Something to Prove
As he understood it, these trials were generally done solo. But of course, he didn’t feel this was a standard opponent- and he was certainly not going to send one of his kids by themself to face this challenge alone. This may have been bending the rules a little, but afterall, these were not his family’s customs- nor were they Absinth. This was the way the Saxe brought up their kids … and well, when in Rome.
Araxina and Dracun followed close behind- he could hear them back there. He was pretty sure he had done an okay job at conveying the significance of this rite of passage, and to do so without scaring them. He didn’t want them cowed, he wanted them confident. Cautious. Prepared. And gods, they were prepared. They had trained and trained, and trained some more. But you could only train so much. At some point … you had to be tested. And that was the point of this.
Aresenn's mind raced as he led his children deeper into the woods, strategizing and anticipating every possible scenario. He had scouted this area thoroughly, memorizing every rock, every hollow, every potential advantage or pitfall. The image of the mother bear and her cubs was seared into his mind, a formidable challenge he had hand-picked for this pivotal moment. He wasn’t sure who would be home in the den. The cubs were probably three seasons old- as old as Araxina and Dracun. And just as his kids were capable of fighting for themselves … he was sure the adolescent bears would be as well. "Keep your wits about you," Aresenn murmured over his shoulder, his deep voice low and gravelly, resonating through the stillness of the Redwood Forest. "This is not just a trial of strength; it’s a test of your instincts, your willpower, and your ability to think on your paws."
The stench of bear den was overpowering, they were close. Close enough, that he chose this moment to turn and face his son and daughter. “Failure is not an option.” He said quietly, holding each of their gazes for a moment. It wasn’t that he would be disappointed- or even that they would be punished. He wasn’t allowed to help them here- or a far worse death would befall them all. But the gravity of his words weighed heavily in the air, wrapping around them like the thick mist that clung to the forest floor. Aresenn’s fiery orange eyes burned with a fierce intensity, urging them to grasp his meaning. He watched Araxina and Dracun, their expressions reflecting the very traits he held dear: resilience, courage, strength. They were ready; he had ensured that much through grueling days of training under the watchful eye of their parents.
“Remember your training,” he continued, his voice low yet steady. “Trust your instincts above all else.” With a swift motion, he gestured toward the terrain ahead, where the ground began sloping gently downward into a clearing cradled between two ancient redwoods. It was a strategic spot—open enough for freedom of movement but surrounded by trees offering potential cover should they need it. It was just outside the mother black bear’s den. And before he sent them on, he cuffed Dracun on the shoulder, offering him a stern nod in encouragement. And then proceeded to press his nose in Araxina’s forehead. “I will wait here until you have claimed your victories.”
With the scent of damp earth sharpening his senses, Aresenn stepped back, allowing the weight of anticipation to settle as his children prepared for the challenge ahead. The clearing beckoned, framed by the towering redwoods. “And don’t forget to take proof of your success when you are done.” He finished, his voice a sharp whisper, as if the words themselves could stir the very essence of the forest.
And with that, he sent them on. To their victory, or to their demise, he did not know. And the pang of anxiety twisted in his chest like the blade of a knife. He watched them both move into the clearing, unfurling their potential as they navigated the uneven ground, the leaves crunching softly beneath their paws.
Today was a day of great importance. Their trial- his trial. A chance to prove that he was capable, strong, and ready to grow into his future role in the Syndicate, whatever it may be. His parents were ideal role models and fantastic teachers. He had no doubt that he would excel today- as long as Xina didn't get in his way, anyway.
The Khalif trials were important and meant to done solo, from what he knew about them, however there was something different about this today. He could taste the scent of the mother bear and her cubs as they dove deeper into the red forest, knowing well before words were even spoken that it would be their target. Too much for one child to handle alone (although he liked to believe that he was perfectly capable), he understood why Xina was here. Had he wished it was someone, anyone, else... absolutely, but now was as good of a time as any to prove that he was better than her... he just needed to find their quarry first and kill it first. Sounded easy enough, right?
Dracun paused as Aresenn turned and spoke, reminding them of the gravity of today's event. He could not help them and Dracun did not want to need him to. After the coyote brawl they faced in the days prior he felt more than ready to do this, he just hoped that Xina was as prepared as he. "I will make you proud," he said with confidence, his voice steadily growing deeper as he aged. He couldn't speak for Xina, but she hoped, in a way, that she would make him proud as well, just not more proud than he made him...
With a look towards Xina, he jerked his head in the direction of the clearing. "You take the left, I'll take the right?" he offered without waiting for much of a response before he set off towards the right side of the clearing, staying just inside the treeline to keep his glaringly obvious red coat hidden as best he could.
There was no protest from Xina and they were off, her on the left and he the right. The wind was working in their favor too, the mother bear rising on her hind feet to search for threats and finding none. Boy, was she wrong.
Xina wasted no time in lunging towards the bear, wrapping her fangs around it's throat and clawing at its belly to drag it down. What was she thinking? Rushing into something without thought would certainly get her killed. Oh well, more points for him. He watched a moment before making his own move, rushing towards the side of the bear from his hiding place in the treeline, parting his jaws as he leapt and sank his own fangs into the side of the mother black bear, sinking into the flesh just above her hip where it was loosest and tender.
The mother bear roared and swiped wildly, but Dracun managed to dodge her attempts by latching on hard to her flesh and tugging downwards, planting his hind paws into the ground and forcing himself backwards to shred her. Either Xina would rip out it's throat or he would spill her entrails- either way, the mother wouldn't survive... and soon, neither would her cubs. The thought brought a wicked smile across his face and he shook his head to deepen the tear he was leaving, eager to drag the mother down and her cubs with her so he could pass this test and make not only his mother and father, but maybe even the sultan himself proud of their success... or at least not annoyed.