Worsening Situation

That day Lucy was once again late. She was looking worn down and it only worsened every day. Lucius wasn't stupid and he noticed this to but Lucy refused to say anything. But today was different. Lucius forgot all about meeting Kelly when he saw Lucy limping towards him.

"Mom! What happened!?"

Lucius ran over to Lucy noticing the massive gash along her shoulder and the many lacerations covering her body. Lucy was struggling to stay awake and collapsed as soon as she reached the nest. Labored breaths came out as she managed to tell Lucius what happened.

Lucy "Something is wrong. The monster seem like they're gone berserk."

Lucius felt as if hundreds of pounds where weighing down on his shoulders. To injure Lucy was a feat in and of itself. But to put Lucy at death's door was a whole different story.

"Mom what managed to injure you so badly?"

Worry was very evident in Lucius' tone, Lucy's expression became very serious as she responded.

Lucy "It was a Glavenus. But not an ordinary one, it was covered in a black haze and it's roar was replaced with the screeching of a dying Yian Garuga."

Lucy looked like she wanted to say more but she stopped herself. Lucius wanted to press for more answers but decided it was best to let his Mom to rest and recover from her injuries. Watching his Mom drift into sleep Lucius walked out of the nest and called Cobalt.

"Cobalt we are responsible for catching dinner now. Within the forest is a monster strong enough to deal mortal injury Lucy. I'll be counting on you to detect any nearby monsters with your hearing so we can avoid encounters."

-Squack-

Seemingly understanding Cobalt followed Lucius into the forest as they searched for food while avoiding any potential predators. Cobalt nudged Lucius towards prey and away from predators. This system was working very well considering Lucius had yet to encounter any other monster besides the Aptanoth he's been catching for himself and Lucy.

"I'm home Mom."

Dragging in another Aptanoth he left it in front of Lucy, she slowly got up began to eat. Her wounds have closed but they have open up periodically. Lucy is still bedridden because last time she tried to get up she collapsed as soon as she reached the entrance of the nest.

While Lucius was able to catch Aptanoth day after day it was really grating down his nerves. Cries would resound in the distance along with the explosions of monster attacks. Normal roars wouldn't even bother Lucius, but something about the cries felt unnatural and made the hairs on his neck stand on edge.

Like every other hunt, Lucius was searching the forest for an Aptanoth following Cobalt's instructions. Something was wrong today and Lucius felt it. But with no choice but to hunt for food he wen't into the eerily silent forest. Minutes turned into hours as Lucius scoured the forest for prey. Every minute felt like he was one step closer to an unspeakable danger. Paranoia began to overwhelm Lucius as he began to hallucinate, shadows were moving in the corner of his eyes, something was standing right behind him ready to pounce,what started as a quick jog back to the nest quickly turned into an all out sprint.

Twigs were snapping, leaves were rustling, and something was practically breathing over his shoulder. The faster he ran the quicker it seemed to catch up. Afraid to prove his worst fears Lucius refused to turn around. The fact that Cobalt flew off on his own didn't help one bit.

"Mind over matter! Mind over matter! Mind over matter! AGGGHHHHHH!"

No matter what he told himself it seemed all to real to be a mere hallucination. As the nest clearing approached in the distance Lucius felt as if he was finally gonna be okay. He sprinted with all his might into the clearing only to be frozen the moment he burst from the trees.

The hallucinations and unease Lucius was feeling originated from his instinct. And it served it's purpose, only he arrived to late.

The scene in front of him practically tore Lucius' heart apart. From rage to grief Lucius' was going through a mental breakdown. A black Zinogre was mutilating Lucy's body as feasted upon her flesh.

-RROOOOAAAARRRWWWW-

A mix of a roar and howl emerged from the immense rage that propelled Lucius toward the Zinogre. Driven by guilt and sorrow Lucius recklessly charged strait at the Zinogre.

-AAAHOOOOOOH-

Replying with a howl of it's own it met Lucius' charge head on. Lucius drew his wing blades and slashed at the Zinogre's throat only for him to be swatted away like fly.

-BOOOM-

Lucius was sent tumbling destroying his home and a line of trees. Coughing blood Lucius struggled to get up only to be met with a bite to the nape of his neck. Lucius roared in pain as a searing sensation spread from the bite. His fur turned a sickly purple and spread like an infection while his eyes were turning red from the amount of blood rushing into them.

"GET OFF OF ME!"

Struggling to get out of it's grasp Lucius thrashed about in hopes to break out of the Zinogre's jaws. He could care less about the changes happening to his body. All that mattered was slaughtering the Zinogre in front of him.

-ROOOOAAAARRRR-

Just as the purple infection spread throughout his entire body a black haze exploded from Lucius. Malicious red electricity sparked throughout the cloud as Lucius let out a deep and gutteral roar.

The Zinogre bore the full front of the impact and was flung a great distance away.

The haze slowly dissipated and revealed a purple and black Nargacuga. While hard to see the purple left a pattern resembling tendrils crawling over the black fur. His once yellow eyes were now a light purple contrasting the red marking surrounding his eye socket.

Lost in his surge in power Lucius failed to notice a figure descending above him.

-BANG!-

Like a meteorite, the figure crashed into Lucius' head spider webbing the ground where his jaw hit the ground.