here when its hard

If he was trying to be strong and hold himself together, Sirius saw too it that those efforts were in vain with his heartfelt words. Artorias closed his eyes, screwing them shut to block out the world while he trembled with each sob the Warlord pulled from him while he embraced him and reassured him of Resin's love and devotion for him. Everything he had done so far had been to honor her, to make her proud that he was her son, to bring glory and renown to the Carpathius family name. She would never get to see what he could be, what he could do thanks to her. But maybe Seer was right when he claimed she knew who he was and what he would be in the world. Maybe that was why she had taken him under her wing, tutored and trained him much more rigorously than any of his siblings, put more time and consideration into him. She knew who Artorias Carpathius would be, and she gave him all the tools to become a force for good and a true leader in the world.

It didn't stop the hurt though. Nothing would stop the hurt until the inevitable end came. Artorias simply wept, letting the remainder of the agony out while Sirius comforted him and rubbed his back, letting the boy know he wasn't alone. You're never alone, Art. The words Sirius had said weeks ago echoed in his head, and never before had he felt that statement ring so true as it did now. Breathe, he just had to breathe. In, and out. In, and out. Slowly but surely, Art began to collect himself, his crying fading off into weaker sobs, then into raspy breathing. He would honor Resin in the only way he knew how: he would lead his best life, guided by the virtues she had instilled in him from birth. Loyalty, justice, courage, empathy, protection. He would embody the spirit of Resin Carpathius long after she was gone, and the world would know his name, and the name of the Hallows far and wide.

Once he no longer felt the need to hide his face, Artorias sniffled and lifted his head from Sirius' chest. A paw wiped the remaining fluid from his eyes, taking a deep breath to steady himself before looking up into the Warlord's eyes with a grateful expression. "Thank you, Sirius," he said, soft and heartfelt. "For everything you've done for me and my family, thank you..." How could any wolf who had sacrificed and done so much for a family miles away from his own ever consider himself a bad guy? If it took him the rest of his days, Artorias was committed to showing Sirius that, despite his past, he was indeed a wolf worth revering.


"Artorias" | Thoughts | "Corbin"