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Eyes that flashed silver under the shadows of the tree canopy, a monster was on the hunt once more. The silver flickered in and out of existence as the beast moved behind trees, a shrill call echoing in its throat. It had eyes only for one specific prey that night and it called to it with the tune of its kin. Slowly, silently the beast listened as its head turned this way and that. A flash of white in the darkness, a deer skull lurking within the shadows. 

Finally, an answer. 

Eyes flicked up to the sky as a shrill call echoed off the canopy. With claws as sharp as daggers and reflexes faster than the eye could see, the wendigo dug his appendages into the bark of the nearby tree and scaled its height with swift strikes. Hand above hand, he pulled himself through the branches until he launched himself through the leaves. High above the canopy now, the beast could see out past the treeline. A setting sun off to the west, a few stars making their first appearance for the night and just before him, a griffin, ripe for the taking. 

Death engulfed the poor creature and the two crashed through the canopy, their impact sounding with a sickening crunk and loud thud. Silence fell over the forest once more, except for the vicious sound of crunching bones and slurping marrow. 

Getsuy sat back, lounging against the trunk of the nearest tree. One hand rested idly in his lap and the other held a claw of the griffin he had just finished devouring, using it to pick meat from between his vicious canines. His hunger was finally lessened in intensity. Humanity had a small sliver in his silver eyes once more. Hunger was never fully quenched with this beast, his instincts telling him to seek out and devour anything that could feed him but he couldn’t allow those instincts to fuel him that night. No, he had more interesting matters to attend to. 

His eyes moved to the east, gazing out into the distance as if he could see past the trees and to the Palace of the Gods. His heightened hearing could hear the music, the conversations of prey. That was his goal that night. He wanted to go see what the whole ball was about. He had never dared to interact with the Festival before. However, that night was different. He was fed and curious. So with a quiet huff, he rose from his relaxed position. With a flick of his wrist he threw the claw down on top the broken and bloody remains of the griffin. Matted fur and hollowed out bones. A vicious grin crossed his face as he crouched on his hunches, feeling the energy building in his legs as he bent down, lower and lower. 

Like a shadow of Death, itself, Getsuy made his way through the forest, weaving around trees as he went. The sounds of civilization grew louder until he finally broke through the treeline. He stopped there, silver gazing out at those who came and went. His eyes lingered on a gaggle of masked acolytes as they slowly made their way back to their temple, muttering to each other about trivial matters that made no sense to the beast. Upon the wind, his scent was carried and the group of humans grew silent as they inhaled that unforgettable stench. Some peered over at him, pointing him out to the others of the group and their pace quickened. He silently watched as they hurried along before turning his eyes upon the Palace. Silently, he finally made his approach. 

Towering over the simple humans, Getsuy did not bother gazing down upon them as they parted to make his way. One long stride after another took him up the steps to the building until he finally stood before a man. Slowly his skull lowered until he stared down at the red headed boy.

[color=#883d39]“Move,”[/color] his voice vibrated through his chest, a raspy, ghastly sound. When the boy finally stepped out of the creature’s way, he extended an unnaturally long arm. His hand pressed against the seam of the two doors before he gave them a mighty shove. The doors slowly swung open under the pressure and Getsuy stepped through the threshold. 

The sounds of conversation and music were a loud hum to the dark beast. His ears flicked on the top of his head as he peered about. Where were the others? He could hear them but it seemed he was in a landing with hallways branching every which way. He stepped up to the first door and opened it. A dressing room of sorts, with odd garments hung up on dangling hangers. He scoffed at the sight before snapping the door closed. 

Peering down to the end of the landing, he found a second set of double doors. As he approached them, the sounds of civilization grew louder and louder. He paused for a moment outside the door before he finally pushed them open. Servants turned to smile at the new god to appear to only have those smiles stripped away from them as their eyes fell on Getsuy. Slowly, silence fell upon the ball as all eyes turned to take in his grizzly visage. 

Fresh blood still wet upon his cowl, and his all too familiar stench seemed to hush any that gazed upon him. Slowly, he began to take steps out into the grand ballroom. He peered from one god to the next, taking in their forms and scents. He had eaten many of their types but there were a few unfamiliar ones and he inhaled deeply before locking his gaze onto those few mythical creatures. His stomach rumbled lowly at the thought of tasting their flesh upon his tongue. 

As one servant hurried along with a tray full of food, Getsuy snatched the poor woman up in his grasp. She squeaked loudly as he pulled her off her feet before the beast grabbed the tray from her hands. He threw the poor girl to the side before picking at the food, a large selection of shish kabobs. Getsuy could never truly understand why others would make such a meager appetizer. He would have to eat hundreds of these to even bring his hunger down to a roaring boil. 

He scanned the area again before his eyes fell upon Aeliana and Antero, his nose telling him exactly who it was under the mask. He pondered for a moment if he wanted to even interact with the two but Aeliana had always attempted to be kind to him, even when he didn’t want the company of the fiery woman. 

Placing the tray down on the nearest table, one currently occupied by a few lesser gods that he hadn’t bothered to learn the name of, he stepped through the crowd. Much like before, they parted for him as he went. He could feel their gazes upon him, stern and fearful but he paid them no mind. He wasn’t here to make friends with anyone. He was here to sate his curiosity, a different hunger that he sought to feed from time to time. 

He eventually came to a stop before the two gods, looking from one to the other. His eyes lingered on the fiery bird for a moment before his nose picked up on the slightest hint of another. The deer man. He always wanted to feel that creature’s meat between his teeth but the man always seemed to have a magical flute with him at all times. Perhaps one day, he will get him alone and he’ll be able to see just what the man tastes like. 

He stood silently in front of the pair before muttering a very guttural, [color=#883d39]“Hello.”[/color]