Kalion & Others

With Lyckos out with his mother Orelia, Kalion had decided to go on a hunt. Rather than a formal pack hunt, he had invited along whoever happened to be in the den at the time, as more of a social hunt than a serious food-gathering affair.

He'd lead the group to the Canyon, to take advantage of one of the rainless days. Behind the hybrid was his father, Taros, and his son, Kane. Dawn also padded along, the adolescent female growing in grace and beauty day by day.

The group came to a halt to wait for the others that were coming along with them, all using their senses to pick out prey amongst the mountains.

Bullet, Rataska, & Lerna

Kalion's expedition was joined by three additional Lurkers, Bullet, Rataska, and his niece Lerna. It was to be expected that Bullet would follow if Dawn were going, as the big hybrid had become so attached to the young fae in a fatherly way, and his gloomy mood had since lifted significantly because of it. Traveling near the rear of the group, Rataska had matured in mind and body, and at 160 pounds, the black and white wolfdog was a powerful, loyal addition to the alley-dwelling group. Still a bit mischievous at times perhaps, and known for her tall tales, but she was smart and obedient nonetheless.

Smaller than either of them, and looking more dog-like than them to boot, Lerna's wolfish roots shown in her graceful stride and sharp instincts. The chocolate brown daughter of Lyckos and Hydras traveled closer to her grandmother Orelia as they trekked along the rugged terrain, chatting quietly with her as they went.

Razorblade

Razorblade had followed the small group, moving quickly and quietly, but making sure to stay far enough behind to keep out of the way. The new Lurker still felt out of place here, and he wasn't sure what to do. He couldn't go back to Saydin, not without her ripping out his throat. The Lurker's were nice enough but he knew that they didn't trust him. Hell. He didn't even trust him. He moved quickly, keeping pace with Rataska. He wouldn't be left behind. But he sure as hell wasn't going to lead the pack.

Kalion & Others

Dawn bounced along merrily, every now and again bumping Bullet playfully as she skipped along, taking in all the sights, smells and sounds of the Canyon. There was no hint of her father in her, only his coat covered her, the rest of the pretty young hybrid was clearly Sasha, in the grace that she moved with, the smile that was almost a permanent fixture on her face, and the infectious happiness that constantly surrounded her. Although she was tiny, a mere 60 pounds, little Dawn had matured greatly, and the young adolescent was proving a surprisingly powerful character, with a sharp mind, almost unmatched agility and speed, and an incorruptible spirit.

At the back of the group, Lerna and Orelia could almost have been mistaken for twins, despite the two generations between them. The chocolate brown Labrador found herself very attached to her granddaughter, for Lerna was very much like herself. She loved all her grandchildren, but there was a special place in her heart for Lerna. Taros fell back from leading the group with Kalion to his mates side. Orelia smiled warmly at him, and he gently nosed Lerna on the shoulder as he passed her. The tall Dane took up a place beside Razorblade. Lyckos’ father was so much like his son, or was it the other way around? “How are your hunting skills, Razorblade? My grandson, Kane, is still unsure how to hunt properly. I would show him myself, but I fear he would outrun me easily, despite my best efforts!” Taros laughed gently to himself, his eyes flicking to Kane, who bounded along after Kalion, barely able to contain himself, “Perhaps you could teach him?”

---

A few ridges above the path the Lurkers were travelling, a pair of yellow eyes watched their progress. Harrow turned to look behind him at the gathered group, his eyes finding their Commander. “Commander Bandit, they are here. The path in front of them will be too steep for them to climb up the sides, but low enough for us to ambush them. They will only be able to run forward, or retreat, but if we block off their exits, we’ll have them where we want them.” Bandit approached the edge to look for himself, and once satisfied the Lurkers were walking into the trap, signalled for the Nuova Alba soldiers on both sides of the ridge to prepare to ambush. Harrow, Vaermina, Malacath, Ardeth and Onslaught stood and took position, ready for the order to assault.

Bullet, Rataska, & Lerna

The general mood of the small band was undeniably an easy going, merry one, with the possible exception of Razorblade who was taking up the rear of the group. Bullet was one of the more approachable members of the clan, and yet even he was guilty of looking at the other with a wary eye now and then, and not being quit as inviting and friendly with him. He was never outright mean or snobbish, but the awkwardness around Razor was a notable thing. Rataska had it in mind to try and spark a conversation with the other, and so she slowed her pace and joined up with Taros, waiting for an opportunity to bring her words into play.

---

With one of the two leaders out, Velvet had remained behind with her band of brothers and several other members to ensure the safety of the young captives-in-training that they'd stolen from the Haunters. The expected counter attack from the Haunters had never come, but rather than breath a sigh of relief over that, Velvet had ensured that a small contingent of warriors were always on guard in case their enemies struck again. In her place, Camanche, Rampart, and Leope had joined the assault group under Bandit's command. Rampart, destined to outweigh his father Leope, still had another year before he'd pack on all the dense muscle of his sire, though already he was a massive beast with lush golden-brown mane and finely tuned attack skills. Camanche was decidedly smaller than her brother, not that it detracted from her abilities at all; she was graceful and stealthy where he was built for brute strength and endurance. Even her coat, a fine shade of sandy-tan, retained the spots of her cubhood, and helped to blend her into the surroundings as she crept up beside her fellow attackers and waited for the signal.

The lioness flattened her body down when she reached the top of the ridge, peering down through sage brush as the Lurkers ambled blissfully closer to their ambush spot. Not wanting to give the group away with his dark mane, Leope held back, crouching just out of sight past the top of the ridge. He would let the others spring the attack before he charged in as backup.

.razorblade.

As Taros slowed and began speaking, Razorblade listened but the entire time, his mind was working a mile a minute, sizing the large Dane up. Large, cumbersome, aging. Arthritic? Possibly. Weakness... Lack of speed, however larger muscles, bigger body, bigger target. Break the leg, then go for the- Razorblade blinked, trying to clear his head. Saydin's habits died hard. When you size up the enemy, you have a better chance of living. Razorblade gave a slow nod, never once giving way to the ideas floating through his mind. Of course, Taros. He said softly. The male moved on silent paws, but he was starting to slow down more and more as unease settled in his stomach. Something didn't feel right to him, and he looked around, trying to find the source. Razorblade shook his head. Saydin was getting to him. He could smell in the distance both Hysteria and Player, as well as another male. Softly he growled. What were they doing away from the pack lands? Saydin would be angry for sure, and the wrath of the wolfess was not something the two teen pups deserved. He should have a talk with them, tell them off then go tell Say- Wait. He didn't live there anymore. Softly he sighed. He almost missed living with the Sedge Creek pack. Not because he missed Saydin. But because there, he was family. There, nobody looked at him like he was going to eat them. He gave gave a lip twitch, almost a smile, to the little female that cam to walk with him and Taros. Nothing could go wrong. He just needed to stop worrying so much.

Kalion, Bandit & Others

With the soldiers in position, Bandit paused for a moment, letting the Lurker band waltz straight into the narrowest part of the path. As the elderly Taros crossed the threshold that marked one of the barrier points, Bandit launched the attack, throwing himself off the right ledge to land a few feet behind Taros, teeth bared in a vicious snarl, blocking off the Lurkers retreat. His signal was picked up, and in a flash, Harrow and Vaermina had leapt down on either side of him, sealing the way back down the Canyon. At almost the same time, the path forward for the Lurkers was blocked by the forms of Onslaught, Malacath and Ardeth. There was a chorus of mocking laughter and growling from the Nuova Alba troops, and Bandit wasted no time on pleasantries. "Take them out."

Onslaught, a seasoned warrior, well trained from Risen's Shadow Haunters, went straight for Kane. The youngster had little experience, that was clear, so would be easy kill. Onslaught seized the adolescents neck, but quickly found himself under fire from Kalion, who went for Onslaught's hind leg, trying to distract him from his son. Kane's cry of terror prompted Harrow to launch his own assault against Rataska. He drove for her sensitive ribs and underbelly, aiming to seize whatever he could to cause her considerable pain.

---

As the ambush was sprung, Kalion barely had time to bark a warning before his son was attacked. Orelia, who was no fighter, especially in her old age, immediately tried to run, but there was no escape. She pressed herself against Lerna and Dawn, growling in the hope these attackers would run if they thought they were outnumbered. Dawn was beyond frightened, shaking, but also growling to appear unafraid. Her eyes flashed to Bullet, unknowing what to do. Taros however, threw himself straight at Bandit, knowing him to be the leader, and a groups morale is lost what its leader falls. Bandit smirked, meeting the elderly dane head on, and managing to grab his jaw and pull the dane down to slam him into the ground.

Bullet & Others

The attack was so swift and furious that Rataska was caught completely unaware. The leggy female had her eyes on Razorblade, and had it in mind to strike up a conversation when she was interrupted by a chilling laughter that could come from no throat of the Lurkers. Before her eyes were even scaling the rocky cliffs and lining up her adversaries, her black and gray coat was bristling and her fangs were revealed with a complimentary snarl. She hardly had the time to see and react to Harrow as he went barreling for her, and managed to twist aside just enough that his teeth sunk into fur and skin, but didn't hit much of any muscle. Still, the area was sensitive, and she couldn't hold back a horrid yelp as she drove her snapping jaws for the side of his face.

"Dawn, stay behind me!" Well practiced in battle, Bullet snapped into fight mode the second he realized they were under attack. The first thing on his mind was Dawn, and he felt that overwhelming need to protect her, and prevent her from dying as his own daughters did in the war. With fire in his feral eyes, the aging hybrid lunged for Malacath in a desperate bid to break up the blockade that was preventing them from retreating out of the small gulch they'd been ambushed in. If only he could create an opening, they less able-bodied members might have a chance to run. Bullet didn't care where his fangs landed on the enemy, if even he made bloody contact with Malacath; his main aim was to tackled him out of the way, or at least have his full attention.

Lerna immediately stepped up beside her grandmother and added her sharp growl to hopefully ward off an attack, while the others tried to fend off the enemies. Unfortunately, the tactic didn't work. Lerna felt a chill run down her spine when three African lions sprung over the edge of high rocks and plunge down into the shallow gully, making the situations that much more dire. The largest of the felines, Leope, came straight for her, Orelia, and Dawn....

---

Leope charged like an oncoming freight train towards the trio that looked the weakest, having needed only Bandit's words to go ahead before he attacked. The chocolaty coated Lerna made a desperate lunge for him, only to find her teeth snapping shut in a tangle of dark fur that made up his mane. A swat of his paw sent her to the ground with a set of bloody scratches, and left him open to assault Orelia next. Like a cat going for a mouse, he pounce for her with all his raw power, driving his canines for her neck and sweeping both front claws towards her sides to pin her to the ground if he could.

Rampart wasn't nearly as skilled as his father, mainly because he hadn't taken part in much real fighting. He hesitated in confusion after entering the gully, then chose Taros as his target and went on the attack. With his sister Camanche rushing up along his side, the siblings both went to the aid of their leader by assault the great dane. Rampart mimicked his father's attack, in that he attempt to tackle Taros to the ground and pin him with teeth and claws. Camanche was more cautious about it, and circled around back to swat at his haunches and hind legs with her deadly claws.

Falcon

Falcon and his siblings had told Bullet and the others that they might catch up with them at the Canyon. After a short visit with their family they came here, and upon seeing the commotion raced forward to help their pack mates. Comming up behind Bandit, Harrow, and Vaermina, he and his siblings launched their own attack. Falcon the hundred thirty five pound brute went straight for Bandit, hoping to take the male down. His gaping jaws went for the throat, knowing the other male would expect it. Changing directions knowing the male would turn around wondering where he was, and by then it would more than likely be too late. His jaws went for the back leg, aiming to jerk his leg out of place of the hip, or simply tear the tendons so he couldn't use the leg. He was watchful for other attacks as he fought, making sure his head was low.

Breeze and Hedes both attacked Rampart and Camanche to help Taros. Breeze went for Rampart. He walked at first, then cantered in a zig zag pattern about the ground, then fully leapt into the air and then angled himself as he landed so that where he landed was different from the normal place a feline would expect him to land, from here he landed so that the brujo and him made a T shape, with him looking over the male's back, he then aimed directly to placed his jaws either side of the guy's spine, using his whole weight to dig them in and he shook fiercely, twisting his body and if the more the opponent refused to twist, the more his spine was likely to break.

Hedes went for Camanche hoping to catch her off guard. He aimed to leap from behind her, aiming to latch onto her neck. This is either if Hedes was quick enough so the feline didn’t dodge, or she dodged to the side, since that would give a very open aim of the neck-throat area as well, but only if he was quick enough to latch on. He would then thrust his neck powerfully side to side a few times to tear something away to harm her more. He then leapt back, ready to go on the defense. His senses were alert as he waited.

Audra and Vixen both pushed onward heading toward Lerna, Orelia, and Dawn. Vixen went for Leope a vicious snarl comming from her throat. She went for his ribcage and under stomach, hoping that paying so much attention to Orelia that he wouldn't notice her comming at him.

Audra moved to help Dawn and the weaker escape by going back, knowing that the ones that had been blocking it wouldn't be blocking anymore. She stayed alert ready to attack if anyone threanted her or those she was trying to help. She tried to make sure Dawn stayed near her, ready to send her off with the first weaker or elder lurker she helped escape.

Bandit, Kalion & Others

Onslaughts teeth pierced into Kane’s neck, narrowly missing his jugular but ripping into many of the blood vessels that ran through the youngster’s neck. Kane yelped in pain, but he was saved by his father’s attack, which had Kalion tearing into Onslaughts hind leg, damaging ligaments. Onslaught snarled, releasing Kane’s neck, and whirling round to strike at Kalion’s face, ripping off the top portion of his ear, before driving his teeth for his enemies face.

Harrow couldn’t help but follow Rataska’s yelp with one of his own as her fangs caught the side of his face, slicing through the delicate skin and muscle there. Luckily missing his eye, the young warrior pulled back on whatever skin his had in his jaws, hoping to tear it away from her body, before driving to meet her head on, and send his fangs for her face. “Let’s see how you like it!” he hissed.

Malacath was not expecting to be attacked. He had expected the Lurkers to try and defend each other, not try and break through the blockade, so Bullet’s rush made him panic. He was quickly rammed into the ground, but sent his teeth for Bullet’s neck and chest, hoping to cause the other enough damage to keep him away from the others.

Orelia had been frantically trying to call out to her mate, warning Taros of the oncoming dangers, when she saw Leope charging towards them. A cry of fear slipped from her unintentionally, and she shrieked in worry when Lerna was sent to the ground with a set of bloody scratches. The elderly Labrador summoned up her inner-strength, and flew for the cat as best she could, trying to dive beneath him to draw him away from Dawn and her granddaughter, but her aged body was not as nimble as it once was, and Leope’s claws raked along her sides, leaving her with matching wounds down her sides that left her crumpled on the ground. She scrabbled to her paws, turning to face the cat, but it was clear she was badly injured, and her greying brown fur was spotting with dark red. “Lerna, run!”

Taros slammed into the ground, his bottom jaw firmly gripped between those of Bandit. The Nuova Alba Commander was almost as tall as the Dane, and far broader, overpowering the elder fighter with ease. Hearing the oncoming attacks of the two cats, Bandit quickly released Taros and shifted to allow a clear path for his feline companions. “Hold the lines, they will not last long!” he roared to his troops. Taros, his jaw badly fractured by the force from Bandit’s attack, had little time to size up the duo who came for him now. Rampart’s claws pierced through the thick muscle around the Dane’s upper body, in his shoulder, and over his spine. His teeth met the back of the elderly Dane’s neck, and Taros’ body flinched involuntarily as the lion’s fangs knocked his spinal cord. With the Dane on the ground, Camanche’s attack had her claws ripping into his hindquarters, leaving nasty wounds down his legs and back. He couldn’t struggle due to Rampart’s deadly grip, but still tried to kick out at Camanche’s face.

Bandit watched the ambush, but was alerted by Vaermina of more incoming Lurker troops. Turning to meet the new opposition, he noticed Falcon gearing up for an attack on him. The Commander was not stupid, and tucked his head at the sign Falcon may be going for a throat hold, but he was not foolish enough to believe that was the other male’s goal. Bandit’s leg was caught by Falcon, and the others fangs bit down deep into the leg muscle, but even though Falcon’s head was low, Bandit sent his teeth straight for his face, hoping to strike him blind or cause him enough pain to release his leg.

Dawn, knowing her tiny size would be no help in this fight, could do nothing but flee to try and find help, but as she managed to escape past the Nuova Alba, she cried out to Orelia to follow her to get help, but the chocolate Labrador, despite her wounds, was not about to leave her family behind. Shaking her head, she remained back, waiting to see how Vixen’s attack against Leope faired before she tried to help her pack mate.

Bullet & Others

Rataska could feal the skin tear between the brute's jaws, with pain flashing white-hot along her underside that forced out another sharp cry of anguish from the large hybrid. The sounds of her friends in family in similar such situations didn't help, and it took all her will power to stay focused and not turn and flee. After doing what damage she could to Harrow's face, she found her own muzzle under assault next, with his teeth tearing down the side of it to split the side of her lip and gums, and ravage a section of her nose. She met this with a renewed lunge at her attacker, first by rearing up and using her front paws to push against his shoulder face if she could, then snapping her crimson-stained maw at his neck.

"Run, Dawn!" Bullet snarled urgently while he engaged his opponent, trying to lock his jaws around the back of Malacath's head, at the very base of his neck. The move left his chest and neck exposed in a risk he wincingly took. It wasn't long before the enemy had torn into the front of his narrow chest, piercing into muscle and letting forth of blossom of red into his shaggy summer coat, but still the rugged hybrid didn't back down from his own attack.

A little dazed and smarting from the gouges from Leope's claws, Lerna was slow to get up. The world was wobbly and uncertain for a few moments before her senses came back to her, and she registered her grandmother's plea to run. It was a command that she couldn't obey, not when it meant leaving Orelia and the others behind. She charged forward and latched onto the lion's shoulder, while Vixen fixed herself on the lion's more sensitive underside.

-------

Leope knew he was currently outnumbered here, but he also knew that he had strength and natural weapons on his side. After doing what damage he could to Orelia, he had two new canines to contend with. Vixen's attack hit him in a vulnerable spot, where there was no main to protect his soft belly, and it was easy for her to rip a bloody wound in the cat's flesh. But it also put her dangerously close to his hind claws, one of which he kicked out at the canine with enough force to rip straight to the bone if she didn't dodge the attack. Lerna was closer to his canines unfortunately, but when he went to snap at her, she jumped back to avoid it... only to have her front legs swept out beneath her by a quick paw-strike from the lion.

Rampart knew he had a good hold on the dane, and he wasn't about to let it go so quickly, not without trying to do all the damage he could first. He clung to Taros and drove his long canines as deep into the dog as he could, and for effect, gave the aging canine a few vicious shakes to further wound him. The extra damage on Taros cost him however, in that it allowed Breeze to seize his own hold on the young lion's back. It finally forced Rampart to let go of the dane as he yowled in pain and rolled sharply to his side. His spine was saved from immedate damage thanks to his dense muscling, which took most of the force of Breeze's savage bite. To counter the dog, Ramp tried to grab a hold of his front leg and crush it, while at the same time swiping viciously at his underbelly with his claws.

Camanche was far more cautious than her father and brother, and when she saw Hedes coming at her, she didn't give him any leeway or opening to assault her. The big cat had scrambled back to avoid his first attack, and immediately countered with a paw-slap aimed at his face. With claws extended, she hoped to tear to the bone, and damage his eyes if she could.

Vixen & Others

When Falcon got hold of Bandit's leg in his jaws he spun around, which caused Bandit's attack for his face to miss. Due to the leg still being in his mouth more than likely, Bandit would have to of turned just right, or Falcon probably would of twisted his leg. Now facing the brute, with Bandit's leg still in his jaws hopefully, he jerked back and shook his head left and right in strong motions to tear the leg up more. The whole time his eyes were upon the male waiting for a return attack. Bandit had better get his friends and leave before they regretted it.

I see nothing but red.

When Rampart moved, so did Breeze. As the lion rolled to his side, Breeze released the hold on him as he moved to the lion's back side ready to do more damage. The bite for his leg missed, and the swipe for his stomach missed, but instead caught the tip of his tail, so he snagged only fur and a little bit of skin. Only enough to make Breeze grimance, but not slow him down. Now Breeze went for his throat or neck, which was hopefully unprotected due to his throwing himself to the side.

Who's gonna save you now?

Hedes kept his eyes on the cat as she scrambled back. When he saw the paw comming he ducked so the big cat only caught the tip of his ears. Even as he was lowering his head he launched himself forward knowing he would barrel into her, and his fangs went for the lower neck if it was open, or the chest to rip into her. Once he grabbed ahold he would of leapt back, and tried to take whatever he got his fangs around with him. Then he waited for the feline's next move.

Everything's going down today.

When Vixen caught on to something she jerked her whole body to the side, toward the lion's head, which probably saved her a major wound, because the tip of his claws barely cut into her. It was only deep enough to bring a some blood to the surface. Letting go she ran around to his opposite side, making sure she wasn't in range of his back paws. She saw her packmate on his shoulder, which caused her to come on this side. Seeing the lion aim a bite at her packmate, she made her move then and there. Leaping forward she went for the side of the neck that should of been exposed during his bite attack on Lerna.

Nothing's every gonna be the same.

Audra was pleased when no one tried to stop her. Using quick thinking she spoke to Dawn, praying the younger canine would know who she was talking about. "Go to the Silver Glades, they're allies, and I have family there. It's quicker to get to them than to the alleys." Her words were quick before she rushed back to help her packmates. She decided to be a decoy to help others out in fighting, and the first ones she passed was Harrow and Rataska. She kept on rushing by, but as she was passing Harrow, she aimed to tear her fangs into his side before racing on. Her plan had been to distract him so Rataska's attack made it, or she could surprise him with another. Her next victim was Onslaught, who she aimed to attack from behind while he was busy fighting Kalion and Kane. She attempted to tear into his underbelly or neck area, before she scattered backwards.

bandit

Kane staggered, the bloodloss from his severe neck wound making him dizzy and ungainly. Kalion, too busy trying to keep Onslaught at bay, did not realise the full extent of his son’s injuries. Instead he dodged Onslaught’s wild bites to his face, releasing his leg, before leaping back to size up his opponent. It was then that Audra struck, cutting into his shoulder. He sent a flurry of bites for her face.

Harrow tried to push back against Rataska, but she managed to lift him, her teeth swiping his throat, not deep enough to reach vital blood vessels, but deep enough to cause considerable pain. Growling savagely to mask the pain, he sent his fangs once again for her face, hoping to cause even more damage to her already sustained wounds, and get her to back off.

Malacath whimpered as Bullet seemed unaffected by his own attacks, desperately he continued to try and bite and claw at the rugged hybrid to get him to back down, but Bullets jaws caught the back of his neck. In panic, Malacath became frantic, trying to twist his head to get his jaws round Bullet’s neck.

Orelia winced, as the wounds on her sides began to take their effect. However, she could not stop, Lerna had just been sent to the ground by Leope, and there was no way she was going to let the cat gore her granddaughter. Orelia leaped for the cats front leg, hoping to tear ligaments or do some significant damage, and also hoping to distract him. By doing this, if he hoped to turn to attack her, it left his belly open to damage.

Taros gargled as blood spilled into his throat. Rampart’s hold had the dane’s blood spilling over his own coat, and the elderly hybrid was helpless to fight back. The cat’s teeth cut partway into his spinal chord, making half his body go numb, and become useless. Now the old dog just lay there, slowly choking to death.

As Falcon moved, trying to pop Bandit’s leg, the seasoned warrior turned too. Yes his attack missed, but he remained intact, except for a bit of bruising and some cuts. However, instead of letting Falcon continue to have his way; Bandit tore his own leg out of Falcon jaws. His leg was covered in deep gouges from Falcon’s teeth, and was very sore, but the Commander was not about to let himself get any more mangled than he had to be. “I think we’ve done enough. Nuova Alba, break from your attacks, and return to base!” Onslaught was first to react, tearing away from Audra and bolting, although a limp was clearly visible from his damaged leg. Vaermina and Ardeth were next, both uninjured from the fight. Harrow, after sending a few more vicious bites in Rataska’s direction, also exited quickly. Bandit noticed Malacath at the mercy of Bullet. Survival of the fittest... he thought, and turned to follow his pack out. However, he paused momentarily to bite down on Taros’ exposed neck, already torn up from Ramparts attack. Taros, half-paralysed and choking, was helpless as Bandit tore out his vocal chords and jugular. Spitting the fleshy lump on the floor and laughing mercilessly, the Commander of the Nuova Alba left the Lurkers with a very clear message. Risen’s War was far from over.

“NO!” Orelia screamed, rushing straight for her mate just as his eyes rolled back. The elderly dane’s body seized once, then was still, as Orelia lay over him, sobbing quietly. But she was not the only one. Kalion had been washed with relief at the retreating figures of the Nuova Alba, but as he turned back to his son, he found Kane crumpled on the floor. He too had sustained too many wounds to the neck from Onslaught. “...D-dad...” he wheezed, frothing at the mouth. Within a few minutes, he was gone. Kalion, tears rolling down his face, dragged his son’s body beside that of his fathers, then crouched beside his mother to mourn. Dawn’s eyes were wide with fright, and clouded with tears. Silently she blamed herself for not helping, but she had been too struck by fear to do anything at all. She slunk off to sit at the side of the gully against the wall face, guilty and depressed.

Bullet & Others

Vaguely, Rampart was aware of the gurgling, choking breaths of his enemy and the strong odor of blood that told him he'd definitely left the old fighter with a very serious wound. He didn't have time to finish Taros off or even assess the hybrid's condition though, because Breeze was going for his throat. The canine's jaws closed mostly around the lion's mane, with the thick fur nicely protecting his vital throat and buffering it from any damage from this attack. In retaliation, Rampart brought his front paws together to dig them into either side of Breeze and pin him in place, and whether he managed to do that or not, the call went up to retreat. Rampart sprang up, giving himself a shake that would hopefully throw Breeze from him before he bounded after the others.

Camanche was still playing things far more cautiously than her brother or father, and not putting herself in a position for close, extended contact with her enemies. When Hedes charged forward to bite at her, he was met with a wicked swipe of claws from the feline, and if he didn't dodge that, he'd have himself some serious punctures or slices to his face. Like Ramp, she gave up on the thought of continuing her attack, choosing instead to fall back on Bandit's orders. She turned and sprung away, putting quick distance between her and the Lurkers as she fled.

Leope might have been in serious trouble with three canines on him, if only he was smaller and more vulnerable. Vixen's initial attack left quite the gouge in his tender stomach that stained his pale belly with his own blood and would leave him very sore for many days to come. Her second attack was a futile one however, as his mane was easily thick enough to shrug off her fangs and give her little but a mouthful of dark, coarse fur to bite down on, rather than the critical neck and blood vessels protected below it all. Leope rolled back onto his paws and took a swipe at both females, and thankfully missing Lerna, who'd had time to jump up and move back thanks to Vixen's newest attack. What he wasn't prepared for was Orelia snapping at his hind leg, and didn't realize she was back there until the grinding pain hit him and forced him to whirl around and give her a wild claw-swipe. And then came Bandit's call, and as he saw his offspring and the rest of his canine allies bounding away, he had little choice but to turn tail and lunge after them, fleeing the scene with a note of pride in his heart - they'd scored some impressive damage and left their mark, and more importantly, had let the Lurkers know that their time of relaxation and reprieve from war was coming to an end.

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Whatever torment was caused by Malacath's attacks, it only spurred more outrageous snarls from the big hybrid. The sharpness in his tones suggested he was feeling some of the pain, but was feeling far more anger and fear and used that to drive his attacks. Harder and harder Bullet closed his jaws, adjusting them when he could to move into a better hold over the back of Malacath's neck, going for the kill. Fur and flesh was being marred on the side of his neck from his enemy, yet this didn't slow him down.

Rataska wasn't so resilient to damages, and eventually jumped back with a squeal of pain when her face was laid into again. She was shaking with a surge of emotions, and hesitantly ready to leap back into the fray with Harrow, only to find that he and the other Nuova Alba were suddenly in retreat.

Rataska stood in mild shock, but not Lerna. Ignoring her own damages, she quickly became aware of her grandmother's distress... and soon found out why. With a sinking heart, she minced towards her grandfather and lowered her head to touch muzzles with him, while a sorrowful whimper escaped her. "He's gone..." Kane's predicament wasn't immediately obvious to her, though it soon would be once everyone recovered from the surprise assault and took stock of the damage done.

Kalion & Others

Malacath whined, furiously trying to escape the fangs that moved ever closer to his spine. His hopes were raised when Bandit called the retreat, after all they wouldn't just leave him, he was a half-brother to most of the Nuova Alba! But he quickly realised he had been left, and a small whimper signalled his defeat. He let himself go weak, giving up hope, and Bullet made short work of ending his life. His spine severed, Malacath went lax, and breathed his last breath.

"We need to return home," Kalion said quietly, his voice waivering with pain and sadness. The deaths of his father, and his son sat heavily on his heart, and he could not even bring himself to try and comfort his mother, so great was his own suffering. Orelia pressed her head into her mates side, before howling in the most sorrowful note, wracked with pain.

It was now that Dawn crept forwards from her hiding spot, and feebly moved towards Bullet. She causiously approached him, and gently nosed his side, refusing to take in the dead form of Malacath. "Daddy?" she whispered, seeking reassurance that what had done had not been as terrible as she currently believed. "I-I want to go home..."