He remembered it like it was yesterday. The image was unshakable now, even though so long had passed. His brother Einvir's blood painted the scene -- beautiful Freyleif's belly torn open, entrails spread around like a work of art. He had watched, hidden from sight, filled with both fear and curiosity. How could he not feel such pain at the passing of his kin? He remembered the panicked Jaeger rushing to their parents, explaining that a bear had attacked, and that he had fled. He himself had been confronted later, asserting the same story. He had quickly grown okay with his brother's actions, convinced he had sacrificed the two -- who now surely feasted in Valhalla alongside Odin and Thor and all the others, for being forever devout and faithful.
And yet it wasn't until his brother fled home -- and he, in turn, followed him -- that he admitted he had seen all that happened. Jaeger had not been met with fear and disgust, but delight and interest. How faithful his brother was! The love that he felt for him was so deep that it could not be described. He'd had no choice but to leave home when his family had begun to question his brother's purity. The rumors of his relationship with their mother had forced him away, and in turn, Kapras?us had followed. He often wondered if he might ever see his family again, though he was fairly certain he would never return home.
His fate had been chosen, by none other than the gods, and he was certain it included Jaeger. He had not seen him for so long, and yet his presence grew stronger every day. Once he had even crossed paths with his familiar scent, igniting such a sense of pride and joy within his heart. He would find him soon, but he had to be patient.
Today his paws brought him away from familiar lands. Up, up, he went, climbing higher than he expected. Below the sea lapped threateningly at the shoreline, roaring defiantly. Kapras?us could not help but feel closer to the gods here, high on these cliffs, closer to the heavens above. The pale brute felt a strange sense of foreboding as he wandered, feeling as though the crashing of the waves was very much a warning from the gods for him to turn away -- and yet he wanted to know exactly what danger lurked here.
A familiar scent would come to him, brought along by the sudden wind. It was not his brother's scent, no, could not be. And yet it was painfully familiar, drawing him closer. The man's eyes grew wide, brilliant pools of emerald searching the horizon for the sight of whoever it might be. He drew closer, his gait guarded and wary, so unlike his normal carefree demeanor -- and then it dawned on him. The dark-furred woman was none other than his cousin. Instead of speaking, he would remain frozen in place, a great distance away, praying silently to the gods for guidance. He did not know what she thought of his wordless departure from the family, but he could not help but feel apprehensive about their reunion.
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