Hunter's Moon
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Notes: Words in [] is conversation, but it's the translation
of a conversation/language that has no spoken words, no telepathic
words, nothing. It's a language or 'passing of meaning' by actions,
body language, and scent. Which is why the characters usually do
something before or after the [] translates it for us.
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Waves washed slowly and relentlessly against the cliff face, sweeping up
into foamy sprays and sucking away against the cruel spikes of dark
rocks, a vortex of murky brine that spun and swished in continual motion
as the sun set, the last red tinted rays striking against the waters in
bloody beauty as the waves receded and swelled once more. As the sun
set, a red washed orb of fire, the moon rose, as if chasing after the
crimson light, dipped in it's own form of viscous blood. The last waves
faded with the final sinking of the sun and rushed back to crash against
the cliff as the moon gained sole possession of the sky, lapping of dark
waves on midnight shores rushing with it, an inky spray of foam among
all the others.
Lapping of dark waves on midnight shores rose, foamy form coalescing
into her true form as she flowed into the Cave of Meeting, chosen not
only because of it's proximity to her realm, but also for it's shadows,
cold and dark and pleasant, the Hunter's Moon high in the sky. In mere
moments, a blur of red sparked darkness leapt into the cavern,
traversing thin air with ease as it landed perfectly on the dry ledge
that rimmed the cavern, paws dry and tail lashing as it grinned, violet
orbs glimmering. Delighted laughter, like dry bones rubbing together,
emerged from the shadows of the Trickster Lord's back as the child
Opening, elder Lord breath of death slid from his place on blood
hunter's back and landed with the scrape of gravestones on the floor,
ragged black cloak drawing up regally. The scythe arm released his
ride, bladed fingers petting the dark fur as breath of death giggled
happily.
She inclined the curving cobra-like hood that stood in place of her
head, shadowed depths revealing nothing as liquid hair and foaming
waters ran in rivulets over nothing, long disjointed arms and blades of
wicked metallic snapping and sliding across each other in a sea spray
hiss, [Lord Trickster, Lord Death.]
[Sister Opening, Lady of Ocean Depths,] the greeting was cordial and
familiar as blood hunter nodded his pointed head and leapt to a shadowed
ledge of his choosing, lounging indolently among the darkness, glowing
sparking tail lashing lazily, and breath of death nodded his great
ungainly doll's head, rictus painted slash of a mouth grinning insanely,
as he too withdrew to shadows to wait.
The red tinted darkness swirled around then in contented silence with
the dark waves, rushing and thrashing rhythmically like a non-existent
heartbeat long forgotten. It was a soothing interlude, as Before in
it's own way, similar and comforting. Blood hunter lay his great head
upon his paws, light dimming delicately as ice and fire clashed in muted
fury across the cavern, simultaneously freezing and evaporating the
briny sea water as the red serpent of fire and the icy touch of
glittering claws rushed into existence within the pitted walls.
[Welcome, brother Openings.]
Icy shards cracked and shattered into glittering falling snow, a spark
glimmering just behind sight, like a will'o'wisp as it danced wildly
behind the white, [Water, Death, Walker.]
[Ever the polite one.] Violet eyes glimmered in return, fangs drawing
forth in a sharp, friendly smile.
Fire clashed sharply, banking back into a subdued inferno as red hair
flared and settled like a curtain, serpent coils thrashings uneasily in
the cold waters till they warmed, [Must it be this liquid cold?]
[My choosing] water surged and foamed before banking away from the
heated Lord. Red serpent of fire settled heavily, red coiling limbs
snaking into every rock as he made himself easy, lying on the edge of
the icy snowstorm of the northern Lord.
Dry laughter rang through the stillness as the shadows shifted crazily,
[Enough petty babbling! Return to the meeting!] Derision assailed
silently across the air, as each expressed their flippant denial of
breath of death's request. At the end of the show of strength, there
was silence, the only sound the echo of waves and the lapping of water
as it flowed and swirled at the mercy of the tides. Satisfaction
breathed through the air, heavy with smug power, [Yes. Lords?]
[Zelas] Flames surged as eyes glowed in the inferno.
[Of no consequence, brother dear, I have her tightly in my fist.] Blood
Hunter's tail flipped about smugly in response, eyes mirthful as the
death Lord's bladed fingers clacked in the dark, [Do you now?]
[If I speak it, it is true,] cold purple met the smooth curve of a
doll's head, through shadows and sudden cold, rivalry building as a fire
does with fuel, banking and flaring as the two, undisputed in their
powers and gifts seemed to circle, shifting from shadow to shadow in
silent query, testing and sparring, striking and returning. Jewel eyes
closed, [It is truth. No secrets am I plying. Wolf-bitch that she is
within my palm, firmly in my grasp, bound to my hunt.]
[I see.] rictus smile never wavered, the aura flattening in silent
oddness, not disapproval, not in hate, yet not in promise or praise,
simply in silence as the death lord withdrew himself from the match
without notice.
The snowstorm flickered, ice shards clacking as claws, will'o'wisp
dancing, [This new general]
Once more, eyes that glowed in the inferno seemed to surge with flames,
[My general. My new petling, little Elder one.] Wings and coils
withdrew, drawing back as a curtain, hair floating and flowing as the
darkling general was revealed, curled as one young and weak, small
beside the great red serpent of fire, golden eyes closed as it lay
still, breathing and content in it's sleep.
[Bauble!] sparked tail lashed in silent snarl, gem eyes glittering with
nameless hunger, blood hunter leapt from his place in ledged darkness,
paws landing upon nothing as he circled red serpent of fire, sparking,
glimmering with blatant challenge, [Mine!]
Bones rubbed together, clacking quietly as they stood in mutual
stand-off, [Yours?!]
The dark head tossed, ears held proud and high, powerful body raising up
to tower above the coiled form of the fire lord. One violet eye moved
from his prey, turning to meet the quiet challenger who now stood in
deepest shadow, [Mine! Mine to hunt and stalk and prey! Mine is first
blood!]
[Yours no more. Mine by willing form. Mine by power and blood.] coils
lashed as the young Elder was hidden once more, emerald locks swirling
in the fiery storms of the Lord's heated response.
[Yours to die!] fangs bared, power and aura dancing in cold waiting,
hunger drawing in promised pain, in promised blood to be shed. The ice
storm lashed and struck, an explosion of crystals lashing up into wall,
forcing the hunter Lord back as it crystallized, icy bonds holding the
trickster at bay from his prey, a futile gesture of peace.
[Listen to reason, Trickster. The Hunt is in the progress, no need for
old fights to cloud your mind] blood hunter lashed out, bursting from
icy bonds as he stuck at the breath of death, claws ripping through
black cloth as he spoke, shadow fight no longer friendly spar but full
for blood and pain of the elder Lord
Waves crashed, merging with ice and bonds, liquid power smashing wildly
at the walls, [ENOUGH!] Bones and sparks stilled, ice and dull fires
ebbed. [We are one] the Trickster released his brother, claws
unsheathing from ragged, decaying cloak, slinking quietly back into his
shadows, eyes simmering as he quieted, never quite at peace with his
denial, but silent in his fury, ready to listen as instinct was stilled
in sight of mind. Breath of death rose, rictus grin never wavering as
he vanished once more into the silent shifting darkness of his nature.
The icy wall withdrew, shards melting and reforming in the snowstorm,
[The Hunt.]
Silent affirmation, [The Hunt]
Waves crashed and hissed, [Ruby God in silent sleeping]
Fires raged and sung, [Blue Eye lies quiet dreaming]
Ice cracked and glazed, [Purpose soon in keeping]
Paws struck and held, [Promise broke and keening]
Unholy chorus raised in the voice of one, [Blood and tears soon to
weeping]
Singing and spiraling in screams of predator in the climax of hunt, [In
the feast we will be reaping]
A scream that climaxed and shattered, ending in a single silent note,
[Amen]
And the lords faded into the red drenched night.
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