The body dropped behind me with a wet crunch, steam still curling from the open carcass. I didn't linger this time.
Kept moving. Higher.
The slope steepened, trees thinning as elevation started biting into the forest's edge. Air felt drier up here. Less density, less pressure. Just wind and snow and a long trail of silence.
Then I heard it.
Low growls. More than one.
I stepped up onto a ledge, and there they were.
Mountain lions. At least five of them. Big. Void-touched the same way as the last—darkened fur, subtle glow across their limbs like veins. But this time, they weren't circling. They were gathered. Watching.
A pack.
I paused.
I'm not sure how they used to function. But I doubt mountain lions were pack animals before. Maybe mutation changes their nature too.
I should probably thin their numbers first. Then summon Ra'Jax, let him get some practice in. He shouldn't be denied the excitement.
Movement.
