the descent to hell is easy

navarro x stella , twelve , three progeny

She had been provided a safe haven for the winter and thus proceeded with her plan to conceive. Eclipse had waited many years since her last attempt at having offspring and now she felt that it had been enough time. She was physically and mentally ready to make it a reality and she wouldn’t allow any mistakes.

Endlessly she had sought out those who were strong or becoming in looks and when winter had bore down upon her she had made her decision. Orb was a male intriguing enough in his ways but would surely provide a more submissive and malleable brood while Deathspeak was forward and receptive to her needs. She had thought that having a go with both of them would ensure a better chance for success and she would be pleased with whoever was potent enough to be the father. She had not grown very large in size during the winter season as the fetuses grew within her womb, she barely showed in the belly with the few pups that had been conceived. Her notable size concealed what small number of children she carried and she enjoyed not being so bloated and wobbly as some of the other smaller females.

Asteraia had treated her well since she had joined within their ranks and the would-be king of Aster’s was in and out of the picture more often than Eclipse had first guessed. While she did not dislike the male in any way, she was not as keen to him as she was to miss Aster. They had forged somewhat of a bond upon her arrival, after all.

The familiar voice of her new companion rose into the dreary, gray sky in the form of a plea for help. Eclipse’s head shot up from the spot she had been investigating and pointed toward the direction of which the call had come from, her brindled ears erect and quivering at the echoing howl. Her powerful legs propelled her from the rain soaked earth as she made way toward her harrowing queen and she arrived as the final pup was being thrusted into the world. The damp air was tinged with the smell of bodily fluid and diluted blood, causing her pitch nose to twitch upon arrival. Aster appeared weary yet powerful all in the same moment; she had been strong enough to bring these beings to life and that alone was an astounding feat that so many tend to gloss over.

”Strong names for strong offspring,” she proclaims as she looks down upon the four that nuzzle up to Aster’s swollen teats. ”I’m here for you whether you want me to be or not,” she offers with a wry smile, knowing that she did not want anyone near when she had gone through her first litter as well. They were all rather striking in color even though they were not yet defined; they will soon grow into their destined markings as the seasons change. She reaches down to inspect the two females with a large, wet nose, inhaling the familiar scent of Aster upon them and detecting their own individual odor as well. ”Destined for distinction amidst the hordes of followers,” her voice rumbles in a low timbre as she looks up to their mother.