A God's pack

Day 128

Ever since the little hunting disaster with Relis and Vaitelin, Time had been doing his best to avoid being recruited to go on another hunt... not that it was difficult. The second they stepped back into camp Relis made sure everyone knew about his broken ribs, so no one had been expecting much of him of late. It had only been about a week, though, so eventually that would change. 

"I don't think you should be going around patrolling yet, you still have a broken rib." Bear cautioned, though he was starting to sound more like whining with the amount of times he had said something similar. While the dark-toned man wasn't wrong about the rib situation that didn't mean that he wasn't capable of keeping their borders safe. Even with a broken rib, he was still more powerful than any mortal was. 

"You worry too much, stop being such a mother-hen." he responded dismissively to the guard, who frowned deeply in response... or Time assumed he did. He wasn't really bothering with throwing the shadow-man a look to check. It had been a little under a week, and for the most part his lungs felt fine again. Gods heal faster than mortals, another week and it would be like it never happened. 

"Last time I was careless you got hurt." Bear responded, voice low but pointed. Time pretended he didn't hear him, it was a reasonable thing to do with how quiet he was now speaking, as much as he liked Bear he might have to do something about his penchant for seeing him as needing protection. Despite the, occasional, complaint from the brown-haired man the walk existed mostly in silence. Seemed Bear wasn't so eager to talk anymore... maybe thinking too much. Time would leave him to it, which meant less of Bear worrying a hole through his ears. 

The young-god's attention only snapped back to reality when the werewolf stepped in front of him, arm out to stop him, growling at.. someone. Time rolled his eyes at the bristling guard, clearing his throat and pushing Bear to the side as gently, but firmly, as he could manage. Another stranger stood several yards away, hands raised to show innocence, dark brown eyes watching Bear warily. 

"You! Finally worked up the courage to show your face, little stalker?" Bear spat, crossly, Time couldn't help but think that he was just taking his frustration out on the guy. This 'stalker' dipped his head deeply, eyes lowered to the ground, posture poor as if to make himself look smaller. If he stood up straight he would probably be about Time's height... which, yeah, he supposed that would make him 'little' to Bear but he had been named that for a reason. 

"Lashing out needlessly, Bear? Let's, at least, see what he wants before you verbally abuse the man." he chided with a light tone, he had been disapproving of the guard enough today no need to put him a further bad mood. The lack of response told him that he was willing enough to allow the man to speak. This 'stalker' was a fair-tanned man with hair almost as dark as Bear's in brown, short and messy. The most interesting thing about him, however, was the excessive amount of body-paint he was using. White-ash mask over the majority of his face, as well as his hands, wrists, throat, and chest, bright yellow and black stripes cutting around the back of his hair, and arms, that reminded Time a bit of a Bumblebee. This guy didn't look very threatening to him.

"What can I do for you, little bee?" he asked in an amused tone, ignoring the disgusted snort from Bear behind him, the stranger's dark brown eyes went wide at this and he dipped his head further down. As if to apologize for the momentary eye contact. 

"Your defender is right to look down on me, to call me such things, I have been following you for some time now." his voice sounded uncertain, but Time didn't focus as much on that as he did the words themselves. 

"You've been following me?" his voice harder now, a slight threat. 

"Yes." another dip of his head like a duck bobbing in a lake. 

"For how long?"

".... Since you first stepped foot into the meadows.. when you met the Robin." Time's blood went cold in his veins at that, the almost constant sensation of being watched that he had attributed to the new territory? It had been this guy following him around like a ghost. How had he went this entire time and not noticed that he was being followed? The young-god turned his gaze to Bear for an explanation. 

"I noticed a few nights ago, he's really very good at being a rat." 

"Why didn't you let me know we were being tailed when you found out?" 

"I... didn't want you to worry about something like that right now?" A question, that same almost guilty look he had worn when Time first met him. The implication in Bear's words were, also, not lost on him. He didn't say anything because of his broken ribs... they'd discuss that later, right now they had a mouse to deal with. Time turned his sharp, orange, eyes back to the strange man. As soon as the attention was back on him he seemed to scramble to say something before Time could.

"I meant no harm, I merely followed you because being near your group makes it safer for me to travel."

"If you wanted safety you should have returned home." his harsh tone caused the striped man to wince. "Why reveal yourself now? You've been in hiding for several months, why change something that's been working for you?" 

"Because..." the stalker glanced between him and Bear, before carefully approaching only to stop in his tracks a few feet away when Bear began growling defensively. The man kneeled on the ground, not unlike Robin would when she prayed, and raised both of his hands up to Time like one would in offering. It was a strange thing, he could feel the power connection with even just this gesture, something he had seen but had never been involved. 

"Because I am a man with no name, no family to speak of, but I have worth." ah, one of the unfortunate, untrustworthy, people forced to walk the world alone due to the nature of their existence. Not a single soul to vouch for them. Often treated as criminals and chased from cities both human and otherwise... and it was strictly forbidden to give one's self a name. A hangable offense. 

"I am an honest man, I am loyal, I will give you everything I have to offer. I just need a chance." His plea was soft, heartfelt, full of pain, and loneliness, and desperation. 

"You say this but by the very nature of your existence there is no way to prove any of your claims. You could be a criminal, a madman-" Bear responded, distrust on his voice, Time held out a hand to quiet him. The striped man's eyes seemed only honest, a small amount of hope in them at the gesture. 

"You ask for a chance, the opportunity to prove yourself?" 

"Please-" he sounded on the verge of tears. "-that is all I ask. Just one." a long moment of silence followed, Time sizing the nameless man up, before nodding shortly. He had never seen such a look of pure gratitude and relief before than the one that followed.

"You already know the way back to camp, but you should walk with us this time." the striped man rubbed his hands across his face, looking at Time like he was as important as the sun, before getting to his uneven feet. Hm, the white marks on his hands and face hadn't budged despite that, maybe they were actually tattoos and not body-paint. The yellow stripes that went through the back of his hair was definitely painted, though. 

"What are we going to tell them when everyone expects him to be introduced? He has no name, and I'm sure some of the others wont be like being around an unclaimed." Bear, again, voice unusually hard. 

"Leave that for me to worry about, Bear." the man opened his mouth, but at the warning look he was thrown just sighed. 

While there had been some raised eyebrows when Time offered no introduction for the new member no one made a particular fuss about it, going about things as usual as the sky began to darken into night. The bee-colored man was following him closely, like a lost pup, seeming to be afraid of being left alone with the rest of the group. Understandable, considering the past experiences that he had probably had with other large groups of people. Due to the constant following, and looks of sheer gratitude he was getting from him, Time noticed rather quickly when the nameless man went missing while the rest of the group was sitting around the fire to eat before bed. 

Like usual, Astaria, Felis, and Surie were sitting in a half-circle talking, telling bad stories, worse jokes, and laughing loudly together. The three were nearly inseparable at this point. Near them was Vaitelin, who would briefly exchange insults with Astaria throughout the night. A weird relationship those two had, Time wasn't going to even try to parse out if they loved or hated each other. Sitting close to himself was Robin;who was acting stranger and stranger as more time passed, Relis; who was sitting on the ground instead of on the log like everyone else, and Bear. At the beginning the nameless man had been sitting next to him as well but, at some point, he had dipped out. A sense of doubt stabbed through his rib, had it been a mistake to trust him? A man with no one willing to claim him or vouch for his good-will? Was he really dangerous like Bear had believed? 

Bear seemed to sense the thought process going on in Time's mind and gave him a knowing look, at least he had the decency to not look smug about it. 

"Think I made a mistake on that one?" he was expecting a quip, or a snappy response, or an incredulous look, but instead Bear just looked conflicted and shrugged. 

"He... seemed genuine to me." uncertainty, a complete reversal of the confident distrust he had shown earlier. 

Time decided to wait beside the fire for the rest of the night, the rest of the group retiring to bed one-by-one until it was just him and Bear waiting. 

"You should really get some rest-" the yawn was loud enough to cause him to wince and shuffle a bit further away from the werewolf. "-you aren't gonna heal any better sleep-deprived." it was probably more along the lines that Bear was exhausted and didn't want to stay out any later.

"You can lay down whenever you want, Bear. I'm not forcing you to stay up." the guard just blinked at him in an unamused manner, before rubbing his eyes and stretching. Seems he wasn't going anywhere anytime soon. He was starting to think he should just lay down to allow the poor man some rest when a rustle caught his attention. 

Turning towards the sound was a figure, with dully-glowing brown eyes. The oddness of the silhouette caused him to bristle, Bear growling beside him, but the familiar gesture of the being just... kneeling with hands out caused him pause.

"Do not be alarmed." it sure was the same nameless man from earlier, voice soft. 

"What happened to you?" Time narrowed his eyes at the shadow, trying to better decipher what he was seeing. 

"I was... hunting?" 

"Was that a question?" Bear growled shortly beside him, he didn't seem tired anymore. 

"I... took down the buck that tried to attack you." the nameless man added, shifting. Ah, the oddness of the silhouette was him hauling a... full-grown deer on his shoulders. Surprising, for a man that height.... even if he was, obviously, a werewolf. 

"You.... managed that all by yourself?" a short nod, in response. Time eyed the unclaimed werewolf warily before gesturing for him to come closer. In the fire's light it became more obvious the situation, by the looks of it the man had field-dressed the buck and skinned it, the cloak draped around his shoulders. Once the striped man stood only, about, a leg-length away from the young-god he kneeled once more and presented a thick bear-leather bag that he had been holding at his side before removing the deer-cloak and placing it ontop as well. The nameless man closed his eyes, muttered something Time couldn't hear, before pushing the hunt to Time and bowing deeply to the ground. An offering, the first he had ever received personally, the gesture made Time felt like he was breathing ice-cold water in the best way. Like he was drowning in ether. He sat stunned for many seconds, staring blankly at the offering and the nameless man, before blinking the tears out of his eyes. 

"I underestimated you." Time said, even his voice felt different. Smoother. It must sound different too because Bear was giving him a look. The striped man sat up, though he was still kneeling, cautiously looking at Time with the reverence that Time had only seen directed at his own father before. 

"You've proven yourself in my eyes, I see no reason for you to walk the world nameless and shunned. I will claim you, vouch for you when needed." his brown eyes were shining. "I think the name... Hercules suits you just fine, don't you agree Bear?" the dark man blinked, like he didn't understand what was happening, before nodding.

"Welcome to the pack, Hercules." the guard agreed, dipping his head in greeting. Hercules, as he was now dubbed, looked like he was in sheer disbelief. Like the world had suddenly stopped making sense.

"Unless, you were prefer something different, of course?"

"No!" the reaction was so quick it made Time raise an eyebrow. "No, Hercules is... perfect. Thank you, I will not disappoint you." he was grinning, the first time Time had seen him do so, sheer joy on his face. 

"Now, everyone else is asleep so I think you should join them, you'll be no use to us dead on your feet." a deep nod, but Tiem doubted someone who looked so excited would be falling asleep anytime soon. 

Day 173

While, at first, he hadn't been bothered by the strange attitude and behaviour that Robin had been exhibiting it was now starting to cause him some concern. She was more reclusive, made any excuse to get out of a conversation... even with him which was a little hurtful. Whatever had caused the strange air around her that had caused him discomfort had long-since passed but the avoidance continued... maybe she had taken his reaction that situation more to heart than he had allowed himself to believe. 

Another moon since Hercules had joined and while, at first, he had continued to hunt solo he was now going on his first hunt with Vaitelin... and Bear who had finally been convinced that he should probably do a bit more than just hangout in Time's shadow. Considering the last hunt that he had been on ended in him breaking a few ribs he had to admit some small anxieties over how it would go, but for the moment he pushed the thought away. The camp was mostly empty, save for himself and Robin who was sitting around the currently out fire-pit. While, when this started, it had been early and cold spring it was now late summer and unbearably hot in the sun. 

Taking a deep breath that caused his scarred ribs to creak, the young-god quietly approached the priestess. She didn't notice him at first, eyes focused on tanning the pelt that Astaria and the other huntresses had brought back a few hours before. Was she still sore about how he hadn't, entirely, sided with her in that argument? Time couldn't place why she was so interested in avoiding him, she really was his favourite follower after all. 

"Robin." his voice still sounded a little different after the offering Hercules had given him, smoother and a little more like more powerful than before. The red-head jumped slightly, too focused on her task to notice him approach, and blinked at him. 

"Oh, hello, Time... I thought you were out hunting with the other men?" if she had known he had intended on approaching her she would have scurried away as surely as a mouse. 

"No, it was tempting but I didn't want you to be left in camp by yourself." not tempting, actually, he was still doing his best to avoid the hunting parties when he could regardless of the fact that his fractured ribs were, mostly, the same as before. 

"Oh, you don't have to do that. I'm fine, see?" she held up the leather she was working on like proof, Time just gave her an odd look in response that she didn't seem keen on meeting. 

"Maybe you are, I'm just worried about you." 

"Worried? About me? Why?" Robin seemed genuinely surprised at his response, knitting her eyebrows together as she gave him a confused look. 

"You've been acting strange, avoiding me and everyone else, for moons. Why wouldn't I be worried?" the look on her face said that she thought she had been doing a lot better of a job hiding the behaviour than she actually had been. Time watched Robin carefully, her expression turning to one of confliction, before he quietly settled to sit a little over a foot away from her. 

"What's wrong, Robin? I can't help you if you don't tell me what the problem is." his words didn't seem to ease the way Robin was feeling, her uncertain look now also mixed with guilt and.... shame? Time tilted his head to the side, staring intensely at the red-head, trying to figure out from the wash of shifting expressions alone what was happening. "Robin, you can tell me anything. I'll always defend you." he coaxed, eyebrows knitting together. The red-head sighed at his words, staring out over the horizon for a long, silent, moment before finally, actually, meeting his eyes. She was uncertain. 

"I'm sorry that I've been so distant, I honestly thought no one would notice." Time frowned at her words but said nothing, willing her to keep talking. "I... I'm not entirely sure how to go about even telling you." the fact that Robin was putting it off instead of just ripping the bandage off and being done with it was making Time somewhat anxious. What could she possibly be hiding that she was so afraid to share?

"You're not in danger are you?"

"What? No! I-I mean, n-not really anyway, no more-so than one would expect." Robin sighed deeply, sagging into the stripped log that she had been using as a backrest. "I don't know what I was thinking trying to hide this anyway, someone was going to notice eventually." 

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to." she obviously didn't, but the thought that she didn't trust him enough to voice her problems anymore made him a little less than happy. "I won't bother you about it, you don't have to run off whenever others are around, Robin." more guilt at his words, which had not been his intention.

"No... I should tell you. A... while ago I had a fling with a man and... the obvious happened." the embarrassment turned her face scarlet, but Time was gobsmacked by the implication. 

"You're pregnant?" Robin flinched at the word, his tone only belaying surprise and nothing else, she nodded slowly before beginning to work on the piece of leather on her lap again. Shame on her face and a look like she was expecting him to chide her. 

"I'm sorry, it really wasn't intentional-"

"Robin, why in the world would you think you have to apologize for that? Or hide it, for that matter?" she looked surprised, she really had been expecting a negative reception to that.

"I... I'm a priest, I'm not supposed to have children."

"I don't care about any of that. You're devout, caring, intelligent, mostly responsible, what else could I want out of a priest?" The priestess blinked away a teary mist at this, shaking her head. 

"I'm sorry, I... I should have told you sooner. I... I didn't think you would still want me here after you found out." she really couldn't be more wrong, probably a belief carved into her by whatever sect church she had originated from. Time sighed, he wasn't much for touch but Robin was so, he carefully pulled the blue-eyed werewolf into a hug. Judging by the sob that left her she probably really needed it, too, she had been avoiding any help or reassurance for moons and had been handling everything herself because she had legitimately thought she would be exiled for her mistake, it was probably a big relief to know that the pack would still have her back. 

"I promised when we first met that I wouldn't let anything happen to you, I'm not going to get mad at you for something like this." 

"What am I going to tell the others?" falling apart, her voice filled with anxiety, fear, panic, and a lot of things that she had went out of her way to not think about. 

"Tell them whatever you want, they don't need to know the specifics if you don't want to share them. They aren't entitled to it." Robin began to pull herself back together now, drawing away from Time and rubbing a hand over her face. 

"What happens now?" she asked, voice hoarse. 

"Nothing, if you don't want anything to. This just means we can support you through this, anything else if up to you." the red-head nodded, seeming a little lighter-of-heart now that the secret she had been keeping was out.

"Thank you, Time, I can't express to you how much being here has meant to me." the young-god smiled warmly at her, leaning back against the stripped log to sit with her in silence. The tense air between them was gone, and the familiar sense of calm returned. Time had nearly dozed off from how comfortable he felt when one of the hunting parties returned. The one that he had been worried about, thankfully.

"Time! Forget everything bad I ever said about this man he is a god amongst mortal men!" Bear's voice, loud and boisterous, back to the charming and friendly nature that he was known for. The silence being broken so suddenly made him jolt to sit up right, his heart freezing for a second, before breathing out the slight panic. Bear was hauling an Elk buck over his shoulder, a wide grin on his face, and beside him was Hercules with a small, embarrassed, smile.  Vaitelin looked rather pleased to, more calm, relaxed, than he had seemed in days. Looks like any tension still leftover from when he had gotten his ribs broke was cleared now. 

"I see that your first hunt together went well." Time commented warmly. 

"Ay', sure did. Turns out your brother 'ere is not only a really skilled hunter, but also an exceptional leader too. Everythin' went accordin' to plan." Vaitelin seemed to agree with Bear, the amount of praise turning Hercules a slightly redder shade. 

"If you keep talking about him like that he's going to catch fire." the amusement in his tone turned to a laugh when the striped man only looked more embarrassed as all eyes turned to him. 

"Just you wait 'ntil Astaira and the other huntresses get back, they are going to be so jealous of our new huntin' partner."

"It's their loss, they should have offered to let him come with them when they left. Our gain, though." Bear agreed.

"I'm... sure the ladies are doing just fine without my input. They seemed rather skilled" Hercules piped up. Vaitelin grinned, teeth showing as he slung his arm over the darker man's shoulder and gestured vaguely.

"Oh yeah, I'm sure they're doing just fine.... buuuut, did they take down two elk in one hunt? They may be doing fine but we, my friend, are going to be huntin' legends in a few years." it was nice to see that things were starting to settle back into place, the threat of a fight or argument seemed rather small now. The pack was starting to seem more like a family. Time smiled, glancing at Robin who was grinning into her work as she tried to pretend she wasn't listening, things were going back to how they should be. If only everyday could be like this part. 

Day 191

Food more plentiful, enough housing for everyone to be comfortable and safe, and an overall calm left Time with the ability to focus his energy elsewhere. The temple. He had started on it fairly early but with the amount of more important things he had to see to it hadn't received much focus.. but now? He had been able to do almost nothing else for the past few weeks and trust that the pack would be okay without the extra overweight. From time to time one, or a few, of the pack would venture down into the carved tunnel and would help him with cutting into the stone but, for the most part, they seemed capable of existing on their own now. Robin had started spending much of her time down her with him as well, cutting the supports into more precise corners and cutting out detailing into the rock. 

As much as things seemed fine, something felt very wrong for him. At first, Time just ignored the sensation and continued to work at properly carving the temple into a nice square but, as days passed, breathing became more difficult and he was left struggling to remember what he was doing, unable to focus on his task. Brain hazy, he didn't even notice when Robin took the shaving tool from his hand, only realizing she was standing over him when she put the back of her hand to his head. Cold, blessedly cold, so much so that Time didn't even mind the touch. Unconsciously, he leaned into her hand as she tried to step back.

"You look ill, Time. Are you not feeling well?" concern on her voice as her eyebrows knitted together, turning her hand over so to lay her palm flat onto his forehead. 

"I'm fine."

"You've been staring at the wall with blank eyes for almost two hours." 

"I'm the God of Time, the concept doesn't hold me like it does you." he responded, though it is not like he had intentionally just been staring a hole through the wall. 

"Maybe it doesn't, but you aren't the type to sit idle regardless." she had a point, but that didn't stop him from shaking her hand away. 

"Surely we could call a doctor for you, they might be able to help?"

"I'm a God, not a toddler, mortal doctors have nothing to offer me. Call one if you need one but I'll be fine without."  Robin sighed at his tone, standing back up to her full height and glancing towards the carved-out stairs. 

"You breath worse than when you broke your ribs, is there nothing that can be done? If not for yourself, than for me and the pack so we don't have to worry?" she was intentionally guilt-tripping him, staring at him intensely with sad blue eyes, Time looked away like an upset child as he tried to ignore the look. 

"The others don't know that Gods can die from illness, I do. I don't want to have to go through that, how will the pack cope without you? How will Hercules? He has no one else." he had the whole pack now, and everyone worked together just fine. But, there was some truth to her words even if they were manipulative. Time had claimed Hercules, had marked him family, given him his name, if Time was to die without Hercules starting his own he would have to try and find someone else willing to vouch for him, nameless once more. Stupid how that worked.

"Please, do this for me?" she pressed, hand over her abdomen and frown on her features.

"Fine, I'll summon a healer." he wheezed out in a slightly aggravated tone. "I'll need candles... dandelions, feverfew, and...." what was the last one to summon a healer... he'd need tobacco for an Oracle but a healer? "-and some yarrow." to soothe the pain. Robin nodded, moving to leave, but Time grabbed her hand as she turned. The red-head gave him a strange look, confused as to why he was stopping her. 

"Have someone else find the herbs, you..you shouldn't be traveling that far right now." the look of confusion turned to a warm smile, an amused look on her face.

"I'm fine, Time, I'm perfectly healthy."

"Please, for my peace of mind?"

"Don't worry over me, you're the one who is sick... but I'll have someone else go foraging, okay?" Time gave Robin a long look, before nodding and retracting his hand allowing the werewolf to walk up the steps and leave him to his own devices... now... what had he been doing?

POV change; Bear.  

He had been a frequent visitor of Time's over the past three weeks that the young God had spent carving out a temple from the rock, helping him cut out large amounts of stone from the walls and floor. Right now, he was just taking a break on a ledge overlooking the camp, however, along with the strange man named Relis. The scout had been part of the pack longer than he had but he didn't seem to get along very well with anybody, most of the others just tried to avoid him. 

"You ever wonder why Robin spends so much time with our dear leader?" Bear asked the blonde-haired man, offhandedly, in a conversational tone. 

"I try not to." he could hear the scowl on his tone, didn't need to look at the man to know it.

"It's weird, though, right? Sometimes we'll get back from a hunt, surprising them, and Time looks so guilty." he knew some of the others had caught that too, a suspicion that everyone else was too polite to say aloud. "I didn't think much of it until a few weeks ago and now it's just me questioning some things." like if that was Time's kid that Robin was having. She hadn't really offered any explanation when she had shared that news. 

"I do not like what you are implying, if Time was going to bother with a mortal he could pick a better one." seems Relis didn't like Robin very much, Bear lazily gave the other a strange look. 

"What, like you?" a teasing tone to his voice, Bear's grin only grew wider as Relis threw him the most confused, incredulous, and dissatisfied, look he had ever seen. 

"Obviously not, focus on the topic, there are dozens of women in this very area and all of them are better than Robin." wow, he really didn't like Robin for some reason. 

"Okay, I'll bite, what'd she do that makes you hate her so much?" 

"I do not see how that is revelvant-" Relis fell quiet, Bear followed his gaze to see the very woman they were talking about walking up the path to the camp clearing, obviously from the temple. 

"Why helloooo, Miss.Robin, to what do we owe the pleasure?" he called to the red-head, smiling warmly at her as she came to stand near the ledge the two of them were sitting on. 

"Hello Bear, Relis, I was actually hoping to ask for a favor."

"Asking is free." Bear responded, he could see Relis frown out of the corner of his eye. Seems he didn't agree.

"Time is ill, we're going to try to summon a healer but we need some herbs to do so."

"I fail to see what this has to do with us." Relis's voice was sharp, Robin frowned at him briefly before continuing. 

"I was going to get them myself but Time asked that I have someone else do it so I don't have to walk so far." the explanation had Bear exchanging a quirked glance with the scout. 

"Worried about you, is he? You aren't that far along." Bear's voice was amused, but he was legitimately interested in what her response would be. Robin looked embarrassed, running a hand through her hair. 

"I know, I told him that too, but I don't want to stress him out further when he's already unwell." 

"What is wrong with him?" Relis cut in now, a fair thing to ask and Bear's brain shifted to keep up. 

"Trouble breathing, brain fog, dizziness, lethargy... he's burning hot to the touch." Bear frowned, that... sounded pretty bad. He suddenly felt overwhelming guilt for having not noticed how ill Time was when he had visited the day before. How could he have missed something that sounded so obvious? Relis didn't seem pleased either.

"What herbs did you need?" Bear asked, tone serious and smile gone. Robin closed her eyes, mouthing something to herself, before seeming to catch the memory she was looking for.

"Dandelions, feverfew, and yarrow." Bear glanced over at Relis, who nodded knowingly. Atleast someone knew what those were, Bear only knew dandelions. 

"Those should be pretty plentiful in the plains below, should not take us long to retrieve some of all three." Robin smiled sweetly at Relis's words, dipping into a somewhat clumsy bow to the two of them.

"Thank you, I really appreciate the help and I'm sure Time will as well." her voice was lighter now, like the agreement had taken a weight off her shoulders. Bear nodded, getting down from the ledge and brushing himself off. He didn't even hear Relis follow. 

"We will get started immediately, make sure he does not do anything regrettable while we are away." Robin seemed amused at Relis's comment, but she just nodded non-committedly. Time to gather some plants, or whatever. 

Day 196

POV change; Bear.

It had been five days since Relis and him had gathered the herbs required, Bear had been in the temple with Time more often now that he was aware of the young-God's illness and it seemed to only be getting worse. The last time he had went to check on him the dark man hadn't even realized he was there, tending the candles that he had been given with the least amount of grace Bear had ever seen from the man. Several times he had been forced to pull Time's hand away from the flame as to not have a burn to add to the growing list of problems he was suffering. Bear had insisted on sticking around to keep an eye on the God but Robin assured him she would keep watch over him.... it still felt wrong to just leave him in that state, though. 

Once more, the guard was sitting on the ledge that overlooked the camp the height allowing him to see all the way down into the meadow and forest below. Too consumed by his own thoughts, he didn't notice that he had been approached until the sound of someone clearing their throat startled him.

"Ay', you aren't doin' anyone any good by just sulkin' around camp there, Bear, least of all Time." Vaitelin's voice was light, Bear frowned at the sandy-haired man. He didn't seem phased at all by what was happening.

"What do you want?"

"Well, with Time so out of sorts lately our borders have been neglected. I thought it would be a good idea to take up his patrols in the mean-time, hah. Time, get it?" it was a bad attempt at lightening the mood, Bear narrowed his eyes pointedly and Vaitelin rushed to continue. "I'm sure Time would appreciate it if we stayed on top of his tasks for him and since Hercules went with me yesterday, I thought I'd recruit you today." he had half-a-mind to tell him no on principle, his mood sour, but something about the look he was being given made him sigh and dip his head. 

"Fine, is it going to be just the two of us or is someone else coming?"

"Surie is too. Thought it'd be a good idea for her to get a better look at the outer border-lines... I don't think anyone ever bothered to show her." Surie. The tall, stoic, dark woman who was one of the three huntresses. Bear couldn't say she was his favorite person, she seemed to have a distaste for anyone referring to Time as a God, but he couldn't say he disliked her either. She was, generally, agreeable enough. 

"..Grand, well let's get going." Bear dropped down from the ledge, attitude still poor, and gave Vaitelin a sharp look when the other werewolf looked like he had something he wanted to say. The tan man decided against it, saying something about being right back, before leaving to grab the last member of their group. 

The three werewolves were walking in a stressed silence along the border, Bear in too bad of a mood to bother trying with jokes or small talk, Vaitelin no more eager to break the ice from fear of putting his whole foot in his mouth, and Surie... who was just being Surie as far as Bear could tell. Here they were, patrolling the border like Time usually would, and he was the only one of the three of them who was even concerned with the young God's failing health. Thinking on it, it felt rather insulting that they had presumed to do what Time did, he should have insisted on taking Hercules instead. 

"...How are you holding up?" the quiet, rough, voice of Surie caused the dark werewolf to glare side-ways at the other, she didn't spare him a glance, however, and continued to stare ahead. A large, irked, part of him wanted to be snarky and ask her who she was talking to but considering that she had closed ranks with him it was obvious.

"Why the f*ck do you care? Time's not a God to you so what does it matter." he responded, tone bitter and biting. Green-eyes turned to give him a vague questioning look... or he thought it was questioning. Her face was about as expressive as her tone was loud... which is to say it wasn't. 
"He is still a person who gave me shelter and is hurting." she responded, blankly, neutral. "And you are still a person who is part of my community and is hurting." Bear snorted at her in irritation, rolling his eyes and glaring into the woods to avoid looking at the dark-haired huntress anymore. Her stoic nature was really grating on him right now. Surie didn't seem bothered by his silence, but she didn't attempt to continue the conversation either. The group was mute once more and Bear was more than content to leave it that way, arms crossed over his chest, he was tired to listening to people talk for today. 

"Excuse me, but who in the world are you?" Vaitelin's voice, Bear groaned as he stepped forward to stand at the tan werewolf's side. A being of some-kind that was radiating enough power to make him swallow nervously. Vaitelin gave him a strange glance, seeming to have noticed his nerves, but he remained steadfast as he looked down at the stocky indivual. 

"Take me to the young God." they had responded, voice causing even more red flags. When they spoke it was like a chorus, and the smoothness that rang across their voice like a bell reminded him of the new quality that Time's voice had taken when Hercules had made an offering. A powerful creature, he couldn't help but bristle when their endless blue eyes glanced over him with disinterest.

"And, excuse my language but, why in the Star's own name would we do that?" Vaitelin responded shortly, squaring his shoulders and putting his hands on his hips, his new stance was one that was attempting to assert dominance. Vaitelin didn't know what they were looking at, honestly, neither did Bear but he knew they were capable of being dangerous. Bear, hesitantly, placed a hand on the other wolf's shoulder while keeping his eyes on the new being, unable to look away like a deer when they saw the notched arrow in a quiver glint. Understandably, the being didn't feel intimidated by the hunter's display, looking at them like an elder would a rowdy child. The tension in the air was rising, Surie now stepping up with teeth bared to possibly protect their new home. Bear was about to speak a warning when the severely exhausted Robin shoved herself between their group and the unknown figure... maybe Time was right to have told her not to gather the herbs herself if the shape she was in now was any indicator. 

"Stop!" she wheezed, arms out to better defend the being, though her chest was heaving so much that Bear couldn't help but think that she was a hare's length from just passing out on the grass. 

"Time has requested.... requested that they be taken to him... immediately." she added, the tension in the air remained like an ember threatening to start a wildfire, before Vaitelin huffed and straightened back up glancing at Surie and himself before looking at Robin with guarded eyes. No one moved for a long moment, Bear still feeling like a target for the predator that had glanced his way, the spell only being broken when Surie shifted and turned to start walking away out of the corner of his eye. Now, suddenly having the courage to move, Bear approached Robin who was red-faced and unsteady. Cautiously, he placed a one hand on her back and the other on her side to help steady her... and also to be able to stop her from falling to the ground if she did manage to go unconscious. Robin seemed grateful, though she said nothing and just focused on catching her breath. The sound of shifting fabric caused him to lift his head, the powerful being had approached them and was eyeing Robin with an intelligent eye. Bear's heart felt like it stopped with the shock of them being so close. 

"You did well, little one-" that would be hilarious coming from anyone else, considering that they were actually shorter than Robin was. "-This one will guide you and assist your return when you are ready." seems the powerful being was offering him up as Robin's temporary personal caretaker. "I will make haste for the temple with the other two and see to Lord Time, have no fears. He is no longer in danger." ah, but he much rather take a slow stroll with Robin than have to feel like those eyes were shaving the skin off his neck the entire way back to camp. Robin looked like she wanted to protest, glancing at Bear, but he shook his head.

"I don't mind walking with you, Robin, you should really catch your breath before we try to walk all the way back up to the camp." the reminder of how long of a walk it actually was was all she needed, and she nodded in agreement. The dangerous being eyed him for a second, seeming to examine him, before they turned and began to walk towards the camp at a brisk speed. Bear didn't realize how much he had been holding his breath until the being was already half-way across the meadow. 

"..it wasn't just me, right? That one is terrifying?" he quirked a small smile at Robin, an attempt at a joke on his tone but the words were honest. 

"They are... definitely powerful."

"And... what are they exactly? Do you know?" 

"The healer to the gods, I think, that is who Time has been summoning."

"For five days?" Bear asked incredulously, Robin nodded shortly in response. She didn't seem to have any more idea what was going to happen now than he did. 

"Let me know when you are ready to start on the way back, we can take however long as you need." 

"Thank you, Bear. I really appreciate it." 

Day 201

POV change; Time

The Healer proved to be just as helpful as he had been led to believe as a child... also just as powerful and all-consuming. When they had stepped into the temple the fog in his brain had lifted just enough to make him feel like a rat staring into the eyes of a lion. But, as dangerous as they were obviously capable of being he also, instinctively, seemed to relax around them. That, in itself, is a little unsettling to think further on but the effect had allowed the Healer to examine him without tensing or jerking away so it had easily made the process faster, and less stressful, than it would have been otherwise. Strange medicine concocted and treatment done, he could already start to think a bit better and breath deeper, he had asked the Healer if they would stay. The Healer had blinked at him, endless blue eyes staring through him, before shaking their head. 

"I will not linger here." they had said in the voice of many. "But, if you have need of me you will find me in the forest bellow." that had been more than he could have possibly expected from such a strong being and he felt like that was a win even as he watched the mystic take their leave. Now it was several days later and he felt better than ever, whatever had been ailing him was gone and it was time to return to his patrols. 

It was a warm day, the beginnings of what would be Fall on the air, and it felt rather nice to be walking the border again. The trees providing a slanting shade and the meadows rolling like grassy waves under the cooling breeze that was coming down from their mountain home. Really, a perfect day to be out and about. Too perfect, actually, and his patrol was almost already at an end but he didn't feel like returning home just yet. Something strong in his heart wanted to trek through the woods and find a river to cool down further in. Running a hand through his hair, Time glanced up at the mountain's peek before turning away from it and beginning to, casually, stroll through the trees. On his last trip through here, he had been in a hurry to make it to the mountains and he didn't recall coming across any rivers but such a, lush, greenland had to have a deep source of water somewhere. He could very well tap into the energy in the trees to find where they pulled their life from but... he just didn't feel like it. A little mystery rarely hurt anyone and it was unlikely anyone would notice if he was gone for a little longer than usual. 

Deeper into the ancient forest he continued to walk, beams of patchy sunlight filtering through the trees and creating warm patches of yellow on the otherwise purple-shaded woods. It was immensely calming here, more so than usual, mayhaps something to do with the promise the Healer had made before they left. Was this their domain now? Filled with their aura and power? Time decided against thinking further on it and just allowed himself to enjoy the peace. It wouldn't last forever.

"Stop daydreaming so much, Drifter! You wont catch a fish by staring longingly at it." oh, a voice. The words would, generally, make one think of a light scolding but the voice was warm, familiar, friendly to this 'Drifter' they were talking to. Time crouched slightly, silently stalking towards where the voice had came from. Ahead of him was a wide, river that was fairly calm and lazy, the forest looked to have parted to give the water room to breath because there was yards of grassy space on both sides of it. Next to the river were two men, one who looked to be early 20's and the other.... looked to be a later teenager. The older one had skin that was a medium warm tan in color with slightly sun-bleached brown hair, his eyes a striking orange that was only possible in werewolves. The younger one was a few shades darker in skin tone than the first, his hair a mottled mess of pale brown and early-greying that matched his distant-looking eyes. Whoever these two were, they were obviously close from the glowing look that the first was using. 

"I'm not daydreaming! I'm, uh... analyzing the fish." the young one responded, obviously pulling that excuse out of thin air. 

"Oh, right, of course you were. Well, oh great fish researcher, how healthy are thy fish in this water garden?" Time couldn't help but smile at the interaction he was watching, these two felt like they were family and, honestly, they did share a few features. Maybe... cousins? 
"Well, Sir Tero, I can safely say that there are, in fact, fish in this river. Several fish, possibly, who could, theoretically, swim." ah, so the older one was called Tero. Tero and Drifter. 

"Alright, alright, kid. It's all fun and games until we goof away all our daylight and go without tonight." This Tero responded, though his tone wasn't very commanding or forceful about it. 

"I could help you with that." Time called, startling both of the men as he came out of hiding to lean against one of the trees. There was still several yards between them and he was using non-threatening body langue, trying not to start a fight. Drifter, the young one, had almost slipped he had turned on his heel so fast but the older werewolf grabbed his upper-arm with enough force to both keep him on his feet and, probably, leave a bruise. 

"Who're you?" Tero asked, voice protective and cautious. 

"I'm Time, the God around these parts." he responded, voice confident. Tero's eyes filled with distrust and disbelief, Drifter just looked confused.

"I thought the Gods abandoned us eons ago to live among themselves?"

"That's true, yes, the people of this place haven't known a God's favor in generations... not until me that is." the teen took a long moment of staring at him before he seemed to accept what Time was saying. A little gullible, he had no way of knowing if he was a God or not, but atleast in this case he wasn't led to believe wrong. 

"What do you want with the likes of us, then?" Tero was all business, obviously not trusting him. Understandable, smart even.

"Nothing for the moment, seems you two are having trouble with food though?" there was a long silence, hesitation and risk vs reward being weighed in the young man's eyes. 

"I.... yes. We are."

"We have been all year." Drifter added at the end of his friend's admission, now that he mentioned it Tero was looking a little on the skinny side for someone with his build. Looks like he had been skipping more meals than Drifter had.

"Like I said, I can help you with that. My pack is good enough at hunting that we have food to spare." Tero's eyes lit up briefly at the term 'pack', confusion, confliction, disbelief, it was a very specific term afterall. The young adult glanced at Drifter, biting his lip before slowly nodding.

"I... don't think we really have a choice. If you are willing to help us we would gladly appreciate it." Time smiled at the man, before standing up straight and stretching.

"You always have a choice, I'm not going to force you to do anything. That's not my style. We could stay here for a few hours, you can keep trying to find some fish if you want, or we can see if my hunters have returned with anything yet. Up to you." 

"You said pack-" Drifter was speaking now, asking the question Tero wouldn't. "- does that mean they're werewolves?"

"Like yourself?" a guess, Tero was obviously one due to his eye color but Drifter's eyes were a warm medium grey that wouldn't glow even if he was one. Looks like he wasn't wrong, though, as the youth nodded in affirmation. "Yes, they are werewolves."

Tero stepped out of the river now, eyes intense. "Just werewolves? All of them?"

"With the exclusion of myself and my old demi-goddess friend, Astaira, yes. Something about my patron animal, maybe." most uncultured people might think that the wolf was the patron of the moon Goddess, but that wasn't the case. She had cursed the werewolves, the spell came from her, and just as the first had loved her so too did all who followed but she didn't return the affection. Time had the patron of the Wolf, Space had the patron of the Leopard, sometimes things didn't have to make sense... at least not to him. It simply was the way things were. 

"You're.... the Time god?"

"I am named Time, am I not?" he quipped back with a raised eyebrow that caused a small, hesitant smile from Tero.

"Can we meet this pack then?" Time nodded, tilting his head towards the way he had came from, patiently waiting for the teen to clamber out of the river after his friend.  Glancing between the two, to check to make sure they would follow, Time quietly began to lead the two through the forest once more and into the meadows.

"Where are we going, exactly, God Time?" Drifter asked, voice tinged in awe and questions. 

"Up the mountain. We have a camp up there." the youth looked up at the looming figure, making a face.

"You walk up and down that everyday?"

"Yes, I do."

"Your hunters walk up and down that everyday?"

"Several times a day, infact." Drifter looked at him for a moment before staring intensely at the mountain and turning to him again with a confused look.

"Why?"

"Because that is where I am meant to be. It is not as bad as you think and the path is not as difficult after you know the way." Drifter sighed exaggeratedly, fanning himself theatrically with a hand as he mocked being about to faint. Tero rolled his eyes at the display, but he couldn't hide the fond smile on his face.

"If you pass out I won't carry you. We'll just leave you here for the coyotes." 

"Maybe the coyotes will take mercy on me, then, if you will not. How cruel you must be, dear sir, to not come to the aid of a poor boy in danger. The shame!" Time snorted, he could already tell he was going to like these two. 

Now that Drifter had broken the silence, the banter between the two flowed fairly freely once more as they joked back and forth. It made the trip back up the mountain feel lively and Time was glad that he had stumbled across them in the forest even if they didn't decide to stay. 

"Time, you are aware that you are being followed by two chatty boys yes?" Astaira seemed in a good mood today, the hunt must have went well. Time rolled his eyes as the several-toned demi-goddess as she moved to walk slightly ahead of him, walking backwards. She did know the paths like the back of her hand but the move was still a cocky one on such a cracked, craggy, path. 

"Are you sure about that, Astaira? I believe you may be experiencing hallucinations. Shall I call the Healer back for you?" Astaira almost tripped at the suggestion, stumbling over herself but the grace of being the daughter of the goddess of Beauty kept her from the embarrassment of falling on her face. 

"Stars, no. I don't care what is wrong with me I rather be made into a soup than have that creepy thing staring a hole through me and giving me mystery medicine. I'll pass, thanks." Time hadn't noticed Drifter sidling up next to him, eyes big as he looked at Astaira. 

"Wow, you're really pretty." he seemed to have just blurted that out but he didn't have the foresight to look embarrassed about it, Astaria didn't seem bothered though and just laughed warmly.

"Thank you, it has been so long since I got a compliment, seems everyone around here went blind." she sniffed, teasingly. "They just don't appreciate me anymore." 

"Oh, Astaria, I never appreciated you." the demi-goddess looked delighted by his response, a hand going over her heart as the widest grin he had seen in some time broke across her face. 

"I can't believe I went through all the trouble of getting here, your oldest and dearest and most loyal friend, and this is how you treat me! See, absolutely no appreciation!" 

"You must be the demi-god Time mentioned, right?" Drifter really did look smitten, though Time couldn't help but feel it was more with the idea of the demi-god instead of with Astaira herself. 

"Time mentioned me? Well, what can I say I am pretty great. Yes, that would be me, little one! The great Astaira, feel free to bask in my heavenly glow." Time could hardly keep himself from snorting at her. 

"I'm Drifter, what are you doing all the way out here?" his voice was airy, dreamy. 

"Helping out a friend, of course! I am, indeed, very noble, kind, and generous, after all."

"Running from your responsibilities more like, gotten any letters from your betrothed lately?" Astaira's eyes widened as her face went a few shades redder with embarrassment. 

"I... am a noble lady and it would be very impolite to discuss the details with other men." she evaded, clearing her throat. "Oh look, we're almost at camp!" she was right, of course, but it was still amusing to watch the shift of topic. The camp was still cool, thanks to the thick leaves of the ancient trees creating a leaf roof, and the fire was going. Surie and Felis were talking, well, more like Felis was animatedly talking to Surie who would give short response from time to time, and Relis was sitting near the fire with Robin preparing a fair-sized mountain ram. 

"I see the hunt went well." Time commented, which Astaira nodded in agreement with.

"Was there any doubt? You have me and I'm simply amazing." Felis glanced over at this.

"Want to tell them how you almost lost that ram and by tripping over thin air, Astaira? Or maybe how it was Surie's quick thinking that got us the catch?" Astaira ignored her friend's comment, continuing to look smug even if her face did redden a smidge more. 

Relis glanced up now, Time felt like ants were crawling over his skin at the analytical look he was being given, before Relis decided he was fine and returned to his task. Robin seemed more interested in actually introducing herself to the two people Time had in tow, attempting to get up with a fair amount of difficulty. The god quickly moved to help the red-head to her feet, something she was always grateful for, and she quickly padded over to the two new-comers.

"My, you two are a lot younger than the people who normally end up out here." she commented, not unkindly, but Time couldn't help but think that she was actually fairly close to both of them as far as age went. 

"You are around our age, aren't you?" Tero responded, raising an eyebrow, which Robin nodded to. 

"Yeah, I am, but most everyone else is older. I'm Robin, by the way, it is really nice to meet both of you!"

"I am Tero, this is my brother Drifter." ah, they were in fact related, but he had been wrong about the way. Half-brothers perhaps? Or one of them just really took after mom. 

"Nice to meet you! It is so cool that you guys have just.. a group of werewolves away from society all the way up here." Drifter's grey eyes were bright with enthusiasm. 

"I agree, I really never thought that I would meet many more of our kind much less end up living with any." 

"You could become part of this group of werewolves, ya'know." Felis, strange that she spoke before anyone else got to. Also, she was smarter than he had given her credit for considering he had never brought strangers up here without them agreeing to join first. Drifter's eyes widened at the woman, looking at Time as if asking confirmation before turning to look at Tero. The young adult looked conflicted, glancing around the clearing at the gathered group before looking at Time with uncertain eyes. 

"We aren't going to force you to stay if you find you don't fit here, but the offer is genuine. No more worrying about food, or safety, and plenty of room."  Time made the offer more official, watching as Tero returned his gaze to Drifter before nodding.

"That's an offer we couldn't well refuse." Robin beamed at his words, not seeming to notice the fragility of the smile Tero was wearing, and hugged the nearest brother... in this case Drifter who looked surprised by the action but not displeased with it. 

"You guys are gonna love it here! Wait until you meet everyone else!" 

"Everyone else?" Tero asked, glancing around the camp once more.

"Yup, there are more of us! I'm sure you'll like them, they're all great!"

"Except Viaite, he's an idiot." Astaira piped in, causing the blue-eyed werewolf to roll her eyes. 

"I'm, uh, sure we will." 

Day 237

It had been about a month since Tero and Drifter had joined the pack and the two had settled in nicely. At first, Drifter had been used for tanning leather along with Robin as Tero didn't like the idea of him getting hurt during a hunt but as Tero continued to have difficulty working well in the high-speed, high-stress, team environment of the hunting party Vaitelin began to convince him that Drifter would be a really good hunter if trained. Tero was, understandably, hesitant, at first but when Drifter ran up to him, beeming, that he had caught a rabbit with Hercules Tero couldn't warrant continuing to refuse Vaitelin's offer to train the youth. At first Drifter had trouble keeping up with the three, coming back to camp soaked in sweat and dusty, but after some time and tough love he began to shine as a chaser despite his inexperience. 

"You have become quite the hunter, I hear." Time's voice was warm as he spoke to the young werewolf, who smiled broadly at his words. 

"Hercules and Vaitelin said that I'm a quick learner, they're going to teach me how to bait a target tomorrow!" 

"Careful, I don't think your brother would love the idea of you trying to trick a ram." Drifter glanced across the camp at where Tero was sitting with Robin and Relis, Tero quietly speaking with the blue-eyed wolf and seeming to not being paying them any mind. 

"Then it's a good thing you aren't going to tell him, right?" the dark-tan boy said with a mischievous look that had Time smiling.

"Perish the thought, I trust your team to keep you safe. Tero will learn to trust them too, given more time." Drifter nodded, gaze going a little blank for a moment as he slowly glanced back over his shoulder at his brother before returning his gaze to Time. He couldn't figure out what the youth was thinking, he was obviously considering something before looking up at the dark man and giving him an almost challenging look.

"Do you want to go on a hunt with me?" 

"What are you planning now, Drifter?" he responded to the proposition, not unkindly, as the youth's smile widened. 

"I was just thinking, ya'know, I've never seen you go on a hunt with us or the huntress and neither did Tero. Why would a God be afraid of a little game?" 

"Oh, what are you implying?"

"I mean, you are a God, right? What do you have to lose from humoring me?" Drifter didn't need that lesson tomorrow, he was already baiting him just fine. 

"Very well, Drifter, do share what the plan is though." 

"Nuh-uh, you'll have to guess it if you want in. Follow me." the grey-eyed werewolf quickly started walking but rather than descend the slopes he went in the opposite direction.... Time didn't think he had personally ever explored what lied that way, when he had found the mountain he decided he didn't need anything else so he hadn't bothered. 

The rocky path slowly gave way to a thick, vine-filled, rainy jungle that was dark and smelled of danger. This was different than the one on the other side of the mountain, that one was ancient and soft, warm, calm, peaceful, this one was young and sharp with claws hiding in shadow. 

"You know, Drifter, I don't know this area." he cautioned.

"You're a God, what is there to worry about?" the youth responded in a carefree tone.

"God I may be but that doesn't prevent me from getting hurt, nor does it prevent you from getting injured." 

"Don't worry, I know this place. Me and Tero actually came from around here so I know these lands better than yours." huh, that would explain why they had trouble in the forest. This was a jungle, the more aggressive hunting style would probably not lend well to the patient one that the forest would require but it did work well with the hunting party he was in. 

"Did it always feel like this?" this dangerous, like the tall, thin, leaning trees themselves had teeth. 

"Like what?"

"Dangerous."

"..no, something changed about a year ago that's why we moved."

"Then why are we coming here?"

Drifter opened his mouth to respond, before closing it and seeming to think on the question. 

"I don't know, I... just felt like we should?" he understood that, the pull that drove one to go somewhere at a specific time. That same thing had led him to Tero and Drifter but where was it leading them now? And did it mean harm?

"Do you know where we're heading, atleast?" he pressed, skin prickling, he felt like he was standing infront of a massive entity just begging it to eat him. Like he had, somehow, offended something by having the gall to step foot here... in its territory. The thought came to Time unprovoked and his hair stood on end as his whole body tensed.

"This is not a good idea, Drifter, I think we should leave before we find something we shouldn't." the youth hesitated, waffling between the drive to find whatever it was that was drawing him in and the obvious danger of the situation.

"Yeah... yeah, I have no idea what I was thinking. We should go." he agreed, finally, nodding slowly but he seemed drained. Turning back on their path they began to retrace their steps towards the mountains, but Drifter kept stopping, dragging his feet, its like whatever was pulling him was sinking in its heels and trying to keep him here. Dangerous. 

No, not just dangerous. Danger. Actively. He could feel it in his heart, in his lungs, in the air as it lightly bit into his skin like so many needles. Instincts lit up. A predator approached. Likely, whatever had been calling to Drifter... now soundly pissed that its toy had started to retreat. Tears started to well in Time's eyes but not from fear or stress, but merely the sheer amount of will it took the push the thing back out of his headspace. Whatever the hell it was, it had a strong ability to manipulate thoughts that even he was having trouble overcoming. The fact that Drifter was able to even lift his feet and move away from the creature when it was so obviously dragging on him would be impressive if not for the threat of the situation.

"I'm sorry, Drifter, this is too dangerous we need to move faster." his voice stressed by tension.

"I'm... I swear I'm not being this slow... this slow on purpose I have no... no idea what's wrong with me... I can't go... any faster."

"That's okay, I'll handle it." Drifter didn't even protest when Time moved forward and picked him up like a child. The exhaustion of fighting off the mental assault from that.... monster was doing a number on the youth who just sagged against his back. Being a God had many perks, the vastly superior baseline for strength was one so Drifter wasn't too much of a burden even if he was almost a fully-grown adult. Time glanced around, feeling his skin crawl like so many eyes were on him, before breaking into a sprint back towards home. A burst of rage followed this, the anger bursting into his mind with enough force that it could have peeled the bark from a tree. It wasn't very dignified, or regal, to run from a fight as a God but he wasn't going to risk Difter getting hurt just to satisfy his own pride. Back onto the path, craggy and broken, but he still felt like the creature was too close for comfort. Like it was hunting him down. Was it safe to return to camp, would it follow him? Questions, so many doubts, but as the tree line gave way and the mountain's solid figure was all that was above he let out a sigh of relief. 

"We... we were in trouble weren't we?" Drifter's voice was quiet, lazy.

"Yes... never go back there, no matter how strong the pull. I don't know what that... thing was but it is full of malice." he had dropped out of the run, now just at a brisk trot as he glanced back over his shoulder to check if they were being followed. His heart jumped into his mouth as he saw a pair of eyes watching them from the tree-line. It was far away now, but how long had it been standing there after they broke from the trees? How close of a call had that been? 

"Why did it want me?"

"I... don't know, but it will be looking for you now. Never go back there." Drifter sighed, leaning his face into Time's shoulder. 

"What are we going to tell my brother?" Tero would be alarmed the second he saw Time carrying Drifter, even more so when he saw just how empty the youth was at the moment. He might get up and leave on principle... or to put more distance between themselves and that thing. He wouldn't blame Tero for desiring to do so. 

"He should know the truth, as should the others. They deserve to know the danger."

"... I don't want to leave the pack." 

"I will do my best to convince him that you are safer with us... but he should still know." he wasn't looking forward to telling everyone what they had just seen.

"What happened?" Tero was up the second Time stepped into view, crossing the camp in a blink as a confused, upset, expression clouded his face. 

"We ran into some trouble in the rain forest below." the lack of detail obviously frustrated the werewolf who frowned deeply at him. "I'll explain, Drifter need to rest though."

"Is he hurt?" Tero's gestures clearing communicated what he wanted, and Time quietly obliged, shifting and carefully handing the youth over to his brother. The fact that Drifter was almost an adult was more obvious for Tero than Time, who didn't have the godly-strength he did to make carrying him easier but sheer protective spirit and stubbornness were enough to allow him this.

"I'm... okay. Nothing touched me..." it was impressive that he was even still awake after all the drain he had went through. 

"I don't understand, what happened?" Tero repeated, the underlying fear causing his voice to almost crack. 

"I'll explain, I promise." Time tilted his head towards the wooden-constructed house that the two had been living in with Hercules. Tero glanced around, obviously on edge, before carefully leaving to allow Drifter to rest. The pure anxiety that was coming off of Tero, unhidden and raw, was enough to make Time shift uncomfortably. 

"Is he going to be okay?" Robin, he hadn't even noticed when she had arrived on the scene... most likely cause it had probably taken her quite a bit of time to get up on her own. 

"Yes, he should be okay in a few days given that he is allowed to sleep properly. He was drained something awful in there." Time let out a long breath, he could still feel the way the thing had broken into his mind and shifted his feelings around, he could still feel its eyes on his back as he retreated like a cowardly mouse into its hole... had it followed them up the mountain? Did he lead it back home? The thought, along with the overwhelming pool of emotion cascading off of Tero, left Time feeling anxious and uncertain. He hadn't even noticed he was picking at his hands until Robin pulled one of his hands away and held it in both of hers. He glanced, briefly, over at the red-head who was giving him the warmest, most certain, look he had seen in some time.

"What is it?"his voice, he hadn't been intending on saying anything.

"You'll figure something out, Time, I believe in that. I believe in you." he could help but smile at her, she was easily still his favorite follower. 

"Come, Robin, there is nothing that can't be discussed around the fire and you should not be standing if it can be helped." she snorted at his words, rolling her eyes, maybe he was being overly protective of her right now but he didn't think anyone could blame him for it. Atleast she didn't protest when he led her back across the camp square and assisted her in sitting down on to one of the stripped logs. 

"Tell me what happened." Tero, he was angry, confused, and afraid for his brother. Time removed his hand from Robin's, straightening up, before turning to properly address the orange-eyed werewolf. His face was creased with worrylines that aged him years. 

"Drifter asked me to go on a hunt with him, which I agreed to. He led us to the rainforest in the valley below and when I questioned his motivation for the choice he couldn't come up with an answer-"

"Please, get to the point." so stressed his voice threatened to crack. Time blinked at the werewolf, before nodding his head.

"Very well, the point is that there is a malicious creature that has taken residence in that Jungle and it was manipulating Drifter into coming to it. Hence, going to the Rain forest without reason. When I talked Drifter into leaving before we reached said intended destination the creature mentally assaulted him and sapped away his energy so he couldn't leave. It chased us to the jungle's edge." his voice was matter-of-fact, but the memory of the thing's eyes still made his heart feel like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand. Tero paled, fear and confusion, disbelief, on his face as he tried to come to terms with what was said, he remained silent. 

"What did it want with Drifter?" Robin's voice, Time took a step to the side and shifted to look at her. She looked more curious than all that concerned. 

"I don't know, honestly, I'm not even sure what that thing is.... whatever it happens to be it is ungodly and dangerous but I don't know anything about it outside of that." as easily as the words came out of his mouth they were surprisingly hard to say. He hated admitting that he didn't know what hunted in those trees, and that he had ran from it instead of facing it. A strange presence filled the air... like when the thing had sunken its teeth into his mind and toyed with his emotions.

"How could you just run away from it, I thought you were supposed to be a God?" Tero, unknowingly being provoked into anger. "You were supposed to protect us, protect him, how could you just let something so evil continue to live so close to us?!" his voice was rising, as was his rage and distress. Time, protectively, stepped forward to stand between the medium-toned werewolf and Robin. 

"I ran because I didn't want to risk it hurting Drifter. I may be a God but he is a child." he responded, evenly. 

"He's here but so are you, sitting idle while it sits in wait." was the thing trying to provoke him into facing it? "If you will not put an end to it, if you won't defend us... defend my brother, then I will do it myself." Tero's voice had turned into an uncharacteristic snarl, disgusted fire in his glowing eyes. 

"Some hero, some protector, some God. " Tero moved to turn around and stalk off, but Time's attention was split as Robin managed to get to her feet surprisingly well for someone in her condition.

"How dare you say such things about the man that offered your starving hide a place to live?" she defended, Tero turned back around with a growl and Time put out an arm like a shield in front of his blue-eyed follower. 

"Of course you would come to his aid, you are nothing but his sick little pet, his plaything. His favorite bitch." bitch being used more literally here than one would expect but the words were said with biting harshness. Time didn't take the bait, as much as he would like to, merely pushing Robin to stand directly behind him and daring Tero to try something with a challenging look. Still, obviously, frustrated and enraged, the young adult turned on his heel and stalked out of the camp towards the thing's territory... completely unaware that he was falling into a trap just as he and Drifter had. 

"Are you okay, Robin?" he glanced at her briefly, she seemed no worse for wear but was obviously frustrated with the conversation. 

"How dare he, after all we've done for him-" Time cut her off with a meaningful look, little cupping her face in his hands and giving her a chaste kiss on the forehead.

"Do not think too ill of him, he's being toyed with and he doesn't know it." damage control for Tero's outburst, Robin looked confused for a moment as he stepped back but the pieces fell together in her eyes beautifully. 

"You mean... that thing in the jungle was influencing him?" her voice was quieter now, it seemed the gravity of the situation was starting to set in for her.

"Yes, I need to go after him or it will.. I don't know what it will do to him but it would not be good." he paused, examining Robin for a long moment. "I hate to request this of you in your condition, but could you try to summon the healer for me?" more confusion at this.

"Why do you need them?"

"Drifter and Tero will both need to be seen to and I... I need to see about removing the threat." understanding filled her eyes, but she seemed upset.

"Must you?" she asked but she already knew the answer.

"Yes, I must. It will not be safe here in the mountains with it lying in wait at our feet."

"We... we could move somewhere else? Somewhere safer."

"No, this is my place, where I am meant to be. I will not let what lurks in the dark chase me from my home." Time's voice was firm, and the finality of it made Robin's face crumble. 

"I will be okay, Robin... I must leave now or something awful will befall Tero." she nodded, numbly, Time felt guilty as he pulled further away from her and turned to follow the irate werewolf.

"Be careful." she called out to him, it was time to chase after Tero before he stepped into the lion's den. Hopefully he would not be needing the healer today. 

All of his instincts screamed at how bad of an idea it was to chase Tero right into the mouth of a monster but he couldn't, rightly, let the man be manipulated into getting himself killed. The winding path down to the jungle-tops was long and sharp, he was hoping Tero would run out of stamina and he would be able to catch up like that but the creature might have been doing something to spur him into a continuous state. Further down, was he already too late? There, the exact place he had seen the creature's eyes watching from before... Tero was standing at the entrance to the rainforest in a trance. He didn't have much time to drag the werewolf out of the situation.

"Tero!" he yelled, the orange-eyed man jumped in surprise, the spell he was under broken as he shifted to look at Time, now. 

"What are you doing here?" the look of confusion, of being lost, shifted into one of aggravation. 

"Helping you, can't you tell when you are being manipulated?" he dropped out of the run, but continued to close distance with the werewolf until he started to bristle defensively. 

"Of course I can, you've been playing the whole group all along." Time frowned, taking a small step forward which led to Tero stepping back. 

"I told you what happened to Drifter, that he was mentally assaulted. That he had been drawn down here by that thing. I told you it could manipulate you, manipulate your feelings. I know that you are angry that Drifter was in danger, that he is still in danger, but walking into a trap helps no one." he tried to reason with him, but the creature fastened its claws further into Tero's mind. 

"Is it a trap, or are you just afraid to admit that I can do what you can't? That you aren't really a God." he had seen the doubts in the medium-toned man since he had told him and it seemed that the thing was leaning in to these doubts. 

"I m not going to waste my time convincing you that I bleed gold, Tero, the only thing that matters right now is getting away from the tree line." he could feel the thing lying in wait. Why had it not already grabbed the orange-eyed man by the throat?

"Why would I ever do what you suggest? You couldn't even defend Drifter!"

"No? He got out of this jungle without a hand besides mine ever being laid on him. How could I have, possibly, done more? I am the God of Time not the God of Prophecy, or Foresight, or protection.I did what I could with the power at my disposal." Tero wasn't convinced, he wouldn't be. Looks like his mental walls were not as strong as his younger brother's were. 

"If that is what you are, that is all you can do, what right do you have to call yourself a God?" he continued to challenge, eyes sharp, but now he was walking towards Time with shoulders squared. Was he going to attack him? That wouldn't turn out well but at least he was further from the tree line. Time stepped back, shifting posture, but also to draw Tero just the tiniest bit further from the trees. 

"I am the first, the only, of my kind that has seen the worth in giving mortals another chance in literal eons. Is that not reason enough to respect me?" he responded evenly, staring down the other. The fire in Tero seemed to be put out, he seemed to be tired now. 

"Is it respect or is it reverence?" 

"I never asked you to believe that I was a God, I told you what I am but you don't need to take me at my word. I don't need your belief, just like I don't need Surie's, but I expect you to respect me." Tero blinked slowly at his words, glancing back down the hill to the tree-line below.

"And what about that thing? If it really was manipulating me from such a long distance than its more dangerous than I think you let on." some doubt was starting to crack through, the thing's hold being removed... but by what force? Time didn't believe it was by Tero's own force of mind that he was being released from the mental puppeteering. 

"I apologize if you feel I misled you, that was not my intention, but you don't have to worry about it anymore."

"How can't I? It attacked my brother... you say it attacked me. How could I stop worrying about this when it is so close?"

those eyes in the trees were watching them again, blue in color but a sickly shade that made his skin crawl. Would it dare leave the shadows and cover of the trees with them being so close. He tried not to show to Tero how choked he was feeling.

"You need to go back to camp, the Healer will look over you and Drifter there. I will handle the threat." he said it with enough fake confidence that he felt like a fraud, but as Tero gave him a long look he knew that it had worked well. The werewolf blinked, looking at the ground, before nodding shortly.

"Yes, of course."  the orange-eyed werewolf left, unaware of the eyes staring into his back. 

"I ask that you reconsider your decision to destroy it." the voice, or... voices. made it obvious who it was speaking behind him. The Healer. Teleportation, perhaps? Shifting? 

"Why should I let it stay? It is a danger to my whole pack." he responded, a small bit of disbelief on his tone at the request. 

"As it is now, yes, but the creature is merely a child. It deserves mercy even if it is dangerous, Time God." he felt like he had been struck, though the Healer had made no move towards him. Was the air thinner all of a sudden? 

"It's a what? How can something so malicious be a child, don't speak in riddles." as frustrated as he wanted to be all he could muster against the calming, soothing, aura leaking off the more powerful being was confusion. 

"I am speaking only the truth, no puzzles, that creature is a youth corrupted. They did not have the privilege you had to grow up safe among the Gods and evil has seeped into its soul." 

"So.. I should, what? Just let it be and hurt my people?" he turned his eyes away from the blue ones to look at the Healer now, eyebrows knitting together.

"No, I am asking you to help it." 

"Help it how?" was it even possible to be more incredulous?

"Go into those trees, allow it to lure you to its den, and don't fight back when it attacks you." apparently it was possible because it just happened.

"Excuse me? You want me to just lay down and let it kill me?"

"If you were human, or werewolf, mortal it would kill you. This will hurt, but you are not mortal you are a God and it will not kill you as it would them. Make this sacrifice, allow the pain, and you will purify the child of the evil clinging to it." The Healer was giving him an expectant look, but Time didn't like the idea of trusting himself to something that had intended to kill two of his pack.

"And if what you say is true-" "It is." "-What happens after it's purified?" 

"I would hope you would show mercy on it and allow it a home." the Healer was asking a lot, too much, he stared at the being with uncertainty.

"I know what I ask sounds like much, for it is, do this for me and I will do you a favor in return."

"A favor?" 

"Yes, the hands of fate are closing on one you hold dear, when they come to claim her I will hold her here in return for you saving this pup from itself." the words sounded like nonsense until the pieces fell together.

"Robin? What's wrong with Robin?" his voice had went up in octave a pitch or two, why would the fates want her she was still very young.

"An issue the pregnancy, something that will cause excessive bleeding, but this one can help her survive. This is my favor to you."

"You... you would have just let her die like that?" he could see the image in his mind's eye and it was making him feel sick.

"It is her destiny to die, it was not my place to intervene, but it was not your destiny to return here. Do me this favor and I will handle the fates." The Healer continued to look at him expectantly, endless blue eyes staring right through him. There were no options here, no more words to say, he just nodded numbly at the mystic. 

"Good, you will find the favor I ask is only difficult in the start. Give this time and you will resent me less for it." he wasn't so sure about that, but he said nothing as the Healer turned and took their leave. Now it was just him and the eyes in the forest. Stars help him, he didn't want to do this, but he had no choice anymore. Taking a deep breath and crossing his arms defensively, he carefully began to retrace his steps into the thick foliage of the rainforest. He could feel the eyes everywhere, in the shadows, on the trees, in the leaf litter, this was going to be an exhausting task.