Citadel was feeling a lot of things as he finally made it to the Col’s borders. Almost there, just a few more steps and he’d be free of all this. His anger still simmered, but it was already wavering with something else. Something that felt suspiciously like heartache. He loved Ignita, why why did she have to go and ruin everything?

Seeing Selene had softened him, and he gritted his teeth. He needed the edge that anger gave him. He was about to take some steps he had never made before. He’d always had a home base, the unspoken protection of his parents. Now he was alone. Truly, and utterly. Alienated from his family. He needed the strength of anger to fuel him, to carry him through what had been started. He wouldn’t waver.


"Speech"

He’d run. Trying to follow after his brother, after Citadel. And once he’d finally caught up, Gods knew how long it had taken—he rushed towards him, breath huffing out in exertion.

Iskandor's voice rang out, loud and forceful. “Citadel!” His turquoise eyes were unrelenting, locking onto his brother’s figure intensely. The boy drew closer, his bright blue eyes pleading. “Brother. I won’t ask you to stay.” Iskandor said, his brows furrowing, his earlier words to his brother, his mother, and Balrog echoing in his ears. He knew what he was here to do, he knew what he was risking. But he couldn't leave Citadel alone, all alone? That was madness. They were brothers. Family.

“I- Listen. Whatever step you take next, I’ll be right there. Whether you like it or not." He stepped forth, his frame coming close to his brothers, visage reflecting his resolution. “Please. I'm here, for you.”

"Speech"

Citadel startled at the sound of a wolf racing towards him. He turned, falling into a defensive posture. His hackles raised and his eyes turned grim. So this was it, was it? Another brother turning on him. Did he have plans of glory, of dragging the icy wolf down and hauling him back to their mother?

But then Iskandors words finally pierced through the loud thumping of his heart, and he realised something different, something even stranger was happening. He paused, his mouth parting and his posture relaxing. He had just left Selene behind, did he want to let Iskandor take that push. Did he even have the capabilities to stop him? He was far less sure he could keep Iskandor away than Selene. “Why? This is your home.” He knew his voice was bitter, but he couldn’t help it.

"Speech"

The defensiveness of his brother’s hackles and his expression cut like a blade, making Iskandor nearly falter in his steps. The sight of that distrust was almost enough to stop him in his tracks—but not quite. He held his ground, his gaze solid as he caught his breath.

The words that rang out from Cit stung, but Iska didn’t flinch. Instead, he met his brother’s gaze, and began to speak. Memories flashing in his mind, of family, of Armada. “Yes, it was my home. It was your home too.” he agreed, a bit of a somber edge coloring his words before it vanished with his next, “You think I care about walls, about borders, when my brother is out here alone? Mom, dad, our brother, our sisters have each other. Who do you have?” The words tugged at his heart as he spoke them, but it was the truth. If he let his brother leave alone, here, now—he wouldn’t forgive himself.

He shook his head from the thoughts, tone softening as he continued. “You don’t have to push me away. Not me.” He stepped closer, slowly, so as not to reignite Citadel’s wariness. His voice dropped further, rich with sincerity, eyes meeting the gold of his brother’s. “Why? Because you’re my brother, Citadel. Because I want to be there for you, even if it feels like everyone else has given up.” Iskandor paused, his turquoise gaze unwavering. In his heart he wished for the issue to be resolved, but the boy knew that wounds only healed with time and care.





"Speech"

Was. The word hurt, more than he was prepared to deal with right now. So he concentrated instead on Iskandor’s use of it for himself, too. He was really serious about this, wasn’t he? Something stirred in his chest. He was so prepared to call himself the lone wolf, and go at it alone. But his family was proving to be just as stubborn as he was.

Iskandor’s steps closer were cautious, as if Citadel was a loaded canon. He wasn’t that volatile, was he? A part of him regretted-- no! This was his mothers fault. He saw no other path he could take.

Citadel let out a huffed little breath, and looked away from Iskandor for a moment. Struggling with the emotions of it. His tail flicked behind him, and he glanced back at Iskandor from the corner of his eyes. “Fine. But don’t slow me down, alright?” I love you too, brother.


"Speech"