[PRP] A Kalona Falls (Rot & Family)

[Meeki]

He was dying.

Every muscle in his body ached from the fight he had been in earlier that day. Though it was hard to see the blood against his ruby coat, he could smell it there, the scent so strong, he wondered if he would be able to smell anything else. He had lost so much blood. Most others would already be dead but he had to make it home. He would make it home. He had to see Maeryn's face one more time. He had to talk to Nemesis and make sure the herd had a protector. He could not let go otherwise. He wanted to see his sons and daughters, at least those that were around. He had to say goodbye. He would have it no other way and the devil had better wait until he was damn well ready to go.

The Skinwalker was everything he had heard and more. They were monsters, a greater evil than any Kalona he had met. Their ability to shapeshift gave them an even greater advantage. Their animal form was so fast and their bites sure and strong. It was unnatural and if one could give a Kalona such a challenge then the other races stood no chance. This was a greater problem than Rot had ever realized. These creatures would not be content until they wiped out everyone around them.

He was so tired and so very sore. During the battle, he had held is ground. He had not retreated even though the option of flying away had always been there. Maeryn would be upset with him but he was sure she would also be proud. He would die but he brought the herd honor. He would bring her honor. He would bring himself honor. Could there be no finer way to die than defending your land and your family in battle? His foe was far mightier than he but he had won.

Though he had not been able to kill the Skinwalker, but he had been able to tire the animal out so that it retreated. Of course, Rot had refused to fall which no doubt lead to the animal giving up. Rötschreck was many things and above all, he was stubborn. He had stood his ground, continued to strike even though his own body was weak from the wounds inflicted. Even though his own muscles ached to give up, he refused, and he would make it home. It wasn't far now.

He had to warn them of the Skinwalker that has been hanging out on their land. The black beast had mentioned others would be joining him. How many? His family needed to know. They needed time to prepare. He had faith in them. If he had been younger, he might have been able to kill the Skinwalker but old age had visited him long ago. It was for this reason that dying did not pain him. He would miss his family but he knew his time was coming. Perhaps this was simply fate giving him the honorable death he had often dreamed about.

He would miss his family.

He would miss her most of all. Maeryn was so strong and so beautiful. Never before had another kalona captivated him, made him want to follow her around like a lost puppy. She had given him companionship in his final years and a family he could not be more proud of. He had a good life. A great life. He did not deserve to be so blessed.

They would understand.

They would be proud of him.

And they would wreak havoc never seen before. What more could a dying stallion ask for?

Fueled with the need to see his family, he pressed on. The clearing was coming up now.  

[Meeki]

"That depends on how mad you are," he half laughed, instantly regretting the action as a wave of pain washed over him. "I should already be dead," he replied soberly, "but there's things I need to check on.. things that need done."

The rage in her eyes made her even more beautiful, if that was possible. That was the Maeryn he had fallen in love with so long ago. Never had any mare been so passionate about what she wanted in life. She was the reason the herd was a success, the reason their sons and daughters turned out so well. She had an inner strength about her that had gone unmatched by another living soul as far as he could see.

"I don't have long," he added, hoping she would not wish to fight. He wasn't sure he had the energy for that. He really wanted to talk to Nemesis and if she'd let him, he would like to spend his final minutes with her. He could think of no better way to go than to die by her side with his head resting on her body. Of course, Maeryn wasn't one for emotions. Hell, he'd be happy enough just dying with his family nearby.  

[Tsunake]

"You really are boring. What's the point of standing around in this place all day when you can get out and do something?"

His niece had returned, the damnable loudmouth, and the stallion had begun to slowly mull over how to deal with her constant, irking presence. He lumbered silently through the wooded clearing, deaf to the idle chatter that continued to float from the small, sleek mare. Why should he bother explaining to her that he stuck close to their odd family-herd of sorts for the sake of his parents, always the silent observer for any signs of danger? Not that he doubted his father ability to protect the herd, not at all.

Their noses both crinkled at the same time, nostrils flaring to better take in the sudden scent of blood, of pain. Of fear. Theia twisted her head to peer intently at the dark stallion beside her--and yelped as he practically took off her nose from moving so fast, hooves thudding hard into the earth while glittering wings snapped from his thick sides. Something was wrong! He could hear Theia snapping at him to slow down, her voice hushed, but he knew the wounded one's scent.

He burst from the nearby shadows, roiling with fury, his blackened lips pulled back to fully bare his fangs. "Father..." It was a low, muted growl, quaking in his chest with raw emotion. His tail lashed out, the spaded tip smashing into the bark of a nearby tree, forcing it to splinter even as he stiffly forced himself closer. Who... What could have done this to the stallion he had admired for so long?

"R-Rötschreck?" Theia whispered. She'd never met her grandfather, had heard the stories and had always entertained thoughts of him as a ferocious, powerful defender in her mind for so long. This was wrong, seeing him like this, torn up and bleeding and looking so feeble.

"What happened?" Nemesis could barely force the words over his tongue, ignoring how they stung. He was trembling with rage, but his movements were almost surprisingly gentle as he stepped towards his father, at a complete and utter loss as to how he could heal his pain. And his mother... his poor, brave mother. She was lost, too.  

[Tweekend]

It didn't take Malice long to scent and hear all the commotion, and within minutes she was near her family and expecting the usual exchanges back and forth. Shock soon struck her face as she witnessed and heard what everybody was talking about. Her father... she couldn't even look at him. This was a joke, right? Her family was the strongest and deadliest without a doubt. She and her siblings had proven what their parents had accomplished as fine Kalona. She couldn't believe any of the scars and tears that laid on her father's body. How could this have happened to him!?

For Malice this situation was especially uncomfortable. She had no idea how to express such strong emotions or concerns. She was embarrassed to say anything as she walked over, so instead she just stood beside her sister and stared at her shattered father. It was like a nightmare had appeared in front of them all. But, something about her father remained exactly the same. He still looked unbelievably strong in her eyes. He wasn't fidgeting or crying like some other weaklings she had encountered. He was only speaking to them, with the usual sincerity and honor that she had been raised with for so many years. "Father...."