? Sylvana turned her attention wearily towards Zeffen, her eyes plunging into a sorrow of startling depth. She had to tell him now, so he could understand properly. "When I...came back, Zeffen, the first thing I saw...was...our daughter...our beautiful daughter...dead. At the feet of Blood Mist."

Risika merely watched as Sylvana debated over whether to trust her -- she couldn't blame her for debating, really. I don't have the greatest track record. Only the slightest twinges of sympathy stung in her gut at Sylvana's proclamation of her daughter's death. I don't even know the girl's name....it's a shame. But I know all too well how Blood Mist turns on their kin... "They tried to kill me too," she offered off-handedly, "Guess they didn't anticipate me coming back so quick." Guess they got tired of not knowing what side I was on.

Damien took all of this in silently, not sure if he needed to say anything at all just yet. Sometimes, it's better to take it all in... Lucifer was uncomfortable next to him. The hint of a smile twitched at the corners of his lips. Serves him right! It is interesting, though, to see I'm not the only Hellfirian against Blood Mist...

[.Rabid Lycan.]

Zeffen turned his gaze on Sylvana, instantly concerned with the despair in her expression even before she spoke. But then, she told him. He stared numbly at his mate, her broken speech penetrating his steel hide and tugging his heart into his throat.
What?
The knowledge spawned hatred in his veins, the former affability he had expressed toward his packmates now extinguished in an abrupt instant. Desire for retribution heated his blood. Silently, he pressed closer against Sylvana, worried for her all the more while privately mourning the death of their child.
No need to speak his mind. The dark glisten in his eyes clearly stated his intentions. They will pay.

Lucifer swayed his eyes from one wolf to the other, his tail slowly lifting in comprehension. So, these are all anti-BloodMist? An intriguing coincidence, really. But I wonder—will these wolves run and hide, or launch an attack? Either way, it doesn’t look like anyone’s going to gain headway on either side.
He shifted his weight a little, finding it odd that he was the only wolf of the group who lacked affiliation with BloodMist. What am I even doing here?

[Sivoncé™]

( lol -- poor Lucifer! 'what am I even doing here?' )

Sylvana blinked back at Risika, mildly interested, but for the most part, experssionless. "It doesn't matter to me, really, what they care for you, Risika. You never really were on anybody's side. You aren't on ours now, either. You'll do as you please, no matter who it hurts -- your company is not needed here." Silently, she added, I'd just like to be with my mate now, thank you very much. And she would've, but she hesitated. As much as she wanted to be somewhere far away with Zeffen, there was something more that demanded her attentions now. I want every last one of them to feel as I feel. I want what is closest to them to be ripped away before their eyes. I do need Risika...and possibly Damien, also. If not for their help in this manner...for the extra support against them.

"Well of course you do!" Risika batted Sylvana's remark away with a swish of her tail. "What we want is the very same, Sylvana. Perhaps not with the same intensity, but I want them to hurt. Which, if I am correct, is highly compatable with your own wishes, yes?" She shifted her weight casually.

Damien furrowed his brow, wishing more than ever that Sanceul would enter this strange set of confrontations and reuinions. He couldn't leave her to fend for herself; sooner or later, Morgan would hit his target. And more than that -- they were companions. But isn't this my best shot?
The black, foreboding wing of a raven swooped over his thoughts. Best shot at what? Suicide?
He swallowed and cleared his throat, "I'm glad you are reunited with Zeffen, Sylvana, and I hold no grudges against you, but you must understand that I can't participate in whatever revenge you seek to wreck on Blood Mist."

Sylvana turned to face him, eyes gleaming with an eerie stare. "And just why not?" Her laugh was cold and humorless, "You of all wolves have the right to such revenge, Damien. If it weren't for Crimson, you would've lived to see so much more. You would've even had a father, perhaps. She's alive, too, you know. What's to stop you from ending that? Even if not forever, just for a peace of mind...."

Damien was shaking his head before she finished. He'd been over this in his head many times before; and in a way, he harbored hate for Crimson. "For all that my mother has done to me, I believe she will be her own destruction in the end, she and my sister. I don't need to stain myself with further association. And someday, they wish I would've done them that justice. I won't kill my mother, because it would make her fantatically happy to see I'd finally become something like her." I don't care enough to do her that justice.

[.Rabid Lycan.]

Zeffen regarded Risika with suspicion—further echoed and reinforced by Sylvana’s similar attitude—but gradually began to submit. To force his former packmates into submission and physical pain—much less mental agony—was no small feat. The packwolves, in all their training and numbers, were having a difficult time themselves. An additional wolf, no matter what intentions, would prove useful in combating the Hellfirians, so long as they were against them.
And Risika, it seems, is against them.
“…very compatible,” Zeffen answered, narrowing his eyes. His attention, however, then swerved to Damien. He lacked much familiarity with Damien outside the incident with Morgan—during which Zeffen actually lacked any grudge towards the murderous psychopath—but heard enough. He won’t help us?
“Not wanting to get your paws dirty, are you?” Zeffen growled. “…fine, whatever. Do what you want. But I’m not going to sit around while they think they can harm my family and get away with it…” By the end of his sentence, he was mostly speaking to himself. Already, his mind was preoccupied with musings on how to make them suffer for their crimes.

Lucifer looked on, slightly intrigued by Damien’s contribution to the conversation.
Can you say ‘dysfunctional family’?

Meanwhile, Sanceul had settled down a couple miles away, completely oblivious to the discussion.

[Sivoncé™]

Sylvana nodded slowly, suddenly smiling with a wide, bitter smile. "You know what this means then, don't you? You know who would help us...who's helped us before...." She waited, hoping silently that it would be Zeffen who'd fill in the lines. Sylvana was already used to bending away from her original nature; there were few lines she wouild refuse to cross for her resolve. I left my daughter...in a pack that called themselves Black Mist....now, as I've come to understand it, they are the Yozorans. A sudden, sharp flare of sadness flickered in her eyes. What if she has sons and daughters, too? Sons and daughters I've never known....
I won't let Blood Mist take them.

Damien shrugged his shoulder, smiling pleasantly at Zeffen in spite of the male's judgement. "If that's what you call it. Really, the best way to keep what I love safe is to stay hidden....so that's what I intend to do." He nodded once more to them both, then glanced at Lucifer. "I believe both of us have little business here now. I'm glad you're reuinited...and at least have some idea of where you're going." He parted the ferns surrounding the forest and entered the frosty depths. Immediately, his nose was working to find Sanceul's scent. Ohh geeze, she's gonna be sorry she missed all of this! He didn't bother to check if Lucifer had followed him.

[.Rabid Lycan.]

Zeffen watched Damien a bit carefully, unable to overcome his wariness, but ultimately gave him a brief nod of farewell as the brute made his leave. Do what’s right by you, I suppose.
Lifting his head to meet Sylvana’s gaze, a puzzled expression washed over him. “Someone that helped us before? But… who…?” He paused, thinking. I don’t… wait. There was the Yozorans. I mean, I’m not friendly, but they did allow Sylvana to give birth in safety… even if she did die… and allowed our daughter to grow up. Would they…? “You don’t mean the Yozorans?” Zeffen questioned, more intrigued than disapproving. I mean, I’m not one to side with packwolves. But the enemy of my enemy is my friend.
Saskia could also have family there that’d be willing to help… maybe.

Lucifer took a double take as Damien announced his departure. Hey, wait for me! I’m still lost! Immediately leaping to his paws, Lucifer padded after the male, glancing around at the surrounding forest. “Your acquaintances are confusing,” he muttered.

It’s been waaay too long since I last did this.
Raking together a small mound of powders, the ivory fae casually nibbled on an anonymous tree root, allowing the juices to be absorbed by the pile. A few stray rose thorns distorted the otherwise soft and powdery surface, and she paused to admire her work, spitting out the remains of the plant with a disgusted expression on her maw.
And those things still don’t taste good.
She lifted her paw, roughly pinching the skin of her foreleg between her fangs. Eventually, a few crimson droplets dribbled onto the powders, and she withdrew her paw. Almost ready…
“Honey, I’m hooome!”
Startled out of her fur, Sanceul jumped and swiveled in the same motion, fangs bared at the newcomer. Stupid, stupid! I should’ve been keeping watch! And, and that voice? Oh no…
A brute was approaching, his tan and silver fur well-groomed and practically shimmering. With an arrogant trot, he grinned happily at the sight of Sanceul. “Well, well, you’re the last wolf I expected to see. But you’ll have to do—tell me, have you seen my brother around?”
She snorted. “What am I, his secretary? Find Lucifer yourself!”
Steigen frowned in mock annoyance. “Now, you see? I asked you very nicely, and you always just scoff and push me off. You need to learn some manners.”
“Mmhm. Coming from you, that means so much.”
Steigen crept closer to her, narrowing his eyes. Sanceul remained stationary. “My bro might favor you, but that’s not gonna stop me from lecturing rude faes when I see the need.” He lunged forward.
Really, now? Springing expertly to one side, Sanceul swiped at one of the piles of powder, sending a flurry of particles to obscure Steigen’s vision. In response, Steigen wailed in anger, lowering his head as his vision faded into a fierce burn. Sanceul then jumped, landed on Steigen’s back, and used him to propel herself onto the lowest branch of a nearby tree. She nearly undershot her mark, but managed to cling to the limb and steady her body. “Thank Lupus for your stupid dares, Damien,” she muttered, balancing herself on her perch.
“Ugh—you bitch! I can’t see!!”
The femme casually slid onto her belly, observing the furious male with a smug grin on her maw. He’s certainly not going to get up here anytime soon. “Well, of course you can’t! You really pull off the whole ‘disabled’ act well, though, if I do say so myself. Unfortunately, it’s only temporary, so don’t get too excited.” She yawned. “By the way, your brother is a much better fighter than you, for being half your size. Now that’s freaking sad.”
Blind and enraged, Stegein released a ringing howl.
“Aw, calling big bro to back you up?” Sanceul questioned, rolling her eyes. “You guys are too precious, you know that? This whole brotherly togetherness deal—it’s adorable.”

Lucifer perked his ears, lifting his head. Steigen? “Dear Lupus, what’s wrong this time?” Brushing past Damien, Lucifer bounded in the direction of the howl.

[Sivoncé™]

Sylvana began to nod slowly. "Yes...the Yozorans...they raised Saskia. If she has many friends there....or...family, then they will be the best allies we can find. They took me in once, what's to stop them from taking me in again? I doubt many remember me there, but if they do, then they'll welcome all three of us..." Sylvana wracked her memory for faces and names of wolves who had occuppied the Yozoran Pack during her brief stay. There was a Sharpie....and a Night...yes, Night was their leader.... "Have either of you met any Yozorans since resurrection?" She blinked from Risika to Zeffen with uncertainty. These wolves could have very well passed away without my knowing....it's been so long, and none of them would've landed in Hellfire...
Risika shrugged her shoulders grimly. "The only thing I remember about my recent lives is being killed again," she woofed honestly.

A sudden howl went up in the distance. Damien watched with narrowed eyes as Lucifer murmured in recognition and sped off to the source of the sound. Well, I could follow him, but really, do I want to hang around with his type any longer? Any friends of his would probably be just as bad as he is, if not worse. He tasted the air once more. Anxiety riled his insides; Sanceul's scent came from the same direction Lucifer had gone in -- the same direction as the howl. Please tell me this isn't what I think it is? He wove through the forest, stealthy and silent. He took care to stay away from Lucifer's path, unsure of what lie ahead with Sanceul and the howling wolf and what side Lucifer would be on. His legs didn't seem to be running fast enough, but her scent eventually grew nearer and nearer.
He approached the clearing in a crouch; strange smells of herbs and earth furrowed his brow in confusion. What was Sanceul doing out here exactly? He waited in the undergrowth, eyes searching for forms of Sanceul and the other wolf.

[.Rabid Lycan.]

Though uncertain, Zeffen lowered his head, accepting the suggestion. Because, really, where else do we turn? We can’t take them by ourselves. He twitched an ear at his mate’s proceeding question, and frowned apologetically. “Not that I recall. I never really knew the Yozorans all that well.” He couldn’t recall a single name, and misery swarmed in his gut. This won’t be easy.
He glanced at the other female. Apparently Risika lacked familiarity as well.
“…well, then. Should we just waltz into their camp and ask for help?” As absurd as it sounds, it’s probably our best option at the moment.

Not caring if Damien pursued him, Lucifer drove forward, an agitated scowl already forming on his muzzle. I can already predict the oncoming headache. Oh, the agony. After an immeasurable amount of running, Lucifer halted before a clearing, eyeing the larger male critically. “What now, Steigen?”
“Ah, Lucifer! Look—I found your pet!” Sanceul’s voice chimed from the canopy. Leaping on all fours, she dove from the safety of her branch, landing beside a particularly surprised Lucifer. “You should really keep him on a leash, you know.”
Glancing from the tree to the fae with a befuddled expression (and quickly abandoning the resulting questions), Lucifer sighed and stepped around the femme. “Thank you, Sanceul, but really, he’s not a complete animal.” He scented his brother warily, watching as Steigen furiously swiped at his own eyelids. “…in all seriousness, though, what did you do to him?”
“Just a little experimentation,” she replied, smirking and nodding to the various powders piled around the clearing. “…plus some thorns in his eye. He’ll be fine in a bit. Plus, he was begging for it.”
“I do hope so,” Lucifer sighed, frowning down at his brother. “Steigen, get up. You’re disgracing the family.” Helping his brother—who was growling angrily—to his paws, Lucifer glanced back toward Sanceul. “Forgive me for his discourtesy. He’s like a child.”
Sanceul rolled her eyes. “As charming as you are, I think you better—wait, wha—?”[/i] Onyx orb flashing, her nose began to twitch. “I smell... Damien? What? You were talking with Damien?? Umm… why? I didn’t think you were very fond of him.”
He laughed. “I guess arguing counts as talking. But he is amusing. As a Hellfirian, even more so.” He narrowed his eyes. “Our chat was interesting, to say the least.”
“…? What do you mean by ‘interesting’?” And you found out about the Hellfirian deal? I don’t know if that’s good or bad… but most likely bad.
“I don’t know; ask him yourself. I think he followed me.” Lucifer’s head swayed in the direction of the thicket, and Sanceul followed his gaze, tilting her head questionably. While Sanceul stared, Lucifer made his departure, allowing Steigen to lean on him for support. “I’ll be seeing you then, gypsy-girl. I have to take care of this one for now.” After a minute, Lucifer and Steigen vanished into the underbrush.
Sanceul sniffed carelessly. “Whatever, devil-spawn. Do what you want. Now… Damien?” She glanced around, trying to distinguish the scents of foliage, sharp herbs, and the other males from one another. “You there?”