The melanistic brute was doing his rounds around the border when he heard his name called from Echo, his soulmate. ”Crowe! My love!” His head whipped towards the direction of her call of desperation. He knew she was not feeling well as of late, but to be honest with himself, he was busy. The next call out from the same voice took him aback. ”Narcissus!” A scowl etched itself into his face as he took to the sky and darted towards his love.

He arrived moments before Narcissus, nuzzling Echo’s neck. ”I’m here, my love.”. His pitch eyes looked towards the maned kalak as he ran towards the den, a quiet growl emanating from under Crowe’s skull. Narcissus, taken aback, and frankly rather offended, stepped back. Both males knew that the children in Echo’s belly were the maned male’s. All both males could do was watch as Echo struggled. Crowe could tell that this birth was much harder, given the sickness that Echo had been dealing with. Narcissus was filled with muted excitement – he could tell the queen was off too. As Echo gave birth, Crowe placed himself by his soulmate, trying to comfort her, and only allowing Narcissus to take a few steps closer.

After the last pup was born and all were feeding, Crowe’s ears picked up on his queen’s quiet, struggled words. ”Crowe…I will always…love you…I am so sorry…Please…look after them…” to which the melanistic brute responded in a panicked tone. ”Echo? What do you mean?! Echo, I love you. I-“ He felt the pang at his chest as their soul-link faded from their bodies, looking to her now lifeless body. ”I love you more than anything.” He spoke, his words soft and somber. Narcissus could only observe the situation, aghast but also in awe at the six pups that he and the now ex-queen had conceived. He gently and tentatively stepped forward, leaning his head down to nuzzle his children, which Crowe allowed. As long as he left Echo alone. The maned wolf had done enough.

Neither of the males noticed Facilier standing at the den’s entrance, shocked in silence. His mother was not meant to get sick. Echo was not meant to die. No one in Amaya was to be harmed. The prince of Amaya, fueled with anger, backed away from his parents’ den and made his way towards the proving grounds – he would gather his army and bring down the biggest part of the curse to Starfall – total annihilation.

Actions and thoughts and "Words."