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Fallen Zhaaluuns

@Cynamity 

Zhuur’Vekk - The Unseen Hunger
The arena falls silent. Then the ground shifts. From the cracks and shadows, small, quick silhouettes appear.
Carnivorous squirrels.

Sadbread doesn’t wait. They sprint up a rock face, kicking loose gravel, barely staying ahead. They don’t look back.

Callisto sees them too late. One leaps at her leg, but she swings her hatchet, fast and sharp. She keeps moving, breath shallow, slicing anything that gets too close.

Feminem and Bexxi are cornered together. The swarm circles them. Bexxi grips her hatchet. Feminem’s spear is ready. But they both know - they won’t outrun this. Feminem turns to Bexxi. Bexxi doesn’t flinch. It’s quick. Feminem drives the spear through Bexxi’s chest, sparing her from the swarm. The squirrels take what’s left. Feminem runs as fast as she can.

Fallen Zhaaluuns

@bexxi 

Night 6 of the Drekkal’Zuun

Feminem sits beneath a ledge, hands shaking. A crate lands softly nearby. Inside is fresh food. She doesn’t smile. She just eats.

Callisto sits by the stream, cleaning the blood from her leg. Her hands are steady, but her eyes aren’t. She wraps the wound tight and keeps listening for footsteps.

Sadbread crouches in the dust. They pour water over the cuts on their arm, gritting their teeth. The infection is spreading, but they won’t stop moving.

Day 7 of the Drekkal’Zuun

Callisto crouches low in the bushes. She covers herself with dust and leaves, barely breathing. She watches the arena through the gaps.

Feminem and Sadbread cross paths near the cliffs. They don’t speak at first. But they move together. For today, at least.

Night 7 of the Drekkal’Zuun

By night Sadbread and Feminem have split up again. A truce is only short lived during these times.

Callisto finds Feminem’s shelter near the cliffs. Feminem doesn’t ask why she’s there. She just lifts the tarp and lets her in.

Far away, Sadbread sits in the dust. Their lips are cracked, their throat dry. When the night ends, they don’t wake up.

Day 8 of the Drekkal’Zuun
The arena is silent. No wind. No sky. Only dust.

Callisto moves slowly through the haze. Her hatchet is gone. Her steps are heavy. Feminem waits behind her. She holds a length of rope in her hands. She doesn't rush. When Callisto stops to breathe, Feminem strikes. The rope wraps around Callisto's throat. No words are spoken. Callisto fights, but not for long. When it’s over, Feminem stands alone.