Conflict Before War
Chapter 2
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"Where else would I be?" Snorted the anesthesiologist, scowling over the empty camp.
Rarka let out a gruff sigh, but couldn't think of anything at first, the leucistic Primal sitting down next to Kaye instead. Something had happened here. Been happening. They couldn't tell for how long, but as of the last few days, it was blatant and frightening. Everyone was gone, and there were few that they could remember a reason as to why.
The chief, of course, headed out earlier, but...
Rarka shook their head and stood up. They couldn't remember anyone giving a reason. "Kaye, seriously, why don't you grab some supplies for us out from the Steps? We'll talk when you get back."
"They don't sell to us anymore," Kaye pulled a face - a face that knew too much - and turned to leave anyways, throwing a satchel over one wing. A few moments passed in stifling silence before another problem could spring up again, the dull tension in the air not allowing the second to pass for peace.
"Where are we all going?" Came a voice like rocks being pounded to dust behind them.
Rarka was grateful that the shadow behind them let the medic leave before saying anything, though Kaye surely noticed something, as massive as the newcomer was. Rarka turned with a shake of the head to face the enormous, bear-like Rixixi behind them, a ridiculous grin pasted on the beast's face.
"Not now, Bear," The pale Ixi sighed. "Something wrong in the air here. They're not going far."
"You don't have to worry about me getting anyone in trouble," Burunaa, the massive Ixi, chuckled, sidling up beside their smaller friend. "Failure getting on the guard seven times running now, though I've heard I'm a strong contender nowadays."
"Thank goodness for that for once," Rarka allowed themself a smile, but when the statement met silence, they turned to Burunaa. They kept turning, vertically.
The seventeen-foot-tall Primal stood on their hind legs, towering in the cave. Burunaa's hackles raised somewhere above Rarka's head, and their back legs were spread wide to keep them held completely upright as they turned, seeking an unseen foe.
"Imriri, ai okh."
Rarka had no time to react after the deep voice of Burunaa rang out. Something struck them inside, but not Rarka themself - as if a specific organ of theirs had been extracted and they'd been thrown onto the ground uselessly. Shocks of flesh echoed in flashes across the cave, revealing themselves from the dirt and worming back in as roots repeatedly. Lightning-like flashes strobed through the air, absent of thunder, showing the face of a monster, clad in armor, towering twice, thrice the height of Burunaa standing.
"Bastard," Burunaa's voice was a cold, calculated roar into the face of the monster. "Face me!"
A massive paw from Burunaa tore across the beast's face, and the thunder finally came.
THAT'S WHAT DEATH LOOKS LIKE!
The voice came in the spilling of blood from the beast's snout, and as soon as it came, the monster's jaws clenched down on Burunaa's entire arm and started dragging them in.
"Where are we all going?" Burunaa said for the second time that night, all the bravado gone from their voice.
"Bear, hold on, I'll get help!" Rarka struggled to their feet, the feeling of a migraine dancing in their head.
The guards had to be at the front post (but Kaye had made it out), if they made it to the exit tunnel they would have at least two more bodies. Rarka tried not to think of the sounds Burunaa was making. Burunaa had to (wasn't going to) make it. If they got help (where?) Burunaa would-
The pale Primal stopped dead, staring down the empty exit tunnel. No guards. Nothing left to deafen the ringing in their ears. Nothing left to deny the sound of the beast coming closer.
"Maybe they could have protected us,"
(they couldn't)
Hot breath collected on Rarka's shoulder like condensation.
WHERE ARE WE ALL GOING?
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