RenWolf had always done what he believed was best for his server. That was his duty as a soldier, as a guardian to his pack.

He admired strength, confidence, bravery, and loyalty. Xelqua was three of those things. He had proven his strength the first time he declared his leadership, after Grian had left them. He showed confidence when he told the Helsians he would be taking charge.

He showed bravery when he walked up to Wolf with the upmost audacity and demanded he work alongside him.

He had never shown much loyalty, but he hadn't betray them yet - not in the way Grian had.

For now, Xelqua was his safest bet as a leader. He assured Grian would not return to hurt any of the other Helsians and showed great interest in growing the server's territory and power.

Wolf quite admired power too.

Nothing infuriated him like the fact Helsbeasts exists in the forests on the edges of the territory. He wanted nothing more than to expand the terrain further, to gather more resources and land. But not even clearing the trees had stopped the Helsbeasts from prowling dangerously close to their borders.

The walls had done quite a bit to help. Great stone pillars lined with metallic borderings kept many Helsbeasts out, especially the smaller, equally aggressive ones. But he could count on Xelqua to keep them safe on the rare occasions when the beasts broke through the barriers.

A Helsbeast with the boldness to step into such a well-defended area was one desperate. Enraged and deranged, a feral Helsbeast like that could be one of the most deadly.

It was difficult for even Grian or one of the guards, like himself, to take down a monster like that.

That's why, despite how shady Xelqua appeared, Wolf felt the need to put faith in him. To listen to what he says, and do as he's told. That's why he was going to check on the prisoner. The traitor, Grian.

He was almost to the room now, sword held firmly at his side. He much rather fight tooth and claw, or at least with his own weapon, but Xelqua didn't seem to appreciate that style.

His ears perked up as another sound caught his attention. He could see Bad at the end of the hall, creeping out of the prison room. He raised a brow, tilting his head just slightly.

Bad turned back towards him as Wolf approached. The two stopped and stared at one another, Wolf with an untrusting gaze and Bad with wide eyes.

"Leaving a traitor unguarded?" Wolf snapped, "Not wise, BadTimes."

The other Helsian stammered, "I'm just," he cleared his throat, "I assumed you were comin' to take my place right? I've been up with, uhm, the prisoner for so long, I'm tuckered out."

Wolf leaned to one side, not putting away his weapon. "Is that right?"

"Yessir, the prisoner is locked up and stuck! Guess it's your turn now - or something! Just heading back to my quarters!"

Wolf paused, ears tilted back. Xel had told him to go and check on the prisoner. Surely that didn't mean guard. Of course, leaving Grian alone would be irresponsible. Perhaps if Bad was backing out he should take his place, as well as report his latency to Xelqua as soon as possible.

"You are the goodest guard dog out there!" Bad chimed, interrupting his train of thought.

Wolf perked and his tail wagged hesitantly, "You think so?"

"Oh-hoh, yeah! The best! Such a good guard."

Wolf put his hand over his mouth and cleared his throat. "Well, yes, of course I am," he blushed, "You head back to your chambers, I'll take care of this trait-"

"Sounds good!" Bad chimed and ran off. Wolf blinked and rolled his eyes, taking a breath to calm his tail. He looked to the prison door.

Seems that this was his problem now.

☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ:⠀ *⋆.*:･ﾟ .: ⋆*･ﾟ: .⋆

Bad sped down the hallway. The last thing he wanted was to run into one of Xelqua's close workers. He felt clever for wriggling his way out of that.

Not clever enough, though. Wolf had entered the room - which meant Grian had a new rival to deal with. He rubbed his temple, if he had been smarter he could have somehow talked Wolf into just.... keep doing whatever he was actually going to do.

He let out a pained breath, it was too late for that anyway. He needed to get out of this stupid castle and back to the town.

He wasn't completely convinced that Grian didnt... kill... Evil X and Helsknight, but he was willing to latch on to the tiniest bit of hope if it meant getting rid of Xelqua. If it turned out to be a lie, they could take care of Grian later.

He headed down the long hall towards the large crystalline doors. He wasn't sure where Xelqua was keeping the weapons and as determined as he was to get the weapons back, this mansion was massive - and he'd be caught easily if he was snooping around. As far as he was aware, Xelqua already knew he was trying to leave.

He'd go back to the town. He could find the other Helsians there. It had been a while since he had seen many of them - but if he knew Helsians, and he did, then they'd be more than willing for a little revolution.

He approached the doorway, eyes aimed to the large metallic handles sealed in the center. He placed his hands on the cold metal, letting out a shuttered breath.

It had been a while since he has left the castle... too long. He knew what had happened out there, after Xelqua took over, what he did. But that wasn't important now. He had to get back, he had to go home.

With a small bit of pressure, the doors creaked open with a mighty groan. Bad cringed at the loud sound and glanced both directions, checking the hall for anyone who might have heard.

It was silent, and he swallowed his nerves, stepping through the large doors with rising confidence. He turned and grabbed both handles, digging his feet to pull the exit closed once again.

The gravel beneath his feet skid with the force and he closed his eyes as the glassy echo of the doors rang throughout the courtyard. He let his hands slip from the doors and fall to his side.

He was out.

It was that easy.

Bad took another shuttering breath and turned away from the mansion. He was tempted to pull out his sword, but his worry of being seen as suspicious with a weapon out kept him from doing so.

Instead he just walked, chest out and head high, like he belonged here. Like he was meant to be leaving. He knew Xelqua had eyes everywhere, but that didn't mean he knew everything.

The stones turned to soft grass soon enough as Bad strayed from path. It would be too dangerous to try and open the mansion's main gate, so he'd attempt to hop the barbed fence.

He walked through the well trimmed grass, he had no idea who was in charge of maintenance on this build, but they were doing a decent job. He shook his head, ignoring the thought as he approached the fence where he could jump.

Leaves crackled beneath his feet as he stepped through one of the tree beds and up to a bird bath. He hoisted his leg up onto the small fountain and used the bars of the fence to pull himself the rest of the way up.

He scrambled up one of the taller tree branches near the bird bath, and scraped his boots against the bark, pulling himself just taller than the fence. He panted slightly and readjusted himself.

His hat slipped off, landing ungraciously on the dirt floor below him, on the other side of the fence. He frowned. It really was now or never. Xelqua would be furious if he left... he would become wanted.

But, he had to save his people. His home. This was all he could do!

He pulled himself in an arch and put his boots on the barbed top of the fence. They stuck a bit, but it was nothing he couldn't handle.

He twisted and pushed himself away from the tree, balancing carefully. This was the worst part. He prepared himself and jumped, the air speeding past his face for just a moment before he let his knees drop and fell into an unflattering roll.

He shook from the adrenaline and sat up, reaching out and putting his hat back in its rightful spot. He looked up at the massive fence.

At some point he had thought the fence was to keep the other Helsians out. He felt now it was an attempt to keep the workers in. He tried not to think how furious Xelqua was going to be.

After a second to breathe, BadTimes stood up, dusting himself off. The forest stood before him, just a small stretch of wild-land separating the mansion from the rest of the town. It was still intimidating, but relatively nothing when compared to the looming castle behind him.

He could handle a Helsbeast, if one had managed to make their home in the stretch. He just had to be fast, to get to town as soon as possible. Reinforcements, friends, allies. He had to see them.

Bad secured his hat once more, stepping ever closer to the woods, and disappearing into the shadowy fog of the Helsian forest.