a new shade of red

Death turned to sleep, then again turned to resurrection. Now that's something you don't see every day.

Val's eyes popped open, with a slightly overdramatic groan following. His frame rolled against the ground in desperation of waking his fuzzy limbs. The feeling was far from pleasant and he needed far away from this creepy place. Dark woods, distant ruins. 

Only... he couldn't leave. There was something far too familiar here. A scent. 

Mal... is that you? The question popped into his head, the realization becoming all too clear the more his gait carried him further into the woods. 

It dawned on him after a short while. His brother. He was here too.

The shadowed treeline shielding him from any potential threats, he threw back his head and let loose a deep howl, beckoning his family to him.

---

For @Malric and of course, @Nesta!

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Resting in the shade, Nesta kept not too far from his sight, he was content with the silent air. 

But it didn't last long.

A howl rippled, echoing around them. With it carried a familiar voice. But it was one he couldn't quite place. 

Being not too far from where they were located, he sought to investigate. Turning to her, he barked out a quick order. “Follow me, and keep close. We aren't alone here.” Not anymore.

Not waiting to ensure she would follow his order, knowing she would, he took off into a run, following the invisible path that would lead him right to the waiting voice.

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---

Nesta's days felt long. The sun felt like it never set, the moon never making her appearance. Nesta missed her freedom, missed being able to come and go as she pleased. Sure, Elio or Amadeo would have to accompany her, but she could go places. But now, she was chained to a man who placed a crown atop her head.

Malric, as she later learned, kept close to her, a looming shadow that never seemed to leave her side. He lingered in the peripheral of her vision, his dark frame just within sight. Nesta hated that he wouldn't let her go far from him. She was eager to explore their new home, find hidden rooms and passages within the old temple. Hell, she might even find some artifacts if she looked hard enough. But no, here she was lying down in the shadow of the temple.

At least until a howl broke the silence. Though Mal snapped the command at her, Nesta struggled to get to her feet to follow him. “Yeah sure. I'll just run after you.” She muttered under her breath as she limped after him, her wounds burning with the attempt to pick up any speed past a hobble. Her muscles shrieked and tightened with each step she attempted to make. “This isn't even fair.” She mumbled, the pain now shooting up to her hips and shoulders. Gritting her teeth, Nesta made it her mission to make the man pay for the hell he is putting her through.

---

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The second prince wasn't made to wait long.

Ahead in the distance, a large shape appeared. But he wasn't alone. A much smaller form hobbled after him. Now who could that be.. he wondered to himself.

“Brother! Is that really you?” He called out, unafraid to announce himself. If it wasn't who he thought, he'd just kill them and move on. Easy as that.

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Before too long, a shape appeared from the shadows. 

A familiar one, at that. It was only confirmed then when the man spoke.

Val?

Malric groaned, rolling his eyes. Of course it had to be this brother. The crude, spiteful little brother of his that he'd despised since the day Val knew what it meant to annoy the shit out of him.

“Val...” he grumbled in greeting, but didn't speak further, unsure of what was to be said.

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---

Though it took her longer, she finally came to stop just behind Malric, smaller frame semi-concealed by his. The stranger was eerily similar to the man she was hiding behind, but carried himself differently. He wasn't as threatening, but more inviting. He didn't strike fear in her like the shadow before her did.

“Brother?” Nesta's brows furrowed as she came to the scene. She kept her distance from them both, eyes flicking between them. Now that the seed was planted in her mind that they were siblings, and judging from Malric's tone, he wasn't too fond of him being here. Weren't siblings supposed to enjoy each other's company? Unless, something happened between them.

---

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His brother came with a scowl, but that didn't deter him. Val welcomed the displeasure, his lips turning up in a grin.

“No warm welcome for your own flesh and blood? Now that's just cruel,” He huffed out a feigned, heartbroken sound.

Brow lifting in sudden interest to the woman who'd spoken out behind him, he'd craned his neck to get a better view. “Now who's this pretty little thing you've brought with you. Trudging along with the beast, corazón — darling/heart?” His voice tuned to a low, almost seductive rumble, a flirtatious wink following suit.

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He snorted, rolling his eyes. “Like you deserve my warmth, brother.” Need he remind his "flesh and blood" that he'd abandoned him on the day of his execution. Fled, like the coward he was.

When Val's gaze shifted to Nesta, he growled out a low warning, shifting his frame to block her from sight. “You don't speak to her. She's mine.” Something that he wouldn't allow to be taken from him. Not even by likes of his own brother.

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