"What do you mean they left?!"
Prompto yelped in shock, in his wolf-form, laying low to the ground... Before him, a now irritated, stressed out Gladiolus, looming over him, in his larger wolf-form.
Behind them, Noctis, Ignis and Cor observes from afar. All in their human-forms.
They all gave the blonde sympathy looks, but none of them were going to get in the way of a stressed male-werewolf, who finally has found his Life-Mate and had accomplished gathering a couple items for his den to be ready for when he brings her home... Only to learn, that she and her siblings, after going to their Chocobos and trimming their claws, and packing a few of their stocks to take with them, left Insomnia with Dave, to go back to hunting.
The blonde-wolf, with his ears flattened and tail tucked between his legs, as he laid still on the ground, knew that Gladio's was going to freak out, the moment he told them that the siblings left... But, he didn't expected the soon-to-be thirty-five year-old werewolf to nearly bite his head off.
"...Well... It's j-just like I said." He answered, slightly whimpering from the rumbling growl from the larger-wolf, resulting him to stutter. "Apparently, H-Hunters are having all h-h-h-human hunters to work d-d-double time on the b-b-b-bounties, while m-m-most of their werewolves members had t-t-to take part on a-a-assisting the food s-s-shortage... So... -He looked down at the ground, staring at Gladiolus' claws scarping against the tiled-floor of the Throne Room... He answered, in a quick, high-pitch tone.- They decided to go on some hunts... And won't be back, until the day before the first day of the Five Moons Blessings Celebration?"
He clenched his eyes shut, whimpering. He didn't want to see what was going to happen.
...
...
...
...As he expected, Gladiolus let out a mighty roar of a howl.
"AND YOU CHOSE TO WAIT, TWO HOURS LATER, AFTER THEY LEFT, TO TELL ME?!"
Cor, morphing into his wolf-form, a blackish-brown furred color wolf and a few inches taller and bigger than Gladiolus, finally stepped up.
"Easy there, Gladio." He growled out, standing between the angered, anxious wolf and the scared blonde-wolf. "I know that you're upset-"
"'UPSET'?!" Gladiolus snarled, snapping his fangs at the older-wolf. "YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M GOING THROUGH, RIGHT NOW, COR! YOU DON'T KNOW NOTHING, ON HAVING TO BE SEPARATED FROM YOUR LIFE-MATE!"
Ignis and Noct both turned into their wolf-forms, becoming a light-brown wolf and a pure-black wolf... His prosthetic arm, turning into a wolf-limb, as if it was his actual arm. Both stood behind Gladiolus, growling lowly but keeping their distance, knowing Cor can handle himself against the King's Shield.
Taking it as a challenge, Cor snarled back at the younger-wolf. Flashing his fangs back at him, lifting his tail up high and standing tall.
"...Say that, again." He growled, lowly. "Tell me that, again, and see what'll happen... I. Dare. You."
...
...
...In response, Gladiolus flattened his ears and lowered his head. Though, his tail was straight up and continued growling at him... But, other than the new stance, he didn't dare repeat what he said.
Cor lowered his lips, but the growl continued on. His gaze remained sharp.
"Calm down, and listen." He ordered. "You've only just met her, since yesterday. However, you hadn't even talked to her. And, because you chose to take the time to prepare your den for her to live with you, you requested for Prompto to talk in your place, to help you learn more about your mate... Though, I have no idea on why you didn't bother asking me on giving you the information about her, since I read her and her brothers' files, when picking a hunters group to gather food for the celebration."
Gladiolus snorted at Cor's comment.
"Besides the fact that you need to be with Monica and protect her and your unborn pups, I wanted my extended pack to, also, have the opportunity to get to know my mate. And, out of all of us, Prompto was the obvious choice to take the task, first. -His body slowly slacken, ears and tail drooped.- After her Chocobo snapped at him, I'd noticed she ended up stressed and nervous. So, because he can help someone relax and open up, after a stressful event like that, once they get to be in his calm, cheerful presence, I wanted Prompto to be the first to get to know my Life-Mate."
Cor stared down at the slightly-shorter wolf for a moment, making certain that he wouldn't try and do something funny if he turns his back on him... Then, he let out a deep sigh.
"Even still, you should've came to me about Sarai... Despite, what you would know and find out about her, will not change the fact that you'll be put through a serious test."
His grave tone caught Gladiolus and the others by surprised, as he allowed himself to morph back into a human.
The thirty-four year-old werewolf gave him an cautious glare.
"What do you mean by that?" He asked.
Cor shook his head.
"You need to learn that discovery, on your own... But, I will tell you this. -With the information being very serious, the middle-aged man used both of his hands to hold Gladiolus' face. Staring him dead in the eyes.- She may be your Life-Mate, but remember: She's human, and humans are fragile creatures... Especially, if their past drags them from being the person we sense them to be."
With that piece of information, Cor pulled away from a stunned, confused Gladiolus, and nodded his head to Ignis and bowed to Noctis.
"My King." He said, before turning and making his way out of the Throne Room.
The four Brothers-in-Arms watches the Marshal leave. Then, when he was gone, they all remained silent.
...And, as always, Prompto was the first to talk.
"What do you think he was talking about?" He asked, turning to the other wolves, cocking his head to the side.
"Whatever he knows and isn't telling us, usually means that we're on our own to figure it out." Ignis reminded, as he morphed back into his human-form. "It's very likely, he could referring to their parents' death... Or, perhaps, he could be implying that there's another form of trauma that they, or at least Sarai, had underwent."
Gladiolus glared at the ground, a low rumble left his chest. He hated to hear the suffering his Life-Mate and her brothers had to deal with, just as he and Iris had to go through; the loss of a parent, a kind, caring, protective, strong parent that helped raised their children to become the people they've been molded to become, always has a heavy impact to the children.
...But, to lose both of your parents, at the same time... While he may not had to go through that, he doesn't doubt that losing both would be twice, or even three times painful than losing one parent.
He still mourn for the loss of his father.
Clarus Amicitia had to work all the time; being the King's Shield to King Regis, meant having to be gone most of the day and leave his family behind. Even when his beloved wife/Life-Mate, Anthea (Flower), passed away from a terrible illness that left her bedridden for three years after giving birth to Iris, he still had to put his duties to guarding and protecting the king, his Brother-in-Arms, before his own pups.
...
...But, whenever he does return home to his pups, he always made sure that they knew he loves them. On how proud he was of them. And our always, and forevermore, his greatest treasure... His whole meaning to live, since the passing of his Life-Mate.
Gladiolus was lucky to have had both of his parents to be there in his childhood, even when his mother died before his twelfth birthday. And his father was able to be with him and Iris for eleven years after that, to have witnessed his own son become a man, before Insomnia fell and was killed, for completing his duty as the King's Shield.
...And, unlike his mate, unknowingly, he didn't have to witness either of them dying before his eyes.
Noctis, also, morphed back into a human.
"If that's the case, then we the best get to it and start investing on Gladio's mate, and our newly founded sister. -He turned to Prompto.- You and Cindy were able to interact with the siblings, yesterday. Tell us: What have you learned about Sarai, so far?"
...
...Prompto didn't know how to respond to that.
"...Uh... -He looked from Noctis, to Gladiolus, to Ignis, back to Gladiolus and then back to Noctis... He didn't know how to tell them that he know jack shit.- ...Depends... Does refusing to speak and only communicating by sign language, which her brothers translate what she's saying, counts?"
The older-males were a bit caught off guard by the news.
"She refuses to speak?" Ignis replied, laying a hand on his chin. "Very peculiar. I could've sworn that I heard a soft whisper, yesterday, when calming her Chocobo."
Prompto's ears slightly lowered.
"According to her brothers, she only speaks, or rather whispers, to only them, some other members from Hunters and their Chocobos. Other than that, she won't utter a word to anybody else. Not even, when we would talk or ask a question directly at her. -He looked up at Gladiolus. His crystal-blue eyes flashing sympathy towards him.- The reason I didn't come to you, sooner, let alone texted you that they were leaving when they were getting ready to go, was because Cindy and I were looking up classes and/or videos to help us understand Sign Language, so we can communicate with her. So, until she warms up to us, we need to understand her and talk to her, through her way of communicating. Besides, they're only going to be gone for two days and are going to come right back on the second day, as soon as they can. Dave said he'll make certain that they come back, before the Five Moons Blessings start."
He still wished that the blonde had told him that they were leaving; even if it's only for two days, his beast didn't like that his Life-Mate had left Insomnia and will be without his protection... Still hadn't been marked, by neither his scent or mating mark.
Gladiolus let out a deep sigh of disappointment, but no longer felt the urge to use Prompto as a chew toy. He allowed himself to morph back into his human-form.
"Thanks for telling me this, Prompto." He replied, before nodding his head to Noctis and, like Cor, started making his way out of the Throne Room.
With the afternoon nearly gone, it was time for him to hunt for his food... Meaning, return to his den and have himself a cup of ramen. Hopefully, food will help calm his nerve... And, figure out what else to purchase for his den, that his Life-Mate may prefer to have.
The three watch him walk away... Then, Prompto jumped his feet. His Crystal-blue eyes wide with a sudden thought that should give his friend some form of relief.
"Gl-...Gladdy!" He barked, which got the giant man to stop in his tracks. "...Earlier, I asked Sarai and her brothers a question that was really embarrassing... And, really wish that I didn't ask... -He whispered on that last part, before his voice picked up.- But, I did learn something very important about your Life-Mate, that her brothers did confirm with me:...She's never been in a relationship!"
None of the three were able to see what his expression was written on his face... But, they can sense, even hear from the quick rhythm of his heart, that that bit of information truly did make a major difference.
...
...Gladiolus turned his head to the side... He offered the blonde-wolf and the others his soft-smile.
"...Thanks, Prompto." He whispered. "...And, hey... Sorry, for almost considering to yanking your tail off and offering it to your pups."
Prompto, sitting back up, gave out a nervous chuckle, as his tail thumped against the ground... He wanted to be certain that he can still feel his extra appendage, and that it really was there.
"Y-Yeah... No prob." He replied.
"...If it's possible, do inform me on if you and Cindy had decided on a class to take, for Sign Language... And, this time, do tell me, ahead of time." Gladiolus requested, before he continued on out of the Throne Room.
Once the giant man was gone... Prompto plummeted back down to the floor.
"Thank the Six!" He praised. "I thought I was gonna die! -He then turned narrow eyes on Ignis and Noct.- Thanks for not getting in his way and saving me, you guys!"
Ignis simply pushed his shades up, as Noctis folded his arms over his chest.
"Apologies." Ignis stated, firmly. "Under normal circumstances, we would have no issue on standing in his way and preventing him from laying a claw on you, just as Cor had done... However, after my mate had informed me, getting the information from Cindy, earlier today, that you've asked the siblings, our soon-to-be sister, a question that is both personal and, in some terms on how you blurted it out, inappropriate, it was best that you learn from your mistake and take the full punishment to understand why you need to not give away intel that's best revealed when surprised."
Prompto's jaw dropped when he heard that his mate, practically, ratted him out.
'...Why, Cindy? Why had you forsaken me?!' He cried in his head.
"Just be glad that he only yelled at you, Prompto." Noctis sighed out. "Although, really, we should've allowed him to ruffle you up a bit, as punishment for almost blowing your cover... But, what's done is done and we can get passed it... Now, besides having to take up sign language to understand her, what else can you tell us about Sarai, that Gladio may or may not need to hear?"
Letting out a deep sigh, the blonde-wolf morphed into his human-form... A look of uncertainty written on his face.
"...Well..."
A Day Later: March 26th; Duscae...
"Bad kitty! Bad kitty!" Vitalis yelled, releasing massive amount of ammo on an Elder Coeurl, who was able to dodge three bullets, but got hit by the seven out of the ten ammo he released.
And still, after being shot multiple times, including having both of its tentacle-like whiskers blown away, the large-feline wasn't slowing down and continued to snap, swipe and even attempt to charge up Electricity (Which only caused it more pain to its body, without having its tentacle-like whiskers to guide the electricity out.) to inflict damage on the Sharp Shooter of the group.
"You gotta be fucking kidding with me!" He yelled, as he put away one of his Quicksilvers in his halter and, strapped behind his belt, pulled out a Cutlasses Dagger and, the instant the feline went to pin him to the ground, jabbed the small-blade into the feline's neck.
It let out a yowl, but didn't flinch or backed away from the human beneath it. Instead, as it screeched, the Elder Coeurl leaned forward and bit at the boy's left-shoulder.
The twenty-three year-old yelled, before pulling his dagger out and landing another four stabs into its neck. It wasn't until the fifth stab, getting it in the eye, that the feline finally released the human and let out roar of distress.
...
...
...Immediately, Vitalis moved his left-arm, groaning from the pulsing of pain coming from his shoulder, to shove his other Quicksilver into the beast's mouth... With a pull of the trigger, the feline ended up having its brain blown from the back of its head and slumped to the ground.
The blood from the Elder Coeurl colored the grass beneath its unmoving body, just as the blood from Vitalis' shoulder stained dark-red western vest and dark-brown long-sleeve shirt.
"Still alive over there, Talis?!"
Kicking the remaining part of the Elder Coeurl's body that still laid on top of him, Vitalis staggered to his feet, holding his bleeding shoulder. He glared at Cephas, who called out to him... While he and Lupus are handling three full-grown Arbas, with Cephas wielding Blazefire Saber that Dave gave him, and Lupus using a Storm Lance to inflict what the Arba are weak to: Lightning.
"Bleeding, but alive! Thanks for bailing!" Vitalis yelled, shoving his blood-stained Cutlasses Dagger into his halter and reloading his Quicksilver in his left-hand, pushing himself to and, needing his right-arm to keep his injured one steady, shot one of the Arba's horns off.
"Glad to know you can still aim!" Cephas replied, before bringing his sword out to block one of the Arbas charging at him and, forcing its head to turned, brought down his sword to swipe at its right-forearm.
"Argue about it, later!" Lupus ordered, bringing down his Storm Lance to swipe at the smaller-Arba's side, releasing electricity the instant it made contact with the creature. "Talis, go aid Ra and Dave! That Griffon hadn't been brought down, yet, and that second Elder Coeurl could still be on the prowl for them!"
The twenty-three year-old's eyes widened by the news and, following his older-brother's orders, he forced his body to sprint down the hill and out from the trees.
The instant that he was out of the dense trees... His eyes widened at the sight.
While Dave and his dog, Hooch, both fought with the second Elder Coeurl... His baby sister, Sarai, is left to fight, on her own, against the large-Griffon... And, to his horror, the giant creature swooped down from the sky and, within its forearms, lifted the eighteen year-old in the air.
"RA!" He screamed, running and, with quick, panicking aim, released a few of his bullets in the sky... They all missed, as the Griffon heard his cry and was swift in the air to dodge, along with his arm still protesting from the injury he sustained from the Elder Coeurl.
Dave, hearing his cry, looked up and was, also, stunned and horrified to watch the girl being lifted in the air, before he was forced to focus back at his own opponent, which swiped at Hooch with its paw, only to miss and to make a charge for the middle-aged man.
Enraged that one of his charges in danger and he's unable to help them, he made a mad dash towards the large feline and, with his machete in hand, brought down his weapon to jab into it's shoulder.
The Elder Coeurl screeched at the pain, before it fought back and took out its frustration on his leg.
Dave fought back the pain, bringing out a dagger from his thigh and placing the blade underneath its fangs to try and pry it off his leg.
As the two got into a tug-of-war like situation, he let out a high-whistle. Hooch, understanding the signal the whistle, backed away from the beast, still barking, aggressively.
Dave turned to Vitalis, who watches from the sidelines, helplessly, as he watches the Griffon fly high into the air with his sister.
"Vitalis!" He yelled, jabbing his left elbow against the beast's right-temple, keeping his grip on the handle of his machete. "Don't focus on the Griffon! Your sister will be fine! Help me with this bastard and shoot it's tentacles off, before it decides to let loose a Judgement Bolt of its own!"
The twenty-three year-old didn't want to take any orders from the older-male, especially when he wanted him to ignore the monster that swept his sister into the air to drop her to her death.
...But, just as Dave ordered, Vitalis switched his gun into his right-hand and, with expert aim from being two hundred feet away from the feline, sent two bullets straight through the Elder Coeurl's tentacles. And, was able to avoid injuring the fifty-four year-old male and/or Hooch.
The Elder Coeurl yowled, releasing Dave's leg from its fangs, leaving itself open for the middle-aged man to deliver the finishing blow... Which, after pulling out the machete from its shoulder and a quick swipe of his blade, sliced through its neck.
Hooch, watching his human deliver a severe blow to the feline, charged and sank his fangs into the feline's cut neck, suffocating it to ensure the creature dies a swift, but painful death.
Seeing that they've taken care of the Elder Coeurl on their own, Vitalis turned back to the Griffon... And, with horrified eyes, watches as a massive blast of fire imploded between the monster and his sister.
...Both received massive burns, with some fire still eating at their feathers and/or clothes, as they began to fall in the air.
"RA!" He screamed, running towards another thicket of trees, as he watches Sarai and the Griffon falling back down to the ground.
...
...Sarai knew it was going to hurt... And, really, all her life, it's all she ever known.
She knows how pain feels. How each cut can be insignificant, or deadly, if not attended to. How a trip or a stumble can result to bruising, or broken bones.
...And, if you fool around with fire or get too close to the sun... Your flesh can let you know what it's like to melt like ice in a heatwave, or acid eating away living organisms to expose weak tissues and vulnerable organs and blood.
Still, even as the flame marked her with its wrath and each twitch from her body feels as though somebody's trying to peel her limbs off, she wasn't going to let the Griffon, who fought through the pain of fire eating at its feathers and flesh and thrusted a gust of wind towards her, to make the finishing blow to their brawl.
...
...
...For the fight was already over, before it even began, the instant she tossed Fira and made contact with the creature.
Reaching behind her, she pulled out one of her Spelldaggers she keeps strapped behind her back and, when the beast went to swipe its claws at her, forced her protesting body to perform a mid-air backflip to dodge the attack.
...
...
...Then, when she was over the monster, she leaned down to wrap her left-arm around its neck... with her right, gripping tightly to her dagger, thrusted it when it wing is connected to its shoulder.
Fire bursted from the dagger, burning muscle, flesh, feather... And blood.
The Griffon screeched, shaking its body to rid the girl off of him... It only aided her, by having the blade sink further and, after pulling back to deliver two more jabs... Its right-wing broke, no longer able to fly or to maneuver in the air.
Vitalis and Dave were stunned at Sarai still fighting the massive beast... Though, what happened next, neither of them were ready for.
...
...
...
...
...
...When the Griffon went to snap its beak at her, she removed her dagger out from its shoulder and, swiftly, shoved the blade into its head...
...
...
...
...
...
...Then, forcing its head down... Impaled the Griffon's head through the top of a tree.
Of course, she did received a few cuts and slaps from a few branches, irritating her burns even more so, but held firmly on to the Griffon's body when it stopped at six feet from sinking. The moment the body stopped, she removed her Spelldagger... Or, basically, the hilt and the small chunk of the remaining part of the blade of the dagger.
Down below, Vitalis and Dave couldn't believe what they've witnessed. What they just saw, and caught on their recording devices.
...
...Then, snapping right out of his shock, Vitalis let his fear take over and ran for the tree his sister hang over.
"Ra!" He yelled, putting away his gun and started climbing the tree. "What the fucking hell were you thinking?! You could've gotten yourself killed!"
Above him, the eighteen year-old couldn't really care on how upset her brother was... In fact, she couldn't hear anything, but the continuous ringing in her ears.
Sarai could barely think of anything, other than how much her body burns and how everything around her seems to be turning red... She didn't even realize the massive cut she received, from the right-side of her neck straight up through her hair.
Vitalis continued to yell, as he climbed higher.
"Seriously! Pull another jacked up stunt like that, again, and you'll be bench for three months from hunting! And, until you're no longer benched, you'll be forbidden from weapon training! And don't even think about getting Ceph and Lupe to avoid punishment, after they see what the recording devices caught what you've do-!"
"Vitalis!"
Looking down at the voice, seeing it was Dave who called out to him... The twenty-three year-old was confused when he didn't hear any hint of protesting of his decision making...
...
...He wasn't prepared for what the middle-aged man said next.
"She's slipping!"
Snapping his head up, Vitalis' anger towards his sister's actions was sapped away and dread ran through his veins, as he watches his burnt sister slowly sliding off of the Griffon's body.
...
...Her hands no longer had any strength to hold on, when every nerve in her body is being overloaded with pain from the burning sensation coursing through its system and function.
...
...
...
...
...She fell.
...
...
...
"RA!"
Another Day Later: Insomnia City, Afternoon...
*Gasp!* "Finally!" *Gasp!* "Last one!" Prompto gasped out, setting the last table and letting two humans place the last set of chairs down and place out the covering.
Seeing the last table being set, the thirty-one year-old grew a smile that would leave his cheeks to cramp up for the next three days... Then, his body, without warning, collapsed to the ground. His body felt heavy and winded, suddenly realizing that he was panting.
...
...And still, his smile remained on his face.
...
...
...He then started laughing.
"...It's over..." He chuckled, lazily raising a fist in the air. "I finished! I don't have to do so, ever again!"
The two humans gave him an odd look, as he continued to laugh and lay sprawled out on the pavement, but neither of them were going to say anything to his victory... Which included, bringing up that, when the Five Moons Blessings Celebration ends, he'll probably end up packing the tables and chairs up.
Prompto continued to laugh, beaming at the blue-sky over him, enjoying the feeling of the wind blowing against his skin and through his hair.
'I did it... And, with only half a day, before the first day of the Five Moons Blessings Celebration... That means, Iggy's paying drinks, at Moonrunners Saloon, tonight*!'
Getting all excited on going to his favorite bar, having to won the bet against his blind friend on how long it would take for him to finish setting up the seatings, Prompto leaped to his feet.
'I need to go find him! And rub it in his face! And, just in case he doesn't believe me...'
He pulled out his phone and, with a few clicks on some buttons, he snapped a picture of the last table set... With him in the shot, purposely taking a selfie, pointing a finger at the street sign to show where the last table was set.
After approving the photo he took, whistling a happy tune, Prompto made his way through the maze of tables, heading for Ignis' station to gloat in his victory.
'I better text Cindy to get ready to head out. For tonight, we're going to have a celebration of our own.'
He was so excited his accomplishment and desire to drink at Moonrunners Saloon, that he almost didn't notice a pair of familiar scents had entered the city... If not for the scent of blood, that's mixed in with the scent of pine trees and white-sage.
...
...His blood went cold. Fear gripped his heart. His Joy and excitement, instantly vanished and taking over his body to morph into his wolf-form and began running to where the scent of blood is coming from.
Many thoughts ran to his mind, all jumbled together, like debris in a tornado... Most of which, involved the worst case scenario that would involve him finding them brought to the city.
...
...Dead.
A whimper left his throat, scared that he was going to find that possibility to become real.
'...Please...' He prayed to whichever Astral will hear his plea, as he forced more speed into his paws. 'Don't let it happen... Please...! Let them be alive!'
He leaped over a car that drove past them, almost hitting the front-view mirror. He left on the tips of his claws, forcing himself to skid across the pavement, before thrusting forward. He didn't have time to register that he almost got hit.
The only thing on his mind, was to see and figure out why there was so much blood... And, hope that he wouldn't find four bodies being brought to Insomnia.
...He didn't want Gladiolus to be the first one there, should that fear come true... To find the body of his deceased Life-Mate.
...
...
...
...Prompto doesn't want to fight his own big-brother figure, should his beast take over and go feral, from the loss of his Life-Mate... Before he would even get the chance to give her his Mating Mark, to symbolize their love and devotion... To bare him his pups, for them to love and cherish, together.
The thirty-one year-old was so focused on getting to the source of the blood, that he didn't noticed Cor's scent mingling with the thick copper-scent.
So, when he reached the city's gate, he was surprised to see the Marshal, in his wolf-form, having a chain clipped around his chest and shoulders, pulling a black pickup-truck.
The blackish-brown furred wolf, pulling the large pickup with ease, let out a bark of greeting to the smaller, blonde-wolf.
"Prompto!" He greeted, stopping in his tracks. "What are you doing here?"
The younger-male ignored Cor's question, in favor of looking through the mirror of the car... His blood went cold when he sees Dave, in the driver-seat, and Cephas, in the front-passenger, slumped against their seat... Both covered in blood, with a few bandages wrapped around their arms and/or head.
...
...Then, when he sees Lupus and Vitalis in the back-seat, also soaked in blood and bandages... His mind was in a state of panic when he didn't see, let alone smell, Sarai with them.
He turned to Cor. His crystal-blue eyes, wide and fearful.
"What happened?!" He barked, leaping to stand in front of the larger-wolf. His limbs, trembling and shaking. "Why are they covered in blood...?! Where's Sarai?!"
Cor glared down at the boy.
"Keep quiet," he growled low. "...They're asleep. -He looked over his right-shoulder, staring at the sleeping hunters, relieved that none of them woke up from Prompto's outburst.- Apparently, bounties nowadays, end up becoming much more difficult than they're described to being. Not even a group of werewolves hunters would be able to walk away, scot-free. -He turned back to Prompto.- Luckily, they had potions, elixirs and other remedies to aid them in battle; most of the blood on them, are from the creatures and Daemons they've fought. Only a few of the dry-blood, was their own, before they healed themselves."
Hearing that they're covered in dry-blood and aren't from them, did relieved Prompto's fear... But, not knowing where the youngest of the group was at, still made him anxious.
"A-And Sarai?" He asked, again.
Cor jerked his head to the truck.
"In the back, with the Chocobos." He informed... His light-blue eyes held deep concern. "...I wasn't able to check on her, since I started hauling Dave's truck to Insomnia... But, I know for a fact, that she hadn't allowed herself to rest, during the travel back here."
Immediately, Prompto ran to the back of the pickup... His heart went out to his sister.
Sitting against the back, with the four Chocobos curled around her, the eighteen year-old girl is. She's slumped against Liliana, appearing as if she was asleep, but the slow, gentle brush from her fingers weaving through the bird's feathers shows that she's still awake.
Bandages covers both her arms... Some spots showed red-marks... Indicating that she was bleeding. Her legs, while long-black socks covers to her knees and her shorts covering the rest of her body, showed small-parts of bandages coiled underneath her socks and shorts.
Her hat keeps the top-half of her face concealed... But, even that wasn't enough to hide the blood on her skin, which the hat was soaked in liked her clothes.
There was even some blood splatters on the four Chocobos, and none of them cared that they reek of blood and/or how uncomfortable the stain of copper made their feathers feel... the only thing they care about, is the girl that sat with them... And Hooch, who was next to the tailgate, barked his own greetings to the blonde-wolf.
"Hello!" The canine exclaimed. "Greetings, Brother! Happy to see you, again!"
Prompto nodded to the dog, before turning back to the quiet, obviously tired girl.
"Sarai?" He called out, a low whimper left his throat.
The girl flinched at the call of her name from the king's Brother-in-Arms. While the response of her flinching did made him sad, it did give him hope and reassurance that she heard him.
Hooch, watching the blonde-werewolf try to engage conversation with Sarai, let out a low whimper... Mixed with a low-growl.
...When he spoke to Prompto... His words caught him by surprise.
"You scare her!" Hooch barked. He didn't sound angry, but not excited or happy. "Don't talk to her! She doesn't like others talking to her! They make her sad! Make her uncomfortable! Leave her alone!"
As if agreeing with the dog's words and voicing out their way to tell him to leave Sarai alone, Liliana and the Crimson Chocobo hissed and squawked at Prompto.
This was getting more and more puzzling to the blonde-werewolf... Even, without a doubt, upset and hurt to hear that he's making the girl, his soon-to-be sister, sad, uncomfortable and, to his complete take back, scared.
But, when he heard Hooch mentioning of others making her sad, told him that he wasn't the actual issue to her being distance and quiet around him. Prompto wanted to know what it was that Sarai didn't want him to talk to her, and is uncomfortable of him, his mate, and other people that try to interact with her.
But, before he could ask Hooch, Cor barked his name.
"Help me pull this!" He said, starting to pull the pickup truck to move, again. "Otherwise, get back to work, and stay out of the way!"
Choosing the first offer, despite knowing the soreness he'll be feeling later on, Prompto ran back to the front and, pulling some of the chain to wrap over his shoulders, pulled with the Marshal.
The older- wolf turned to the blonde.
"Well? She still awake?"
Prompto's ears flattened, grunting from having to pull something heavier than he normally can carry.
"It looks like it," he stained. "Her hat's covering her face, but her heartrate and movement of her hand shows that she's still awake."
A low rumble of a growl left Cor's throat. Disappointment and deep concern for the human-girl can be seen in his light-blue eyes.
"I was afraid of that," he growled. "I told her to get some sleep, especially after she helped me with taking care of the Voretooths and the Hobgoblins, last night."
Prompto froze in his steps. Astonished.
"Hobgoblins?!" He yelped.
He earned himself a grab in tube mouth by Cor, clamping his fangs over his muzzle.
"Quiet!" He snarled. "The boys and Dave are still resting! And, unless you want to keep screaming, the girl needs to fall asleep."
Nodding his head that he got the message, Cor released his snout.
"Sorry," he whispered. "It's just-... Did she, actually, took down Hobgoblins?"
Even when he had witnessed it, before his very eyes, while taking down a few Hobgoblins on his own, the middle-aged man still couldn't believe on how the girl, in the dangerous state of being sleep deprived and forced to stay awake from her concussion from the Griffon, was able to hold her own... Through the entire night, with nothing but her Mage Mashers, a Flame Tongue when she has to parry some of their attacks and her perfect timing on using Fira Elemancy, until the sun finally risen to chase away the Daemons.
Cor looked over his shoulder, despite knowing he can't see her, listening to her beating heart... As if reassuring himself that she's still alive... And, listening Hooch whimpering in delight, meaning that he's receiving attention from the eighteen year-old, along with some chirping from the Chocobos, it set the middle-aged male's mind at ease.
"She may seem like a helpless, small-female... But, really, hidden within her... Is a fighter... -He turned back to Prompto... A serious, proud... And, mournful look in his gaze.- ...And, a struggling survivor, who hunts for the sake of others... And, who puts the suffering of others, before her own."
...The way Cor just described the girl... It made his heart clench in sadness... And, a cold shiver of fear to travel all over his body.
Prompto wanted to ask the older-male why his words sounded as if it was an omen of something bad within the girl... Why he wanted to scoop the girl into his arms, take her to his and Cindy's den, bundle her in blankets and shelter her from the outside world... Well, at least, until Gladiolus comes to take her to his den to place his mark on her and, once they commence the Mating Ceremony, for Noctis to brand her into his pack and have her under his protection.
...But, because Cor wanted them to get the know the girl on their own, since they'd made their own choice to find out about her, through their own investigation, he knows that asking would be futile.
The two werewolves continue pulling the pick up towards the Citadel, where Cindy's Shop is located a few blocks from the Citadel.
A sudden thought popped up in Cor's head. He turned to Prompto.
"Prompto... You wouldn't happen to know where Gladiolus is, right now."
Tube blonde-wolf cocked his head to the side.
"Hmm... -He thought hard, before recalling what he knows.- Last I remembered, he went to the Citadel, after finishing his half on setting the tables. Said something about Noctis wanting to spar, and was slacking off on his training. -He looked up at the older- werewolf.- Why?"
...
...Cor gave him a glare that told him that he needs to something that may, or may not, get him killed.
"...Prompto... I need you to listen to what I have to say, and what I need you to do... And, hopefully, what I want you to do, won't have you end up being castrated by Gladiolus."
She knows that they think that they're being sneaky and quiet... At least, Prompto does. She doesn't know if Cor knows about her 'condition', that left her to having acute-heightened hearing, or if he just read the reports and records on the many hunts that she and her brothers had completed in the past.
Whether he does or not, it didn't really matter... What matter was, that she can still hear them. Somewhat fuzzy, because the slight headache and dizziness from the concussion, but she still heard just enough words to know that they're talking about her.
She rested her head against the window, letting out a tiring sigh... no doubt, that Cor was telling prompto of their fight with the Hobgoblin and the Voretooth.
...
...
...How she wasn't able to kill them all, and let them get away when the sun rose. On her poor performance when fighting against the Hobgoblins, when she left herself open to being attacked by another Hobgoblin a few times, because she was too focused on her one opponent, and unable to use her other senses from the concussion messing up her hearing.
She pulled her knees to her chest, laying her chin on top of them. Both of her hands, each, held two sets of the Chocobos reins.
...
...The few days hunting, was very stressful to her.
...
...And, so far, one of the toughest jobs she and her brothers had done.
What was supposed to be a bunch of simple One and Two-Star Ranked Hunts, ended up becoming an emergency Search and Rescue... and, finishing hunts for other human hunters that had failed their tasks and almost ended up getting killed... By Daemons, and creatures that were nearby the area and wanted a piece of action.
And it wasn't a simple task, either... Because, whenever they would finish taking care of a creature and/or Daemon, Dave would receive another call that another group was in danger and had to get there, ASAP.
They've been receiving calls for help, non-stop, for the two days. In fact, they've been receiving calls, even at night. And as such, the siblings and Dave didn't get any rest, at all, and had been awake for over forty-eight hours.
They couldn't even stop to grab a decent meal to eat and, during the drive and/or Chocobo ride, where are the only times that they can drink their reserved waters when they drank all their waters from their canteens.
Sarai felt the eyes of Insomnia Civilians staring at Cor pulling the pickup, since Prompto left to go do what the Marshal told him to, the four males in the pickup truck, and her riding in the back with the Chocobos and Hooch.
She covered her ears with her hands. Even though that you can still hear the ringing in her ears, she didn't want to risk hearing anybody commenting on her ruffled appearance or start some rumors that they got the crap beaten out of them and how is she must have gotten in the way.
Hooch, curled to her left, removed his head from his paws to rest it against her lap. He nuzzled his face against her flat stomach, which growled for food that isn't rationed trail mix. The canine didn't like to hear that she's starving, let alone feel her ribcage through her black wife-beater shirt.
Liliana and her brothers, also, dislike the sound of hunger coming from her human.
The Cerulean Chocobo, with wobbly, shaky legs, got to her talons and let out a harsh squawk.
Cor, letting out a slight yelp from the bird's try, stopped in his tracks.
He moved to the left side of the car, letting out a bark.
"Hey!" He yelled. "The hell's the big idea?! Let them sleep!"
Liliana ignored his yell and continued to cry loudly in the air, slamming her talons to start rocking the car back and forth.
When her tired, migraine mind, finally registered on what her Chocobo was doing, Sarai, immediately, got to her feet.
"Mmph!" She forced out, raising both hands, still holding on to the reins, to reach out and pull down her Chocobo's face to meet her own.
The stubborn bird jerked her head up higher, avoiding the hands, as she continued to screech.
She loves her human, with all of her heart entire being... So much so, that she would go through any length to make certain that the girl is taken care of... Even, if she were to do something that Sarai wouldn't approve of, when it's for her own good and best interest.
People watch with great interest, with mixed response: Some, very much surprised. Others, in fear and shock... And many, with great expression of disappointment and the satisfaction that the bird was acting up, again.
...And, once again, are putting the blame towards the eighteen year-old, for disturbing the peace and making it difficult for Cor to pull the pickup, straight.
Luckily, Liliana didn't have to lock the car for very long; with just twenty seconds of shaking the car and screaming like an annoying alarm clock, the three brothers and Dave finally woke up from their sleep.
Vitalis let out a groan of protest, turning over to bury his face against the corner where the window and the car door meets.
"Stupid bird...!" He growled.
Lupus, rousing from his sleep, lifted his left-foot to give his brother a kick against the leg.
"Shut up," he grumbled. "You know she means well... Helps keeps an eye on Ra, when we're not."
Vitalis let out a deep sigh, but didn't argue.
"...Still... Does she has to scream, like a wailing siren?" He asked, before stretching his arms and bending it halfway when his knuckles hit the roof of the car.
"You done complaining, yet?" Cephas, getting up and wiping the sleep from his eyes, replied, before yawning. "If so, come on. We need to help Ra with the Chocobos."
Dave, turning his head to watch the three brothers greet each other, after sleeping, chuckled at their antics.
'They may seem mature, when out in public and on the battlefield. But, wake them from their sleep and/or put them in a private room, and they'll act like whiny children.'
He shook his head from the thought, before sitting up and stretching... Then, when he opened his eyes, after yawning, he was stunned to find themselves moving, without him starting up the car and driving it.
It didn't take long for him to figure out that they're back in Insomnia... Though, he was puzzled to how they got back; Sarai would never drive a vehicle, unless the Chocobos' health prevents them to be ridden, and only if her brothers are awake to help supervise her driving.
When the three brothers, too, realized that they weren't in Leide and are back in Insomnia, they were confused and a bit worried.
"What the hell?!" Vitalis cried out.
"How the-...?" Lupus cut himself off, looking behind him and seeing Sarai trying to get Liliana to stop rocking the car... His eyes widened, when he saw the bandages wrapped around her arms.
He opened the car-door, jumping out, only to pull himself over the tailgate of the car.
"Ra?!"
His cry made the other Chocobos squawk in shock, but the three birds remained sitting, as the older-boy came beside his sister to help calm her Chocobo down.
Cor, hearing the boys waking up and the door opening and slamming shut, turned his head to see the confusion on all four of the males' faces.
"You guys finally decided to wake up?!" He smirked.
Cephas, recognizing the werewolf's voice to being the Marshal, did somewhat calmed down. But, when he looked behind to see Lupus aiding their sister to stop Liliana from acting up and saw the bandages on her arms, his calm went to worry and anger.
He rolled down the window, leaning his head out the window.
"What happened?" He called out. "How did we get back? -He turned his head towards the tailgate, where his Crimson Chocobo and Vitalis' Emerald Chocobo squawked in greetings.- Ra, what happened to you?!"
The eighteen year-old jumped to the sound of her big brother's voice, stumbling backwards and almost slipping, if Lupus didn't caught her.
It was then that the twenty-nine year-old discovered, when her hat fell to the ground, that he saw the dark-bags under her eyes and the redness surrounding her forest-green eyes. He even saw a white-patch at the right-side of her neck... A hint of a large bruise forming from underneath.
He kneeled before Sarai, laying both his hands on her elbows, looking her straight in her tired, red-eyes.
"Ra?" He whispered.
Her head jerked up to his voice, eyes slightly wide... Almost as if she just realized that he's here, and not helping her calm Liliana down.
...Then, her eyelids would start to fall over halfway her gaze.
Lupus didn't like the response she was displaying.
"Ra!" Cephas called out, again. Once again, he was being ignored.
Lupus held up his right-hand to her, holding up three fingers.
"How many fingers am I holding up?"
Sarai shook her head a bit. Blinking four times, rapidly. She started squinting her eyes at the fingers.
Lupus laid his left-hand to her cheek, coaxing her to look at him. He shook his head.
"Don't squint," he gently ordered. "Show me, what you're seeing right now, to how many of my fingers you're seeing."
Again, he held up three fingers before her.
...
...
...
...It took her fifteen seconds, until she finally gave an answer...
...
...
...She held up all five of her fingers with her left hand... Then, after closing it into a fist, she held up four more fingers.
Lupus' greenish-blue eyes grew big.
He was at his feet, almost instantly, and went over the tailgate to turn to Cephas.
"She has slow delayed response!" He called out. "She hadn't gotten sleep! She's, practically, sleeping on her feet!"
Dave, just as concerned and shock as the brothers by the news, rolled down his window to lean his head out and call out to Cor.
"Cor!" He shouted. "What the hell happened?!"
The middle-aged werewolf glared back at the hunter.
"You tell me," he replied. "Believe it or not, Sarai texted me, with your phone, for help, in the afternoon, yesterday. And, after running for a few hours to find your guys' location and scent, I found you four on the ground, bandaged and unconscious, at a Haven... With your pickup, out of gas, parked thirty feet away from the Haven. It's a good thing that you have chains in your truck, to help haul your asses back to the city!"
Cephas, Lupus and Vitalis were at a loss for words from the information... Then, realization on what happened came into their mind.
"Those fucking Flans!" Vitalis yelled, slamming his hand against the door.
Lupus went back to Sarai, who was leaning against Liliana for support... She didn't seem aware that she's leaning on her Chocobo.
Liliana didn't show any discomfort by the feeling of her owner leaning against her, and remained still for her owner to lean against.
Taking it as an opportunity to get her to rest, after picking up her hat and setting it back down on her head, Lupus pulled her against him, gently guiding her towards his Sapphire Chocobo.
"Aquila (Eagle)." He grunted out.
The Sapphire bird, hearing his owner's voice, squawked.
Removing the other reins from her hands, he set his sister on his Chocobo's back. Then, moving the reins over the bird's head, sat behind his sister.
He wrapped his right-arm around Sarai, pulling her to lean against him, using his left to hold on to the reins.
A few clicking from him, and his Chocobo, Aquila, got to his talons.
"I'm taking her back to the apartment!" He called out to the others. He turned to the other Chocobos; Liliana, mostly, for taking a few steps towards them. "Liliana, stay!"
Once again, the stubborn bird refused to listen and stood beside her brother, to be as close to her human as she can.
Lupus glared at the Cerulean Chocobo.
"Liliana!" He sneered... It earned him a screech of a hiss from the bird.
Sarai, staring blankly at her steed, raised a slightly trembling hand towards the bird.
Obediently, Liliana laid her head against the hand. She nuzzles against the palm, crooning at fingers stroking the feathers on her face.
...Sarai let out a stuttering croon of her own, followed by a few clicking sounds.
...
...
...Then, to Lupus' shock, his sister grabbed Liliana's reins.
He pulled her up against him, attempting to have her let go of the reins.
"Come on, Ra." He urged. "We need to get you to bed. We can't bring Liliana with us."
Despite being drained, tired and still feeling dizzy in the head, the eighteen year-old refuses to let go. And, to further make his job harder, the Crimson Chocobo and the Emerald Chocobo got to their feet and stood with their sister.
They were all going where he, Sarai and Aquila are heading.
Lupus groaned at the difficulty of his task had gotten.
"Come on, you guys." He muttered, begging at this point. "I, really, need to take Ra to the apartment. Please, don't make this any more difficult."
...All four of the Chocobos, especially his own, all gave him a clear look that they weren't going to listen and are going to do what they want to do... And that is, to be with Sarai.
Lupus let out a grumble. Puzzled at what he should do.
"Just take them to the Royal Stables!" Cephas called out. "You know they won't listen to anyone, but Ra. And, you know how Ra is, when it comes to the safety of the Chocobos."
The twenty-nine year-old brother let out a huff of annoyance... But, he should've known better than to expect their steeds to listen, when the matter involves their sister... And, smirking down at his sister, who kept a firm grip on Liliana's reins, knew it would be pointless to get her to rest, until she sees, with her very eyes, that the Chocobos are all safe and sound.
With a sigh of defeat, Lupus looped his right-hand through liliana's reins... And then, gently coaxing the other two Chocobos to come forward, grabs for their reins and held them against him and his drowsy sister.
He glared at the three birds.
"Follow." Here ordered. Then, he gave Aquila a gentle kick against his sides. "Let's go!"
Given the okay to move, Aquila let out a screech... And, knowing instinctively that his siblings will follow, leaped out of back of the pickup and, following the direction of the reins being pulled, sprinted straight ahead of the werewolf.
While they've only been in the city for barely a day and only remembered certain areas that they went through, thanks to the tour they've been given and their first day in Insomnia, Lupus basically had them sprinting down the road for a good ten minutes, avoiding vehicles and pedestrians in the process, before he finally recalls a street they've been on an found a path towards the Citadel.
Throughout the entire ride, Sarai remained limped and quiet. With her hat covering her face, it almost looks as if she was sleeping... But she wasn't.
She kept staring down at the moving pavement, below her. She can barely contain any control movement of her body. Even with her brother pinning her against him.
She feels like a rag doll. And, in her tired state, everything around her is nothing more than a wave of confusion, flashing lights and colors.
...She can barely register the sounds of murmurs in the air... But, even with the thumping of talons tapping against the pavement and the ringing going on in her ears... She knows that people are still talking.
...About her.
...
...
...She may not fully hear what they're saying... But, knew that she'll never escape their criticism and insults... No matter how hard she tries to ignore them... How out of it she's in... Or how loud the ringing in her ears will scream in her eardrums, or how serious the concussion she sustain would make the world tilt on its axis and beckons her into darkness.
Eventually, after thirteen minutes of sprinting through the city, they finally reached the Royal Stables.
Lupus let out a sigh of relief.
"Finally..." He muttered.
Having both hands on Sarai's shoulders and keeping a grip on the reins, he slid off of Aquila.
He patted his sister on the shoulder.
"You hanging in there?" He whispered. "You can sleep on Aquila and start catching up on your sleep, while I can take care of putting the Chocobos into the stables."
At first, he didn't think she was going to make a response; she barely looks to be there, at all and looks ready to drop at any moment.
...Then, to his disappointment, Sarai, sluggishly, swung her left-leg over Aquila's neck and dropped down to the ground. She stumbled on the landing, but quickly regained her footing.
Then, taking the reins that's connected top Liliana's halter, lead the way towards the stables.
Lupus let out a deep sigh. Then, feeling the tugging from Aquila trying to follow his sister, got his feet moving and ushered the other two birds to follow him.
It was taking every last ounce of energy she has left in her body to keep moving forward... And, she doesn't know if she'll be able to make it to the stalls, before she could no longer keep walking.
Liliana bumped her beak against the girl's right-shoulder. She can sense the fatigue coming off of her human, and started giving her an extra boost to keep walking.
But, even with the help from her loyal steed, Sarai's body went slower than its normal stride.
By the time that they reached the stalls, she was ten steps behind her brothers and the three Chocobos he was guiding and was the first to quickly get the birds into their conjoint stalls, which the siblings requested to have their birds be put in while they remain in Insomnia.
She walked past a Lime-green Chocobo, it being Prompto's Chocobo, who squawked at their Chocobos in greetings... When, without warning, black-spots danced before her blurred vision.
Her eyes widened, fearful and scared, as the black-spots grew and spread, like mist.
Sarai grabbed at the side of her head with her right-hand, stopping in her tracks. She let out a few panting of gasps. Her knees buckled, and her feet felt cold.
Liliana, watching her human the whole time, let out a distress cry when the girl leaned, roughly, against the stone-wall and was breathing heavily.
Lupus turned to the Chocobo's cry... His greenish-blue eyes widen in horror, when he watches his sister, taking a step forward... And then, started to fall to her left.
"RA!"
He knew that he wouldn't make it in time to catch her. And Liliana, having strains in her legs and, as animals would react to something that would startle them, wouldn't be able to grab her before she hits the hard ground.
But, still, he pushed himself to get to her. He didn't care if he'll end up getting smeared on the filthy ground. He just want to catch his sister, and spare her from gaining any more injuries than she's already carrying.
...
...
...She was mere centimeters from hitting the ground, when she was caught on time.
...
...
...
...
...
...However, it wasn't Lupus who caught her.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...It was none other, than the King's Sworn Shield, himself...
Gladiolus Amicitia.
TBC
*: This isn't a made up bar. This bar exist in Garner, NC. It used to be called Characters Quarters, before John Taffer saved the bar and helped the owner turn it into the Moonrunners Saloon. If you haven't watched Bar Rescue, you should check it out. It's S3E16: Characters Assassination.
Last I heard, the bar's still going strong and very popular. They were even setting up another Moonrunners Saloon, last I saw on Bar Rescue: Back to the Bar. In my opinion, it's one of the top successful stories that John Taffer rescued, on Bar Rescue (I would rank it in either the 6th or 7th on the list. It, definitely, deserves to be on the top 10.). If you live nearby Garner, NC, and/or visit there, look for the bar and try it out! ;)
And before you ask: No. I don't live anywhere nearby Garner, NC. And, no, I never went there and/or tried the bar... And, yes... I won't be getting anything out of this... But, trust me, when I say that John Taffer does what he can to make the bars he rescued a complete success and aid others on making their dream bar a reality.
...Plus, for those who want to open a bar of their own, I would highly suggest watching Bar Rescue. It'll give you some tips, even some educational pointers, to help see how tough and serious a bar job is... Along with seeing what happens, when an owner's neglect, lack of leadership, or even an unforeseen incident, can reveal how difficult owning a bar business truly is.
...
...
...
...I got important news...
...
...
...
...I'm going to get surgery, to help with my back and neck pain, along with helping my posture... Basically, it's Breast Reduction... It'll be on the 30th of October...
...
...
...
...I'm really nervous about it... But, at the same time, excited. My mom and my sister are, also, happy that I'm going to get it... I just hope, while I may not be able to do much, because I'll be recovering and the Coronavirus is still keeping many places closed/out of business, I'll be able to spend time with my family...
...
...
...That, and to catch up on some story writings.
...
...
...
...Wish me luck! And I hope everybody's doing okay, while we're still struggling with the Coronavirus! Do take care of yourselves! ^^
R&R