Denali
Pain. Just unfathomable pain raking through my entire body. Some of the wounds had gone from a burning pain, to a more numb pain, but still, they persisted. I might have been tempted to simply collapse and let the pain wash over me, but I knew I was being followed and I knew there was someone I needed to return to: my heart and soul Astaroth. I could only imagine what he will think when he see's me in this shape. I just hope he doesn't think I abandoned him, something I couldn't even fathom doing. I just hope he could forgive me when I got back to Iromar, the place that I called home alongside him.

It had almost been a fatal mistake that I had made that led me far from Moladion. With the feeling of security that Astaroth gave me, I had forgotten the all to real threat of my brother looming in every shadows and around every corner, just waiting for me to slip up. And slip up I had. I had accidentally allowed myself to get cornered by him, with no way of getting back to the safety of the swamps. So the only thing I could think to do was something I was well accustomed to: running. But this time, I just wasn't fast enough, and I was caught. Compare me to my brother and you can see that I stood absolutely no chance against him in a one on one fight.

I was so close to death, so close to giving Kaius what he had wanted all this time, but I guess the fates would have it that I would not die on that day. A nearly fatal mistake for Kaius was trying to finish his life long desire by the edge of a small cliff. Be it by some luck or something else, I managed to kick him off of me as he grabbed onto my throat, causing him to slip and fall down the cliff; that crazy blood lust was quick to drain into a look of fear as he unsuccessfully tried to grab onto anything. But he was a mountain wolf born and bred, and it would take more than a small cliff dive to kill him. And while I would have to face him again one day, it had bought me time to escape and start the slow agonizing trip back home.

I limped over the swamp border, unable to put any weight on my right hind leg, the bone crushed by his jaws. I had taken care to stop the bleeding long ago when I was sure I was safe enough to do so. There were gashes on my throat, neck, and shoulders as well as a long cut over my left eye that would probably leave a small scar, a small reminder. I was a mess, that much was certain, but I was home, and right now the only thing I had on my mind was to get to Mine and Astaroth's den and hope he was there. I needed him more than ever right now.

I had to be especially careful in the swamp lands in the state I was in. Iromar was a dangerous place even for a healthy wolf, but I was no healthy wolf. I could feel the eyes of the alligators on me as I limped past marshes, careful in keeping my distance so I didn't become a snack for them. I was lucky though, they left me be and soon I was struggling out to the small island that was my den. I had to stop for a moment when my feet were on solid
ground, simply in taking his familiar, comforting scent.

"Astaroth?" I called out, my voice feint but also so full of hope and longing. I limped closer to the entrance of the den, unsure of if he was inside or not, or simply somewhere near to hear. Tears welled up into my eyes and I collapsed, allowing weakness to take over and break me down. "I need you Astaroth, please.......... I love you...." I whispered, mainly to myself, but if he was near enough, he may be able to hear my plea and my confession of how I had come to feel for him. Maybe it was a stupid thing to do and he would turn away from me with this confession, but in my moment of weakness, this was the only thing I could think to do to give me some strength.

6 years/ Chained to Astaroth/ Love is complicated/ Iromar