A Farewell, But Never Goodbye

After their embrace, Artorias listened with rapt attention while Meme filled him in on all the adventures she'd been on during her time away from the pack. As an adventurer at heart, Artorias knew all too well the yearn of wanderlust, and hearing of the journeys others took filled him with inspiration to take more of his own someday soon. Amidst her tale, Memento began to tell him of a woman she had met, and Art was keen to pick up on her immediate shyness while speaking of her. A knowing smirk touched the Aegis' lips the longer the golden fae told him about this woman she had met and how she made her feel. Already Artorias was preparing for Meme to ask him to allow her back here into the Hallows, just as Audra had done with Gloom, and he was preparing his response mentally for when the question inevitably came.

Except... it didn't come.

Memento explained how Skorgek did not wish to join a pack and Artorias felt his expression freeze on his face. The mood of the conversation shifted, suddenly feeling more melancholic and like a goodbye than a return. Meme's smile faltered and so too did Artorias' while he just listened to her in contemplative silence. She looked away, but he did not. Art kept his fire-hued gaze on Memento the whole time, giving her all his attention as she deserved to have. Meme explained how the Hallows had reminded her of the values of love and family, and how she wished to explore those values with Skorgek who didn't have those in her life. It also meant she would not be returning home to them. Artorias would not lie—this stung to know that Memento Mori would be leaving them for good. But at the same time he could not fault her for following the path her heart yearned for. He would have likely done the same in her place.

When Meme finished speaking, Artorias simply sighed and nodded his head, his eyes saddened, but a small smile lingering on his muzzle. Without saying a word, the Aegis stepped forward and pulled Memento back into another embrace, hugging her tight as it could have been for the last time. "I would be more surprised if you came back to us after all that instead of taking this path," he said with a solemn chuckle. "Memento Mori, you will always be welcome here in the Hallows—you and Skorgek both. If you ever need us for anything, I hope you'll remember you always have a place here with us." There were so many things Artorias could have said, gotten all choked up and emotional over her departure, but he had to remind himself that this wasn't a goodbye. Meme and Skorgek would be living fairly close and they were welcome to stop by to visit whenever they wanted. Drawing back to look Meme in the eye with a smile, the Aegis clapped a paw on her shoulder and said, "Just promise me you'll both be safe, and that you'll live a fantastic life together." More than anything, Artorias wanted his wolves to always be happy—whether they were with him in the Hallows or on their own paths elsewhere.

"Artorias Carpathius" | "Carpathian"