{FIN} You Shaped My Life With Shadows {RomanXBarracus}

[Regal Renegade]

Gnarled branches looking about half dead reached for Roman as he made his way through the thick forest. There was no green here, no birdsong, not even the gentle scent of flowers and life looming in the air. This forest was as dead as his family; it contained no wonder just as the rest of the world did not. The pale, dried out tree trunks marking his path were perfect indications of life on this planet. He had seen everything in the time he had traveled with his father, being dragged from place to place in search of something they would never find. Proud Ardus looked for the creature that had spilt the blood of his beloved in a truly gruesome manner and perhaps he found it after all. Roman knew in his heart when his father left that day that he would not return for them. He winced slightly as a branch with pointed fingers snatched at his wing, pulling a feather loose. He didn’t once begin to wonder why he had decided to walk through this dismal wasteland, he didn’t often think on why his feet kept him moving. The sound of water caught his attention and he looked down to see a stream barely the width of a snake running through gray dirt. Why did it continue to go when there obviously was nowhere for it to go? Not only that but the waters were tainted a murky yellowish brown color that caused the golden stallion to crinkle his nose. Stepping over the pathetic little thing he noticed a break in the choking trees up ahead.

No longer was he standing on gray soil but on brown grass that had been dead for what seemed like an eternity. Above him the sky was clear; no branches tangled together creating a dome above his head. The stars and moon glittered above him but he paid them no homage. They shined in the same manner each night and yet they were constantly called wonderful or amazing. He had seen too many nights to be in awe of something so common. Lowering his gaze he observed the state of the small clearing he had chanced upon. Dead and dismal, just like the rest of this retched world. His father had wasted his own life as well as those of his son’s. He then vanished into nothingness, disappearing from all minds but one. “Pathetic.” Roman scoffed beneath his breath.  

[Faithofthefallen]

Barracus' long claws clicked against the stone as he paced back and forth across the length of his home, his silky brown coat rippled over well defined muscles and his hindquarters swayed almost seductively with the rhythm of his movements.

Bloody prints of his massive paws glistened in the eerie glowing light emanating from a peculiar type green fungus growing on the wet stone near the small pool in the very rear of the cave. A few skulls and various other bones littered the cave floor. The ripped carcass of a small animal had been abandoned near the corner where he slept. Jagged stalactites and stalagmites forming all along the walls grinned cruelly at him as he passed. It was for these singular features that he chosen to remain here for so long, in one of the back corners they connected and were spaced quite close together creating a convenient natural cage with only one entrance, easily guarded to prevent the escape of its occupants.

The mangled remains of his latest guest were crumpled in one corner of the cage, waiting to be taken out and disposed of. She had proven interesting for a while, her viscous remarks and well placed insults had been amusing at first but after a while he had tired of her monotony. In the end she had begged, apologized, pleaded... Screamed, his pupils dilated as he savored the memory their last few hours together. The slow smile that tugged at the corners of his mouth was cruel.

Barracus stopped at the cave mouth, peering out at the withered forest stretched out before him. It had been days since he had hunted for new prey. The wind shifted, carrying with it an unfamiliar scent. Someone approached. He was pleased, how kind of fate to deliver him a new plaything just as he finished up with the last. Barracus settled down to wait, no sense wasting energy escorting his visitor home when it sounded as though they were already headed this way, it was so much more fun when they came willingly.  

[Regal Renegade]

No breeze blew in the clearing, no breath of life. Not that he had expected any considering that this place had long been abandoned by those who had created it. Though he knew the unsightly land before him would undergo no change he remained standing there a moment more, as if expecting or hoping that it would. With a humorless smile and a shake of his head that caused his red hair to fall in multiple directions about his neck he began moving to the south, pulled by an invisible thread. Seemingly the same thread which bound him to this pointless existence as a wanderer. Again into the thick trees he disappeared, being swallowed up by hollow, splintering fangs. They ripped at his sides, wings and legs as he pushed his way through them, ignoring the small stinging of cuts when a limb caught on his flesh. It wasn’t long until the sound of his hooves became audible as he stepped onto stone. Icy eyes penetrating the gray mist before him he realized there stood a cave not far from where he was now. As he grew closer he noticed a form moving about at the mouth of the cave. A piece in him that had remained long dead seemed to rise and scream for him to turn back. Straightening up his posture he continued toward the cave, not heeding the voices inside of him.

The stench of blood and suffering was the first thing to assail his nostrils as the figure and the cave became more and more clear. This creature was unlike any he had encountered before on his long journey with his driven father and weak brother. Something within him told him he should be wary but another part of him held him fast, telling him that something was to be found here. The world around him was tasteless, lacking in wonder and he had grown weary of learning its supposedly magnificent secrets. With little more than a huff he turned and began heading in the opposite direction, not wanting to be bothered with something that would surely yield nothing.  

[Faithofthefallen]

For a brief moment, Barracus' golden orbs met piercing blue and his brow furrowed thoughtfully. There was something familiar about those eyes, a memory danced at the back of his mind but he couldn't seem to bring it forth, but no matter. It couldn't be that important. A slow smile played across his mouth revealing glistening sharp canines as the stallion resolutely turned his back and walked away. You'll find its not as simple as that my lad he thought with a dark chuckle. Saliva pooled in his mouth as the warm aroma of blood tickled his nostrils, tangy, tantalizing.

There had been something in the young males eyes that peaked his interest, curiosity certaintly and perhaps a shred of hope. Barracus' eyes narrowed, he was unaccustomed to being gazed at with anything but fear and loathing. He slipped out into the cool air, transforming mid-step and leaping foreword with powerful ground-eating strides after his escaping quarry. As he loped along he amused himself by imagining how much he would enjoy gazing intimately into those clear blue eyes as they glazed with pain and then clouded over in death...He would thoroughly enjoy ripping out each of the stallion's tawny feathers.

"Come out, come out wherever you are..." He called out teasingly as he drew near, his silky voice cutting through the eerie silence that had fallen when he emerged from his den.  

[Regal Renegade]

He hadn’t walked far when his ears flicked back, catching the sound of a playful voice calling to him. He stopped walking, poised for whatever may burst forth and greet him. He knew he was in danger, from the moment he had smelled that blood up in the cave he had known but now the thing was closing on him and he really had nowhere to go. His eyes turned skyward but branches wove together choking out the sky and making it impossible for flight. He looked about him to see if there were a clear path he could dash down but there was no such trail. His muscles tensed and his heart began to steadily pick up the pace of its once calm beating. He would have to remain here and face whatever it was that was now stalking him as though he were a trapped rabbit squealing for help. His blue eyes darted every which way attempting to find the source of the voice, preparing for what would surely be a battle. Though Roman was strong he hadn’t ever had to fight off an attacker before. He had been taught by his father how to defend himself and his brother but much of that consisted of gaining the advantage through hiding and waiting for the most opportune moment. There was no place for him to hide here and the creature out to toy with him already had the advantage. Not allowing fear to take over him he straightened his posture and in a deep gravelly voice responded to the taunting calls from before. “It is not I who is hidden creature. Why don’t you come out?”

His courage was false, he truly was frightened but he knew running off in a random direction would do him no good. He felt himself begin to quiver with anticipation and his breathing became more rapid as his lungs felt squished by his frightened heart. Whenever he heard a noise he would quickly turn to face in that direction, he did not wish to be surprised. Suddenly he felt as though he was a foal once again, hiding out in the bushes with his younger brother and hoping to the gods he would not be seen. His wings grew tight by his sides and his feet barely desired to move. “What is it you desire? I have left your home I have no quarrel with you.” Under the circumstances his voice remained smooth and strong, keeping his true emotions masked.  

[Faithofthefallen]

A soft malignant chuckle rippled out of the trees around Roman as Barracus circled him, his large paws silent as he effortlessly weaved through the thick underbrush. He settled atop a rather large boulder in front of his meal, stretching out across the top of it lazily and neatly folding his paws as he watched his newest victim scan the forest for his pursuer. It was both pitiful and amusing, how little the other breeds could see in the dark. A faulty design his mother's voice cooed encouragingly to him, and he could almost feel ghostly claws kneading painfully into the flesh of his back. Barracus gritted his and growled in disgust Your Dead! he roared silently as he pushed the voice back into a tiny corner of his mind.

"Why would I hide, love?" he crooned down at the stallion, his eyes dancing malevolently as he shifted into his true form. He noted the almost imperceptible quaver in the stallion's voice as he called out against his attacker and felt a surge of satisfaction. He dangled one long unsheathed claw and dragged it across the boulder's surface tauntingly. "Why, the fun is only just beginning." He eyed Roman calculatingly; unless the stallion decided to follow him home, doubtful he thought with a side glance, it would be much too tedious to drag him back... But they had all night to play out this fun little game...

Barracus stood again and stretched, baring his fangs in a toothy grin, "I desire many things my pet" he remarked with a cryptic chortle, "But I have a feeling most of my tastes are a bit too...exotic for you" He replied archly, drawing slowly closer. "Besides, I want to know more about you," His voice was hushed but his eyes were affixed upon Roman with a disturbing intensity, "What are you called?"
 

[Regal Renegade]

Laughter and slinking movements were all around him, his heart was beating wildly against his rib cage and he had no place to run too. His nostrils flared, desperately attempting to catch even the faintest scent of what was now stalking him but this monster was too good at hiding itself. Branches so tightly woven together that he could hardly see ten feet in front of him played tricks on his mind, creating figures and forms that were not actually there. Finally his eyes found something dark resting atop a boulder. In the dim lighting he had to squint to make out what it was and even then he was unsure. “Love? A rather strong word for one such as yourself don’t you think?” He shot back, replacing fear with cockiness. This replacement would only get him so far for his defenses were beginning to break down and his fight or flight reflex was desperate to kick in.

Eyes were fixed upon him, he could feel it. He could not see the color of them nor the intent behind them but he could tell they were on him, taunting him. He shifted uncomfortably under the gaze but still managed to remain in a solid pose. A pose that would perhaps mask his fear to the untrained eye but something told him this beast was far beyond untrained. The claw digging into the boulder caused him to wince as his ears picked up the grating noise. He fixed his blue gaze upon the creature and planted a rather weak grin upon his maw. “Has anyone told you that you throw a rather disappointing get together?” Though it was not in his nature to prod the bear he couldn’t help it, anything was better than folding on the ground and quivering like a foal.

All at once every muscle in his body grew so tight he felt they would snap like a twig for the hunter stood. Menacing teeth flashed and Roman began regretting having his eyes adjust to the muted lighting. He allowed for a shaky chuckle and lifted his head proudly, gazing at his enemy. “Exotic? Don’t you think that is moving a little fast considering this is our first meeting?” All this time he had been wandering he had welcomed the notion of death, now it looked him in the face and nature had begun to take over, making him a fool. Squeezing his eyes shut he fought to regain his stoic composure but was thrown off when the creature asked his name. “Roman.” He responded simply, removing most of the fear from his tone but not all of it.  

[Faithofthefallen]

Barracus studied Roman, his interest peaked. The name was familiar somehow, he was sure he had heard it before. "Roman" He repeated in a soft purr, his voice dangerously soft as his golden eyes glazed to a hard yellow. Behind the stallion's confident front was a fear bordering on panic. He could feel the tension thrumming in the air as he advanced, his movements slow, inviting, menacing as he closed the distance between them with long graceful strides.

Barracus smiled a cold, cruel smile "And- Do you know what I am dear Roman?" His words were soft and venomous, and there was a queer sleepy look in his eyes. He gnawed on the syllables of Roman's name as if they were something to eat. Barracus was close enough now that his sensitive ears could pick up the frenzied beating of Roman's heart, could practically taste the hot blood pumping through Roman's veins. "Beyond me?" He scoffed lightly, "Hardly, I experience it with each of my...visitors...They all come to appreciate my gift in time...You will too."

He leaned foreword until he could whisper breathlessly in Roman's ear, "After all, Don't I make your pulse race my pet?" Barracus' long claws whispered over his shoulders almost lovingly, drawing long shallow lines of blood, "And from the moment I saw you, I could think of nothing else...."
His smile was dangerously sweet, "Isn't that what love is Roman?"
 

[Regal Renegade]

Run…fly…flee…away…
Warnings and red flags appeared everywhere in his mind but he was unable to act on any of them. His nostrils flared and his maw twisted in an expression of disgust at the sound of his voice oozing from the mouth of that thing. A good part of him was fearful but there was another side, bolder and curious that was beginning to try and shove its way past the terror. His eyes finally met with cruel golden orbs and he found himself unable to look away. He was in the beast’s sight and there was nothing he could do to remove himself from it. As the space between them grew less and less he fought not to back up, knowing he would only back into a tree and make himself an even easier target.

He was being played with and he knew it, if he were to die today he would die a slow and painful death. The thought caused a lump to rise within his throat as the fear desperately tried to express itself. He was able to push it down with a ‘harrumph’ noise and quirked a brow at his enemy. “What are you? Something twisted is really all I am able to guess at the moment.” He responded. He hadn’t ever seen anything like this creature; it was able to change forms and wore a strange pelt. He assumed it was what his father called a Skinwalker but he hadn’t ever seen one before. The Skinwalker’s description of his love had Roman chuckling ever so slightly. “And I thought I had a misunderstanding of love.” This monster had twisted it and turned it into something painful and dark. A ‘gift’ it had said, the word sent chills down his spine. He knew what the creature said was true, he would soon learn what was meant by that single word.

He fought the urge to squeeze his eyes shut as the Skinwalker spoke into his ear, invading his personal space and causing his level of discomfort to rise. His expression once again turned to one of disgust and anger, he hated this thing. He quickly moved his head away as the words were whispered in his ear, desiring to get away from the noxious breath now showering his face. He winced as claws dug ever so gently into the flesh of his shoulders. Adrenaline was keeping most of the pain from his system but he was still able to feel the stinging sensation and smell his own blood. Tossing his head violently he sidestepped away from Barracus his eyes narrowing. “Your love is a twisted black thing without meaning, I would rather avoid it thank you.” He snorted.  

[Faithofthefallen]

He chuckled softly, maneuvering to place himself in front of the most obvious escape routes as he closed in. "I am known as a purewalker love, although I am not surprised that you haven't heard of us, we are quite rare.... The few lucky ones who happen across one of my breed are rarely ever in a position to spread word of our existence." Barracus cast the stallion a wicked little wink. He leaned in, enjoying the discomfort his nearness caused, " Which is fortunate dear one, 'else you may have recognized the signs of my presence before it was too late and then we wouldn't be here, enjoying this lovely little soiree... That would be such a pity. I can't even begin to describe how delighted I am that you decided to join me this evening my pet." He licked his lips as his golden orbs blazed with a bloodthirsty fervor.

As he gazed deeply into Roman's clear blue eyes, something shifted into place. "Calixta..." he breathed suddenly, eagerly, lurching foreword until he had Roman backed into a corner, "How delicious, how fitting, a pity I couldn't take your brother as well but to see her face if she knew I had my claws around one of her sons... I couldn't enjoy my time with the mate, his attack was sudden and I'll admit I reacted hastily." His eyes glazed at the memory and a shiver of pleasure rippled down his spine.

"I'm afraid you don't have the luxury of choice anymore sweet Roman... Perhaps you never did," his words were venomously sweet as he ran one razor tipped claw lightly down the side of roman's neck,"I wonder if you'll last as long as she did," he mused, licking the droplets of blood from his paw.
 

[Regal Renegade]

All escape routes were cut off and for the first time since looking into the eyes of this creature he began to feel desperate. He was all alone here, trapped in a small space with a monster looking to torture and ‘adore’ him. He had to fight to keep the trembling in his legs from becoming too strong, at that moment he just wanted to run and never look back but he knew he wouldn’t get far, even if he were to breeze past this thing. Though his innards had turned to a quivering pool of jelly he glared into Barracus’ eyes, unwilling to outwardly give an inch. “Perhaps it would be wise to not gobble up every creature you meet. If you want to be known it may be wise to let some go.” He suggested, more out of spite than pleading, knowing he would be going nowhere. Again the creature grew near and Roman strained his neck backwards in an attempt to get as far away as he could. “Yea, a true pity.” He gritted his teeth.

Now the stench of the monster’s breath was even stronger but that didn’t matter. His mother’s name sounded disgusting coming from that creature and it rammed into each nook and cranny within his mind. His blue eyes widened and turned even colder and hard, this purewalker had killed both his mother and father. This purewalker was the source of all of his misery and pain; here he was, standing right in front of him. Anger filled his system, dispelling his fear and causing his blood to feel hot. “YOU!” He spat out. “You did this to me!?” He was still in shock and unable to even think clearly.

He winced as his neck was assaulted with Barracus’ talons. He could feel the little trickle of blood running down his neck and he took the last step he had backwards until he was right up against a tree. “You ruined my life!” He yelled, ignoring the doom laced words his captor was feeding him.  

[Faithofthefallen]

Barracus leaned closer until his mouth was next to Roman skull, "Her screams were....heavenly, her suffering exquisite, I wish I could have shared them with you.", his breath was hot against his ear and eyes glittered with something pernicious and wicked, a deep consuming voraciousness and unabated wanting.

He paced in front of Roman as he fondly recalled the memory, his smooth movements were inviting, alluring, entrancing. His silky voice was a spellbinding siren call to depravity. "She cried out for you you know... All of you, often. It got rather tiresome after a while I'll admit, perhaps it was that which finally spurred me to end it.'Ardus, my babies, my poor babies,''" he imitated in a teasing falsetto. "She never appreciated my laborious efforts on her behalf, I spent hours and hours of our time together planning her death down to the tiniest detail. I wanted it to be perfect you see, dear Calixta was quite special to me... From the moment I saw her I knew that I would take her away with me. She was a good choice, as sweet in death as she was in life." He chuckled darkly, licking his lips. "You look so much like her, its almost eerie, I don't know how I could have missed it before..."

He had Roman cornered, there was no escape, no need to hurry. he could afford these few extra moments with him before he satisfied his hunger, but this game was growing tedious. Barracus felt his blood rise to the unspoken challenge in Roman's voice, but it was a superficial rise- the kind of shallow excitement one feels while watching a battle when the outcome is obvious. With a hissing click his long claws slid out of their sheaths. "Yes Roman, my dearest love, my sweet pet, I did this to you. I shaped you, damaged you, honed you...If not for me, you wouldn't be the person you are today. I gave you this life, and now I will take it away."

Barracus opened his mouth in a savage roar, his glistening fangs were sharp and white, their edges as thin and dangerous as a razor. He leaped foreword, fangs and claws bared and ready to rip into the stallion's flesh.  

[Regal Renegade]

Ba-bump, ba-bump, ba-bump…

Roman’s heart began to race even faster, throwing itself violently against his ribcage as his blood began to thicken and grow hot. His breathing came even more loudly than before but not as quickly, it was more deep and hardened. Every poisonous word the monster uttered into his ears caused more and more rage to build up within him. Fear was slowly being overrun by the visions of his mother crying out in need of her family while this thing leaned over her, that sickly smile spreading over his face. No longer was he concerned about his blood being spilled on the earth he now stood upon, hate was replacing such weak thoughts. His eyes fixed on Barracus as he paced, his eyebrows knitting together as an expression of fury came over his countenance.

Ba-bump, ba-bump, ba-bump…

Like a drum beating in within his chest his heart called out for retribution. Even the sound of his father’s name on the tongue of the skinwalker made his skin crawl. He didn’t care so much about his father but he didn’t like how this creature so freely spoke about his family as though he owned them. Even more so, the thought of his tender mother suffering at the claws that had now sliced his own flesh caused his vision to turn red. Words did nothing for him now; he could not even find them anymore to reveal how he was feeling. He just kept his eyes fixed on Barracus, his nostrils now flaring. ‘Calixta’ the beast had said, tainting his mother’s name with the very tone of his voice. Roman could now see why his father had put up such a good fight before falling. Though he had never met his mother he still cared for her deeply and the fact that she may still have been around if not for Barracus kept beating around in his skull. “b*****d…” He hissed.

Ba-bump, ba-bump, ba-bump…

The final straw was hearing the pride in his voice when he spoke of how he made Roman who he was today. If not for him Cottus, his mother and his father may have been beside him today. If not for him Roman could have had a normal life, one full of love and happiness but now his life was nothing but a dark shadow, haunting him wherever he went.

Babumpbabumpbabumpbabump

Suddenly everything was in slow motion, Barracus lunging at him with his claws and fangs at the ready, the intent to tear Roman’s very throat out evident in his eyes. Though his muscles screamed for him to run a new fire had begun burning within the once cowering wind stallion. He who looked so much like his mother would not let this thing get away with what he had done unpunished. Roman knew there was no possible way for him to completely defeat Barracus, he was not strong enough. Even so, he wouldn’t go down without leaving some mark behind to be remembered by. With a cry that ripped deep from within his body cavity Roman launched himself forward, heading straight into Barracu’s barrage of weaponry with the intent of crashing his body against the skinwalker’s.

BA-BUMP

He felt the crash before he even heard it, he hadn’t even paid attention to where the claws and fangs went. The only thing he was aware of was the sensation of his bones beating against those of the skinwalker’s. Whether it would do any damage or not he did not know, but he was not going to let this thing kill him without putting up a decent fight.  

[Faithofthefallen]

Barracus heard the heavy thump more than he felt it as Roman's body crashed into his own. He hadn't been expecting his cowering prey to defend itself, hadn't braced himself for the impact. Barracus flew back a few yards, skidding across the forest floor, his chest constricted as the air was forced out of him in a harsh exhalation. He pulled himself to his feet slowly, deliberately, sucking the air into his burning lungs in ragged gasps as he approached Roman once more, carefully this time, his sharp golden gaze watching for his next move. "So, Calitxa's precious baby has teeth after all," he remarked with a nasty grin, his teeth bloody both from raking Roman's neck and from his fall.

He felt the adrenaline thrilling through his veins, he had never had to fight for a meal, the experience was turning out to be exciting. His pupils constricted and then dilated with the delicious pain that radiated out from his side. The fur there was dark, matted and sticky, he had cut himself against one of the jagged rock littered across the ground. The cut was inconveniently placed and deep, he cursed his ill luck, playtime was over, he had to wrap this little game up before he collapsed from blood loss.

Barracus growled deep in his throat and leaped for Roman again, shifting mid stride to his coyote form and sinking his sharp canines into Roman's thick shoulder muscle. He dug the claws of one paw into his leg for purchase and swiped at his wing and side with the other, leaving deep ragged gashes in his wake.

He could only hold on for a few moments, his ribs were still painful and the loss of blood affected him more in this form. he shook his head and transformed again, spitting out a mouthful of bloody orange feathers.
"Why do you fight my sweet?" he crooned in a singsong voice, "I could see it in your eyes the first time I saw you; poor world weary Roman, no one left to love you. Carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders, well here I am Roman. I can take away your wretched existence and you can join the rest of your pitiful family in death. Then we can both have what we want most. All you have to give me is yourself, and in return I give you them. Its for the best really, there's no where left to run. Give up my sweet pet, surrender to me and I'll grant you a quick death." his golden gaze was as calculating and malicious as his voice was sweet and seductive.
 

[Regal Renegade]

The air in Roman’s lungs escaped in a ‘whooshing’ sound upon the impact with Barracus. After the Skinwalker was thrown back he was left stumbling in a pathetic attempt to catch his balance. He grit his teeth and squeezed his eyes shut against the pain now coursing through his entire body. The scrapes from earlier he had been able to ignore due to adrenaline were more serious than he had first imagined. Blood dripped down his leg from the claw slices on his neck and shoulders, his vision had begun to grow hazy but he shook his head in an attempt to remain alert. The newest bite on his neck was causing him great pain and though he wished to scream out something within him desperately fought against providing Barracus with the satisfaction. His breathing became labored as his body became even weaker, at this rate he wouldn’t last another five minutes. He shook his head again as that voice he had come to loathe entered his ears once again. Rather than some smart retort Roman locked eyes with his enemy and glared, adrenalin had given way to rage and he was using what he could of it.

A smirk curved one corner of his mouth upward as he took note of the damage his leap had caused Barracus. He hadn’t even hoped for a blow much less a wound such as the one now apparent on his side. Coughing a few times as he caught the breath that had escaped him he laughed dully, almost unable to complete the sound. “Got you.” Where the only words he could really get out at the moment, his diaphragm was too painful to form much of a sentence. The blood in the air was making him feel ill and the scent of sweat mixed in only furthered along the gross feelings welling within him. There was no way he could defeat this creature and he was fully aware, either he would have to die or flee. Neither seemed appealing to him but the options were there on the table and he knew it all too well.

Before he could register what had happened Roman was hit again, this time by something smaller than the stallion. He reared up angrily and tossed his head in an effort to rid himself of the pest but found it to be useless as teeth and claws sank ruthlessly into his flesh. A high pitched nay filled with pain and anger escaped him and he began to feel even more vulnerable. More blood tickled his body as it dripped down and more hot pain engulfed him as the grip was loosened and Roman was able to realize the full extent of a Skinwalker’s power. He was growing tired and his body was beginning to show the fatigue. His knees were wobbly and with each nervous step he took they became more and more unstable, giving out here and there and causing him to bob around pathetically.

Just as his front leg gave and he was brought to one knee he heard Barracus speaking again. His ears pricked forward but even that motion seemed to overexert him. His nostrils flared as they desperately grasped at the air around him and his eyes grew squinted for he had a hard time seeing. He hadn’t realized how much blood he had lost until this point, imaging it to be a fairly good amount. He fought to bring himself up to all fours as he listened to those words. Suddenly he stopped and began to think, why was he fighting? All this time he had wished for death, ever since seeing the demise of his beloved brother. He hadn’t wanted to continue on in this world and now he had the opportunity to get out. Why fight? The words came out before the actual thoughts caught up to them. “I will not fulfill your collection you monster.” He hissed. “I will not allow you to finish what you started, you don’t deserve the satisfaction. That, and no one speaks about my mother like that.” He growled. Nowhere in there had he said he was fighting for the desire to live. He wanted so badly to be with his family but his pride, what was left of it, wouldn’t allow for him to finish off some twisted collection. Finally getting back onto all four hooves he was able to shakily stand. “I can’t let you win that easily…”