Post by siduri on Apr 9, 2018 23:56:34 GMT -5
A story about those born in soot...
Intro Umbra Munte Plot: The ground beneath your feet quakes aggressively. A terrible sound, like deafening thunder, fills the air. Soon after, billowing smoke rises ominously, seen south-east over the tops of trees...
Ciomadul is a mighty volcano that recently erupted, wreaking havoc upon the surrounding land. This territory is neutral, and not claimable.
Chapter One: Gathering
The moment the world quaked, it sent the flying scavengers into an excited frenzy into the sky, followed by their prompt, throaty caws. The billowing black clouds that smoked from Ciomadul veiled the dark birds, save for one, a ghost that was silent among them. She watched the night come alive from the work of that great earthly beast, belching away the ash and smoke, covering the land below in tarry black and grey. Fire ate up the trees and the grass in such a fury, that it could be reflected in Savira’s blood-red eyes. What a wonder this violent earth has blessed them, and it was cause for great celebration. She joined them now in song, singing praise and glory to their one true lord and master, the god of the dead, who would reap in this terrible joy tonight.The flock circled and spiraled downward, until they landed among the aftermath, the white one with them. She perched upon a stone, bearing witness now to a she-wolf among the ruins who would give birth to a litter of pups. Her beady red eyes could only stare, and she gave them her blessing with a low, guttural sound.
Siduri heard the others, frenzied. The Cult was calling. She gathered with the other ravens, attracted to the she-wolf giving birth. Of note, Savira looming over the whole scene. Siduri took Savira’s example and watched.
Chapter Two: Wolf
Moriana inhaled sharply. Sour, soot, smoke. The lands were on fire. The distance was bright, a radiant brilliance that caused her eyes to squint. Had she missed the signs? Was there some warning that could have foretold this event? She shook herself slightly, mustering the strength to rise to all fours and call out a howl, searching for her sisters or their companions. The crack of trees splitting suddenly caused a ringing in her ears, and she knew what she must do. Deliberate steps carried her in the direction of the event, paw-steps heavy as she moved towards the center of the activity. Something was not right. Her young had begun to shift, her middle aligning them for their birthing order. For better or for worse, there was no turning back now. Not far from the area they had taken as their recent home, she found herself unable to continue. Stone and granite, moss and soil – this would have to do. The air was heavier, but not unpleasant, though even if it had been, her choice was already made for her. An explosion not too far in the distance rocked the ground once more, and she called out to the powers that be, recognizing their power and greatness, though she knew not which god or goddess it was. “Praise to you, great one.” She gasped, forcing herself to continue through the pain of another contraction. “Moirai Tribe asks for your blessing and brings you tribute.” She felt the wetness of her water break, fluid washing her in preparation, signaling the arrival of her litter. Blessed be be the pain. It meant they were alive, it meant they would fight to live.Perched on a branch above her, Bertram began to squawk as he puffed himself up and prepared to launch into the air and away. The ground began to rumble beneath her, pupils expanding in confusion as she lifted herself. A howl assaulted her ears, knowing it belonged to her Moriana. Worry was the next emotion she experienced due to knowing the woman was about to explode with the kids cramped within her. This was most certainly the worst timing in terms of that... nice going, sis. Her companion lead the way as the reaper cursed her sister’s lack of restraint during her season. Green and purple eyes were forced to squint through the smoke and ash, tearing up in the process as she moved. When Merula finally found the other, a frown arrived on her lips as she listened to her chanting to the sky. Her black crow settled on another branch to keep watch of the volcanic activity and make sure they were out of harm’s way.
Moriana had no time to prepare herself for what came next. It was too late to call for assistance, and she was a proud one. Unlikely that she would ask again. The quaking earth rocked beneath her, causing fluid to leak around her body and flow freely onto the ground as she released a guttural howl into the air as she felt the crowning of a pup pressing against her, demanding to be brought into the world. Teeth clamped, a hiss emitted from her vocals as she took note of the gathering birds, some foreign and some known. Her feathered companion was among them, as well as Bertram and an unknown whom seemed to carry tidings of approval. Yet, she could not focus. The pain rolled through her form, locking her legs, curling her paw digits, craning her neck. Pressure filled her hind quarters, a weight filling her abdomen and lower belly and she knew, it was time. An intense contraction took her breath away, but she took comfort in knowing her sister was near. A single push accompanied by a screaming growl and she felt a pop, followed by a release of pressure. She wasted no time, turning to cleanse the pup and remove it from its protective bubble. Tongue raked across him, metallic taste of blood swallowed as she pressed the firstborn, a male, to her chest. Soft words were spoken to him as she embraced him a moment before inhaling deeply and pushing him to a teat. The birth was long, though not particularly difficult, and the Ker brought forth each of her young with the same love and dedication. Acceptance of help was allowed only by her sister, should she choose to assist. Any other would likely be met with gnashing of teeth and ripping of flesh. Six healthy pups were cleansed and cuddled, eyes searching for her sister for a moment. “Merula.” She began, pausing as she cleaned the bodily fluids from herself.
Moriana allowed her body to rest, her healthy, strong pups safely brought into the living world. Yet, the anger of the gods was not done. The earth continued to tremble, albeit less than before. The smoke still rose, ash and soot raining down on the nearby lands as fire crackled in the nearby distance. Eyes raked across the area, lifting to the sky to watch the clouds of thick, gray smoke rising. She looked to the birds gathering, watching her in curiosity and silence. It was then she knew. Another fit of quakes and she rose. Weary, fur stained with scarlet fluid despite the attempt at cleaning. Her legs trembled as if to match the earth, but she stood her ground with determination. She glanced to Merula, a slight nod issued in her direction as she grasped the firstborn, a large, healthy male the color of fire, black and red. A fitting gift, blood debt pad in sacrifice for the blessing of the deity they had angered. “For you, in service and prayer. Take my son, so that we may all live.”
The ground tremors...
Moriana held her ground a moment, even as the ground trembled and the birds stirred. She took her son in her mouth, his pleas for mercy escaping his small lungs as he begged for warmth, food and love. She trembled, legs shaky as she rose on unsteady legs, weary yet committed to her cause. She walked with some effort, her legs feeling as if stones in a river, the birth had taken so much from her. She did not pause, even as she carried the babe in her teeth a little further, near the red meadow and closer to where the earth spewed forth it’s anger. The boy was placed upon the ground, the mother’s tongue giving him several loving, affectionate kisses as she whispered into his ears, still deaf from birth. She turned, howling to the heavens as she left him and made her way, slowly, deliberately, back to her other children. “He belongs to you, now.” She declared, blood leaving a trail in her wake as she laid down, curling about her children as she began to cleanse herself. She eyed the birds, giving them a nod in silence. Take him, or let the elements devour him. He was no longer her concern.
Matrona hesitantly, reluctantly left her pregnant sister earlier in the day to go for a hunt. The red eyed sibling insisted she could handle it, leaving Seraph as a scout to be her eyes and ears at home while she wasn’t present. Of course, the bird couldn’t exactly watch the territory once she took off to find the wandering sibling. Tremors shook her body as she struggled to make it home with the slab of meat clenched in her jaws from whatever calf she managed to take down. Did it matter? The hunt had been successful, and her sister would like it or she’d shove it down the pregnant woman’s throat to make sure that she remained well-nourished in preparation for the impending littles. Another shake and the sparrow hawk screeched through the air, landing forcefully on the Ker’s shoulders and pulling roughly at the obsidian and ash female’s fur. The action didn’t need any interpretation. Mona only served to groan in exasperation, anger, and a touch of worried fear.
The meat was dropped, and the hawk took off to glide above Mona as the wolf ran fast as the coursing river to where she’d last left her sister. Blood tickled olfactory receptors, eyes glowing with bloodlust as she noticed the ravens descending upon the small squeaking body of the unidentified pup. Her sister’s backside was noted. She stood staring for a brief moment as the ravens squabbled. Seraph settled on her scruff again, leaning forward to stare at the macabre feast with her head low, fiery golden-red eyes locked on the scene even as her mistress turned her head away and began to slowly pad forward to join her sisters. Gaze flicked over the pups as Mori curled back up with them and her hackles bristled, the fire of the steaming and spewing volcano alive in her eyes this evening. “You couldn’t cross your legs until I got back?” she snarled. “The fuck, Mori?” Bristling with bared teeth, her bushy tail frizzed out as it stood straight up to the dark, stormy sky above her spine. She took a threatening step forward and stepped over her sibling and the pups, straddling her paws over both sides of Mori and licking all over her head top and neck as she urveyed the pups out the corners of her eyes. “They are beautiful. Still wish they would have waited.” Rather than pout, she continued to growl and snarl, grooming her sister possessively as she stepped over to Mori’s backside and continued to groom along her shoulders and backside to her rump, cleaning up the fluids and blood that lingered there, snarling and shoving her sister’s head away if she tried to stop her.
Moriana released a lengthy sigh, eyes closing into mere slits as her tongue rake across the form of each precious child. Improving their circulation, cleaning their bodies, dishing out affection, she was charged with their care and she would do just that. The loss of her son was suffered in silence. As Keres, this was a part of life. Death and all its beauty was simply a way of life, yet this had never been so close. So intimate. She had given the gift of his death to Wolfsbane, though she knew not his name. They were the hand of death, the daughter of hellfire and damnation, come to cut the thread of mortal lives and send them into the next. It was surreal, almost unbearable to her, that she was not the one to whom had ended his life. Still, she spoke nothing of this. Carried off, she heard his squeals, felt his pain as the sickening wailing turned to silence. Were they birds or piranha? Where had his bones gone? It was not her place to even contemplate. She had no time for guilt, no use for such an emotion. It was as if she were lost in her thoughts, feeling emotions and spiritual connections to a being she knew nothing of, until Nyx and Nemesis crowed loudly, heralding the arrival of Matrona. Shit. Ears flattened instantly, automatic reaction as she released a low guttural warning growl to the female before she even saw her. Taken by surprise, her warning mattered not, as before she had time to react she was all but assaulted by her sister. Get the fuck off of me! Lips peeled back, mouth opening in a snarling grump as Matrona scolded her. Close her legs? She snapped her jaw, aiming to grab the back of her sister’s head as she bent down to clean her. “Oh, let me stuff them back in, yes?” She mocked, eyes rolling with an exasperated grunt “I’M FINE. Get off – Ooofff” Excuse me, violation! Without invitation, she was bathed and poked, inspected and forced into bath time. Too tired to muster a single shit to give, she gave in, nose wrinkling as lip curled back. Welcome home. You didn’t miss anything. We’re all fine here, nothing to see. Move along. HUFF.
Chapter Three: Raven
Siduri was startled by the wolf’s proposition. She attempted to not show it, and instead she looked at the other ravens. Were they really going to kill this newborn? Of course, the ravens have been involved in death before, but…this young? Siduri didn’t like it. But if she protested…no. Maybe she was reading the situation wrong. Surely.Savira could smell the revolting flesh the she-wolf begat and crowed her indignation in response to the scene. Hood of pale feathers rose, calmed and intrigued by the she-wolf’s desperate utterance before taking hold of her firstborn. What was this, now? Ahh, she could feel something, likened to an electrical current in the air, teasing her flesh. Perhaps sheer, raw excitement could be easily explained, but Savira knew that the world worked strangely. She side-glanced to her brethren and saw that they too had taken a keen interest in the first-born that the she-wolf had taken—save one. Savira peered at the one called Siduri and spoke to her thus: “Something was about to happen, Sister. Can’t you feel the promise of death stir in your bones?” The words challenged the black one to disagree, for she sported a strange look in her red eyes, something that caused Savira to glare scornfully.
The ground trembled beneath them, as if in agreement of this event; this caused the flock to caw shrilly to the air in answer. Savira lifted her wings and sang into the sky of her beloved Master. “The she-wolf would give her son to the one true god!” she cried. The screams rose into such a crescendo; for surely, the ravens were overjoyed.
Even among the ravens, the white one inspired fear. And now, called out by her, Siduri felt utterly terrified by Savira. And ravens hate not being in complete control of their situation. Instead of lashing out, trying to stop the whole thing, doing something, anything to stop what had gone too far, Siduri calmed herself and showed no emotion. “Savira, is it really a death if the young one never even lived?”
Savira paused in mid-song, and slowly, deliberately, glanced at Siduri, her face puffed like a cotton ball. The remark was unexpected, showing quite plainly the disbelief melting her pretty little bird face. “You—you dare--?” She had very nearly lost her charisma thanks to Siduri that unceremoniously called her out. The other birds fell silent at this and watched the white one with judging eyes. She could feel them all staring at her and knew that whatever she would do now would be critical to her place among them. “Long life or short life,” she spat, “it is a life nonetheless, and our Master will have the wolf-child. Are you with us, or against us?” She flapped her wings and crowed into the sky, aware that the she-wolf was on the move with the little worm writhing in her mouth. The she-wolf looked to them and nodded. That was all the birds needed.
“To me, comrades,” she said to the flock, “We will away and hasten the child’s death.” They swarmed down upon the little body, and what fate that took the boy would never be known. But when the scavengers took to the sky after, there was no trace that the child was ever even there.
Epilogue
All ravens know that great violence means great chaos. At least, this is what Siduri believed. Chaos is something ravens revel in. But there are rules, limits. Chaos is destruction, but chaos was only meaningful if it could be contrasted with order, creation. It was wrong to disrupt that order, to die before you even lived. As her brethren tore apart the child, Siduri turned away. She refused to be that savage.
Siduri didn't care, no, she didn't respect her god anymore. She knew the horrid monster the ravens called Wolfbane was real, she saw his wrath. That didn't matter anymore. So what if Wolfbane could shake the ground? Siduri could fly. And so, Siduri flew away.
When the gods have failed you, become your own.