He was getting so tired of these insidious little creatures. He wasn't going to leave until he got what he came here for, even if he did have tears streaming down his face right now. With a deep breath, he used his ability once more, this time lunging upwards with a nice little boost to snap one right out of the air.

Yes! Progress. He had four, he could do this, he just had to concentrate.

He placed the fourth one in the pile, taking a deep breath before doing the same thing. It was working! He had smacked a fifth out of the air! Look at him!

He placed it gently in the pile, looking up at the small group. It was thinning, there were only about three left in the swarm, and he wanted them all.

The use of his magic over and over was starting to get to him, making him pant a little, his eyes narrowing as he took a second. This was the first time he had ever used this much magic all at once and he knew he would take a long nap after this, maybe need a moment of darkness and silence to get rid of this ache he was feeling.

But he wouldn't stop now, he couldn't. It was working, how could he stop now?! Once again, he lunged upwards with the boost on his paws and sure enough, there were only two left in the sky. A pile of six at his paws, taking a moment to try and regain his breath.

He was really starting to pant now, sweat beading under his fur, both from the jumping and the exertion of his magic. It was a dangerous combination and he knew he would have to take a moment to rest before taking back the bounty. He just hoped he didn't pass out for too long.

He once again lunged upwards, eyes narrowing onto the last two left. He could do this! Sure enough jaws snapped one out of the air, letting it land in the pile. There was only one left, one more to gather, then he could pass out and then he could turn in the bounty.

He narrowed his eyes for a moment, his head spinning as he lunged upwards, his eyes closing to keep himself from getting dizzy, hoping that he could feel the little creature beneath his paws as he slapped it out of the air.

He panted as he stood there, dizzy and out of breath. Slowly he opened his eyes to find all eight under his paw, laying in a neat little pile. He did it... he.... was... tired.

With a pant, he curled himself up around his pile, determined to make sure no one stole them, before taking a much needed nap before he passed out completely. Once his beauty sleep was done, he would head to turn in the creatures.

-exit-