Satisfied with myself a smile upturns my lips as he mimics my gesture with his own wing. His reply is one of unknowing and I realize now, with a shift of my eyes, that the glow has disappeared. It isn't long before he is moving through the darkness, and I am at his heels.
There wasn't much that frightened me fore when you are made mostly of metal what is there to be afraid of. I remain alert though as we trek further into the depths of the forest. My steps are heavy and I begin to take note of muted colors along our path. My nares draw in an aroma, sweet and enlightening. It tastes of home, and I find myself closing my eyes in remembrance. Not realizing my partner has stopped to inspect the flowers I run right into his hind end with an ompf. "What the..." My eyes then open and my view clears. I hear him direct my attention and our run in is forgotten as he is moving quick to the faint glow having reappeared.
My pace quickens in tow, the light our beacon. His speed swifter than mine, I begin to lag behind just a bit. It is then I see a refraction of the golden hue in a set of orbs ahead and of to the side of the path they move along. "Wait!" I shout in a whisper, suspicion rising within me. My focus is trained on the spots just ahead and I pick up speed and leap to get in front of Lant. My heavy body blocks his path to the light, my body cockeyed, ridgid and staring into the blackness.
I do not hesitate and the magics within me are calling into the earths crest. The iron, hot and malleable, rises in thin tendrils before melding into plates around my body. The breast collared trinket from the mountain sets into the shield now covering my chest. My armored face still points to the unexplained orbs, my eyes narrowed and ready for whatever was lurking in this place. "Stay... very... still..." I whisper to my friend in warning, the seriousness in my voice something unexpected.
It is then the orbs begin to shift against the unknown soft glow. They move casually, bobbing softly. It is then I hear a trinkling of sorts, something akin to that of a river babbling. My muscles though remain tense and coiled to attack at any given second. I ready myself with a slight shift in my footing and lowering of my head, the tension of the atmosphere pulsing through my iron heart. It is then a grin comes to my face, a determination to exterminate whatever was lurking closer. Just a little further...
I am about to spring forward with a warrior's cry, when the edges of a tiny face begin to gleam around the orbs. This causes my pause and realization that the waters I heard was that of a tiny pond, the surface now reflecting golden hues. My position does not faulter, but my eyes are peeked with curiosity. The small figure climbs from the waters rocky edging and walks unwavering towards me. It's fish-like tail gently waves behind it, its tiny paws webbed like that of a duck. Water droplets drip from its sleek skin, which begins to illuminate purple. My ironed face tilts curiously as I find recognition in this creature. My body softens and my head begins to rise with a rigid chuckle, "False alarm!" I look to Lant who may very well still be tense from the whole ordeal. "It's just a Felis Marus," another chuckle follows. "Phewww, that was intense right?" If I had been closer, I may have nudge him again with my wing as I sign of comradery, but instead I look back to the small feline of Tephra who has come to sit before me quietly licking at its paws.
The metal plates I had crafted remain along my body, just in case, but I shake tension away and lower my shielded face to the glowing purple cat. "Well, aren't you the cutest little fish cat ever," I say in a cooing tone, "yes you are." The feline ceases cleaning itself and looks to me with bright eyes and curious expression. I run my muzzle along its back and give it a friendly scratch, "yes you are just the cutest, slimiest, little kitty aren't you." I look to Lant with a confirming tone, "Guess we found pieces of Tephra." My focus then turns to the area around them alighting against the bioluminescent glow of the water, revealing a mini oasis around the pool. Flora of all shapes and colors were scattered about the area. "Well grab something and lets go!" I exclaim happily as I look again to the cat that now rubs against my iron leg. "You wanna go home little fish cat?!" I don't need to say any more and the cat leaps onto my back, settling at my withers.
Felis Marus -Cat fish of Tephra
@assailant