The past guides us

Artorias appreciated the humility that Mercury accepted his offer with. He knew the man would have preferred to have earned the rank the traditional way, with a test of his own skills and strength, but Avantika’s extended absence and total disappearance had left them with little other choice. The Hallows needed a Commander. The Aegis needed his Commander. When he had entrusted this rank and responsibilities to Tika, he had held out hope that this would be what his sister needed to get her head on straight, but instead it had appeared to do the exact opposite. Now she was gone, and as much as it pained him, Artorias knew that trying to search for her by this point would be a fool’s errand. Tika would have to return to them on her own merit at her own time—if she ever returned at all…

The azure and onyx wolf nodded his head in thanks to his dark-coated friend. "Thank you, Mercury. I also hope she’ll come back one day." The dour tone in his voice betrayed his lack of hope of that outcome ever happening. Artorias had suffered far too much loss in his life to still hold onto fleeting unrealistic hopes. Mercury accepted his offer and just like that, he had become the Hallows’ new Commander. But something at the end of his friend’s words made him pause, giving a shake of his head. "We are the Hallows, Merc. All of us make this place a home, make us a family. No one wolf is more important than any other," he gently corrected his friend. One thing Artorias had always made sure to emphasize was that even if he was alpha, the Aegis, or called "king" by others, he did not see himself as above anyone. He was their arbiter, but he was no king or deity.

The changing of the guard was accepted, but Artorias felt as if he was robbing Mercury of a bit of the fanfare he deserved. Had he won a challenge against Avantika, he would have had a cheering crowd and the thrill of victory surging through his veins. So instead, Art turned towards the other male and drew Embershard from its scabbard on the table. "Bow your head, Mercury," he instructed his former Vanguard, waiting until he did so before tapping the flat side of his blade to Mercury’s shoulders. "In light of no challengers to face, I, Artorias Carpathius, Aegis of the Hallows, head of the Carpathius family, and Lord of Cinder, henceforth name you Commander of the Hallows and entrust you with all its powers, privileges, and responsibilities." Drawing his blade back, Art set Embershard down on the workbench, turning to Merc with a proud smile. "Rise, Commander Mercury."

"Artorias Carpathius" | "Carpathian"