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She’d told her to run. To find somebody. Beneath it all Alice had understood that there was a current of save yourself. A defeat that existed in her mind and soul long before Tingal struck the first blow. It burned, it burned so badly that Alice hadn’t even been able to see straight as she ran. Ran as fast as she could, to escape the way she could feel the phantom agony of what the beast was doing to her sister, her other half. It burned the fire inside her, made her jowls overflow with acid that she couldn’t control. Her bloodlust was as blinding as her sorrow. But even as the distance increased and Hotaru’s link to her dimmed and softened, she could still hear her. Crying out instinctively, even after she’d commanded Alice to leave. Crying for help. If a hound could cry, Alice already was.

She didn’t stop to hunt. Her stomach felt like it was caving in on itself, the last stretch of the journey, but her kind had lived on less. She was privileged, with the plentiful prey and continuous hunting that Hotaru allowed her to do, but she could move past it. Had to, with how that realization made her burn with love and shame that she couldn’t put into words her sister could understand. They’d always been like pups, tumbling about, sharing each other’s burdens and joys. Unlike some bonded creatures, they’d never had a transition period, never fought or had major differences in personality. Alice perhaps embodied Hotaru’s darkness, at times. But they’d always been so seamless, so perfectly synchronized. To leave her behind, no matter how aware Alice was of the strategy of it all...it burned worse than hellfire.

It took days to make the journey, with barely any sleep or rest. Her paws ached, her limbs protested, but she pushed on. Ever on. Each day that passed was a day Hotaru was left in the claws of that monster. Even though she hoped that somehow, her sister had triumphed or gotten away, Alice did not allow herself to hope. One way or another, they would find each other again. Alice could accept no other alternative.

By the time she made it to the Basin, everything hurt. But she was energized by her success, went speeding off into the land before halting. Uncertain. Who could she go to? Who could help Hotaru, but still recognize her own form? Ashamin, perhaps, but Alice was a beast of hell and fire, and she didn’t trust the gentle Haruspex - no matter his new proclivities as a soldier - to help free her sister. Rhea? No, not close enough. Close enough. And it hit her. She went speeding off across the tundra towards Thranduil’s cave, remembering it from the first time he and her sister had butted heads. He was her only hope, and she arrived in a spray of snow and dirt, nose already to the earth to try and find his scent, whining softly with each exhale. Time was running out, where was he?