Peter M. Evans // 17 // M // Rider // M: Jasper

It was mostly the fact that his vision was obscured by the dust, his hair and the blankets themselves. With the edges trapped under the crumpled mattress frame, it was still a blessing to see at least a somewhat familiar face.

While he couldn't put a name to the face yet, he recognized them. It was another one of the riders. Someone who was going to be able to help him out.

The young man's relief was evident in his emerald green eyes that peered back through the mess of rubble. It took some more struggling and wriggling to free one of his pale hands, reaching out toward the familiar face.

While he couldn't do the usual sign--at least the one he wanted--he managed to push a closed fist upward toward the other rider. Hopefully it would be enough to signal 'help'.

If they understood at all.

Tail swaying against the ground, a soft snort sounded from her nostrils as dust collected around her face. She was displeased with the situation, her feelings made obvious given the continuous low rumble sounding from her throat.

Narrowed eyes turned to Akhen, giving him a distasteful once-over. "I don't like it when you're right." Shifting her weight so that it distributed evenly, she raked her horns against a slab of stone. The sound of them scraping against the rough material created an unruly sound, to which Ráijá ignored. Once finished, she turned to Akhenaten, a singular talon touching her horns like a woman fixing her hair.

"What do you think? Sharp enough, dearie?" Releasing a sound best described as a 'ho-hum', she placed her hands upon the ground. They lingered there for a moment before she began to dust herself off, and once she was content, turned to Akhen. Brushing dirt off of him, she proceeding to rub at a singular spot of grime upon his cheek. Brows furrowing, she grasped his head in one hand out of irritation whilst the other worked at the spot until satisfied.

"There, now we're presentable." Puffing her chest out, she shook her physique before finally tuning in. It was clear that the female wasn't too anxious with the entire situation, given her slow comments on the matter. However, she had tilted her head a degree upon the mountain possibly crashing down.

"I suppose there are pressure points in the foundation here and there." Eyes upon the ceiling, she raised an arm to block falling particles from ruining her vision. "Mm, I suppose we should do something about this situation then." As if bored, she followed after the smaller male, waddling alongside of him in an exaggerated manner before inspecting the rubble.

When he turned down the idea of a beam, she scoffed. "All that matters is we escape," she mumbled, only to release a soft chortle. "Always so careful. Here I was excited to see the light create an explosion. Pity." An apathetic look crossed her features momentarily before frowning, taking in the thoughtful expression appearing on Akhen's own. "I despise that look. You know I do." And yet, she inched nearer when he beckoned her over, listening to his words before releasing another cackle. This time, sharper.

"You want me to exert my energy? Hah, wouldn't that be a dream," she heaved, half expecting the male to be making a joke. Grinning, her smile soon faded upon realizing that her mate was indeed not being.. funny.

"So long as I don't need to dig, I suppose I could." Was she exhilarated at the thought? Of course not, though she was feeling rather claustrophobic. When he mentioned that it may strain her, Ráijá allowed her eyes to light up in amusement. "Well, then, I suppose you'll have to be there to catch me." Without another word, she circled behind him, giving Akhen and the others room to work in.

"Why don't you tell them of the plan. I would do it, but the dust is upsetting my throat." Waving her hands at her mate, she hardly listened for a response before rolling her shoulders in preparation.

"Simply give me the word." Of course, she didn't wait for anybody to do such a thing, for mere milliseconds later, she had already begun. A series of rocks began to shift before levitating in the air, her eyes gleaming an ominous red as they did so. The rocks had silently moved, clinking against one another softly as they formed a layer of rubble above them. Of course, the rubble was thickest atop of Akhen, who she ensured was most protected.

"Well, I don't have all day," she barked.

She had taken several steps back, the light upon her head softly illuminating the vicinity in an attempt to make the assessment of the rubble easier. Giving Xevioso room to work, she reached out a singular wing to shield Scirocco of any loose debris that may shoot towards them. When the faint sound of electricity buzzed in the air, K'issuk closed her eyes, head pressing against her chest to shield her face as lightning struck the boulders.

Wincing as a few pebbles shot against her, she dusted herself off the moment it was done. Folding her wing against her side, she nodded to Scirocco to see if she was alright before advancing over the dust and towards Xevioso. Immediately, the smell of smoke entered her senses, nearly making her eyes water as she placed a hand upon the storm dragon's shoulder.

"Thank you," she uttered, her neck craning to take in the sight before her. Like suspected, both the Dorms and Western Keep had been under attack. Kaia only confirmed it, his voice entering her mind through the link. Relief flooded through her, her eyes closing momentarily in a silent thank you. 'It is all destroyed. All of it,' she began. 'Xevioso, Scirocco, and I have escaped, but Kaia..' She paused. 'There were many casualties. Riezzyn and Deilo..' Shaking her head to herself, she was forced to stop before her emotions took over. 'I will let Xevioso know about Henry. Please take caution. I will come for you soon.' Turning to the other two, K'issuk glanced to them.

"That was Kaia. Henry is with him," she spoke, turning to Xevioso. "The experienced dorms are gone. The new riders are the sole target now." Glancing to Scirocco, she continued. "He has yet to find others, but he's going to the dorms of the new riders to collect anybody he can." Nodding along to her words as if she weren't the one speaking them, K'issuk averted her gaze back to Xevioso, who had begun formulating a plan. When he finished pitching it, her focus turned upon Scirocco, who had begun to add on. Unfortunately, she never received the opportunity to finish.

An ungodly, shattering crack sounded, one that K'issuk was now all too familiar with. It was the same crack she had heard only earlier with Riezzyn. "Go, go!" She snapped, wasting no time to move. Shoving Scirocco forward, her action proved insignificant. At a last minute attempt to shield the two from the inevitable, her wings had shot out. They had barely brushed against skin before rock rained down upon them, her hope to aid them failing.

The familiar pressure of stone piling atop of stone was soon felt, crushing her chest against itself as her neck twisted beneath the growing pile. Hisses and suppressed cries rumbled in her throat as slabs of heavy material both created new wounds, and dug deeper into already existing ones. Her arm, which had already ached, now screamed with pain, and she couldn't feel her tail. And yet, K'issuk still attempted to free herself.

Frustrated hisses and grunts could be heard from the female as her claws scraped against pebbles, a sound rare coming from the peaceful creature. She continued until exhaustion overcame her, and by the time she finally halted, her mouth was agape due to fatigue. That didn't stop the female from releasing a final, exasperated wail out of anger before growing limp from defeat.

"Is everybody alright," she managed to croak out, not knowing if her voice could even be heard. Remaining silent momentarily, she blinking gently. Figuring Kaia should know, she mustered up the power to communicate with him. 'Trapped again,' was all she managed to get out to before growing tired. It took all of her remaining efforts to keep the light upon her head aglow, showing any passerby where she and the others lay.

Buried twice within the span of a singular morning.

How she managed that, even she didn't know.