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The meeting had ended yet Helotes lingered at the gathering place. He was casually observed as the others milling about eventually began their treks to where ever it was they were going. Helotes enjoyed these gatherings, and they were few and far between. But, when they did occur, it gave him the chance to see Inferni at its full strength, gave him the opportunity to gaze into the faces of the clan-mates that he had never even spoken to. Such was Inferni; so large and diverse that he didn’t even know everyone else that served under Ezekiel.
Helotes’ umber eyes flitted to Zana, who had wandered off a bit with Timori. Helotes gaze was soft, like a glowing coal; she was so beautiful, and he would soon let her know all his hearts and desires. Then his eyes strayed to his siblings; Jacinto and Omni, who looked lovely in her glowing pregnancy. Helotes was glad for them, excited to see what new life they would bring. All in all, the Lykoi’s life seemed to have taken a turn for the better.
But then, like a black crack running through the gleaming joys of his thoughts that high pitched cry rang out. He was not the only one to heart it, others ears perking as well, but he surely, along perhaps with Jacinto, was the one to fully recognize it for what it was. It was the cry of a desperate and hollow creature, one that was at the end of his rope, one that Helotes as one time called brother. And the summons was directed squarely at the Aquila, and there was no mistaking what it’s message was.
Helotes stood immediately, hackles already raised as he ran full sprint towards where the call had been issued. Ezekiel would surely come, no leader would back down from a challenge. But Helotes knew his duty, he was to protect the Aquila with his life. As far as he knew, Ezekiel knew little about Columbine’s battle prowess, but what he must know would not include what Helotes knew so well. Columbine lost all of sense of himself in battle, much like Helotes had done before Halo trained it out of him. There was no feeling of pain or broken bones, only the red hot fire of rage and only the blood-lust. Columbine outweighed Ezekiel nearly two to one, and now that he was being challenged unarmed only made his chances that much more grave. When it came to it, Helotes would not have come so earnestly, if he did not genuinely fear for his leaders life.
And finally he arrived, just in time to see Columbine’s enormous form coming down upon Ezekiel like a heavy cloud. Helotes did not yet see blood, but it would soon come, Columbine’s form obviously made as one to kill. Helotes rushed forward and slipped his arms underneath those of the Hastati’s and with all his strength pulled back, releasing Ezekiel from the brute’s form. Helotes slung the man around then so that he was between the dark male and the Aquila and quickly unsheathed his spear from the strap at his back. He pointed the sharpened, metallic tip at his brother’s chest, "Columbine, what are you-!" But he could not even finish speaking before the male lunged.
With lightning speed, Helotes snapped the sharp tip of his spear off the end as if the bow was nothing but a twig, and, gripping this blade tightly in coiled fist, swung outwards just as the insane male was closer than arm’s length. There was the unique yet subtle sound of metal cutting flesh, and a arching shower of blood as Helotes finished his swing. For a moment it seemed as if the blood had come from the blade itself, but then like a ruby necklace the hot liquid bubbled out of the clean slice through Columbine’s neck.