Ludovic froze as a polar bear’s hulking silhouette emerged from the underbrush he had been meandering near, its black eyes locking onto him. He quickly assessed the situation—too close to retreat unnoticed. He noted its sluggish posture and the swaying of its head, deducing it wasn't hunting but curious. His mismatched eyes scanned the terrain, identifying a steep slope to his right. He remained still, observing. His heart beating harshly in his chest. Provoking it would be foolish. Especially if it was not intent on killing him… yet. He waited for the bear’s attention to waver, perhaps too weary or too full from a recent meal, then slowly edged toward the incline. A quick escape downhill, with the bear less nimble on the descent, was his best option—calculated risk over brute strength. But he did not count on a fucking stick, snapping under toe, and for all his caution he still got screwed. The bear instantly whipped its skull towards him, small eyes locking unto him as it bellowed, revealing yellow teeth as it advanced on the boy.

"Ludovic Praetor-Inferos"

From the outskirts of the valley, Xairo watched the scene unfold with a spike of adrenaline. His eyes narrowed on the bear, its massive form throwing a shadow that danced long and grim across the tundra. He noted Ludo's careful steps, his strategy crystal clear—distance and speed over force. But the site of the snap and the immediate change in the bear's posture stopped his heart. Ludo was in danger, real danger, and before he knew it, he was running.

The sound of his own heartbeat filled Xairo's ears as he propelled himself forward. With each bounding leap, the world around him blurred, replaced by the sight of his brother and the bear. A snarl rumbled in his throat, a mix of fear and determination. Neither of them were even close to being big or strong enough to take on a creature as colossal as this one. But he wasn’t about to let Ludo face it alone either.

"Xairo Saxe"

Ludovic’s mind snapped into overdrive, processing Xairo’s rapid approach in his periphery without losing focus on the enraged bear. Of course, Xairo couldn’t just stay put—too stubborn. Typical. But the reckless rush wasn’t the solution here. Yet… for all his thought and strategy – Ludo grappled with a sense of gratitude that welled within his chest.

The bear’s attention split, a flicker in its eyes as it caught the movement from the side. Ludovic seized on that instant. His muscles surged into motion, darting sideways toward the incline he’d already marked. The ground beneath him sloped unevenly, rocks and loose soil threatening his balance, but he kept his steps nimble. He banked on the bear’s bulk being its downfall in a chase, hoping it wouldn’t be able to pivot or descend as sharply. If he and Xairo could create enough distance, spit it’s attention between the two of them, they might just make it out with their hides intact.

It didn’t help that the bear surged to pursue the boy down the slope. So what else could the boy do, but whip around and slash with his claws at the muzzle of the great beast.


"Ludovic Praetor-Inferos"

Xairo's heart thudded heavily in his chest as he watched Ludo dart towards the incline. His brother's nimble movements were impressive, but the bear was fast. Too fast. With a growl, Xairo followed suit, running full tilt at the bear. The sight of his brother in danger ripped apart any semblance of caution in him. Seeing the beast gaining on Ludo, Xairo veered sharply, charging directly at the bear’s side. He wasn’t sure if they could out run it. But if they could just confuse it?

With a furious snarl, Xairo slammed into the bear’s flank. The impact resonated through his body, each bone jarring under the force. The bear roared, momentarily losing its footing in its back end. In the valley below, a startle of birds took flight, squawking their alarm. They were small specks against the massive backdrop of the Polar Sound's towering cliffs.

"Xairo Saxe"

Ludovic’s gaze sharpened as Xairo barreled in, his heart lurching at his brother’s audacity. Sure, he was in a bad spot, but those tables could easily turn into Xairo getting killed instead! He recognized that determination, but logic would urge restraint. Still, with all the chaos and threat of death looming before him—the boy had little time to think about it further. As Xairo crashed into the bear, the creature’s roar reverberated, momentarily destabilizing it and sending a jolt through the ground beneath them.

This was the moment Ludovic had been waiting for.

Without missing a beat, he used the bear’s stumble to their advantage, launching himself towards a larger outcrop nearby. It wasn't the distance they needed as much as they needed the beast off-balance and confused. Fuck! I’m not dying like this!

As luck would have it, the bear began to slip; its massive paws losing footing as the snow began to give way beneath its feet. Oh! “Xairo! Push it!!!” He barked, lurching forward to help push.



"Ludovic Praetor-Inferos"

Xairo barely had time to regain his own footing before Ludo's shout reached his ears. Push it? Was he insane? But even as the thought crossed his mind, Xairo was already moving. He threw his full weight against the bear's hindquarters yet again, feeling the creature's muscles bunching and straining beneath its thick fur. But this time, he wouldn’t immediately recoil.

The bear let out a bellow of rage and confusion as the ground shifted treacherously beneath its paws. Xairo gritted his teeth, digging his claws into the icy soil as he strained to keep the momentum going. With a mighty heave, he shoved against the bear's rump, feeling the creature's weight begin to teeter off balance. Every muscle in Xairo's body burned with the effort as he pushed against the bear's massive frame with all his might. The snow and loose rocks slid under his paws, threatening to send him tumbling after the bear. But he dug in, refusing to yield, a defiant growl rumbling in his throat. The bear roared in fury and alarm as gravity took hold, dragging its bulk downslope despite its desperate scrabbling. Xairo's eyes widened as the bear began to topple, its hulking mass careening down the slope in a flurry of snow and gravel. His heart pounded in his ears as he leapt back, barely avoiding getting dragged down with the creature.

The bear's furious roars echoed off the valley walls as it tumbled head over heels, its claws raking fruitlessly at the icy ground. Xairo stood frozen for a split second, his chest heaving, watching the white form grow smaller as it rolled further away. Then his head snapped towards Ludo, eyes wide and wild. His heart still raced, the thrill and terror of their narrow escape coursing through his veins. Shit. Shit. Shit! What would happen when the bear recovered?! “We gotta move!" Xairo shouted, bumping Ludo with his shoulder to spur him into action.

"Xairo Saxe"