Sobena took a step forward to follow after Doom, but Vlade blocked her path. "No! Stay here with..." he snapped, giving a glare to Vex before his eyes darted back to his sister's, "Just stay here!" The Dire opened her mouth to protest, but her Lupin brother was already gone. Her ears drooped a bit as she sat on her haunches. Worry filled her, but for now, she would do as her brother wanted.
~x~
Even now Vlade was careful. He picked his footing down the rocky outcropping that lead down to the forest floor with precision. It wouldn't be to anyone's benefit if he rolled an ankle or fell and broke something. As soon as he felt it was safe enough the canine leapt to the ground. His paws didn't skip a beat. He caught up to Doom rather quickly. Even with the other having much longer legs, the fact that Doom was hurt, made it a breeze to catch up to him. The rain pelting down on them was relentless. Vlade's pelt clung to his frame making him look smaller than normal. Faint scents mingled upon the downpour's onslaught and mixed with the low growls of thunder he caught the sounds of Hurricane's massive wings flapping against the thick air of the storm.
The trees began to thicken, but even now, Vlade's eyes caught the sight of something white against the black of this place. As he picked up speed he caught sight of a female and her pup. He didn't notice when Doom stopped short. He didn't even know where Hurricane was, and yet, he found he didn't care. As he closed the gap between the three strangers before him, he reared back and slammed his front paws hard on the muddy earth beneath him. Ice sprang from Vlade's paws, shooting straight between the three wolves, forming a massive wall of frozen water between the hulking Dire and the smaller female and puppy.
~x~
So focused on the potential meal in front of him, Skoll had been oblivious to the arrival of newcomers. It was clear that his wits weren't about him. His sense not as sharp as they once had been. The thing that caught his attention was a sound. A sound that was unlike the rumbles of thunder or the pouring rain. It was loud. A noise that was unlike any he had ever heard, but one that was almost familiar. A booming, cracking sound. He barely had time to turn his head, to see a pair of darker beings against the gloom before a wall of solid ice shot up between him and his meal. As he turned his head towards the heroes, a shard of ice jutted from the main block and sliced open his cheek. A deep growl rattled out of his malnourished frame. Eyes watched as what could have been a tasty snack bolted away into the undergrowth of the forest. Perhaps lost forever.
He continued to growl as he turned, his whole body now, to face both Vlade and Doom. White eyes flickered with hate as his tongue lolled out and licked his lips. "You cost me my meal." Skoll snarled almost calmly.
It was this calm that made the hairs on the back of Vlade's neck stand on end. The Lupin squared his shoulders as his ears pinned back to his skull. His body growing ridged, tense, as he lined himself up with the Dire. It was clear that the white beast had no clue it was three against one, but Vlade had dealt with hungry opponents before. They did not go down so easily. Even if they had the strength of a Volmyr on their side. "Sorry, not sorry." Vlade snarkily chimed back.
The Dire's growls grew louder. Even though everyone could see how underfed this guy was, it did not stop his steps from being heavy. He still had some power behind his current bony build. "Funny for someone who's about to die." Skoll hummed, teeth bared, as he lunged for Vlade.
Far quicker than the Lupin could have guessed. The Dire's teeth and tusks sank deep into the Lupin's shoulder and chest. A sickening crunch rang through the air. Vlade let out a pained cry. Without much thought he swiped a paw against the ground as ice shot out striking the Dire in the face. Skoll quickly let the smaller canine go as he shook his head, pawing at the ice that threatened to consume the right side of his face. With this as a distraction, at least for now, Vlade tried to put some space between himself and his attacker, yet when he tried to put any pressure on his now injured leg, pain lanced through his shoulder and chest, causing him to collapse to the ground in a heap.
