In the dead of night

Another night out... how long had it been now? Since he'd destroyed the cabin? Months? Years? Time had never been his strong suit wasn't it.

The figure chuckled to himself as darkness was creeping closer this late evening, best gather some material for a fire. The nights were getting colder - and despite the slow shift to a thicker fur coat for the cooler seasons, his summer coat was still hanging on leaving some parts more exposed to the weather's whims. With a quick craft of a makeshift axe from some bits of stone the sound of woodcutting would echo through the otherwise silent forest.

One.. two.. tree. Tree? ... Tree!? He'd zoned out chopping and quickly jumped to the side as the tree he was chopping at crashed to the ground where he'd been standing mere moments ago.. that had been close, too close. Tiredness was probably getting to him.. anyway that'd be enough to last him awhile. Hacking at the log for smaller useable bits from the dead husk, then snapping some branches from the fallen tree top. With a sigh came the next task. Digging a small pit to safely light a fire - and with a controlled breath of flames amidst the branches and piled logs the embers would be quick to light and consume the fuel, setting a soft warm glow upon the area.

With that done, he sat down near the fire taking a moment to rest his head keeping his gaze upon the dancing flames. Was this all his life would amount to? A never ending chase that he'd never escape? ..how tiring. His friends were gone, alone again. Oh well. Fuck 'em. Gave him more time to find a cure, he'd wasted enough time clowning around.. even if that did make him weaker in the long run - he'd survived fine before. This wouldn't stop him.

The flames flickered to a black hue, shadows dancing around the trees as if mocking him. He leaned his back against the fallen log - unbothered. Most creatures did not pose a huge threat to him regardless of his current energy level. If he couldn't fight, he was still a master of getaway, Chi had been good for teaching him that at least. With a sigh he ignored them, tossing some extra branches in the now darkened blaze - but the color persisted. Before quickly melting itself into a pool on the opposite side of where he himself sat... and the voice.

The same accursed giggling voice that'd been plaguing his sleep spoke up. Great. He must've fallen asleep staring at the fire again. His face shifted to a frown and his voice to a growl as he shouted for it to leave; he wasn't in the mood for this tonight. The pool of void reformed before his eyes - but unlike usual, this was no longer a pip standing before his gaze. No.

It was a lupax - or well.. a very mangled remain of one. Surprised by the sudden change of script he kept sharp attention on his surroundings, what else would change from this usual ride of nightmare this time. The voice spoke up; a language unknown, eyeing Haruko with it's eye as it did so. If it had a mouth it couldn't be seen moving at all in the dim light... and the echo. The damned echoes of it, ringing in his head - as if multiple voices were speaking all around him. Yet unable to understand.

He grew impatient with this game of charade, splitting his hood open just enough to pull out his weapon - but just as his paw came in contact with his soulrune, he felt a sharp burning pain along the cracked surface of it.

"Wake up," the voice ordered.

And he did. Pain ringing in his head, huffed breaths through gritted teeth. 

"Good." He flinched hearing the voice in his wake. This wasn't supposed to happen - this wasn't normal. The dead embers of the fire leaving him at the mercy of darkness, his coat letting out a dim shine in the dead of night. Before he growled out in anger, "WHAT DO YOU WANT!?"

The voice laughed, it's white glowing eye shining mere centimeters away from his face now - how'd it sneak up on him so fast? Before he could even react, it was gone.

A distant whisper followed,
"╎ ᔑꖎ∷ᒷᔑ↸|| ⊣𝙹ℸ ̣ ∴⍑ᔑℸ ̣ ╎ ∴ᔑリℸ ̣ ᒷ↸ ⎓𝙹∷ ℸ ̣ 𝙹リ╎⊣⍑ℸ ̣."

..and then nothing. Despite the unease he somehow knew it was already gone. Like a sinking weight had been pulled off his lungs. Out of it's grasp. In a fit of anger he'd punch the nearest trees, a loud snap following as a break crept onto the surface of the wooden bark.

Breathe. Anger won't get you nowhere, but neither will sleep. Time to get moving.