She was pushing it, she knew. But they just needed to go a little further. And if Zora collapsed on the way, they'd drag her. They'd heft her onto their back and carry her for as far and as long as it took to get them back, to get them home, safe.

C'mon, they pleaded, a whine building at the back of their throat as she swayed. They wanted to rush to her, to help her, feel her lean against them as they made their way out together. They couldn't. She'd probably sink her teeth into their neck and squeeze, rip, rend, and tear and until they stopped breathing.

Again.

Despite the circumstances, Gladiator felt her tail stutter a slow back and forth. Seeing the pain and the hatred so clearly on Zora's face was agonizing, but a part of them, however small, couldn't help but think that the sight of Zora so determined to rip someone apart in her name was kinda,,,

NOPE bad train of thought, not what we're worried about right now, Jesus Christ.

They called for you, in the end. Another rumbling taunt, a flash of teeth. Blazing sunlight warmed her back and they were almost there. A shame you couldn't be there for them. An innocent tilt of the head. A wicked grin. Almost there.