Bonds as strong as Time [[For LoneDigger and Myself]]

[Full_Moon_Rising]

Normally, Katsu's tolerance for pain was one of the strongest most had witnessed. Hell, he had walked around with a hole in his gut when Dakari had been younger and while the pain had eventually awoken a feral reaction in him, it hadn't been for a good while since the injury had been conducted. So the snow lion really was one of the toughest creatures in the land....but the pain he was experiencing now....it wasn't a pain he'd wish upon even on his worst enemy. It wasn't just that the darkness was draining his energy, no....Katsu could literally feel his soul being to being torn apart and devoured inch by agonizing inch. And while he was familiar with most levels of torture....this was in a league all to itself.

 

So it was a damned relief when he finally saw some traces of Dakari's in that monstrosity's eyes. The cub was coming back to them, good at least his gambet had paid off and he wasn't just offering chunks of his essence for no reason. Half crouched yet still refusing to kneel in front of the thing Erai had created, Kstsu observed with grim satisfaction as Dakari took the reigns of his soul again. He watched as the teenager shook himself off in more ways than one as Erai was pushed back away from the position of control he had once claimed. Though Katsu could still sense the scorpion's displeasure and fury, he knew that for the time being the danger had passed for Dakari. It wasn't over yet....but at least they had gained some ground.

 

The snow lion didn't even flinch when the wave of flames came at him nor did he give any sign of fear or anxiousness. Knowing Dakari's history with his lack of control of his element, maybe it was a stupid choice to not find a way to escape the flames that surrounded him....but it showed how much trust the feline had in the hyena. Blind trust perhaps to gamble that much on a teenager, but it wasn't something Katsu would ever change. So as the warmth of the flames spun in that vortex around him, as the dark tendrils screeched in rage at being forced to release their prey to avoid being burned as some were already.....Katsu released a soft air of relief. At the very least the pain had finally stopped.

 

Unable to stand to his full height even if he wanted to, the snow lion finally collapsed into a sitting position on the ground with as much grace as a being whose soul was in tatters could. There were gaping, smoking wounds everywhere the tendrils had wrapped around him and while they no longer could touch him, the missing parts of his soul were still painfully obvious....It wouldn't kill him...again....but it still hurt like hell and it would take some energy to fix. Still, it was a worthy price to pay in order to finally get his fool headed, stubborn and idiotic mate to finally snap the hell out of it. Honestly, Katsu had no idea the moment he fell for the teenager so hard but he'd be damned if he'd let his mate sink into the darkness that was Erai.

 

"About bloody damn time you got your head out of your ass, brat" the snow lion hissed but there was no rage or anger to his words. The warmth around him had a soft purr rumbling out of his chest even as he felt the cool of his ice return to his soul and begin the tedious work of repairing what had been damaged. "Next time you decide to turn suicidal on me, try not to wait until I have to do something ridiculous in order to get your head on straight" he groaned softly, vibrant blue eyes raising to stare at Dakari with a tiny hint of reproach through the flames.

 

However, just as quickly as the reproach had appeared it vanished when a softer gleam filled his eyes the moment he took the sight of his Prince in at full. "Did he hurt you, Dakari? Has he damaged you in any way? Are you in danger?" He asked with concern drenching his usually monotonic and detached voice. However, what could be expected of someone who had just had to literally play the ultimate game of roulette to awaken his mate's soul from where it had been.

 

Behind him, outside the range of the flames, he could hear the sounds of concern from the ancients and his parents. He could feel their need to break in and tend to him, reassure themselves that the snow lion was well and help heal what had been damaged. He could feel their concern for Dakari, their age old oath to keep the members of the Royal family safe...but at the moment he couldn't bring himself to care. Right now, his main focus was his mate and the boy's well being.

 

 

 

Outside their realm, just in the back corner of his mind, Katsu could still feel the way the Dark army had come to a halt. He could feel the energy of that who was their leader. He could feel Rido's eagerness to take over the unstable land, to fill in the role of which Erai had created for him. But he could also feel the man's hesitation to act just yet. He was bidding his time a little longer, Katsu could feel it in his soul. This General was not someone deterred easily, he would strike though not quite yet. Or at least, not with the icy wake of the blizzard that was beginning to coat the physical realm in a manifestation of the snow lion's will to protect those who remained. Alive or dead, the Sentinel was still proving to be a worthy opponent.

[LoneDigger]

"I told you that I'd be taking you to Hell with me. But you had to go and off yourself first. So... this is purgatory, huh? Pretty lofty, and in the presence of the divine."

 

Dakari grinned, yet bowed his head deeply in respect at the souls of ancient that surrounded them, yet did not touch the pair of fire and ice.

Katsu had given the hyena his spirit back, yet enough fear had been installed in him thanks to Erai ironically that it had forced the prince to control his element, something that had felt impossible in the land of the living. But in death, he was his own master.

The warm golden hue had spread back through his spotted pelt, the ends of the ridge of fur along his back melding into flames, the warmth spread everywhere but his eyes. Erai's gaze was gone, respected by that strikingly contrasting cold blue that belonged only to the prince.

 

His element obeyed his whim, he didn't even have to think, it just flowed through him. The fire danced around the snow lion so gracefully, intense and dangerous, yet not to his mate. It only seared through the dark tendrils, yet so delicately avoided touching the ice.

 

"Hah... It's scaring me to hear you worried like that. He can't hurt me anymore... I'm stronger."

 

Dakari replied, his own voice much calmer than usual. An almost tranquil expression on the hyena's face until a bark of laughter escaped him, pulling up that familiar show of teeth in pure madness that was his animal, yet also joyful and pure.

 

"I'm just sorry you had to see this!"

 

His laughter filled the space, he was so relieved. He felt renewed in a sense. He walked up to his mate, his posture different now. His head dipped in respect as he walked through the circle of flames to greet Katsu, he gave a low sound of greeting as he presented himself to the snow lion, nudging his muzzle underneath his chin. As if making sure his mate was okay.

[Full_Moon_Rising]

Sighing heavily through his nose, Katsu wondered just what had he done to deserve a mate like this. Because Dakari was his mate, there was no denying that now....not when he had recieved most of the answers he had questioned about in death. Raising his gaze up towards the clear skies of his mind scape, the snow lion grumbled softly under his breath as he prayed for patience even though amusement and impossible relief flashed through him with the knowledge that at least Dakari was back to his foolish self. In all honesty, the teenager look good. His element in all its glory, looked good on the boy...it made him damn beautiful if Katsu were to be honest.

 

"Like I said, brat, next time you decide to do anything tremendously stupid....have a good back up plan. I don't want to have this happen again...I'm getting too old for shit like this" Katsu grumbled though the good nature and laughter that was mixed in his tone made it hard to believe that he was anything but happy about having the Prince back with them. Was he thrilled about Dakari being in the realm of the dead? No, not at all but he was just glad the boy was at least mostly back to his handful of a self. However, that didn't mean they wouldn't figure out how to send him back now that they were standing on a bit more steadier grounds.

 

Chuckling softly as Dakari approached him before nuzzling against him, Katsu raised his hands to gently run his fingers through the warmth of Dakari's pelt even as his own need to change thrummed through him. His soul wanted to sink back into it's more natural state as an animal, but that could wait. Right now, it was important to make sure that Dakari was truly alright before sending the boy back to where he belonged. As much as Katsu loved him, Dakari couldn't stay here. The Sentinel might be dead but the Prince was not and he had work to do in the realm of the living, whether he wanted to accept it or not.

 

"I am fine, Princeling....My soul will heal, this damage will fade" Katsu murmured a soft reassurance against a large round ear even as he placed a soft kiss against the side of Dakari's head. "But you must go....your people are waiting for you, Dakari. You mustn't keep them waiting, there is much work that needs to be done to repair what has been broken".

 

Katsu voice was low and soothing even if it was filled with a distinct note of sadness and even reluctance to let the boy go. To let him leave his presence again. He wished to keep the Prince safe here with him, to keep him bundled away where no one could hurt him again....but he wasn't selfish. It wasn't Dakari's time yet and the more he spent here the more damage was done to their realm. While Erai was still a very real problem, something could be figured out about that later. But Dakari had to go back, lives depended on his return.

 

"As happy as I am to have you here and see that you are unharmed.....This is not your realm, Princeling. Your heart still beats and our realm needs you now more than ever. You must go back" the snow lion added quietly.

 

The ancients were silent around them now, watching the couple with wise, allseeing eyes. While they had their own opinions on everything they could see happening in the land of the living, they would not interfere. Not yet when there was still hope. When not all was quite lost.

[LoneDigger]

"No, you were the one who was a fool... Taking yourself away from me. I never wanted that... Or it to happen like this."

 

Dakari sighed, but he understood why now Katsu had done it. The hyena thought all was lost, but Katsu sacrificing himself was just another beginning for the both of them. One he felt more ready to face, but the thought of being without his mate was still a bit frightening.

The hyena was standing on his hind legs, it was a bit unnatural but his front paws rested on the sentinel's shoulders as he breathed gently against his neckside.

The prince's spirit animal was such a powerful beast, but in his own way, he was very tender and now careful of his own strength. No longer was he some young wild cub crashing into the elder or biting him. He had learned more dignity and restraint. No doubt thanks to having a calm cool snow leopard as a mentor.

The large round pair of ears twitched softly, and when kissed the hyena let out another soft, low almost cooing sound of affection in return.

It took a moment, but before anyone could blink there was no longer a hyena standing there but instead a young man with wild, golden blond hair, dark tanned freckled skin, and those bright blues.

Dakari stood back, watching Katsu with the emotions more evident on the face of a man than an animal of how bittersweet he felt to be saying goodbye again.

 

"I accept my responsibility to the living, but... I had always envisioned my reign with you at my side."

[Full_Moon_Rising]

"There are things in this life that we rarely wish to have happen, Princeling. But we can't prevent it anymore than we can possibly save every life we encounter. You just have to bare the memories of those who no longer walk the physical plane with you....and remember that they will always be with you in spirit".

 

Katsu gently lectured the man though his tone was far from the strict nature he had always tended to embody when Dakari's stubbornness was at a high end. While he couldn't truly phantom what the young Prince was feeling now....he knew it mustn't be easy. For all his pride and refusal to see reason on some occasions, Dakari was still his mate and knowing that they would never truly have a chance to explore this newly awoken bond between them, was a bitter blow. But nevertheless, Katsu did not regret his choice to let his life be taken from him. It had been an intelligent play on his end and regardless of both their feelings, it had knocked the enemy numbers and generals down a healthy amount.

 

A soft smile adorning his face at the noise his mate produced at his caress, and as hyena turned to man, the softness in his expression grew. Dakari had grown from this experience....there was a difference to him now and Katsu couldn't help but approve of it. All those lectured lessons he had tried to get into the boy's skull seemed to have done the trick, at least for the moment. Looking at his Prince, the snow lion felt pride and genuine, soul deep affection for the younger male. Dakari would make a damned good King, Katsu was sure of that, even if he couldn't physically be there to witness it happening.

 

"You will do just fine even without me, Princeling. I've taught you nearly everything I can and those lessons have not been in vain. These trials have taught you the beginnings of what it takes to be an admirable leader and I am proud to have been able to watch you grow. I know our Kingdom and our realm are in good hands with you and you will have the others to help pave your way. Besides, even if you can't see me....I'll always be with you, so don't make that face because this isn't goodbye. I'll just be waiting for you here when it's time for us to meet again".

 

He didn't know how he was going to do it....how he was going to stand back and force himself to let go of the mate he had just realized was in front of his eyes. Of the person he had been waiting for for so many centuries, even if he hadn't believed they existed. He didn't know how he would will himself to exist in a realm where his mate was not, where he could never speak to the one that shared his heart. Dreams would be his only access to Dakari but they would be far and few in between with the Prince probably remembering none of it....However, despite all that, his strongest wish was for Dakari to be happy. To love his life and make an even greater name for himself.

 

Stepping closer to the young Prince, Katsu reached up with one cold and slightly transparent hand, to gently cup Dakari's cheek. "Make our people proud, protect them as I've always protected you and give them a King they will love for all eternity. But most importantly....have fun, Princeling. Enjoy your life, make memories you won't soon forget and forge friendships that will last through the years....enjoy every moment you can and regret nothing. That is my wish for you" the snow lion spoke gently, cerulean eyes never once leaving the face he had come to love as strongly as anyone he considered his pack/clan/pride.

 

"My love, perhaps all is not lost yet.....perhaps the story you two have woven has not yet come an end" his mother's voice had Katsu's eyes shifting from Dakari to glance through the flames at the woman who stood just outside them with her mate at her side. Both eyeing their cub with concern and gracing the current Prince with knowing looks.

 

"Dakari...let them in please" Katsu requested of the male despite not moving an inch away from the Prince.