Puppies are invincible

Citadel spared a moment to turn and snarl at his brother. He would not be held back! If Balrog wanted to be a coward, that was on him. But Citadel would never turn his back to a fight! He was too young and foolish to truly comprehend danger, and even the angry appearance of his mother didn’t let that knowledge settle in.

He felt his crystal’s encased head hit his target, the mutation on his brow absorbing much of the blow. Now that he was up close to its leg, he tore at it with his heavy bear paws, claws extended to maximise damage.

While he was busy doing that, he missed much of the damage the bear did to their mother. It wasn’t until the bear drove her into the wall, that actual fear began to creep in for the first time. Fear for his mother. He let out a fierce, angry shout and dove at the bear's belly. He didn’t care about his own vulnerabilities. He was too mad to be strategic, all he could think of was spilling its blood.

The bear moved a paw to swipe at him, and would likely have ended the young pup’s life, and then perhaps have finished off his mother. Before either could happen, a snow leopard shot through the cavern and landed on the bear. About a year of age, with horns on his brow, and the scent of Bast on his coat. His great grandfather's loyal companion. His teeth encased the bears neck and dug in deep

"Citadel"