Ktulu

It was the second time she had been part of a group that marched to battle in the Earth God's lands with the purpose of calling it home and it was the second time her group had emerged victorious. That was where the similarities ended. She was not leading the charge like she did with her executioners. She would not claim the throne of Chieftess. She did not feel pride in claiming the Earth God's land as her new home. The Constrictor wasn't even sure she wanted to be in the Falls. The land was different, but all the memories remained and clawed at her relentlessly and viciously. Hototo had grown there, played there, been protected there. No matter how the Earth God manipulated the land he would never erase the memories and the feelings that clung to every tree, every stone, every blade of grass. No matter how much blood she spilled she would never wash those memories away.

Archibald's voice boomed across the meadow and she turned her head to watch him as he spoke then limped toward her. Who had he fought? How had they managed to hurt him enough that he favored one leg? How could he be so nonchalant about a leg injury when she was so concerned over her own? Dark lids fell over her crimson eyes and she sighed quietly. She may have looked peaceful standing there the way she was, but she was anything but peaceful. Inside she was battling with herself, the anger she felt at the beginning of the invasion still burning like hot embers within the confines of her dark chest. The longer she stood in the Earth God's lands the hotter the embers burned and threatened to explode into a raging inferno and consume her.

Ktulu's eyes snapped open once more as her sister's voice broke the silence that had followed Archibald's speech. Her sister's gaze was focused wholly on Archibald so Ktulu looked away, taking a moment to watch the beaten and battered herd that was leaving. Kaj's voice rang out next, assuring the losing party that they were still welcome to stay. The warrior within her balked. If they were not strong enough to keep the land in the first place what could they possibly offer now? Surely they felt anger and that anger could lead to a coup in the future. Whatever. She was not the leader, it was not her decision to make.

Another sigh passed Ktulu's lips and she limped away from Archibald and Ophelia. While they handled their business she would have her leg looked at by the healers. After that, who knew?

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