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The clinking of metal against metal caught his attention, waking him from his light sleep. Kieran's ears pricked up, and he turned his gaze upward. To his astonishment, a figure detached itself from the train's roof, landing with an eerie grace in the storage car. The newcomer wore an ensemble of black leather, the muted tones blending seamlessly with the dark surroundings. His fur, reminiscent of a black wolf, was a mixture of cool brown shades, darker cool brown arms and legs, and a similarly darker brown covering his face.
The new male stood poised like a coiled serpent ready to strike. His presence emanated an unsettling feel, enhanced by the unnerving giggles that rumbled within his concealed features. A red bandanna wrapped around his muzzle and neck, an ominous accent that spoke volumes about his nefarious intent.
Kieran's senses flared, adrenaline coursing through his veins, as he instinctively reached for his weapons.
Tessa, initially oblivious to the looming threat, felt the shift in the atmosphere and woke up immediately. She saw the intruder, and gasped as she looked at Kieran terrified, who wore an expression of focused intensity. The minty-furred bounty hunter motioned for her to stay low and silent, his eyes never leaving the ominous figure now standing before them.
In a swift, protective motion, Kieran stepped in front of Tessa, shielding her with his lithe frame. His stare bore into the mysterious intruder, a wordless declaration that he would not let any harm befall the blue-furred fox under his watch. His fists clenched onto his daggers, his brows furrowed, and he assumed a defensive stance.
Kieran would have thought it’d be Malachai hitching a ride and then finding them here, but… no, it was not. “We don’t want any trouble,” he grumbled loud enough for the stranger to hear, and firmly. “You can stay here with us as long as you don’t do anything suspicious.”
Maybe he’d had the same idea they did, in which case Kieran was happy to offer the benefit of a doubt.
The brown fox emitted a low growl that reverberated through the confined space. His lips curled into a sinister snarl, revealing gleaming fangs. The eerie giggles that sounded from within his obscured features added a chilling layer to the encounter. "You're in my way," the male fox hissed, the words laden with threat. The red bandanna shifted slightly as he spoke, a sinister dance against the muted backdrop of his dark fur.
Kieran, sensing the malevolent intent radiating from the intruder, decided that a direct confrontation was necessary. He swiftly unsheathed his two gleaming, silver daggers, the blades catching the dim light of the storage car. Tessa, crouched behind him, watched with fear and trust as her protector prepared for the impending clash.
The stranger snarled and charged at Kieran, eyes alight with rage, swinging his pair of wickedly sharp daggers like a wild animal. His daggers were steel with the inner bits of the blade made of shining red ruby. It was dramatically serrated, having not just teeth but fangs to gash and tear through flesh.
Kieran lunged forward, aiming to disarm the brown fox and neutralize the threat. Blade hit blade with a schick noise, and many clangs. The male physique of both foxes aided them greatly in holding each other back, hopping away and lunging again; they did this a few times, Kieran making sure to stay in front of Tessa, preventing all access to her.
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His movements were precise and calculated, his golden eyes focused on anticipating every strike. The intruder, however, moved with a feral agility, dodging and parrying Kieran's attacks with unsettling grace. The lethal dance continued, each combatant attempting to gain the upper hand. Tessa, keenly aware of the danger, remained huddled, ready to follow Kieran's lead if she needed to.
Exploiting a momentary lapse in Kieran's defense, the stranger disarmed him with a swift, well-placed strike. The minty fox’s daggers clattered to the floor, and in a flash he found himself there too, pinned on his back. Kieran looked up at the victor, grimacing, feeling fear on the inside but unwilling to show it. Tessa's jade eyes widened, a gasp escaping her as the situation took a dire turn. Perseus watched closely, never taking his piercing gaze off his friend’s protector.
“I would love nothing more than to shed a little blood right now,” said the brown fox, licking his maw then giggling with an edge of unhinged.
Victorious in this skirmish, the intruder stood over Kieran, his ruby-fanged daggers poised for a finishing blow, pointed rigidly down at him. The eerie giggles persisted, filling the air with a chilling malevolence. It was clear this male was insane to some degree. “What do you want, madman?” Kieran hissed through clenched teeth.
The intruder grinned as he spoke in a low whisper. "Give me the girl, and you can go free,” he spat, then burst into laughter. “Free! Like the crazy dog you are! Oh, my goodness, yes mister Riven here will let you go, yes he will.”
‘No. Absolutely not,’ Kieran thought. He’d faced the threat of death many times head on, and he’d learned not to waver in the moment. He had decided long ago to stick with his convictions and not falter. The minty bounty hunter furrowed his brows at the fox, whom he supposed was named Riven based on what he said, and wondered how he could proceed from here.
Kieran looked over at Perseus. ‘Come on… come on, you need to help us. Don’t you care about Tessa?’ he thought, hoping the dragon would respond to his pleading eyes.
Kieran turned back to Riven and muttered, "You think I'd give up that easily?" Before Riven could react, Kieran unleashed a rapid series of movements, a well-practiced maneuver he had learned from his mentor, Garrick Ironheart. He twisted his legs around Riven’s and knocked his off balance, the brown fox crashing to the ground under the force. The minty bounty hunter managed to disarm one of the daggers, sending it clattering across the floor.
Riven roared and lunged at Kieran, fangs ready to sink into him. However, just before the dreadful attacker could deliver a bite, a sudden blur of scales and fire burst onto the scene. Perseus had finally chosen to join the fight.
Perseus’ colossal form loomed over Riven, a mountainous barrier of orange, black and white scales that seemed impervious to the struggles of the captive beneath. The air resonated with the growls and roars, a symphony of fury and pain as the dragon unleashed his wrath upon the intruder.
Riven's futile attempts to free himself were met with the unyielding strength of Perseus, who retaliated with a menacing snarl and the sharp graze of his jet black claws.
Perseus had transformed into his bigger form, the one Kieran had seen the other night. Fire boiled in his mouth, which hung slightly open. Tessa stared at the scene in both relief and a bit of fear.
Kieran got up quickly and attempted to get Perseus’ attention. “Hey, hey…” Kieran began, his voice a calming force in the chaos. As Perseus acknowledged him with a glance, Kieran continued, “Let me have him. I’ll tie him up. We can ask him a few questions.”
With a practiced efficiency, Kieran seized nearby rope, quickly restraining Riven's hands and feet. Perseus maintained his vigil, ensuring the captive remained subdued, the fiery glow in his eyes betraying a deep-seated anger. The brown fox could do nothing to fight them off, and was then securely bound and tethered to a hefty wooden crate; he found himself at the mercy of his captors.
As the tension eased, Kieran exhaled a heavy sigh, the weight of the encounter lifting from his shoulders. Perseus, still in his formidable form, exuded a silent readiness, his eyes fixed on Riven with a seething animosity, his black mane flowing in the train car’s cross breeze.
Tessa, her ears down-turned, moved closer to Kieran, her expression a mixture of fear and gratitude. The silence between them spoke volumes, a shared acknowledgment of the relentless dangers they faced.
Perseus stood like a royal beast, his imposing form dominating the limited space. He remained in his greater form, the train car’s cross breeze playing with the strands of his fiery-colored mane, which did not fit around his neck like a lion but rather it sat on top of his body from forehead to tail tip like a horse’s mane.