Zanarah

Maelertech's blood still stained her coat, marring her left side with a dull, dark red. The stench invaded her nose, clinging to her nares as a reminder of just how south this day had fallen.

Some of the blood was washed away when she swam across the moat, but rouge still tinged her cheek where she'd nuzzled it against the wounded son of Tyrant and Velvet. After shaking some of the moisture from her fur, Zanarah roared loudly, calling for her leaders, and any other Haunters that were at the Temple.

Senka

Senka was sleeping when she heard the call. She was up in a flash and moving to Zanarah.What happened?She smelt the blood and her eyes narrowed. where is Mael?She said.

Tyrant heard the call as well and moved in their direction.

Tersek & Others

Sleeping at the doorway of the Temple, Tersek was quick to get up and shuffle to Zanarah's location. The recent fight had slowed him down more than usual, with a shoulder wound proving particularly difficult for the elderly wolfdog. But he responded nonetheless, head up and bi-colored eyes alert as he honed in on the blood that stained Zanarah's coat. Echoing Senka, his rough voice rumbled, "Are you injured, or is all of that his blood?"

Velvet and Blackmist were also near at hand, with both jogging towards the forum where Zanarah had stood and waited. The second Velvet scented her son's blood, her own blood ran cold and her heart quickened. Fierce eyes darted between Zana and their leaders, waiting to hear the news.

"He's at the Sora Asiatic right now, wounded but alive." Zanarah began, and got an immediate growl from Tersek.

"Why is he there and not at home?!" The grizzled canine turned a glare at Zanarah, even if his anger wasn't meant for her.

Velvet sighed, her voice tense, "He's been slipping out and visiting Nemu. I've noticed her scent on him several times." But, that only explained part of the story. "What of his wounds?"

Zanarah patiently waited for the others to quiet before she continued, "I wasn't there to witness it, but apparently Hades attacked him. And from what I understand, Oracle was there too, and left with Hades."

This was news to Velvet. She felt her tail lash behind her, and she looked briefly to Tyrant and then to her leaders. Her daughter had been distant in the past few weeks, but Velvet hadn't realized there was more going on in her troubled mind. "We need to talk to Layra and Tuini then, and figure out what happened. In the meantime, we should send Dally or Erathi out to see if she's actually with Hades and the Makucha."

This is where Blackmist spoke up, sorrow hinting in her vocals, "Erathi still hasn't returned." So many in their pack had simply vanished or died under mysterious causes. She feared Erathi, Moon Blink, and Shadowstep may be dead as well.

Senka

Senka paced. "Easy Terserk. If that is where he wants to be then atleast he is safe. Nemu will protect him." She said. "We will head to nemu to get more info, tyrant you and velvet will accompany me. Terserk I leave you to prepare for trouble while we are gone"

Tyrant froze at the news of oracle. He had given his daughter everything she ever wanted. Why would she be with them? He nodded.

Tersek & Others

He was still uneasy about Nemu's split with the group, and learning of Mael and Oracle's defection only meant the Shadow Haunters had gotten that much weaker. A rumble continued to play in his chest as he answered Senka, "See what you can do to change his mind. I'll ready our war party here, but many of them are injured still from Aizen's rescue." The elder wolfdog turned away from the four felines and unleashed a short, beckoning howl for the rest of the Haunters.

Velvet fell silent. Oracle would need to be dealt with soon, but first they would see about Maelertech and at least find out how badly he was injured, and whether or not he could be persuaded to return to the Haunters. "I'm ready to travel when you are, Senka."

"There's one more thing." Zanarah spoke up, looking to Senka now that Tersek had begun his hobble back towards the Temple. "I promised Mael I'd request Quilikahm's help, if it's alright with you."