The sweltering summer sun had passed, leaving behind the dastardly clouds which covered up the last remaining heat. It was becoming harder and harder to find warmth. As a cold blooded animal, this was not good for the Adder, not good at all. Shelter would need to be found and arrangements to hide even before the first coming of snow. The female had found herself slithering along the bottom of the valley. It was too cold in this region and she knew she would have to find higher ground, ground which had been blessed by the heat of the sun. With the flick of its black tongue, the female serpent propelled herself up the mountain, seeking the higher ground. With each turn of her body, she could feel the dust and dirt sliding beneath her, almost like a gliding feeling. Her eyes targeted nothing, just peering forward as she made her way higher and higher. At the top of a cliff, the sun was shining brightly, close to the edge it had seemed. But then came the clouds. They masked the heat of the sun like a blanket, blocking and shielding the rays from her cold scales. Bitter by the quick change in temperature, she began to hunt. This season would be the last she would be able to find food before the change of winter. Dark eyes scanned the area, while her black tongue licked the air, seeking a possible prey worth for her time. Being as her body was not very large in width, she would have to find something like the size of a gopher or a large brown squirrel. Even a rabbit would suffice, a young and smaller rabbit. The thought of eating a rabbit forced her mouth to grow wet and she could feel the venom flowing through her body. She was ready for the kill even before the hunt actually started.

With a single flick of her tongue, she was able to detect the scent of a beast, not too far from where she was. It was indeed, a rabbit. Though she could not decipher the color of the creature, she was still plenty pleased that within a matter of minutes it would be within her gut, digesting and becoming mush. The Adder was quick on the hunt, moving between the blades of grass and weeds, sheltered by the dark colors of fall. His tongue flicked frivolously. Closer and closer she came. When long last she was close enough to strike, the rabbit sat straight up. Its nose twitched from side to side, smelling everything in sight. Its ears were alert atop its tiny head and like the sun, it vanished. Angered by the disturbed prey, she looked to see what had surprised it. She had been the perfect hunter, never missing her kill, never making a sound. She knew it was something else, and soon she discovered where the stress had come from. A large predator was in the area. The smell was disgusting and vile, even for her it was gross. It moved past her with a fury and then it stopped. What was the predator doing not going after the prey? Was it such a both to chase something so succulent? Curling her body into an "S" shape, she was ready to strike. It was for her own defenses, but the wolf did not move. It stared out to nothing. The Adder did not understand this practice, only knowing that food had been lost to such a foe. She knew she could not attempt to eat this wolf, but she could kill it. She could stop it from ever interrupting her hunt ever again. Curling back, she was getting ready to strike. Lunging forward, all thirty inches of her flung into the air. Her mouth open wide, fangs extended and ready to make contact. Latching into the rear right leg of the beast, she made her mark, filling the body with her venom. It would not be long now until the beast would be paralyzed, perhaps after a few more bites, dead. She retracted her fangs and buried herself among the weeds and long grown grass. She would wait to see the reaction of the beast, curious to know if it would be able to find her and what it would do in return.

Coiling up within herself, she was hidden within the cover of the tall grass. Her tongue flicked in and out, taking in the scent of the wolf. It was searching for her, but she would not allow herself to be found. She slithered carefully, dodging the digging paws and sniffing snout. She silently moved over the ground, heading for the rear of the wolf. In about a minute she was set for the perfect place to strike once again. Biting deeper and forcing more venom would surely do the trick of ending the predator's life. Opening her jaws wide, her fangs exposed themselves to the outside world. Lunging quickly, she latched her teeth to the flesh of the wolf once again. The venom coursed through her body and pushed itself into the wolf's bloodstream. As much as she could get out, she did. When she was finished, she retracted her fangs and slid from the beast, slipping off into the darkness. With one bite, she would be numb. But with two bites, the second being far better, she would die. For now, she would retire to her dwelling, careful not to take an damage from the deranged wolf.

The Elite had noticed her apprentice’s trail leading away from the territories of Erenyx earlier that day and turned immediately to follow it to make sure that pile of fluff wasn’t going to get her idiotic self into trouble. Her paws pummeled the ground in a smooth rhythm as the grass rolled away beneath her paws. Fel held her tail high, letting the fur on it fly behind like a banner. Though she was running, it was an eased run whilst her senses focused on her surroundings to try to find Heaven. Minute after minute, the scent trail grew stronger but yielded no true results. Only upon arriving at Angel’s Wake did Fel see her apprentice, looking for something in the grass and what seemed to be a stick far, far away on the ground. But the stick moved… It coiled and struck and slithered away just as Fel was about to bark a warning. It would’ve been in vain anyway. The Elite was too far to have seen the movement ahead of time, and Heaven never would’ve gotten a chance to dodge the reptilian attacker anyway.

A deep, disappointed sigh was all that ended up leaving Fel’s gaping jaws. The small canine form fell to the ground, and the larger one walked towards it. Arriving beside Heaven, Fel sat down as soft words were being spoken, eyes as clear and calm as frozen lakes. “Silence, Healer Heaven. It is I who have failed you, and ask your forgiveness. As your mentor, I should have ensured your preparedness for such situations. You should have known, or I should have taught you, how to fight off a snake.” Her gaze travelled to the bite marks, noticing the discoloration of the skin around it. The fae, much like Athena, would never make it to the healer’s den and was beyond the aid of herbs. “I am afraid that taking you back to your rank’s den will be of no use. I can assist you though, Heaven. I shall either stay here with you throughout, or if you would like, I may end your suffering.” The great demon lowered her frame to the ground, her side firmly pressed and slightly curved around the dying wolf. Her deep, rumbling voice sounded slightly soothing as she continued, “In either case, I saw the ferocity with which you searched for the adder; it did not go unnoticed. So no, you have not failed. It is just time for your training to end, and for your story to be continued elsewhere. Be not afraid. There are those waiting for you on the other side.” Fel would stay with her, watching her and keeping her warm in the final moments. It was not like her, but it was the least she could do. In her eyes, Fel had failed her apprentice in preparation for danger, but she could still coach her through passing on. True, the Elite had never experienced it herself, but she had been with so many as they died that she knew enough of what it was like. Her chin would slowly drift down to rest on Heaven’s shoulders whilst the other’s chin was on the log. In a moment, Fel’s raven ear flickered slightly. Not far away, a bird was singing in what seemed to be a mournful tune. Those damn birds always seemed to know…