She sits there, eerily quiet, watching as the two speak. She knows what role she must play and she does not. She knows life is not fair. She did not wish to be a Queen here. To her this was her Mother’s lands. Always. To think that another would rule and not her was hard to come to terms with. To know that someone else owned these lands, long ago, was odd. Pretty Rhett told her what had occurred. Pretty Rhett told them all. He also told her he wished to conquer other lands and so she agreed to leave with him. Yet she did not want to leave Protector and Provider alone. She did not want to abandon the pack she called family. She had to entrust someone, and after speaking with Provider and Pretty Rhett, she understood. She understood what needed to be done and so she trusted this Halycon. As the Provider comes to nuzzle her, she nuzzles in response, pleased to receive such a rare affectionate touch. As she leaves she nods and lowers her head in respect. Even as an Alpha, but even she knows to respect her words. With a tilt of my dial I lead Halycon to where I think the Provider would be. We move around Asteraia to follow his scent and I find it eventually to see that it is near their cave they shared, the same one where I lived when I was a pup. I feel the static around me and watch as a golden streak of lightning comes down a few years ahead and a terrible thunderous roar follows after. It was nearby.

She moves at a quicker realizing they were near the cave where the Protector and Provider lived. The same one in which she and her Brother were born and lived in until it was time they were on their own. pace and stops to see a darkened wolf with smoke coming near it, and her Brother standing beside it. Pretty Rhett comes out of the den and mentions that the Monster is dead as well. Nevermore whimpers softly as she realizes the Proctor and Provider are forever gone. She did not think Death would get to them. Protector and Provider were too powerful...to great...they were hers. Death was not for them. As Pretty Rhett and Gunsynd gently pick up the body of Tobias, she takes a step forward to help, looking to Halycon and speaking, before she takes the scruff of Tobias’ neck and helps drag/carry him into the den, to lay him next to the Provider.

“You help me move him, yes yes. Help me move.”

Nevermore knows what must be done. It was instructed upon her that should something happen to him, his body must be covered and respected. He was hated by the others that were not family. The others outside of Asteraia never understood. As they settle him next to the Provider, she and Gunsynd take a moment to grieve alone within the den. Slowly they emerge, the rain falling upon them gently, as if the Fates were crying for the loss of their terrible, beautiful, and misunderstood creations. Emerald eyes looked over to see that above the den were large formation of rocks that could be moved, with some assistance. Already Pretty Rhett and Gunsynd are moving their body up and down to get the loose heavy rocks to move, and she joins them, looking down upon the new King.

“Help me move this to cover Protector and Provider.”

When he joins them, with their combined weight moving the loose rocks, and the rain, eventually it falls, with other rocks joining it. They were sealed within a tomb now. Forever protected. Forever here. Forever untainted. Turning back to Halycon she speaks softly.

“They are here, always, to protect and provide – Tobias and Tick Tock.”

She utters the Monster’s name for the first time. No one but her children and Tobias knew of her name. The Monster was particular about it. Names were important. There was power in a name. As it was explained to her, the Monster felt that title was her true name, because she was no longer a wolf named ‘Tick Tock.’ That part of her was long gone and it would never come back. So, for the rest of her life she lived by the cursed title she never wished to have, but embraced it and accepted it fully. Yet now she was dead and no longer the Monster. She was born and called Tick Tock and so in death would her name be spoken again, relieved from the curse, and the title that came with it. She throws back her head and calls out for her family to come, also announcing the death of the Monster and the Grim Reaper. As they come before her she waits. Pretty Rhett and Provider trained her on how to speak properly, and it took a lot of willpower, but she stood within the rain, speaking proudly, but slowly, struggling on some words, but getting the message and point across to all.

“Before the Monster took over Asteraia from the failed Queen, whose name is unimportant, there was another wolf, a male and a female – Rhae and Iblis. They were the first leaders of Asteraia. I am giving the land to their son, Halycon, but I am not giving him to you – you get to decide. Should you choose to stay he shall be your King. The Monster and Tobias are dead. There are things I must do, yes yes, must do, but I be back. You are my family.”

She turns to look upon the new King of Asteraia. She lifts to her paws looking so eerily like that of the Provider, strong and unmoving. Emerald eyes bore into his own, just like the Provider, her words low carrying that same strong voice, powerfully expressing the gravity of this situation, reminding him of the threat the Monster had told him earlier. Unlike the monster there was no hint of amusement.

“Remember your promise King. Take care of the family the Monster created, take care of our family.”

With that said and having nothing else to say or do. She left with Pretty Rhett and Brother, to travel, to see, and to learn. Perhaps one day returning to Moladion, and making a special visit to Asteraia to see what had become of her family.