I hate to say this

Right off the bat, there was a fundamental difference between their beliefs on resource management. Yes, all of the healers did need to work on Resin. Their Alpha was sick—potentially dying. The only other priority should have been Tamsyn for her injuries, but even she was doing better now. There was no other pressing matter for the pack to attend to. To pretend it wasn't an all hands on deck situation was foolish to believe otherwise. But Artorias remained respectful and didn't interject while his brother continued to talk. There would be plenty of time to say whatever he wanted to say when Rudy stopped for a breath. He was right, though, about looking for aid outside the Hallows. It was far easier said than done though. Sure, he could send Corbin to each of the random packs scattered throughout Boreas in hopes that someone would have information and would be kind enough to volunteer it, but without a specific person to send Corbin looking for, he might as well just ask the poor bird to stop every wolf he flew by.

Artorias snorted in frustration when Rudy mentioned their mom being familiar with the sickness. That was exactly the problem though, wasn't it? She was giving up by knowing what was happening, what was coming, and just accepting it and letting it happen. That wasn't the Resin he knew. That wasn't the strong, larger than life wolf he had grown up with and idolized; it was a cheap replica, a bastardization of what she had once been. The Resin he had known would never have allowed herself nor anyone else to go so meekly into oblivion. That was the Resin he wanted back, the one he was fighting so hard to keep around.

"But she's not fighting it, Rudy. She's letting herself be taken by it!" Artorias slashed his claws through the snow in anger, kicking up a spray of powder and ice. "She's not letting anyone near her to help her. She's keeping everyone out and letting herself fade away. You heard her words, she never wanted to see us again, she wanted us to leave her to die!" Artorias shook his head vehemently, his eyes coming back to life with a fire, but this one was built from inner turmoil and fury, all directed at Rudyard. "Don't you think I know she's suffering? Don't you think I know what she did? You weren't the one in the hallway that night! You didn't hear her banging on the door! You didn't see Mama on the floor bleeding to death! I know how bad this is, but I'm also not about to sacrifice my own damn mother because she told me to, and since her wishes are stupid, I've decided to not listen to them. She's not going to help herself, so I'm going to find a way to save her, whether she wants me to or not, because that's what a family does. We. Don't. Give. Up."

And there it was. Everybody dies. Artorias' eyes flared up with a white hot anger he hadn't felt before in his life. Rudy was accepting the end too, just like everyone else seemed to be. He was willingly condemning their mother to death with his indifference and passivity. "No. Don't you dare. Don't you dare talk to me about death when you've spent your entire life sheltered behind high walls and a happy-go-lucky attitude while I've walked every step with Mom. It's so easy for you to accept things the way they are because you didn't spend every waking moment working and training and struggling to be something she could be proud of!" Artorias closed the distance between them in a few short strides, stopping with his teeth bared a foot away from Rudy, pointed eyes glaring daggers at the mottled boy. His voice grew husky as he spoke with a growl in his tone, "Don't you think I'm scared?! Don't you think I'm angry and confused, and that's maybe why I'm running myself ragged trying to keep Mom alive while all you're doing is putting on a brave face and standing off to the side?! You know, you always talk a big game, Rudy. Well why don't you put your words into action for one gods damn time. You wanna be a leader so bad? Take this lesson to heart then: nobody gets left behind—ever. But if you wanna be a pretty face that wears a shallow smile and a fake crown instead of being a wolf of substance? Fine. Then do us both a favor and stay the hell out of my way while I actually do something to save Mom's life and stop holding me back."

Artorias turned on his heels, starting to walk away from Rudy. This conversation had been a tremendous waste of time and just left him angrier than he had been. The last thing Rudy said stopped him dead in his tracks though. Did Art hate him? He turned to fix his brother with a hard stare. "No, Rudy, I don't hate you. You're my brother, I could never hate you," he said, his voice strained and tired. "But if you're not going to help me, then stand aside and let me protect Mom. Am I clear?" He waited for a moment for Rudy to digest what he said before adding, "Are we done here?"




"Artorias" | Thoughts | "Corbin"