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When he had told his sister, the dark queen, that he felt no longer able to rule the Isle they had grown up on, she had taken it better than she believed she would. He had offered to remain there however, a denizen of whoever would lay claim to the spit of land. Some time had since passed, both physically and mentally, he would never be the same as he was. The once fierce, no holds barred stallion was now quietly seething, he simmered and broiled in silence and solitude. There was no love, there was no desire for such. Anyone that meant anything to him was pushed away, for their own safety more than anything else. After all, he wasn't able to protect his herd, he wasn't able to save them. He barely made it out alive himself. Riddled now with scars that still ached, a permanent limp, blindness in his one blue eye and rabid insomnia, Kraken barely resembled the fine beast he once was. He was, however, his father's son, and whilst he was down, he wasn't out. He would seek the afterlife to restore him, he would devote himself to the destruction of the one who had tried to destroy him. And he would win.

Kraken had returned to the Isle under the guise of darkness, the silver light of the moon reflected off the moistened rocks that formed the land bridge. The orcas that swarmed the waters remained, seemingly loyal to the similarly marked beast as they broke the surface of the water with their fins, forcing out water from their blow holes in greeting that doused him in a fine mist. They escorted him along the rocks, dipping beneath the swell every now and again only to reappear later. It pleased him to know that such foreboding, ominous beings still remained somewhat loyal to him. After all, he had spent his youth learning about them, watching them, feeding them. Years and years of repeated behaviours just to gain their friendship had paid off. As he landed upon the beach, the whales peeled away, returning to the deep as Kraken eyed the familiar territory with a dead eyed stare. A sneer mutilated his scarred facade then as he pushed his way through the thicket, the path to the mansion he'd once resided in still as familiar as it always had been.

He moved stiffly down the worn dirt track, everything looking exactly as he remembered. Until he faced the mansion he had once called his own. Halting upon the lawn, he looked upto it with an ire even the devil may stumble to feel. The glass-less windows stared at him, silently screaming their welcome, but every dark shadow, every abyssal corner, Hound was there. Grinning, waiting, watching. Even if it wasn't for the ghost of the behemoth haunting him, it was too pretentious for Kraken to reclaim that wretched relic as his home now. With a snide leer and a dip of his atlas to his new found adversary, he turned and hobbled down a rabbit track situated between two large oaks. Kraken knew the route well, it lead straight to the boathouse that rested by the side of the largest of the three lakes. The upper floor was a large open space, the room where he and his father had kept all the herbs they had gathered over the years and into Krakens own adolescence were stored here. Jars of various plants, bunches of herbs suspended from the beams overhead all dusted with fine cobwebs filled the walls. There was a large window overlooking the lake, the glass shaped in diamonds by strips of lead placed by human hands many moons ago. It wasn't much, but it was home now.

The night passed into dawn, Kraken spent his first night in the boathouse diligently watching the world through the window. The moon fell, allowing the sun precedence, dousing the world below in a golden glow. As the dawn chorus began, Kraken moved from the window, stiffly limping through the door and making his way down to the lake. He lowered his mug to drink, his harks dancing atop his skull warily - whilst the ghosts may be gone, he was haunted no less. The gentle sound of approaching daggers caught his attention, his atlas raising slowly as water dripped from his lips into the lake below, sending ripples across the surface. Slowly he turned, his cloudy blue optic and the vivid cardinal one locking upon the mahogany stranger before him. Kraken said nothing for a moment, surveying the stallion with meagre intrigue. If the description his sister had given him of the new lead was correct, that was who stood before him now. With a flick of his obsidian tendrils, Kraken allowed his rough tones to enter the gulf, Kladdan, I presume?

[Words: 807]
[Tagged: illɘgal]
[Notes: Kraken for Kladdan 💜
link to the actual boathouse for ref]

[illɘgal]

It was a relief to have a real purpose again, though the ruby beast wasn't sure he truly deserved it. It wasn't that he doubted the queen's choice by any means, it was the internal battle with the self doubt that clawed at his throat. He was still young, and yet he wore his failures across his body. The heavy scarring that ruined his maroon canvas advertised each and every time those talons managed to rip through to the surface. The failed rebellion, the fire, his children. He should have been better. And yet, they were gone. He was alone. The beast had been lucky that he had stumbled into these lands at the right time and be able to try again. Even though the fates must have been looking out for him, there was more at stake than just another scar. He didn't fear death, it was simply a part of living. No, he feared being the cause of another's death. Again. Most of all, he feared for Kore's life. He could see the resilience and the strength in a filthy, half starved filly who was doing her best to survive - and it was inspiring. He suddenly remembered the stallion he used to be - a leader. Sometimes he could feel that ruthless, protective, and ambitious part of himself simmering below all that pain. And he believed it was finally time to let it out.

As he slowly made his early morning patrol through the island - his island - Kladdan couldn't help trying to feel hopeful. He didn't mind having Galdr by his side to keep the residents safe, if anything he was thankful for the help. The beast didn't crave power, so sharing it was came easily. He wanted to be the right kind of leader and do the necessary for his people. Besides, in the past he always tried to bring his plans to fruition by himself and look where that got him. Maybe the fates were telling him that he needed a partner and this was his chance. The blood colored beast stopped his mindless walking long enough to turn his deep violet eyes back towards the dark kingdom. The ocean fog was dense this morning, and even with the low tide, it was hard to see the sandbar that would lead back to the rest of civilization. It was almost peaceful that way. The view was hauntingly beautiful, and a slight smile tugged at his scarred lips as he continued to walk along the shore line.

Even though his and Galdr's claim had been accepted for several months, Kladdan found that every day he made a new discovery on Grim Isle. Whether he was exploring the weathered Damballa House or uncovering other man-made structures, there was something new every day. The beast shifted direction back into the woods towards the group of lakes he started to frequent. He hadn't noticed any of the other inhabitants there yet, and Hyde didn't like the spooky feeling that they gave him so he stayed home with Kore. The stallion didn't pay much attention; the jackal was usually full of shit and making excuses to stay with the filly. So, Kladdan didn't even bother trying to rouse him this morning and instead left by himself. It was nice not to hear that annoying chittering as the strange boat house and shallow lakes came into view. He came to a stop, gaze traveling along the stone planes of the building with his usual curiosity. Such a strange thing to build, in his opinion. But he never truly understood anything those human creatures did, if he was being honest.

But what really grabbed his attention was a figure in the mist. Amethyst eyes narrowed as he watched the other equine leave the building and limp down towards the water. From the forest, it was difficult to determine who the stranger was, and the scarred bay began to bristle. He wasn't one for violence immediately upon meeting someone new, even during this time of war, but that didn't mean he wasn't ready for it. He took a deep breath of the cool, morning air and began to make his way towards the other stallion. As the larger, black and white frame grew closer, Kladdan thought he knew who this other being was, but didn't want to make any assumptions yet. He took in the fresh scars and was sure his previous conclusion was correct as he came close enough for the other stallion to notice his presence. The lead settled to a halt a few feet away as the stranger spoke, Kladdan, I presume? His voice sounded like one that hadn't been used in a while, and the ruby beast nodded in response. And you must be Kraken, he said, tones polite. I wish we could have met under better circumstances. I can't imagine how... uncomfortable and strange this might be for you. Except Kladdan could. He had returned to his burned down home before in an attempt to restore it, and had failed yet again. Then he had to watch someone else do what he couldn't. He blinked the thought away and gestured to the beautiful boathouse. Is this where you intend to stay on the Isle? Wouldn't the manor be more comfortable?

WORDS 880 ish
TIMELINE Summer, after meeting Reflection
NOTES Here comes awkward Kladdan!
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