I should have sent Azrael to scout ahead, the boy seems to believe he is the new head of the family and he would no doubt have taken Ferox with him, why not let them feel important? Or even Ava, given the girl a run and a chance to explore for herself and yet such is the typical stubbornness of my mind that I am determined to be first, to enter the land that was once my home and see with my own violet gaze what had become of such a place. Why I do such things to myself I hardly know and yet, the emergence of Ruvindra, of Cat Eye, of Dusk and Belinda still seeking their knowledge of their leader awoke an instinct so old. They wanted a leader and I would give them one. Even if I don’t remember this hill being this bloody big or my old limbs protesting it so much. I snorted, scowling as I made my way down to the thick foliage below, ducking my head in an attempt to prevent the leaves mussing up my hair. Yes, I am older now, but I still have a healthy respect for hair care. I paused then, amongst the trees of the jungle this place had become. It was so quite, so empty and indeed for a moment I felt my eyes sting once more. Where was it I stood, the creek, the falls, the clearing where Zeivah and I had run together on the first night of our betrothal? It burned like a hot fire, that wound deep within still so raw and red. She should have been here with me to see this. I let her down, I let them all down....but I would fix it. I would give them there homes back, all of them. I’m not dead yet. For a moment I almost smirked, desperately forcing such thoughts away, thinking instead only of myself and my apparent survival skills. It would take more than a giant rock to destroy me.

I forced a grin back in place, despite the lack of any other to see such a thing and strode onward. If I believe it, so will they. If I say I’m fine they will accept it. I’m fine. To regret in my Art is to break and crumble and fall apart. Yet to tell myself not to regret is almost like telling myself not to breathe, foolish and ridiculous and never will I admit, not to anyone, that I am so utterly lost. How is it that the great King of Trenus, lord of Moladion, it’s most successful and celebrated Assassin...is lost. How much of myself died with my mate and sons? I pushed the thoughts away once more, pressing deeper into the jungle around me, tasting the air as ears twisted and turned with the sounds so similar and yet different all at once and yet truly old habits do die hard. My form was tense, muscle still toned after all this time remained hard and coiled, prepared and alert at any moment for what might linger within this place as I forged ahead of all the rest. I lunged forward, leaping up and over a fallen log to land near-silently on the moist earth behind. This was not a suitable pack land, no, not at all and I knew indeed that this land had never been Trenus. It was the plateau I wanted to find, or what had once been my home and my kingdom. I would have it back, I would restore it for those who wanted it and then, hell, maybe I would retire. No rest for the wicked they say.

I snorted at my own inner thoughts, apparently I still find myself amusing, as I kept on, weaving my way through this new land, the first to set foot upon it. I grinned once more as I paused beneath a particularly large tree, violet eyes gazing upward in an effort to see the top or the sun beneath the canopy. I still glow in that light and vain as it is I still enjoy it. I turned, violet gaze searching around my form once more. Honestly, do no others have the balls to step down from that good awful crater and see the world? It is a sad day when an elder must lead them down. Then again, it is me and I have never been one to shy away from such a challenge. The rabbit barely knew what hit it as it lunged past, my reflexes still so sharp and ready sending my jaws crashing upon it, spilling droplets of red blood onto the thirsty earth as I lowered myself atop a smooth stone, a makeshift throne, rabbit within my jaws as I tore it open to spill the goodness inside as I ate. I lifted my head but once more, forcing thoughts of family aside- just for now as I raised my blood-stained muzzle to the sky.

The King has returned. Now surely you’re not all to craven to come down and dare to defy me are you? Anyone?

h e y e l
15 Years ~ Lover forever of Zeivah ~ Stalker of Cat Eye ~ Father to 12 ~ Assassin King of Everything