He thought he could sense that sense of wonder coming from Devika. She didn’t seem completely frozen it fear- it seemed to be something else. But his mind was not able to process this completely in the moment. His own sense of fear was sharp, his own mind was telling him that they must leave or suffer great consequences.

The disgusting creature before them had a sense of mocking as it replied. Duskbreaker was trained on this. He knew he would encounter others that would not appreciate the stars and their messages, and who would even go actively against him. It will still unpleasant to see the beast laughing as Duskbreaker tried to stand tall, but still shaking as he stood tall waiting for Devika to run. Yet, he was compelled to speak.

“Blind are your eyes, beast. The stars watch even through the sun’s veil,” he managed to say through the creature’s laughter, his voice brave but wavering. Then the beast had reached out to snap at Devika, who finally moved and tugged at Duskbreaker’s tail. It was too late though. Duskbreaker was neck to neck with the creature, and the creature had tried to attack Devika. He felt he had to do the only thing he could in that moment- fight back. Maybe she could escape.

Duskbreaker’s large form, though it seemed small against the horror, jumped to the side to block it from getting to Devika. In his haste, the male falters. His paw slips, his jaws snapping towards the horror as he attempts to adjust back onto his feet. He did not want to fight. He did not want to harm, but he would do what he must to protect. The monster, however, was too formidable, and terror seeped into his very bones. Despite this, he was prepared to meet fang with fang.

”Take this one, not her. Let her light endure!” he begs, molten eyes never leaving the beast. To be star-cast to a new land only to die within a moon seemed a cruel fate. Yet, not all stories are predestined for the stars. Some, like his, simply fade into darkness.