Breakdown to Salvation

[Zephel]

Zeph shifts his eyes towards her in cue of her apology, and was stunned to silence by her gratitude. The silver-haired was sort of surprised she would give in this quickly, since he had known of her stubbornness from their battle together at the catacombs months ago.

"You're....welcome." He replied, rather awkwardly, granted that he's not used to being thanked by. Zeph jumped over a large tree root as he walked, but then paused his steps suddenly, his eyes sharply scanning their surrounding. He sensed something trailing them, and according to how his familliars reacted, it's not something good.

Zi-Fi barked wildly, having hearing a growl of sorts somewhere while Ryo kyuu-ed and flapped his wings a bit, picking up an unfamilliar scent nearby. At this, Zeph sets Kieru down beside a large tree, placing her strategically in between some large roots that completely hides her from being seen.

"Your blood seemed to attract a clan of preys. Try to cover your cuts as much as possible." He said quietly to her before quickly undressing his jacket and gave it to her, now only with a dark short-sleeved shirt on him. Spinning around, Zeph reached out for his sword that was strapped behind him and pulled it out.

"Zi-Fi, Ryo, get back." The pets followed his order well by backing away and moved behind their owner and in front of Kieru, quieting down their snarls and almost as if protecting her.

[Kieru]

Kieru pulled her limbs toward herself, hiding between the roots and trying to cover her cuts as instructed. She inwardly cursed at herself for being too weak to help or do much of anything including walking. She looked at Zephel's pets seeming to take guard in front of her. She lowered her head to her knees as her eyes welled with a bit of tears from frustration at her uselessness right now. All she could do was let it out a bit as quietly as possible, trying not to make a sound, and wait for him to fend them off. She hated feeling this weak.

[Zephel]

"Wolves..." Zeph whispered, when one of them finally revealed itself. After that, one wolf after another came to view and advanced towards the smell of blood.

Zephel clutched his sword, backing slightly as he tries to observe the situation. He's partly grateful the great large tree he hides Kieru in would provide him benefit, since the wolves can't attack him from behind. His red eyes hovered around the area, counting the wolves and estimating how many would appear later on after he's done with this batch.

"Zi-Fi, Ryo, STAY. DON'T MOVE!"

And with that ordered, the silver-haired spins his large sword and stabbed the broad blade into the earth. He had rested his palm on the butt of the hilt, frowning as he noticed that his sudden action had frightened the wolves, causing the pack to sped towards him to attack.

The ground suddenly shakes when the soil suddenly materialized into multiple spikes all over the place. Or specifically, wherever there is movement. Zeph stood his ground, watching silently as some wolves got scratched and slashed the faster they moved.

The earthquake only stops when the wolves finally backs off and scattered away. At this, Zephel pulled back his sword off the ground, at the same time the spikes breaks off into soft soil they once are. He turned around to check, relieved to see his pets are alright, and then walked towards Kieru.

"The town's about a few walks away, probably would take another half an hour, but we can get there faster if I run--" Zeph paused, noticing something off about her. "H-hey, you okay?"

[Kieru]

Kieru looked up as she felt the ground shake. She saw the attack he did that killed some of the wolves and cause the others to run away. Her face was a bit stained with tears and her eyes a little red and tired. She looked up at him as he turned back to her. When he asked if she was okay, she dropped her head and wiped away the tears that she forgot had been there.

Kieru gave a nod that she was okay and climbed out of the tree enough to stand up, using it to put some of her weight on as she did so then looked back up at Zephel. She held a somewhat worried and guilty look on her face, hating her weakness and feeling bad for having him fight for her. It was hard for her to accept this as something good as she still wanted to be able to do things on her own.

She wanted to say something but was unable to form any words to speak to him. She was frustrated at her weakness and all of this weighing on her mind. She knew he would probably expect to carry her the rest of the way also and she looked away as she thought that, not wanting to allow that to be her fate but knowing if he decided that she would have no choice.