Pale moonlight fell in gentle streaks over the shadowy jungle, all traces of life sleeping peacefully within the empyrean landscape. Her time on the island was drawing to an end, however it had been a time of limitless tranquility and untamed passion, her and Quintus having taken advantage of all the island had to offer. Long golden days running through the white-sanded beaches and splashing within the crystalline waters, evenings enjoyed alongside the Arashikage warriors eating and drinking, and nights spent playing with their growing tigress cub before satisfying their endless appetites for one another. The months had been a time of unknown serenity to her, having had spent her entire life caught up in the constant movement of the city, business, and being a celebrated public figure. Never before had she allowed time to slip away from her, and enjoy each moment in its entirety, existing each day for each day’s worth.
Quintus’ comfortingly-brawny figure lay motionless beside her, his chest rising and falling in the methodical rhythm of peaceful slumber. If their bed was the sky, they were stars, at place in the universe only when beside the other. Despite her fears, he had pushed himself back to the physical paragon he was before his second brush with death, having just proved his bodily fortitude during their final indulgence in one another while staying on the island. Her love had quickly slipped into unconsciousness beside her, however, Valerie lay awake while trying to enjoy every second she had left on the heavenly island.
Part of her resistance toward leaving the island was the knowledge of how tense the outside world had grown. With Kamelot having been destroyed, Quintus’ murderer not yet faced his payment for his actions, and Mercy being unlawfully incarcerated, returning to New York would bring an entirely new set of challenges to the Upper East Side icon’s life.
It was infinitely comforting to have Mercy back by her side, and to have the reason behind her mysterious absence unveiled. Had Valerie still been in the city during the arrest, there wouldn't have been a question as to her fighting to free her best friend. But she had been here, marveling her sunkissed skin and rejuvenated energy all while completely unaware of the events outside her exotic bubble where worrying was unrecognizable. Knowing her best friend had used her own peerless internal strength and mental aptitude to free herself only furthered Valerie’s respect and admiration toward her. Comforted by knowing her sister could now rest undisturbed back in the island’s city, everything seemed to be in place for them to return home together in the morning.
Even after reminding herself both her fiance and best friend where sleeping safely near her, Valerie was unable to find sleep. Rising from the plush bed she shared with Quintus she glided, fully exposed to the island’s warm nighttime air, to the balcony of the tree house-like abode they had adopted within the jungle. Enigmatic shadows danced through the leaves of the trees that guarded the island before sliding down their trunks and dispersing through the verdant undergrowth. She searched for signs of the exotic wildlife that inhabited the supernatural island, but found her efforts futile. The land seemed to hold an unusual silence, the typical sounds of migrating creatures and rustling leaves having abandoned the jungle. The quiet was unnerving.
Feeling as though she was not alone the blonde beauty slipped her supple figure into a thin white camisole and shorts before returning to her perch on the balcony, determined to discover the cause of the night’s eerie atmosphere. Her telepathic mind stretched out of her body and across the island, her mutant abilities having long since become an extension of herself, as easy as stretching an arm or lifting a leg. She knew her paranoia was irrational, the island itself was impossible to find, and in the event that it was, its natural and technological defenses were designed to ward off even the most formidable of attackers. But still she felt insecure, continuing to search for unwanted minds within the island.
With a sudden and horrifying realization she found the source of her suspicions. The Brahma Bull was closing in on them at a startling rate, catching both Valerie and her fiance unprepared for a fight. She had yet to meet their invader personally, however his infamy had reached her ears and left enough of an impression to make her fearful of his presence.
Rushing with silent footsteps back to her bed she shook Quintus gently, trying to wake him without drawing any unwanted attention to their location. “Quintus, love, wake up. We have a visitor,” she said with a calm urgency, already moving away from him to retrieve more durable attire. It was apparent the Bull had planned to utilize the element of surprise, forcing Valerie and the Knightfall Alpha to make use of what little time they had before facing their unforeseen attacker.
Knowing Quintus was perfectly capable of preparing for their inevitable encounter with the Brahma Bull, Valerie focused on sliding her figure into a pair of white patent leather pants and bandeau before covering her bare feet with a matching pair of heeled boots, all the while trying to estimate how much longer they had before hell broke loose in the jungle. In one final act of defensive strategy she reached out angrily for Mercy’s mind, trying to put enough force into the cry for help to wake her friend. Valerie hoped the skilled warrior would make her way to the jungle in time to assist them, knowing her prowess in combat would help give them an edge against their physically indomitable opponent.
Stepping back out onto the hut’s balcony she looked out over the jungle, the silence which once granted her solace now presenting the opposite. Everything seemed unnatural still and quiet, the unsettling calm before the storm having invaded the island air as she waited with a practiced poise for their attacker to show himself.
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