#Saber Junction

[synapsid-taxonomy]

On Smilodon mouth tissue

Keep in mind through this entire post that this is pretty rough and I don't specifically study sabercats. But we might as well take a closer look at the controversial Smilodon lip and gum tissue and see what it'd look like step-by-step. Let's start with a Smilodon skull (real fossil, not cast) with articulated sabers. Keep in mind the tip of this saber is broken off.

You can pretty clearly see the division between the enamel-covered portion of the teeth and the cementum. In modern felids, this cementoenamel junction is roughly where the gum line ends, and this is also what Riviere and Wheeler 2005 concluded for Smilodon. So if we take that and apply a gumline to this skull, it looks like this:

Now that looks like a pretty deep gumline! The full canines of Smilodon don't necessarily need to be covered by lips; even though they are covered by enamel, it's a very thin coating that doesn't require extensive hydration. This is also the case with the fangs of musk deer and Chinese water deer, who have their canines hanging on the outside of the mouth. These fanged deer, as well as tusked synapsids like walruses and Tiarajudens, have canines that project far beyond the bottom of the lower jaw (see below for the alternative) - and none have the massive bloodhound lips you may see around for Smilodon.

The gums, however, would need to be hydrated and covered by the lips. So that pink line could be an indicator of the minimum extent of the lip margin. But what I notice about these gumline comparisons is that we're looking only at the skull. If you bring in Smilodon's mandible and articulate it so that the mouth is closed...

The gumline doesn't go below the margin of the lower jaw. So the upper lips would not need to droop beyond the margin of the lower jaw. And as discussed above, the rest of the canines wouldn't necessarily need to be covered. Goodbye bloodhound Smilodon. This is consistent with how the lips do not droop beyond the margin of the mandible in any "saber-toothed" animal. Fanged deer and walruses have exposed canines. Clouded leopards keep their impressively-sized canines in the mouth; while the lips are relatively big, they don't droop over the lower jaw...

And saber-toothed animals that aren't smilodontines - including other true sabercats like Homotherium - don't actually have teeth that project beyond the bottom of the lower jaw (accounting for tooth slippage). Most of them have a deepened "chin" that follows the sabers. So it's possible, if not likely, that these animals simply had sabers covered by the soft tissue of the lower jaw when the mouth was closed. That would keep the teeth and gums moist regardless of how far down the gums went. Even if the teeth were exposed, the upper lips still wouldn't need to go very far down to keep the gums moist (you can see where the cementoenamel joint is on the Eusmilus skull replica in the lower right).

(top: Homotherium; bottom left, Thylacosmilus)

Now let's take the rigorous reconstruction of Smilodon from Turner et al. 2011 - and overlay it over the image above, to see if "traditional" Smilodon lips would cover all of this expanded gumline or not.

That looks like a pretty close match, I'd say! Being generous (and looking at clouded leopards as a very rough guide), I can see the margin of the upper lip maybe going like this. Lippier than usually pictured, but not shockingly so.

So not much would change.

Now, why would Smilodon need such deep gums? Simple - the longer a tooth is, the easier it is to break off. So more extensive gum tissue would help stabilize the sabers in the mouth. Which makes sense. The current model for sabercat predation is that they would subdue prey using their beefy muscled forelimbs, and only use the sabers at the end for the killing neck-puncturing bite. Don't wanna break them beforehand.

[captain-price-unofficially]

Soldiers assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade react to simulated contact during Saber Junction 24 at the Hohenfels Training Area, Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC), Germany, Sep. 5, 2024.

[savage-rhi]

Duality

Chapter 7: The Escape II

Summary: Sawyer Kiddo has walked a razor's edge as a hacktivist for several years, driven by the loss of her family in the Raccoon City incident. Haunted by past choices and fueled with desire for vigilante justice, Sawyer's work takes an unexpected turn when she ventures to Spain and crosses paths with Luis Serra—a man with blood on his hands long thought to be dead. Together they unravel a web of corruption and face an impending bioterror threat, fighting not only monsters but also the darker elements of their humanity. As they delve deeper into each other's pasts and the conspiracy at large, Sawyer begins to sense something unsettling about Luis—something that might be even more dangerous than their mutual enemies.

Read on AO3 Here

Several flights of stairs and hallways later, Sawyer felt like her calves would fall off. It didn't help that her muscles were sore from trying to outmaneuver the Saber that came close to biting her head clean back in the locker room. Running from danger was something she had grown accustomed to over the years, but at this point, it was getting old--almost unbearable, until Luis and she came to a junction and stopped. She took this moment to catch her breath while combing her body of bruises. There were several on her arms at this point. She felt the wound on her head as well, noting that it didn't feel as swollen as when Luis checked it out in the basement.

“Gracias Christo, yes! We're going the right way!" Two Legs exclaimed in between panting, having moved from Sawyer to double-check a sign on the wall. He was so ecstatic that he didn't feel the sudden daggers Sawyer sent straight to his back. (1)

"Hold up," Sawyer furrowed her brows, meeting his gaze as he turned around. "You mean to tell me this whole time you didn't know where the hell we were going?" 

"I--" Two Legs hesitated, biting his lip nervously as he let out a giggle. "Okay, maybe I've been improvising just a little bit…" He made a pinching gesture as if that would take the edge off the situation. 

"Luis, are you fucking serious right now!?" 

"Hey! Hear me out!" Two Legs defended himself, gesturing with his arms out toward her. "I know for certain there is a waste hatch. I told you, I could smell it! When we find the bronze tunnel, I'm sure it's at the end waiting for us!"

Sawyer's eyes narrowed. "You're not exactly inspiring confidence right now. This place is huge; for all we know, there could be a hundred bronze tunnels!" 

"My nose has never failed me!" Two Legs confidently retorted. "Yes, I've been making things up as I go, but we're on the right trail! I caught the scent, and I've seen this sign before! We just…took a little detour, is all!" 

Guess he is a goddamn dog after all… Sawyer recalled her earlier banter with him in the basement before she continued to criticize him. "Y'know, you could've said something sooner before getting my hopes up!" 

Two Legs frowned, his earlier confidence waning. Luis's memories of comforting others failed him in this situation. Telling half-truths backfired, and the plaga didn't understand how his actions had been inappropriate. At the very least, he thought she'd appreciate the humor of the situation—people quickly forgave Luis of his trespasses because of his wit. 

"But…" he hesitated, fumbling over his thoughts. "Earlier, weren't you upset?"

"So what if I was?" Sawyer balked.

" So what? " Two Legs mimicked. "Are you really going to condemn me for trying to soothe you?"

"I'm going to condemn you if we both end up dying because you forgot which way to go! You should've been straight with me!" 

Discomfort nestled in Two Legs, the memory of failing to predate on Sawyer the previous night resurfaced. While entertaining the thought of attempting that again—given her attitude—his nerves from his spine to his feet began to tingle, dancing alongside his knotted stomach. 

He realized he was enjoying this tension. 

"Harsh words from someone so ungrateful," he grinned, suppressing a laugh. "You can't damn me if we're both corpses, now can you, senorita ?" (2)

"Last I checked, hauntings haven't been disproven," Sawyer remarked sarcastically. She stepped closer into his space, her voice low and intense. "I'm not great at Spanish, but I know you're trying to undermine--!"

"Shh!" 

"You're the human equivalent of a twig with feet, don't you shh me!" 

Two Legs suddenly clamped his hand over her mouth. Sawyer's eyes widened in protest, but she quickly noticed what had alarmed him: low snarls from the left. 

A mutual silence fell between the two, and Sawyer's gaze slowly traveled up to Luis, watching his nostrils flare and his chest rise steadily. The stillness in his eyes reminded Sawyer of a professional sniper, honing in on his target before taking a shot. Luis didn't seem the type to be someone of that ilk, but the strangeness of his behavior faded when she spotted movement from ahead. 

Three Dires emerged, their canine human forms slinking from the darkness underneath fluttering lights. As they advanced, their yellow eyes carried an eerie glow, sensing a disturbance within their territory. The large humps on their upper backs flexed with every step they took, showcasing powerful muscles underneath the flesh. 

"The meth wolves," Sawyer whispered under her breath as Two Legs removed his hand from her mouth. She immediately thought of Kari, how she was alone facing a horde of these creatures or worse--these were the survivors, and she was dead. "Oh shit…"

"How good is your aim?" Two Legs asked, his voice tense as he kept his eyes on the BOWs. 

"Decent. Why?" 

"Cover me." 

"What?!"

Without further explanation, Two Legs grabbed a discarded metal panel and threw it against the wall with a loud clang. The Dires turned towards the noise, momentarily distracted as Two Legs ran forward, waving his hands to draw their attention while he shouted. 

"Hey, over here!" 

The Dires released a series of snarling clicks like hyenas alerting one another and proceeded to advance on him. At first, the creatures were in a sprint as Two Legs began to run backward, keeping his eyes focused on them. But then he saw the look of familiarity as the BOWs paused, getting on all fours as they precariously inched toward him. Their noses twitched as the growls became deeper.

Seizing the opportunity, Sawyer aimed her handgun. Her hands shook while she sharpened her focus. Luis was insane for doing this, but with the BOWs' backs turned to her, Sawyer had a clear shot at their heads and assumed vital spots. The air became stiff as she narrowed down her first target, feeling startled when the creature's tactics changed. It was almost as if Luis had them hypnotized. She couldn't believe it, much less process what she was looking at.

Two Legs felt conflicted as he slowly backed up further, sensing through vibrations that the parasites within these entities had difficulty telling if he was a friend or foe. He sensed Sawyer's gaze and let out a yell toward the BOWs. It was enough to break the trance, and the leader took a shot at him--swiping its powerful right arm toward his direction, narrowly missing his abdomen as Two Legs jumped back. 

The first shot echoed through the corridor, dropping the nearest Dire with a headshot. Four more shots took down another, striking the head and legs. Realizing the secondary threat, the third Dire spun around and ran at full speed toward Sawyer. Just as it leaped into the air, its jaws open wide, she fired several shots--the bullets piercing through the mouth and skull before the body toppled to the ground with a thud.

Sawyer exhaled sharply. Although the encounter lasted only seconds, the adrenaline made it feel longer. Her grip on the gun relaxed.

Two Legs whistled in approval as he backtracked, kicking the Dire at Sawyer's feet to ensure it was dead. He chuckled amusingly, trying to cover up his mixed feelings about the creatures and his relation to them.

"Nice shooting!" he muttered, a hint of a smile on his lips. "For a second, I thought you were gonna let them eat me."

"It did cross my mind," Sawyer replied, her voice steady despite her racing heart. She reloaded her weapon and gestured for Luis to lead the way. "Keep going. I'll follow."

"Oh, really now?" Two Legs looked at her, eyebrows raised. "I thought you were angry with me?" 

"Oh, believe me, I still am," Sawyer replied mockingly, a nervous laugh escaping her. "But I can't be mad at you if we're both dead, so let's move."

"So, does that mean I won our argument?"

"Shut up, Luis."  

Two Legs grinned, nodding as he gestured with his head to follow. 

They continued down a narrow hall, leaving the fallen Dires behind. As they neared their destination, Two Legs's nose twitched at the sudden stench of sour milk and rotting vegetables. He paused, gagging as the smells hit his olfactory system like a train.

"Did you swallow a fly mid-run?" Sawyer quipped as she came to his side to check on him.

"Good one," Two Legs huffed with a laugh, shaking his head. "No, it's the waste hatch. We're getting close! See?" 

A bronze tunnel came into view ahead of them. They rounded a corner and rushed toward the exit. Ultimately, Two Legs and Sawyer entered a large sterile room with faded walls and a high ceiling. The space resembled a testing site where Soldado's monsters no doubt took their first breaths, its haunting imagery further exemplified by the scent of chemicals and something raw that neither Two Legs nor Sawyer could place. Sawyer furrowed her brows and licked her dry lips, not wanting to imagine the other horrors that had transpired here.

"Where's the hatch?" She asked, trying to take her mind off her thoughts. 

Two Legs placed a hand on her shoulder as he quickly walked past. "I'm gonna find it! See if you can find a gun for me in the meantime, eh? Don't wander too far!"

Before she could protest, Luis was out of sight. There was no point in arguing with him to stay put or offering to help. Accepting her lot, Sawyer began to look around, rubbing her eyes as they watered from the bleach and mildew scents in the lab.

Rows of large glass tanks lined the area, some shattered and others intact. A few flickered with faulty lights, casting gloomy shadows on the ground and illuminating the turquoise water that filled each capsule. Inside the intact tubes, remnants of creatures were visible—mangled limbs, disembodied organs, and twisted spines—floating in a viscous fluid. How each piece moved against the glass reminded Sawyer of an undeveloped fetus hanging onto the placenta, and she nearly gagged at the thought. Finding a gun for Luis was the furthest thing from her mind as her eyes widened with disdain, realizing the depth of Soldado's operations. It seemed he had never left Umbrella behind, unlike how he bragged about it back at the Plaza. She couldn't fathom why people like Soldado pushed the envelope all in the name of progress. The gallery of grotesque creations didn't seem worth whatever he had been trying to accomplish.

As Sawyer pondered the what-ifs, cautiously navigating through the labyrinth of tanks, she stopped at one in particular--unable to tear away as she peered into it. A mass of organs and spider-like legs floated in the fluid, pulsating as if still alive. She swallowed hard, trying to suppress the rising nausea, memories of the locker room incident flooding back—how the Sabers mandibles had protruded from its cheeks and the insect-like mannerisms of the Dires formation. These things—plaga, or whatever they were—seemed obsessively revered by Soldado. She wondered how he had developed such a twisted fascination with them and where the hell they had come from in the first place. There had to be more to the story than just the caves Soldado had mentioned in passing.

He sure had a kink for bugs if there ever was one, that's for damn sure…

Just as Sawyer was about to turn away, something moved. A bloody hand lunged at the space between the tanks right at her.

"Whoa! Whoa! Fuck--!” Sawyer yelled, stumbling back in shock, nearly knocking over a desk. The sound bounced through the room, amplifying the eerie atmosphere. She struggled to regain her composure, her gun trained on the bloodied appendage.

"Kiddo," a hoarse voice called out. "It's… it's me. Put the gun down."

Sawyer hesitated, her hands shaking slightly, but then took a deep breath and peered further as the figure behind the tanks rose. Covered in blood and grime, Samuel grunted as he managed to limp around and stood before her. There was no mistaking the familiar face as Sawyer met his pained stare.

"Samuel?" Sawyer gasped, lowering her gun. She couldn't believe her eyes. "How...?"

"Surprise," Samuel feebly chuckled, his voice barely audible. He winced and fell onto his knees, his body battered and sore. Eyes unfocused and hazy, he struggled to push himself up. "Shit..."

Sawyer knelt beside him, and she gently cupped his face, careful not to touch the bruises and cuts scattered across his skin. 

"Sam, what happened to you?" Her voice shook with relief. "Are you okay?"

"Kiddo, I…." Samuel coughed, wincing as he tried to sit up. "I…I got separated from Mobley. We were ambushed…by an elephant man."

"Elephant man?" 

"Big…elephant BOW. It came out of nowhere…knocked me on my ass." His words were halting, each breath labored. Samuel glanced down at his side, where a makeshift bandage was hastily wrapped around his abdomen. Blood had seeped through the fabric, staining it a dark red. "I woke up...in an office. Found a first aid kit and...tried to patch myself up, and crawled here."

Sawyer's eyes softened, and she let go of his face, whispering an apology as he grimaced from her touch. "There's a waste hatch that leads out of here, Sam. We're gonna get out of this damn place."

Samuel smiled weakly, his voice muffled. "I missed your cursing."

"And I missed when you weren't bleeding to death," Sawyer countered playfully, trying to lighten the situation for both their sakes.

"This has been…one hell of a bust, Kiddo."

"You don't say," Sawyer quipped playfully, then tried to give him some hope to latch onto. "We can bitch about it over drinks, I promise." 

"I'll…make sure those are…both teas," Samuel grinned, straining the muscles in his mouth. "I wouldn't want...to break your streak."

Not far from the pair, Two Legs had been watching the exchange; he had arrived shortly after hearing Sawyer scream. Confusion bloomed in his eyes. This Samuel and his quarry weren't related by blood—Two Legs could smell their differences from their sweat alone—but their connection was significant nonetheless. An unfamiliar feeling roosted under his ribs as he observed them—a mix of covetousness and something else he couldn't quite place. Whatever was going on with his body deeply unsettled his composure as he finally forced himself to approach the two.

"Hey! I heard you yelling, are you good?" Two Legs called out, pushing the emotions down while pretending not to notice Samuel at first. 

Samuel's gaze shifted to Two Legs, and a sense of recognition crossed his features. "Who's...this fella?"

"This is Luis. He's been helping me," Sawyer answered quickly, her voice steadying as she gestured toward him. "Luis, this is my good friend Sam I've told you about."

"Hola!" Two Legs grinned, giving a slight wave with his hand. He felt the weight of Samuel's scrutiny. Though clouded with immense pain, the man's eyes held a clarity that unnerved him. It was as if Samuel was seeing through the facade, sensing something that even Sawyer hadn't fully grasped.

Two Legs lowered his hand and made a fist.

"Let's get you out of here," Sawyer gently touched Samuel's shoulder. "Can you stand?"

Samuel nodded, though he clearly struggled with his wounds and feelings toward Sawyer's companion. With their help, he slowly rose, wincing with each movement. All the while, the expression of Two Legs remained unreadable as Samuel studied him.

"How far is the hatch, Luis?" Sawyer asked.

"Oh, it's on the other side of these gestation tanks! I don't think your friend here will struggle getting to it once he finds his feet."

"How comforting of you…" Samuel muttered, followed by a rough cough.

Two Legs felt a strange, awkward sensation as he stared at Samuel.  He realized it wasn't just his obvious connection with Sawyer that bothered the plaga, but something else. One thing was sure: Two Legs didn't like how it made him feel, almost on edge—his false display as Luis threatened to lift with each passing breath because of it.

"You're pretty tough for an older guy. It sure looks like you've seen better days, eh?" Two Legs gestured toward Samuel's injury. He couldn't help but try to pry and see what else was happening.

"Can we...cut the small talk for now?" Samuel asked, coughing once more.

"Jesus, Sam, your mouth is bleeding bad." Sawyer pointed out.

"I'll be fine," Samuel protested. "Trust me...I'll be alright."

The coughing of blood made Two Legs connect the dots, but to be sure, he needed to use his senses to feel out the room. Subtly, the tendrils in his body sent out microscopic pulses of vibration. The waves created varying degrees of noise that only those of his kind could hear. Two Legs turned his attention inward, intently focusing on Samuel as the frequencies returned to him, constructing a series of heat signature images behind his eyes. As the pictures focused, his stomach dropped.  

A blue-green aura existed inside Samuel, taking the shape of a plaga and coiling throughout his body, leeching into his spine. The parasite stopped moving and turned its head toward the source of the sudden racket that had knocked it off course. The creature responded to Two Legs with a violent sequence of sounds, causing Two Legs' eyes to widen and his breath to hitch.

"Sam?" Sawyer backed up a little as Samuel coughed more blood into his palms.

"Sawyer, you need to get away from him!" Two Legs stepped back, his voice urgent.

"What are you talking about?" Sawyer's head snapped up, confusion and anger flashing in her eyes. "He needs our help!"

Samuel looked between them, his expression darkening as his breath quickened. "What the hell are you saying?"

Two Legs struggled to find the words—the human words—to explain himself as he glanced frantically between the two.

"He's infected," He finally managed, his tone insistent as he abruptly sensed more of his brethren's aggression coming through. "There's a parasite inside him!"

"No, that's impossible," Sawyer whispered, denial thick in her tone. She could feel her face turning pale as she met Samuel's eyes. "Samuel, tell him—tell him it's not true!"

"I…I don't know," Samuel admitted, his voice breaking as his eyes wandered around. "During the fight with the BOW, something…something stabbed me. Like a stinger."

Samuel glimpsed down at his bandaged side, realization dawning on his face as horror crept into his voice. 

"Oh god…"

"No!" Sawyer's hands shook as she gripped Samuel's left arm, her eyes pleading. "There has to be a way to help you! We'll cut the son of a bitch out once we leave!" 

"We don't have time for that!" Two Legs interjected grimly. He shook his head. "The parasite will take over soon. We need to stop it now!"

"How the hell do you know that, Luis?" Sawyer spat. "He doesn't even look infected!"

"I know--" Two Legs felt sweat trickling down his face before he remembered pocketing documents on Plaga Type E back in the security office. "I know because of Soldado's notes! I found them with his corpse. You can check the back of my pants if you don't believe me; I stashed them!"

The atmosphere grew dense as Sawyer and Two Legs stared each other down, their mutual suspicion and bitterness rising. Samuel, caught between them, felt his panic mounting. He suddenly became acutely aware of the thing inside him--a cold, alien presence slithering against his bones and organs.

The room grew darker as his body began to cringe. His heart picked up in speed. 

"We have to leave him behind," Two Legs pleaded, seeing the ache in Sawyer's eyes and her unwillingness to let go. He felt a pang of something—empathy, perhaps—but he pushed it aside. There was no room for that, not now. His voice became frustrated, recalling his previous mistakes. "You told me to be straight with you earlier, and now that I'm doing that, you suddenly want comforting lies?! Jesus, make up your mind!"

"I am not leaving Sam, and that's final!" Sawyer yelled, her eyes blazing with a mix of defiance and fear.

"Ki-Kiddo…"... Samuel's voice was barely a whisper.

His body started to convulse.

"S-Sam...?"

“R--u--Run…” 

Those were the last words Samuel managed to choke out before a guttural scream tore from his throat. His eyes glowed with a startling, unnatural hue while his skin rippled grotesquely as the parasite took control, bones cracking and elongating beneath the surface.

Sawyer quickly moved away, her heart sprinting in her chest as his face contorted in agony. Inhuman roars reverberated through the area as Samuel's features continued to warp. She watched as his hands thickened and extended into grayish appendages, the nails hardening into opaque, chitinous claws. His skin became darker and toughened, taking on a leathery texture. With an agonizing wail, Samuel's back arched, and a spine of segmented armor erupted along his vertebrae--reminiscent of a beetle's carapace. His chest expanded as more bones realigned to support the growing mass as his body gained height. A pair of tusks--long and sharp--protruded from his mouth, giving an ungainly appearance. 

The last glow of humanity in Samuel's eyes faded as he stared at Sawyer, his arms extending outward as he let out a thick screech that rattled every gestation tank in the lab.

As Samuel continued to cry out, Two Legs watched in horrified fascination. He felt the parasite's malicious intent directed toward him, sensing the elder plaga had no intention of letting anyone in this room out alive. The last time he felt like prey was back in the village, and a deep-seated fear stirred within him.

Sawyer stood frozen. Her vision blurred, and the sounds around her dulled as if she were underwater. Each blink of her eyes replayed Samuel's despairing screams, blending with haunting memories of Carmen rising from her bed, arms outstretched in a desperate plea for mercy. A wave of detachment washed over Sawyer, incapable of reconciling the hell unfurling before her.

Without warning, Samuel—now fully the Tusk—turned his newfound strength against her. With a violent shove, he hurled Sawyer aside like a rag doll. The force sent her crashing across the room, the world spinning around her in a dizzying haze. Pain spread through her body, but it felt distant, as if it belonged to someone else. 

Two Legs sprang into action, his movements a blur as he launched himself toward Sawyer to intercept, hitting the ground with a grunt that reflected his exertion. He skidded slightly from the impact but managed to break her fall, using his body as a shield as she collided with him. The force of the impact knocked the air out of his chest, but he clung to Sawyer, absorbing the brunt of the blow to protect her.

Breathing heavily, Two Legs looked down at her, her eyes wide with shock. The raw affliction on her face seemed to threaten to unravel her resolve, but there was no time to dwell on it, much less Two Legs conflicted feelings about risking everything for someone he saw as prey.

Two Legs made haste as he maneuvered Sawyer into a safer position, his hands gripping her shoulders to steady her. "Are you alright?"

Sawyer nodded, her breath in fleeting gasps as she struggled to regain her composure. 

"Yeah, I'm fine," she replied, quivering but finding ground. Her eyes met his, and a silent understanding passed between them—a shared resolve to survive and a knowledge of what the outcome meant for Samuel. 

"We can't let him find the hatch! He's too dangerous," Two Legs pressed, his voice edged with desperation. "I know this...hurts you, but we must take him down together!"

Sawyer nodded, her eyes shining with unshed tears. She scrambled to grab her handgun, which fell not far from her, and tightened her grip on it, firming her will even though all she wanted to do was mourn.

"Do you have any ideas?" Sawyer breathed. 

"Besides not dying? Nadda…” Two Legs admitted, his gaze shifting back to Samuel. The intimidating presence of the beast loomed larger as it barreled toward them with alarming speed. "Joder!"

"Remember how we took down the meth wolves earlier?"

"Si?"

"It can't hurt to try it again!" Sawyer exclaimed. "Distract him, I'll shoot!"

"Wait, wait, wait, why am I the bait this time?!" 

"He looks more pissed at you than me, now go!" 

As the Tusk lunged to crush them, the pair jumped into action, playing to their respective strengths. Two Legs moved frenetically, darting around Samuel and drawing his ire.

"Oye, bastardo feo! Were you looking for me?" Two Legs taunted, his voice taut with adrenaline as he narrowly dodged Samuel's monstrous swing. The Tusk's massive trunk-like arm crashed into a metal support beam with a deafening clang, sending a shiver through the room. Debris rained down, shattering gestation tanks and spilling their contents. (3)

Seizing the momentary distraction, Sawyer fired her gun with grit, aiming at the vulnerable joints and gaps in the Tusk's exoskeleton. Her bullets chipped away at the creature's flesh, and as she missed some shots, she could feel her frustration mount. She watched Luis continue to lead the Tusk on a wild chase through the facility, calculating each movement to trick the BOW into smashing into dangerous objects and the walls.

"Missed me!" Two Legs heckled as the Tusk slammed its arms into four gestation tanks simultaneously while attempting to grab him. The glass embedded deeply into its skin, and the BOW erupted in a ferocious roar that clapped like thunder. Its eyes zeroed in on Two Legs, the parasites' relentless drive to eliminate the perceived higher threat overriding all other concerns. The BOW charged with renewed ferocity, its tusks now fully extended and gleaming with razor-sharp ends. At the same time, more beetle traits emerged, such as an armored shell and menacing mandibles snapping viciously.

Two Legs weaved through the chaos with agile precision, using his smaller size to his advantage as he dodged the plagas' aggressive attacks. He was getting into a flow as the lab shook, with each of the Tusk's giant steps, the walls, and the equipment bearing the brunt of its rage. Eventually, luck ran out for Two Legs as the Tusk grabbed him mid-jump.

"S-shit!" Two Legs exclaimed, feeling the creature apply pressure to his entire body. He could feel his lungs deflate, his mind combing through Luis's memories at lightning speed to try and find a way out of this, but the pain became more unyielding as he could feel his host's bones wanting to give out even with the biological reinforcements Two Legs had developed over the years. He couldn't afford to mutate, and even then, Two Legs knew it wouldn't be of use at that moment.

Suddenly, several bullets hit one of the Tusk's mandibles, sending the appendage flying off in a bloody cloud and drawing a snarl of rage from the beast. The creature's eyes snapped toward Sawyer; the parasite recognized her as a more significant threat, tossing Two Legs to the side before it rushed at her, ignoring the bullets hitting its chest.

"Fuckfuckfuck!" Sawyer's curse cut through the noise as her gun jammed unexpectedly. Panic surged through her veins, her hands desperately trying to clear the blockage. She scrambled for cover, but it was too late.

The Tusk launched forward, and its right arm swung, crushing and slamming into the ground, sending Sawyer crashing to the floor. Her face smacked against the cold ground; wind knocked from her lungs as the gun skidded out of reach.

"No, no, no!" Sawyer muttered, her voice shaking with fear. She struggled to push herself up. The Tusk overlooked her, its immense shadow casting a suffocating chill.

"Oh no you don't!" Two Legs shouted, his voice raw as he charged. He skidded to a halt, scarcely avoiding a crushing blow from the parasite's massive right foot. In a desperate move, Two Legs snatched a jagged glass piece from the debris. Summoning every ounce of his strength, he drove it into the tender underside of the tusk leg. The creature bellowed in distress, its enormous frame staggering back as it clutched at the wound and fell.

Two Legs took the momentary reprieve to rush to Sawyer's side, his face etched with worry. 

"We need to quit meeting like this, cariño!" he shouted, his hands trembling as he helped her to her feet. "This one's on me for earlier!" (4)

Sawyer groaned, pushing through the mist of pain and disorientation. Her gaze fixed on Samuel, who was still squirming in agony, now on his hands and knees ravaging what remained of the lab, his furious strikes gouging deep craters into the floor and shattering anything in his path as he trapped himself in cords and other electrical equipment. The sight hardened Sawyer's stare. She understood there was no turning back now, no matter how much she wished otherwise.

"We have to end this," Sawyer's eyes darted around, heart sinking when she saw her gun too far out of range. It wouldn't make sense anyway to waste what little energy she had to unjam the damn thing. Her sight fell onto a fallen pipe within arm's reach, the sharp end illuminating under the dimming lights.

"One last time, get him pissed!"

Two Legs hesitated, his eyes betraying doubt, but he settled with his lot. Once again, he sprinted toward the Tusk, his insults laced with scorn as he dodged the creature's feral swings.

The BOW found its footing and ran at him, and as Two Legs darted underneath a table, narrowly avoiding being stomped, the Tusk fell forward and onto its face. Its legs had been trapped and entangled by debris and wiring, causing the creature to trip. Its frantic movements further entrapped the BOW while its claws dug into the ground, attempting to thrash away at its confinements, feeling steel wires wrap around its neck and sinking into its flesh.

With Samuel in the perfect position and nowhere to retreat, Sawyer knew the moment had arrived. She charged, her grip on the pipe white-knuckled, and with a decisive strike, she drove it into the soft tissue of the Tusk's throat, just below the start of its exoskeleton. The creature spat blood as it roared, and Sawyer yelled as she forced the pipe deeper, angling it to drive into the brain so it would kill him faster.

"Sam…" Sawyer's voice cracked, the words barely escaping through her gasping breaths.

The growls twisted into desperate gurgles as the BOW choked on its bile, movements coming to a sluggish crawl. The parasite's grip on Samuel's body weakened as it could feel its life force draining alongside its host--unable to contend with the arteries its attacker severed all at once.

"Sam, I'm so sorry—I'm so sorry, Sam!"

In his final moments, Samuel's eyes locked onto hers. His monstrous form seemed to falter as fleeting recognition and profound sorrow had etched across his ghastly appearance.

Sawyer shook her head, tears blurring as she whispered, "Sam, I'm so sorry… I'm so sorry…"

With a final, shuddering breath, the Tusk collapsed, its massive body crashing to the ground with a bone-jarring thud. 

Silence enveloped the facility, only interrupted by Sawyer's breathing, the crackling of failing electrical equipment, and the blaring of the overhead alarm system.

Less than two minutes before red protocol is activated. 

She stood over the fallen creature, the pipe still clutched in her trembling hands. The moment's weight pressed down on her, her mind racing and subjugated by the crushing reality of what she had just done.

She had killed her best friend.

Two Legs crawled out from his hiding place and approached Sawyer cautiously. A somber stillness masked his expression while he watched her grip on the pipe loosen, the metal object making a squelching noise as it remained embedded into Samuel's flesh. The quiet that followed was heavy, laden with the consequence of their actions.

"He's... he's gone," Sawyer whispered, her voice barely more than a breath. Her eyes remained locked on the lifeless form of her friend, the horror and despair evident in her gaze.

The rawness of her grief made Two Legs reluctant to intrude, much less offer comfort. A memory from "the other place" imposed itself upon him, showing Luis and Abuelo putting down a bird whose wings were trapped in barbed wire. The unfortunate animal had torn itself apart while trying to escape. He could hear the two arguing in his head about whether to nurse the creature back to health or to end its suffering, with Luis heavily debating the ethics long after the deed was done.

"Sometimes…" Two Legs began, his voice hesitant and heavy. The rest of the memory played out.

Abuelo ended the conversation in one fell swoop—the words leaving an impact on a young Luis that would follow him for years.

"Sometimes, there are no good choices."

Sixty seconds until red protocol activation. 

"We need to move," Two Legs said, his voice unwavering despite the mixed emotions tugging at him. "C'mon, c'mon, you can't stay here."

Sawyer stole one last lingering look at Samuel's lifeless body, then followed Two Legs. They ran across to the other side of the lab, sliding into the hatch, and fell rapidly down a dark tunnel.

As they emerged on the other side, crashing into one another and tumbling through mud and garbage, they found themselves further away from the site than expected. They crawled out of the grime and stood up, noticing the expanse of twilight shadows and the distant glow of the sun.

The howl of the explosion shattered the moment of peace as the facility erupted in a brilliant burst, lighting up the sky with a searing glow.

Sawyer stood frozen momentarily, her face illuminated by the distant flames. The shock of it all felt surreal as if she were watching a nightmare unfold in slow motion. She wondered if this was how Carmen felt when Raccoon City fell to the undead—alone and hopeless, knowing that everything she cared about, every person she loved, had been reaped without mercy.

Two Legs swallowed hard as he watched the blaze. He could almost feel the heat of the fire engulfing Abuelo's house as Luis stood not more than a few feet away, watching his home and even his identity perish. That was one of Luis's core memories that he would rather soon forget than relive. He needed a distraction and fast.

Glancing at Sawyer, Two Legs eyes echoed the ferocity of the flames. His stomach twisted as hunger urged him to sink his teeth into his quarry. He had gone the extra mile not only to save himself but also her own hide. All this effort was to finish what he had started last night and end this strange sense of obligation that was lingering in his mind. He was so close, he could practically feel her arteries gushing around his mouth.

Then her eyes met his.

His heart beat wildly, like back in the basement.  

"C'mon," Two Legs urged almost bitterly as he blinked, his voice barely whispering above calamity ahead. He moved away from Sawyer, his steps hurried and desperate. The terrain grew uneven as he approached the river's edge, which was just a short distance away, and he turned to see if she was following.

Silently, Sawyer acknowledged the fire one last time and turned her back. She followed Luis deep into the woods, the river soothing her frayed nerves as she picked up the pace.  She had no idea what to do now except to keep running—just like she always did.

Even if it hurt.

Notes:

1. Gracias Christo = Thank Christ! 2. Senorita = Miss/ young girl 3. Bastardo feo = Ugly bastard 4. Cariño! = Sweetheart / Dear

[67-romeo]

U.S. Army soldiers assigned to 12th Combat Aviation Brigade prepare to take flight in AH-64E Apache helicopters during exercise Saber Junction 24 in the 7th Army Training Command's (7ATC) Hohenfels Training Area, Germany, earlier this month.

📸 U.S. Army photo by SGT Christian Carrillo, 7th ATC

⁠

#ah64 #ah64e #ah64apache #apachehelicopter #attackhelicopter #combathelicopter #heli #helicopter #helicopters #boeing #militaryaviation #military #armyaviation #aviation #avgeek #aviationlovers #aviationphotography #airplane #instaaviation #instapilot #helicopterpilot #instagramaviation #aviationpictures #aviationdaily #helicoptersofinstagram #usarmy #usarmyaviation #12CAB #attack #attackaviation

[sulan1809]

Epic Mickey: Rebrushed - Viagem pela terra dos desenhos anitigos

Em 2010, a Junction Point Studios liberou Epic Mickey ao Nintendo Wii. Em 2024, 14 anos depois, a THQ Nordic, em parceria com a desenvolvedora Purple Lamp, trouxe a joia perdida de volta, retrabalhada para a nova geração de consoles, denominada Epic Mickey: Rebrushed. No enredo, Mickey entrou na oficina de Yen Sid através de um espelho mágico, e ele examina a maquete depois que Yen Sid sai, sem saber o que realmente é, e começa a mexer no pincel para fazer um autorretrato dele mesmo, mas acidentalmente cria um monstro feito de tinta e diluente. Mickey, apavorado com o monstro tenta se defender dele com o diluente, mas acaba por derramar mais tinta e diluente no modelo no processo. Quando Mickey vê Yen Sid se aproximando, ele tenta consertar a bagunça que ele fez, mas na pressa, ele derramou todo o frasco de diluente na tinta derramada ao passo em que ele foge pra casa. Depois de muitas décadas após o incidente, Mickey parecia ter esquecido o que aconteceu, no entanto um velho conhecido adentrou a casa do rato pelo espelho mágico, e arrastou Mickey para o arruinado mundo fantasioso agora conhecido como Wasteland. E é a partir daí que começa a grandiosa aventura de Mickey para corrigir o estrago que ele mesmo causou.

Vale mencionar um outro personagem, Oswald O Coelho Sortudo, um personagem criado em 1927 pela Walt Disney Productions e Ub Iwerks para a Universal Pictures. Esse personagem participou de diversos curtas animados, até que em 1928, Charles B. Mintz, a mando da Universal Pictures, assumiu controle dos direitos de Oswald, e a Walt Disney Productions teve de criar um personagem substituto para Oswald. Foi aí que eles pensaram em um rato, Mickey Mouse. 78 anos depois, a Walt Disney Productions readquiriu os direitos de Oswald. Em 2010, Oswald foi apresentado em Epic Mickey, como um antagonista para o até então herói, Mickey Mouse. Oswald culpa Mickey abertamente por ter arruinado a vida dele, no entanto os dois unem forças para derrotar os inimigos de ambos.

[military1st]

Sky Soldiers from 173rd Airborne Brigade during a joint field exercise, part of Exercise Saber Junction 17 in Mimon, Czech Republic.

Photo by Philip Steiner (2017).

[xalicitie]

DREGS OF MY HEART , A snippet

A snippet of a fanfiction I’m finally putting time into ! I actually really like this concept but I had to start from scratch since all of my notes are lost with my broken phone, so. Yk it sucks.

Poe Dameron x Villain OC x Kylo Ren

The crackling of Ciara's blood red lightsaber appeared devastatingly close to her throat at the moment. It's smoldering blade radiated a palpable aura of heat, and that heat slowly but surely trickled up her neck and leached onto her chin and face.

Yet there was nothing like a little danger to remind you that you were alive, and that the preservation of your life was most paramount. Ciara had learned to take life that way ever since she could remember.

Kylo Ren's saber pressed tautly and rigorously against hers, their vigors staggering as they fought, neither willing to relent. Ciara's chest rose and fell sharply, and Kylo took more than heed of that.

"You cannot beat me in a strength fight, Ciara. Surrender."

Her eyes steeled. Fuck no.

She wouldn't let him beat her this easily. The brawl had only just started.

Thus ever so slightly, she widened the grip of one of her hands which clasped around her saber, a slick sneer barely appearing on her lips. She knew strength alone couldn't beat her mentor, so she decided to circumvent the predicament by playing with a bit of the force.

In a prompt move, Ciara just scarcely pushed Kylo back, the action taking him pleasantly by surprise. With the sneer now mounted expansively on Ciara's lips, they began exchanging hits back and forth once again, the junction finally past.

Ciara's lightsaber form utilized purposefully diverting, swinging movements and swift, calculated hits. Kylo Ren's involved heavy hits and a proclivity of offensive moves. While Kylo sought to beat Ciara with brutality, she sought to beat him through slick hits until she exploited a vice in his handiwork.

It was true that Ciara hadn't beaten Kylo in ages. She believed this time would be different.

"Ciara," she'd gone on the offense gradually, and had begun an explosive onslaught. The constant contiguity of the two lightsabers as Ciara's lashed onto Kylo's hit after hit created a discordance of sounds that seemed almost deafening. Nonetheless, Kylo Ren parried each of Ciara's hits with ease. "I, really, could do this all day." His profound voice spoke between defenses.

With an aggravated shriek, she swiped at the floor, towards his feet, and imperceptibly quick, Kylo had his saber to her throat. Defenseless.

"Damn you, Kylo!"

Kylo responded with a grumbling chuckle, and Ciara turned off her lightsaber before throwing it against the monochrome wall. Her utter frustration pricked every inch of her skin.

"You know, you don't have to beat me. You were close that time, and that's truly enough."

"Oh, spare me your lenience. You parried my moves without using much of your impenetrable strength." Ciara retrieved her saber from the corner of the room faster than she could blink. It appeared wedged in her fingers, and shook in sync with her intermittent tremors as she struggled to keep her anger beneath the surface.

"It may look that way, but your style of fighting is very difficult to find ways around." Ciara's eyes were set stubbornly on the floor. Kylo watched her from afar in silence. "Come on, you should take a bath tonight and utilize some rest. We've got plans tomorrow."

"You just don't get it." Kylo's bemusement bled into his eyes as they narrowed in on his apprentice. "Snoke will never see me like he sees you. He threatens to throw me out half of the time, the rest he spends belittling my accomplishments. He thinks I'm some, incapable girl." Ciara ranted on. Her tremors rose violently.

"Snoke doesn't treat you any better than he treats me." His voice was low and pensive, slightly more than usual.

"How dare you say that." The tension was thick enough to sniff out. "You might think that, but to him you have value. I can easily be thrown out of the order, just like the rest of the generals and the stormtroopers. You're the gleaming, new Darth Vader."

"Well, me and Snoke have starkly different views." Ciara finally found the volition to turn her head towards her mentor. "You matter more than the order ever could to me. More than the Darth Vader title."

Kylo Ren's boots stomped on the floor, and Ciara found those last few words echoing far in her head. He held out a glove-enveloped hand.

"It's just the two of us. Emperor Snoke may have power over us, but we still have each other."

After a moment's silence, Ciara took his hand in hers.

[wandering-sempstress]

As someone who has done a bit of zooarchaology, I think this is basically correct. The teeth of most mammals, including carnivores, are made up of 2 parts: the crown which is covered in enamel, and the root which is covered in cementum. The line where they meet is called the cementoenamel junction (CEJ).

White-tailed deer teeth from an approximately 1,000-year-old archaeological site I worked at. The tooth on the left has had part of its root broken off.

In healthy mammals, the gums cover the entire root up to the CEJ. I haven't gotten to study saber-toothed cat teeth in person, but based on the photos, I think arsanatomica has correctly identified the CEJ.

A well-preserved Smilodon fatalis skull that was recently found in Iowa shows that same line.

The cementoenamel junction isn't just a line on the tooth, it's a boundary between two different materials. Enamel is 95% inorganic hydroxyapatite (a calcium-containing mineral), whereas cementum is 50% hydroxyapatite and 50% protein. A microscopic or chemical analysis of a well-preserved canine should be able to confirm the location of the CEJ.

Antón et al 2022's reconstruction of the saber-toothed cat Homotherium latidens fits nicely with this hypothesis. Their reconstruction is based on studies of the soft-tissue anatomy of living big cats.

reconstruction of Homotherium latidens with its mouth closed from Antón et al 2022

In their reconstruction, Homotherium has its canines completely inside its mouth when its mouth is closed. Antón et al suggest that, like modern lions, tigers, and leopards, Homotherium had a fold of tissue inside the lower lip which covered the tip of the upper canine when the mouth was closed.

reconstruction of Homotherium latidens growling and showing the lower-lip tooth flap from Antón et al 2022

Antón et al 2022 was distributed under an Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 license. The complete article can be read here.

[defensenow]

Saber Junction 2023: Enhancing Lethality for NATO's Defense

[thxnews]

Ukraine Defense: U.S. and Allies United

The United States and its allies stand united in defending Ukraine against Russian aggression. During a meeting in Paris, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin emphasized the collective commitment to Ukraine's security. This announcement underscores the ongoing efforts to provide critical assistance and strengthen NATO's role in ensuring regional stability.  

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III greets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Photo by NPO. Alexander C. Kubitaz. DOD.  

U.S. Commitment to Ukraine's Defense

France's Key Role During a meeting with French Minister of the Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu, Secretary Austin expressed gratitude for France's contributions to Ukraine's defense. He emphasized the importance of international cooperation in countering Russian expansionism. "I'm deeply grateful for France's contributions to Ukraine's fight for freedom, and I know that we'll continue to work together to provide security assistance to our Ukrainian partners," Austin stated. "We've also worked together to strengthen NATO."   The D-Day Commemoration Reflecting on the recent D-Day ceremony, Austin highlighted the historical significance and the enduring principles of freedom and democracy. Meeting with World War II veterans, he reaffirmed the commitment to the rules-based international order established post-war. "It was very moving to have the chance to again thank the U.S., French, and other Allied veterans of World War II and to reaffirm the principles that they fought for. Their service and sacrifice laid the foundation for the rules-based international order that we built together after World War II," Austin remarked.  

Biden's Meeting with Zelenskyy

Discussions on Security Assistance President Joe Biden, along with Austin, met with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris. The leaders discussed U.S. support for Ukraine, focusing on urgent assistance needs amid ongoing conflict with Russia.   New Security Assistance Package President Biden announced a new security assistance package valued at $225 million. This package includes air defense interceptors, artillery ammunition, and other critical capabilities essential for Ukraine's defense.   Key Elements of the Security Package: - Air defense interceptors - Artillery ammunition - Additional critical defense capabilities This is the sixth security assistance package since the national security supplemental was signed, reflecting the rapid and robust support from the United States.   Upcoming Peace Summit The leaders also discussed the upcoming Peace Summit on Ukraine in Switzerland. Vice President Kamala Harris and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan will represent the U.S., supporting Ukraine's pursuit of a just and lasting peace aligned with the United Nations Charter principles.  

Bulgaria at Saber Junction 15 NATO exercise. Photo by 7th Army Training Command. Flickr.  

NATO's Enhanced Role

Strengthening NATO Secretary Austin highlighted the enhanced role of NATO in supporting Ukraine and ensuring regional stability. The U.S. and its allies are committed to bolstering NATO's capabilities and readiness in response to Russian aggression.   Continuing Dialogue The commitment to ongoing dialogue and cooperation was emphasized, with plans to meet again at the upcoming G7 Summit in Italy. The leaders aim to further discuss strategies and support mechanisms for Ukraine.  

Recent U.S. Security Assistance Packages to Ukraine

Date Assistance Package Value Key Components March 2023 $150 million Air defense systems, medical supplies May 2023 $175 million Heavy artillery, armored vehicles June 2023 $225 million Air defense interceptors, ammunition August 2023 $200 million Surveillance drones, tactical gear October 2023 $250 million Advanced missile systems, radars January 2024 $225 million Air defense interceptors, ammunition  

Reflecting on Democratic Values

Pointe du Hoc Ranger Monument Later, Biden, Austin, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. visited the Pointe du Hoc Ranger Monument in Normandy. This visit underscored the importance of remembering the sacrifices made for democracy and freedom. "When we talk about democracy — American democracy — we often talk big ideas like life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. What we don't talk about enough is how hard it is," Biden said. "American democracy asks the hardest of things: to believe that we're a part of something bigger than ourselves. So, democracy begins with each of us."  

Commitment to American Ideals

Biden's remarks at the monument emphasized the need to stay true to the values that define America. He called for a continued commitment to these ideals, inspired by the bravery and sacrifices of those who fought in World War II. "As we gather here today, it's not just to honor those who showed such remarkable bravery that day, June 6, 1944. It's to listen to the echo of their voices, to hear them. Because they are summoning us. They're asking us what will we do. They're not asking us to scale these cliffs. They're asking us to stay true to what America stands for," Biden concluded.   The Takeaway The unified stance of the U.S. and its allies in supporting Ukraine is crucial in the face of Russian aggression. Through continued cooperation, robust security assistance, and a commitment to democratic values, the international community stands firm in defending Ukraine's sovereignty and ensuring regional stability.   Sources: THX News & US Department of Defense. Read the full article

[captain-price-unofficially]

Italian paratroopers of the 187th Regiment during Ex. Saber Junction 24

[georgemcginn]

DOD Featured Photos

Ceremonial Toss Members of the Navy Drill Team perform during the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Nationa… Photo Details > Clean Shave Army Reserve Sgt. Collin George shaves during Saber Junction near Hohenfels, Germany, Sept. 12, 2023… Photo Details > Osprey Ops A Navy CMV-22B Osprey prepares to lift off from the flight deck of the USS Nimitz during routine ope… Photo Details…

[massispost]

New Post has been published on https://massispost.com/2023/09/armenian-medics-participate-in-saber-junction-2023-multinational-exercise-in-germany/

Armenian Medics Participate in Saber Junction 2023 Multinational Exercise in Germany

HOHENFELS — From August 28 to September 23, the staff of the…

[tiberstripes]

A brush with the Dark

it took a few months, but Nimolla had finally gotten the clearance from the counsel to take her apprentice to Ilum. Dargo met her on the landing pad early in the morning. The all too familiar sight of the Crucible, the ship used for the Gathering, docked behind his master. An unease settled into his stomach as he approached. Nimolla raised a brow fractionally as she sensed Dargo's emotions twist and tighten, "you seemed troubled, padawan."

The boy met his masters eyes for a moment before he turned his gaze back to the ship, "I've been on this ship three times, and each trip I returned empty handed."

Nimolla considered her apprentice's words for a moment, "maybe without a lightsaber, but I would not say empty handed." She saw the confused expression on Dargo's face and smiled softly in response, "nevermind, let us set out."

The trip to Ilum was the same, except for the presence of a small group of initiates chattering about possible colors and styles of saber being absent. Instead Nimolla had Dargo recount his prior visits. It left him already feeling frustrated, but after a gentle chiding from his master, he banished the feeling.

He stood at the threshold to the temple entrance once again, peering beyond to the passages and caves. However, he wasn't to undergo this journey alone.

"I will be with you every step, but you will decide the path. If we are separated, continue forward. Trust in the Force." His master's words rang in his ears as they made their way into ice covered tunnels and caverns. Every junction and split in the path causing Dargo to pause. He tried to always pick a direction he thought would lead them deeper, yet somehow they returned the temple antechamber time and again.

It was on the fifth return that Dargo's frustration began to boil into anger. As he set off again, he found himself quickly turned back around. He didn't have the chance to think, he simply let loose a cry of hopeless anger and the Force responded. It shook the icy passage they stood in, the walls and ceiling cracking. As the rumble of the force died and the ice settled, Dargo looked about at the destruction with immediate regret. He hadn't meant to do it, but he suddenly felt a coldness that wasn't the planet's temperature.

Nimolla for her part, could see where the problem lay. She wanted to reach out and comfort the boy, but knew he needed to overcome this obstacle himself, so she remained silent. With his head hung Dargo whispered, "we should go." Nimolla placed a hand on Dargo's shoulder, her voice soft and gentle, "you're doing it again. You're trying to force this to work the way you think it should." She put some emphasis on the word think, "This, just like with your lessons, isn't the natural way for you. Let go of what you think should happen, clear your mind, and listen to your instincts."

Dargo's anger and frustration hadn't dissipated as he shrugged of his masters and while turning towards her, "This isn't like my lessons. This isn't something that I can change what I'm doing and suddenly it works. You've seen yourself, the temple rejects me. If that isn't the Force clearly telling me I'm not supposed to be a jedi then I don't know what is."

Nimolla was surprised, she had misread the situation. She sighed, "is that what you want? To leave the Order?"

Upset with himself for the outburst and on the verge of tears, Dargo shook his head in answer. His master continued, "then stop stubbornly trying to do this the way you believe its done. The way this temple tests each youngling is different. Quit thinking about doing this right, and let your way be right."

Dargo considered her words, he was wrapped in a maelstrom of emotions. He closed his eyes focused on his breathing and regained control. The temple kept returning him here because he had been trying to force his way through the caves. He let the Force flow through him, the resonance building around him until he herd it. The soft ring of the crystal's call. He opened his eyes seeing a faint glow coming from one the cracks he had made. Using the Force to draw the crystal out he peered down at it in disbelief. When he looked back up to his master, she was smiling proudly at him.

[caliburn]

A̷ͣ̍ͣ̃̅ͨ̓̕҉͉̣͈͔̩ ̶̡̭̞̣̣̰͂͋̎̃̂͟R̦̲̳͇̩̭̱̪͆͆ͯ̔̌́͜͟ ̴̡̱̹̙͇̒̽͠T̠̪͉̺̠̤̫̆ͩ̅ͨ ̟̼̝̀͒̂͐̀̔̚H̨̰̱̉ͯͣͪ̆̕ ̷̙̪̭̱̟͚̜̫̑̋̊̊ͥ̊̈́̆͞ͅU̪͎̳̹̻̰͎̳͑̆̈́̐̚͞͡ ̷̰̱̟̟̦̬͌ͥ͂ͥ̀Ŕ̸̵͏̫͔̼̥͎̣

She had always been warned to maintain a distance from the black-armoured Berserker — for her sake as much his. Once informed of the specifics, Lily had always complied with the instruction for fear of torturing a knight so beloved. Whenever the Knights of the Round received gifts, he would also, never with identification as to the sender. She longed to apologise to him for the endless mental torment he suffered, but with the frenzy her mere existence would whip him into, such would never be possible.

There be no need for more evidence than the present. Each Heroic Spirit in this city had been a shadow; hollow replications of culminated darkness, and with assistance, had she managed to at least hold her own against them. But he... he was a true Servant, and with only her sword to wield, she stood no chance. Once she entered his field of view, it was over.

Each breath wracked her lungs with burning pain, flared agonisingly whilst coughs ejected blood, mixed with that which poured from bodily wounds. Though she could peel herself from the ground, the knight remained crumpled before her companion, head dangling between her shoulders. Methodical were the footfalls that cast her in his shadow, plated fingers grasping at her hair to pull the Saber's view upward, gazed jade pierced by blood ruby. Ragged breaths were all she could muster at first, smoothed whilst broken lips shaped a smile.

She had known from the beginning it were impossible to fend him off, but if it afforded her friends time to escape the city, her death would not be in vain. And not just their safety, but his relief might yet still be salvageable. "If this... eases your pain, I will endure it all. I'm... sorry, Lancelot..."

Or will you find no peace, because I am not her?

A howl echoed from the maddened knight's throat, pulling on golden locks to hoist the smaller Servant from the ground, and once off her feet, he retaliated with one his own — driving itself into her abdomen with force that ruptured more blood from her throat and catapulted the tiny frame from his relinquishing grip, sending her through traffic lights and scraping against the road on the other side of a junction. Burgundy stained the street, gold splayed upon the heap at the culmination of its trail, shuddering like a lost traveller in the depths of frozen mountains. Ah... she would not last longer, but it was alright. Her senses were fading.

It would be over soon...

@gunnhildre