Toil and trouble

Aristaios, still grappling with the bear, felt its sudden lurch forward, a desperate attempt to escape the clutches of the battle. His grip tightened instinctively, but the bear’s strength was waning, its movements becoming erratic and weaker. He let go, his mind set on readjusting his hold as the other brute’s question cut through the chaos, Aristaios took a moment to steady himself, the adrenaline still surging through his veins.

“No.” Aristaios replied, his voice a low timbre, but full of confidence. He turned to give the man a quick glance, a fierce glint in his eyes, the thrill of the fight still lingering in his stance. “I wasn’t raised to be a quitter.” He grinned, refocusing his sight on the bear as it huffed and attempted to escape, but he would not allow it. Instead the brute barreled forward, a renewed effort to kill as he latched on the bear’s neck; creating deep lacerations as he shook and twisted with teeth meant to crush bone.

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