Things, he thought, had begun to really look up for him. He felt as if a new sun had joined the one in the sky and yet, this new sun was entirely for him. It spread a new kind of warmth over him, one he reveled in even during the darkest hours of the night. For starters, Eve and Keturah had finally stopped creeping in his shadows like hungry cats. He had been able to enjoy the beach without fear of being bothered and - to his surprise! - he had even been able to journey to Asteraia by himself in order to hear a grand tale. Of course, his mood had been dampened by the lack of Inanna, Samia and Sif and yet, he figured it would give him an excuse to tell the tale himself. Somebody had even said he looked strong - like a hero! If that had not ignited a fire within him then he could not fathom what could. Luckily, it had. It served as a guiding light back to the shores, his face twisted in a perpetual grin as he rejoined his family on the sand.

He had even been able to begin ignoring the persistent ache that had made itself at home in his body. He had almost stopped feeling guilty each time he twisted back on himself to cleanse the wounds and scabs that peppered his paw and ankle. The pain of its breaks and fractures had long since become a simple part of his life; pain, he thought, would be worth it if it meant he could keep others happy. If he had to endure the gnarled limb's torment in order to journey to gather stories and games for his friends, the pain would be worth it. He smiled because others smiled. He'd do anything for that.

Abel was eager, then, when Eden had come for him. He had not trained in some time, though he never understood whether it was because of himself or if his brother had merely been busy. Whatever the case, he was excited to begin mastering the dunes and forests again! He had felt himself growing, after all. In the reflection of the lakes, he had seen the way he had began to fill out; his shoulders had become broader, his legs thicker and even his face had begun to mature. He'd lost the youthful softness of his body and yet, he had retained the softness of his soul. He'd make his mother and family proud soon, he could just feel it. They had spent so much time on him. Didn't he owe it to them?

Eden's silence no longer concerned him. It was simply...how his brother was. He had never been the one for small talk even when Abel had been but a tiny child; he had an air of authority that dictated that Abel simply accept it as the way things were. Still, it did not stop Abel from filling his brother in on all the things he had learned. At one point, his brother had even grinned, an eerily serene thing that made Abel smile back - albeit a little nervously. Not out of fear, no, but rather...he had never seen his brother with such an expression. It was foreign. He...liked it, he thought. He liked to see his family happy.

When he heard the howl and his brother's own in response, he tilted his head in curiosity. He knew they were going to inspect the shoreline before training, assuredly because a fire had formed. "Is Underidge going to join us too?" He asked hesitantly at first, though he had no reason to fear the strange pale man. Sure, he had a rather unusual aura but, well, what wolf didn't really? Abel simply wasn't used to him. Maybe this time, he thought, he'd be able to get a better feel for the mysterious wolf. It made him happy to think that, though his brother's lack of response made him sigh. Sometimes, he hated surprises.

Nonetheless, he followed dutifully. He even ambled ahead, glad for the soft sand, as his brother pointed out the flames ahead; Abel squinted through the heat, his mouth open in a soft 'o' of awe as he watched the flames lick at the driftwood. They danced in shades of red and gold, the crackling of their heat making his ears flutter in curiosity. He'd never seen fire up close! It was always so wild elsewhere and yet, it seemed so beautiful here. He had moved to speak in awe when his brother spoke; Abel twisted back to face him as he did so, frowning slightly. "You've never failed me, brother," he shook his head, looking back at the fire as he spoke, almost embarrassed about suddenly being so open, "I know you all want the best for me. I've been trying to get stronger, too. Every day, I climb up the dunes and go around the borders. I won't let something like a paw keep me from becoming the best me I can become." He puffed his chest out a little, relieved to have finally been able to share those thoughts. "And, brother, you've always been there. My...our other siblings... they don't believe in me. You do though. I don't know why but you do. So, please, don't apologize to me. My pain is nothing compared to making you all proud." With that, he had begun to turn back towards his brother completely, curious as to how his brother had taken such openness. If only he had been able to hear the new set of lungs nearby, the new paws in the sand. If only.