The Wild Series: Reign of Ashes (Muckwaters)

A loud roar of trumpets erupted out of the trees as a stampede charged towards Spindle, Kul'Hani leading the charge. "You shall not harm her, demon!" the bull roared as he reared on his hind legs and stomped at the aggressive creature while the rest of the herd encircled the scared she-wolf, tusks pointed towards the demon. Snorts and jabbing motions echoed from the protective circle.

Vashta, arriving just before the elephants, crouched nearby Najmah, hissing at Spindle, her tail lashing. Whatever the freakish thing was, it wasn't going to hurt anyone...She hoped.

Spindle had been clawing at the grove of trees as the elephants charged, releasing a screech of surprise as the tusks bore into his side, knocking him to the ground. Massive legs wriggled in the air as the creature attempted to stand. At the same time, the elephants had burst an opening in the trees to free the wolves within. Spindle made a charge at the opening, thwarted at the last second by the wall of a dozen elephants.

Korra had arrived shortly after Vashta, admiring the guard's fierce disposition. 

Without the safety of the wall of tusk and thick hide in between himself and the freakish creature, Korra did what any mighty prince would do. He sunk his claws into the mud and let out a deep rumble-y roar that echoed throughout the forest. "Over here, you freak!" the prince spat as his ears pressed flatly against the back of his head. His charged forward and launched himself at one of the flailing legs of the creature and chomped at what he assumed was a joint. His mouth filled with bitter tasting blood as with a flip of his body snapped the limb off and clinched it in his jaw, tail fully fluffed out and a ridge of stiff hair trailing his back, seemingly showing the creature the prize he took from it.

Vashta dashed in right next to the prince, letting out a loud panther scream, and slashed twice at the flailing legs, claws catching and ripping at the tough yet slimy skin, scoring into something at least, before she put herself back next to the prince, wondering in the back of her mind why he was still acting somewhat foolish even in the face of such grave and sudden danger of unknown power.

Yay reinforcements! Elephants and panthers, yaya! I feel so bad for what Najmah's gonna do... ^.^' )


If only the she-wolf had been in the state of mind to realize she was being rescued. If only she could acknowledge the familiar faces, and the strong elephants that formed the barrier against the gruesome creature that wanted to kill her, risking their safety for her sake. But she didn't seem to be aware of anything that was happening around her. Now instead of yelling out, she lay across the ground on her stomach with her backlegs splayed behind her, and her forearms clamping down on top of her head and muzzle. She was letting out incoherent cries while her head weakly flinched up against her arms. She seemed to be struggling to get up, but her head and shoulders were doing the work while the rest of her body seemed locked in place like stone.

Spindle's maw parted, mandibles splayed out as he released an infuriated screech. Thick spurts of lime green blood oozed from the stump where Korra had taken his leg. The beast finally climbed to his remaining (feet?) and stumbled a step after the panther. When Vashta came to join Korra, Spindle halted and screeched again, his massive tail swinging back into position over his head, the stinger at the tip dripping with venom. 

A cluster of smaller spikes slid out from the openings around the tip of his tail, while at the same time the blood around his leg stump began to foam and froth. Spindle's mandibles clicked rapidly as from the foamy blood his stump began to grow anew. In seconds, his leg had shot out to its previous length, the new limb covered in the foamed blood.

Answering Vashta and Korra's challenge, Spindle swung his tail over his head like a whip, sending the cluster of four spikes flying like harpoons straight for the pair.

Jaystep wrote:Spindle's maw parted, mandibles splayed out as he released an infuriated screech. Thick spurts of lime green blood oozed from the stump where Korra had taken his leg. The beast finally climbed to his remaining (feet?) and stumbled a step after the panther. When Vashta came to join Korra, Spindle halted and screeched again, his massive tail swinging back into position over his head, the stinger at the tip dripping with venom. 

A cluster of smaller spikes slid out from the openings around the tip of his tail, while at the same time the blood around his leg stump began to foam and froth. Spindle's mandibles clicked rapidly as from the foamy blood his stump began to grow anew. In seconds, his leg had shot out to its previous length, the new limb covered in the foamed blood.

Answering Vashta and Korra's challenge, Spindle swung his tail over his head like a whip, sending the cluster of four spikes flying like harpoons straight for the pair.

Korra dropped the piece of Spindle's carapace he was holding in horror at watching the foreign creature rise to his challenge as the spines he flicked landed on either side of the pair. It was too late for him to turn tail and run, adjusting his posture all he muttered to Kul'Hani in almost a whisper. 

"Get her out of here."

The bull elephant was surprised by the prince's order but knew if anyone could buy the herd the time to return the she-wolf to Thornbrooke it would be the pair of panthers. With a nod the alpha bull wrapped his trunk around the petrified wolf and made a break for the wolf camp, the rest of his herd following his lead.

The male pather turned to his female guard and whispered to her in their tongue "((I understand if you wish to leave. I failed you as a prince and you do not need to sacrifice yourself here.))" The prince looked at Spindle trying to hide his fear and be the father he wish he had here to guide him. "((I'm going to lead him to the tarpits... it'll be the only way...))".

The panther issued one last roar of defiance, letting this intruder know he wasn't going anywhere.

Oh boy, here we go)

Her own forearms were holding her head down, but her eyes were uncovered. They seemed to widen in a sharp movement as Kul'Hani's trunk reached for her.

...

It was as if the gates of hades had been broken through by the swarm of demons it held. The screeches that exploded from the she-wolf were a rival to Spindle's own. She thrashed violently in Kul'Hani's grip, her screams so full of hate and promises of bodily harm. And she would not stop. Only seconds had past when the she-wolf buried her fangs into the trunk that held her with an infuriated Spindle-like screech. And she bit him over and over, ripping and tearing as savagely as she could with growing violence the longer he held her.

(Sorry! I know the elephant skins are really tough, so I'm not sure how badly she can hurt him. But as savage as she's being, I would guess she would do some damage?? I'm not sure, I'll leave that up to you Ruki)

Wildwing wrote:Oh boy, here we go)

Her own forearms were holding her head down, but her eyes were uncovered. They seemed to widen in a sharp movement as Kul'Hani's trunk reached for her.

...

It was as if the gates of hades had been broken through by the swarm of demons it held. The screeches that exploded from the she-wolf were a rival to Spindle's own. She thrashed violently in Kul'Hani's grip, her screams so full of hate and promises of bodily harm. And she would not stop. Only seconds had past when the she-wolf buried her fangs into the trunk that held her with an infuriated Spindle-like screech. And she bit him over and over, ripping and tearing as savagely as she could with growing violence the longer he held her.

(Sorry! I know the elephant skins are really tough, so I'm not sure how badly she can hurt him. But as savage as she's being, I would guess she would do some damage?? I'm not sure, I'll leave that up to you Ruki)

Low rumbled escaped from the bull as he tighten his grip, making sure the squirming she-wolf didn't wiggle free. Even though his trunk was sensitive and his thick hide was for the most part absorbing the bite, a small stream of blood trickled down his trunk. The bull had to ignore it and kept running.

((Elephant hide is so thick it can withstand bullet fire so he'll be fine  ))

Ruki wrote:

Wildwing wrote:Oh boy, here we go)

Her own forearms were holding her head down, but her eyes were uncovered. They seemed to widen in a sharp movement as Kul'Hani's trunk reached for her.

...

It was as if the gates of hades had been broken through by the swarm of demons it held. The screeches that exploded from the she-wolf were a rival to Spindle's own. She thrashed violently in Kul'Hani's grip, her screams so full of hate and promises of bodily harm. And she would not stop. Only seconds had past when the she-wolf buried her fangs into the trunk that held her with an infuriated Spindle-like screech. And she bit him over and over, ripping and tearing as savagely as she could with growing violence the longer he held her.

(Sorry! I know the elephant skins are really tough, so I'm not sure how badly she can hurt him. But as savage as she's being, I would guess she would do some damage?? I'm not sure, I'll leave that up to you Ruki)

Low rumbled escaped from the bull as he tighten his grip, making sure the squirming she-wolf didn't wiggle free. Even though his trunk was sensitive and his thick hide was for the most part absorbing the bite, a small stream of blood trickled down his trunk. The bull had to ignore it and kept running.

((Elephant hide is so thick it can withstand bullet fire so he'll be fine  ))

Oh good! I'm glad he won't be losing that trunk then! XD)

The She-Wolf finally paused in her attacks, panting harshly during her break. A growl sounded every time she exhaled, and she glowered at something that seemed to be moving right in front of her. Though that something existed only in her head.

"THEN I WILL DIE FIGHTING!" she suddenly burst with much spite for no apparent reason, "I WILL NEVER SURRENDER! NEVER!"

Soon after she yelled this her breath caught in her throat and her expression wavered. At the same time, her ears swivelled in the direction Kul'Hani was running.

"R...ya..." Her voice was so soft, the She-Wolf herself didn't hear it. "They'll...bits..."
And with a sharp gasp, she began struggling again.
"Raiya! My daughter! My daughter!" The She-Wolf was crying out in desperation. She was now a fearful mother rather than a creature of mindless violence. "She's-Let me go! They're going to kill her, let me go!"

Spindle screamed, rushing forward with the force of a train, bushes and small trees between him and the panthers being torn aside as he steamed on through the undergrowth. The elephants were leaving his sights, the wolf with them, but the panthers... 

Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Eat! Break! Rip! Tear! Kill! Kill! 

(Yay! Naji!  

Raiya: HA! Mom remembered me first~)

Jaystep wrote:(Yay! Naji!  

Raiya: HA! Mom remembered me first~)

Najmah: Y-Yes! Of course I would remember you-

*throws in last bit of final post on page 3* *points downward*

Wildwing wrote: 
"HELP ME!!" she shrieked, turning back to whatever was leaving her. "HELP ME, HELP! SAVE ME! ROSE!! DRELLAN, JURY!! COME BACK! PLEASE!!"

Najmah: *uncomfortable grimace* ...fourth...  ( +  ) ......Don't call me Naji. 

Well this is awkward!

Wildwing wrote:

Jaystep wrote:(Yay! Naji!  

Raiya: HA! Mom remembered me first~)

Najmah: Y-Yes! Of course I would remember you-

*throws in last bit of final post on page 3* *points downward*

Wildwing wrote: 
"HELP ME!!" she shrieked, turning back to whatever was leaving her. "HELP ME, HELP! SAVE ME! ROSE!! DRELLAN, JURY!! COME BACK! PLEASE!!"

Najmah: *uncomfortable grimace* ...fourth...  ( +  ) ......Don't call me Naji. 

Well this is awkward!

Raiya: 

Pike: *tapping back paw*

Drellan: *dancing*

Jaystep wrote:

Wildwing wrote:

Jaystep wrote:(Yay! Naji!  

Raiya: HA! Mom remembered me first~)

Najmah: Y-Yes! Of course I would remember you-

*throws in last bit of final post on page 3* *points downward*

Wildwing wrote: 
"HELP ME!!" she shrieked, turning back to whatever was leaving her. "HELP ME, HELP! SAVE ME! ROSE!! DRELLAN, JURY!! COME BACK! PLEASE!!"

Najmah: *uncomfortable grimace* ...fourth...  ( +  ) ......Don't call me Naji. 

Well this is awkward!

Raiya: 

Pike: *tapping back paw*

Drellan: *dancing*

Najmah: *to Wild* I hate you. >

Oh, just you wait Naji. Just you wait.

Rinka: *tapping talons in rapid succession*

Rose: *sweeping tail from side to side*

Wildwing wrote:

Ruki wrote:

Wildwing wrote:Oh boy, here we go)

Her own forearms were holding her head down, but her eyes were uncovered. They seemed to widen in a sharp movement as Kul'Hani's trunk reached for her.

...

It was as if the gates of hades had been broken through by the swarm of demons it held. The screeches that exploded from the she-wolf were a rival to Spindle's own. She thrashed violently in Kul'Hani's grip, her screams so full of hate and promises of bodily harm. And she would not stop. Only seconds had past when the she-wolf buried her fangs into the trunk that held her with an infuriated Spindle-like screech. And she bit him over and over, ripping and tearing as savagely as she could with growing violence the longer he held her.

(Sorry! I know the elephant skins are really tough, so I'm not sure how badly she can hurt him. But as savage as she's being, I would guess she would do some damage?? I'm not sure, I'll leave that up to you Ruki)

Low rumbled escaped from the bull as he tighten his grip, making sure the squirming she-wolf didn't wiggle free. Even though his trunk was sensitive and his thick hide was for the most part absorbing the bite, a small stream of blood trickled down his trunk. The bull had to ignore it and kept running.

((Elephant hide is so thick it can withstand bullet fire so he'll be fine  ))

Oh good! I'm glad he won't be losing that trunk then! XD)

The She-Wolf finally paused in her attacks, panting harshly during her break. A growl sounded every time she exhaled, and she glowered at something that seemed to be moving right in front of her. Though that something existed only in her head.

"THEN I WILL DIE FIGHTING!" she suddenly burst with much spite for no apparent reason, "I WILL NEVER SURRENDER! NEVER!"

Soon after she yelled this her breath caught in her throat and her expression wavered. At the same time, her ears swivelled in the direction Kul'Hani was running.

"R...ya..." Her voice was so soft, the She-Wolf herself didn't hear it. "They'll...bits..."
And with a sharp gasp, she began struggling again.
"Raiya! My daughter! My daughter!" The She-Wolf was crying out in desperation. She was now a fearful mother rather than a creature of mindless violence. "She's-Let me go! They're going to kill her, let me go!"

Kul'Hani pulled Najmah to his face so he could look into her eyes. "Listen to me child, you're no good to your family dead!" His tone was strict and forceful, hoping to snap her back to reality. "Let's keep moving!"

As the elephants stomped through the brush, Korra watched them go as Spindle's scream snapped him back to the monster threatening his home--his family. With his eyes narrowed in determination and his guard at his heel, the panther prince turned on his heels and sprinted into the forest towards another cluster of tar pits.

The she-wolf's eyes were glazed, and even though she was looking at Kul'Hani's face, she didn't seem to make eye contact. Instead her fearful expression contorted into a snarl and she snapped at the area between his eyes. Then the terror returned and she began to struggle once again, crying out for her pup. Although interestingly, she seemed to be trying to escape in the direction the elephants were already headed: Thornbrook...

Spindle charged at the smaller animals who fled, leaving the elephants to run with its wolf-prize. The creature had a new prey, and its mandibles clattered away as it followed Korra back into the woods, quickly gaining on the panther.

Korra's legs carried him through the swamps as fast as they could. His guard had practically abandoned him mid-whisper and he was left to lead this creature, this monster, to a place the locals the Death Pit.

Unlike the other tar pits in the Muckwaters, the Death Pit was massive. Easily the size of six elephants stretched trunk to tail. The Death Pit had one unique characteristic that Korra had only heard about. The faster and smaller you are the more likely you can run across it unharmed. Korra was sure the rumor was only referring to small prey animals but it was worth a shot.

It's what a prince...no.. a king must do.


The panther shambled his way over a log and turned his head to glance behind him as he ran. The clicking from the creature's mandibles were terrifying enough alongside the spitting and other demonic sounds coming from it.

I have to keep going. Almost there. I think. No no time for negativity. I KNOW I'M ALMOST THERE.

(If Najmah can get to Thornbrook, she may be able to get through her episode soon and can probably help the Panthers out)

Vashta, unsure if the creature even feared them at all, ran at full speed beside her Prince. She trusted his instinct enough to know he had a plan. At the same time, however, she feared no plan would be good enough to escape this beast, much less defeat it.

((One fast travel to Thornbrooke coming up!))

Surprisingly quick for their size, the elephant had stampeded their way to the outskirts of the wolven capital. Kul'Hani, slightly battered by the she-wolf's thrashing but he was for the most part okay.

Several of the wolves had started to emerge from the foliage, Velyria among them, at the sounds of the elephants approaching. As he was letting Najmah down, he began speaking to the Alpha and her pack.

"Korra and his guard are leading the beast down to the Death Pit he'll need our aide!"

Velyria nodded in agreement and looked to her pack. "Ivy Company! Let's get a move on!" A group of wolves howled and barked in excitement as they barreled into the dense foliage. Velyria looked at Najmah, a fierce determination burning in her eyes. "Do you want to join us, young pup?"

The Northern wolf wasted no time. As soon as the elephant had loosened his grip enough, before Velyria had even finished speaking, she barreled right past the alpha, almost knocking her and other smaller wolves over in her mad dash into Thornbrooke.

Inside this settlement, Najmah darted from one den to the next, have no regard for whoever was in her path.

"Where..." she hoarsed out with a frantic tone, ignoring the scream of one wolf as she suddenly appeared in the center of their den.

"Where!" she snarled as she leapt back out and charged to the next.

Finally, she skidded to a stop midway through the entrance of a certain mother's den. Her gaze locked on to the male pup who had given her water in a turtle shell just the other day.

Wildwing wrote:The Northern wolf wasted no time. As soon as the elephant had loosened his grip enough, before Velyria had even finished speaking, she barreled right past the alpha, almost knocking her and other smaller wolves over in her mad dash into Thornbrooke.

Inside this settlement, Najmah darted from one den to the next, have no regard for whoever was in her path.

"Where..." she hoarsed out with a frantic tone, ignoring the scream of one wolf as she suddenly appeared in the center of their den.

"Where!" she snarled as she leapt back out and charged to the next.

Finally, she skidded to a stop midway through the entrance of a certain mother's den. Her gaze locked on to the male pup who had given her water in a turtle shell just the other day.

((Oh no, Naji what are you doing?))

The pup looked up at her curiously, his tail started to wag slightly. He was home alone, his mother out with the hunting party. "Hello, miss!" he barked cheerily, his tail started to wag slightly. "Momma isn't here but I think I can help you find things!"

Velyria had come to investigate the commotion, confused by the Northern she-wolf's frantic behavior.

(When Najmah and everyone gets on their way to the Death Pit, I'll cut back to Spindle, but right now it would just be more "it kept chasing Korra" XD)

Ruki wrote:

Wildwing wrote:The Northern wolf wasted no time. As soon as the elephant had loosened his grip enough, before Velyria had even finished speaking, she barreled right past the alpha, almost knocking her and other smaller wolves over in her mad dash into Thornbrooke.

Inside this settlement, Najmah darted from one den to the next, have no regard for whoever was in her path.

"Where..." she hoarsed out with a frantic tone, ignoring the scream of one wolf as she suddenly appeared in the center of their den.

"Where!" she snarled as she leapt back out and charged to the next.

Finally, she skidded to a stop midway through the entrance of a certain mother's den. Her gaze locked on to the male pup who had given her water in a turtle shell just the other day.

((Oh no, Naji what are you doing?))

The pup looked up at her curiously, his tail started to wag slightly. He was home alone, his mother out with the hunting party. "Hello, miss!" he barked cheerily, his tail started to wag slightly. "Momma isn't here but I think I can help you find things!"

Velyria had come to investigate the commotion, confused by the Northern she-wolf's frantic behavior.

Without saying a thing, Najmah advanced on the pup.
"We need to go," she declared sharply, definitely moving to grab the pup.

"Mommy!" the little she-wolf was sobbing, trembling in a ball on the den's floor. The red haze was thick, and the howls outside we're getting louder, and more crazed the closer they came. Najmah couldn't take it. Everything she had seen, they were coming for her pup. They were going to tear this helpless little thing apart. She moved swiftly, grabbing at Raiya's scruff. Whatever it took, she would protect this pup. She would not let her be killed.

Wildwing wrote:

Ruki wrote:

Wildwing wrote:The Northern wolf wasted no time. As soon as the elephant had loosened his grip enough, before Velyria had even finished speaking, she barreled right past the alpha, almost knocking her and other smaller wolves over in her mad dash into Thornbrooke.

Inside this settlement, Najmah darted from one den to the next, have no regard for whoever was in her path.

"Where..." she hoarsed out with a frantic tone, ignoring the scream of one wolf as she suddenly appeared in the center of their den.

"Where!" she snarled as she leapt back out and charged to the next.

Finally, she skidded to a stop midway through the entrance of a certain mother's den. Her gaze locked on to the male pup who had given her water in a turtle shell just the other day.

((Oh no, Naji what are you doing?))

The pup looked up at her curiously, his tail started to wag slightly. He was home alone, his mother out with the hunting party. "Hello, miss!" he barked cheerily, his tail started to wag slightly. "Momma isn't here but I think I can help you find things!"

Velyria had come to investigate the commotion, confused by the Northern she-wolf's frantic behavior.

Without saying a thing, Najmah advanced on the pup.
"We need to go," she declared sharply, definitely moving to grab the pup.

"Mommy!" the little she-wolf was sobbing, trembling in a ball on the den's floor. The red haze was thick, and the howls outside we're getting louder, and more crazed the closer they came. Najmah couldn't take it. Everything she had seen, they were coming for her pup. They were going to tear this helpless little thing apart. She moved swiftly, grabbing at Raiya's scruff. Whatever it took, she would protect this pup. She would not let her be killed.

The pup let out a startled shriek as he was lifted into the air. "Ow! Ow! You're biting me too hard!" he cried out as the he dangled helplessly in the air. "Put me down!" he protested. "MOMMA! MOMMA! ... NANA!!" he cried out to the sight of the alpha that was barreling towards the pair, ears flat. 

The alpha skidded to a halt and was blocking the exit to the den, paws planted firmly. "Put Corvan down, Najmah," her voice was firm. She wasn't going to move without a fight.

[@Jaystep and Vashta kept following Korra]

How does she know Najmah's name? O.O )


The She-Wolf had been in the middle of turning around. She had stopped the motion when Velyria entered. Corvan was held by the back of his neck in full view of the alpha, a small thing in the Northern she-wolf's jaws. And said She-Wolf... Her eyes were too wide as they locked on to the smaller wolf's form, and the look on her face was contorted into something scary.

She hadn't left quick enough. One of them had arrived, and we're blocking their only way out. It was the form of a wolf, but it was a being that looked to be woven from shadows. It's legs were spindly, and it's main body and neck too thin. It's elongated muzzle sprouted black jagged teeth from where the lips should have been. Empty sockets served as it's eyes, though it was hard to differentiate from the rest of the creature's darkness.
Kill it, her being screamed, Tear it apart before it tears her!
More were coming. She could hear them, surrounding them on the outside, snarling for blood. She could not let them have her daughter. She would not let them have her daughter. She would kill every last one of them, every last one of them. Starting with the one in front of her.


She was all set to attack. She had the desire, she had the opportunity. But she didn't act. She had no reason to wait, yet she did. Despite everything, there was a small part of her that was saying, 'There's more to this than what you believe.' And for once, she listened. And so nothing changed just yet. She continued to hold Corvan desperately in her jaws, and the look on her voice did not change.


(She hit the FIGHT button, but didn't press Z. She missed her chance to FIGHT this turn.)