I kept sufficient distance on this day, away from the fantastic four as they spent the day peacefully with their families. Even from this distance I could spy the red giant, basking in the sunlight by my dear Everlyse's den. He was not the reason I stayed far this day, I feared not his warnings nor his displeasure at my being with Everlyse. If he wants me gone, he will have to make me, and even then, he will find that is an incredibly difficult, if not impossible, task. I had proven that I was not scared of him and all his barbaric ways. Ifrit would not, and would never get in the way of me being with Everlyse.
I was still unaccustomed to being around so many wolves, that it left me uncomfortable. With Everlyse still not feeling well enough to be by my side, I didn't have enough confidence to socialize with so many I did not know. Although all the puppies running about was simply too tempting. I desperately wanted to play with them, especially Everlyse's, who I have tried to spend quality time with. I would never be their father, but that didn't mean I couldn't play a key role in their lives. They were, after all, Everlyse's, and that meant they carried apart of my soul in them through her.
I had started to drift off, falling into sleep in the warmth and the beauty of the day. I stayed alert as ever though, not quite falling into that deep sleep in case something happened; and I was quite right to do so. From the distance that I was, I couldn't hear the noises of the families and the pups, so I also missed the yelps and yelling that the bear had caused. I sure as hell didn't miss the howl calling for help, the urgency in it making my eyes shoot open and my body jolt. I hoped to my feet, not even thinking as I shot in the direction in which the howl originated: where the pups were.
I raced with a haste I have never felt before. As I grew closer, I could see the massive brown form of the bear, as well as others attacking it. I suddenly became overwhelmed by a raging anger, that that bear had the audacity to get so close to Everlyse, to pups, to other mothers. I was a blinding black blur as I raced right for the bear, taking care to avoid the injured and the others trying to pry the bear away from Ifrit and Neirin. As I leaped at the bear, the strangest thing happened: the most fierce growl tore through me chest and through my parted jaws.
I leaped at the downed bear, launching an attack at the bears side and lower abdomen, opposite of the others. My teeth would rip in, as I could rips and tear flesh and all the fatty muscle I could to cause as much pain and as much blood loss as possible. I was careful not to accidentally grab ahold of Ifrit's hind leg, which lay near where I was savaging. I would not stop until this bear was dead, I would not leave him be until he was belly up and dead, not belly up and fighting.
I may not be the biggest fan of Ifrit, but he was important to Everlyse, the father of those pups, and I would not let him die on this day. And Neirin and the others, they were important to their pups and their mates, I wouldn't let them die either. I know they would probably not survive such devastating wounds, but I would damn well try to keep them alive. The fantastic four could not go out like this.
7 years/ Throwing my faith away for/ Fighting for Everlyse/ Asteraia
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