Already Dead

The first signs of winter had arrived, evident by the snow that began to fall over the lands and the blankest it created on the ground. Crimson gaze stared out from the warmth of his den, limbs shifting as he made himself more comfortable. The fox kits would be waking up soon, and when they did, they would no doubt want to go play in the snow. For now, he took the time to relax as much as he could before they woke up. His thoughts weren't good, however. The image of Domina was burned in his mind. The way he had found her body with Elias standing over her. He knew what his ancestors demanded, knew that that had always been their culture. But it wasn't his. So when Elias had tried to justify the murdering of his niece, Ace had snapped. He had always thought himself strong of mind. Avoiding the grasp of the demons. They had managed to snake their fingers around the minds of everyone he loved in what he used to call home, and even around the mind of his brother...

His throat tightened. His heart threatening to break. Why did he even still care about Elias? He had done something so terrible...so unforgivable...Ace didn't understand what he was feeling. Honestly, he wasn't even sure he was capable of play time with his kits now. So he woke Ignis, instructing his nephew to keep an eye on them while he went out on patrol. Ace left the den as quickly as he could, racing to the borders edge. The falling snow did well to help him blend in with his surroundings, and he hoped that nobody had seen him running like something was chasing him.

When he reached the furthest edges of the border, he came to a slow stop as he stared out past the trees. He sat heavily on the ground, head down and shoulders slumped. He felt his heart pumping hard against his chest, breath coming in short, quick gasps, and his throat feeling like he might choke. He didn't know what to make of this strange feeling, but the more it went on, his eyes would start to feel hot. The prickling sensation of tears threatening to fall. Was he...going to cry? He couldn't really remember the last time he had cried. Perhaps when Winter had died all those years ago...but even then, he couldn't remember if he had cried. He had sealed those memories away long ago. But now? He felt like everything was trying to break loose, and he wasn't quite sure how to handle it.

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