Blind leading the blind

Though he couldn't see the emotion in her face, Artorias could hear the pain in Briar's voice. He could picture her despondent expression on her beautiful face as she took in the severity and total finality of his condition. There was no cure for blindness. There was no remedy that would bring his sight back, and he'd lost it all for trying to do everything he could to keep her and his family safe. Talk about irony... the alpha who gave up his ability to protect his loved ones in the pursuit of trying to protect his loved ones.

He felt Briar shift closer to him and he took the opportunity to wind his foreleg around her side gladly, holding her as close as he could. Her presence alone helped calm him and made him feel safe, as did her reassuring words spoken softly in the silence. He couldn't see her, but he kept his eyes staring where he knew she was. He wanted to keep up the illusion of normalcy. It was all a lie, of course, but it kept Artorias from feeling like everything was falling down around him. Those eyes, that had once held the heat and warmth of a living fire, had now turned cold and glassy, unable to focus on her or anything, glowing with that odd pale blue glow.

Artorias heard Briar sigh, then felt her forelegs wrap around his neck and guide his head down until he felt the soft fur of her chest against his muzzle. He eagerly nuzzled into her, letting her comfort him and nuzzle his head while kissing one of his ears. She was so good to him... He didn't deserve her in the least—especially not now. Artorias' heart sank in his chest and broke as the thought passed through his mind. He was blind. He would never get to see Briar's radiant beauty again. He would never see her smile, never see the way her face lit up when he gave her a romantic gesture, never see the way she looked on their eventual wedding day. Darker thoughts crept into his mind. He'd never get to see their children. He'd never watch them grow up or see the wolves they became. He'd never get to see his own family grow and evolve as his siblings found partners and raised their own families. He'd never see his mother's face, so full of pride and love. He'd never see anything again...

Sniffling back terrified and heartbroken tears that had begun to form in the corners of his now cool-hued eyes, Artorias clung tighter to Briar, realizing he only had one course of action. The Hallows had no need for a blind Aegis. Briar deserved to have someone who could revel in her beauty, make her giggle when she caught them staring at her. He'd never be able to do that again... "I'm going to have to give up the pack," he murmured with stuttering breaths after a moment, the emotion and guilt tightening in his chest. "The Hallows needs someone strong and capable to lead it... I can't be that. Not anymore..." The young brute drew in a slow, shaky breath. Resin would be so disappointed in him if she could see him right now...

"Briar..." There was a moment of hesitation while he struggled to say what he needed to. "...you should find someone better for you than me... I know you love me, but I'm not going to be an alpha anymore. I'll never be the wolf you knew before. I'll be useless and a burden for the rest of my days. You shouldn't have to deal with that. You deserve someone who's a better fit for you than the crippled blind wolf... someone like how I was..."

"Artorias Carpathius"