Let the record show that Alrik had tried. He had really tried to move, to intercept, to help them. Let it be known that it was an awesome attempt! That it wasn't lackluster, but rather shining like a star upon the pillar of altruistic glory and heroism. Let it be known--! Let it be known--! Let it be known--

that it was only an attempt. And a failed one.

Now, to say that Alrik didn't have an ego would be to lie so low and so harshly that you might as well be a flattened snake slithering upon the ground, hunting for its next kill. Even Alrik himself would've labeled you as such. But despite this bloated and self-confident attitude, to say Alrik didn't have a heart? That would be just as much a lie!

The boy had a hard. A peculiar one, but one that beat, and wished to beat not only for itself, but for others. He had failed his own heart, and it was taking its revenge. By plaguing his thoughts, constantly, with recorded and rewinded scenes and images of Alrik's utter failure, contrasted against the successes of the others like the desert sand against the mountain snow. He had done nothing but stand and watch. That green-eyed beast had done the same, but the difference there was that at least it could've done something. Yes, that cub had been embarrassing to watch dance about. But you know what was a million times worse than mortification? Mortem-fication. Death. Watching someone have do be swarmed to the point where escape would've defied all laws of physics and biology.

And Alrik couldn't stop seeing it.

He stared at a pebble on the ground like it was a television, broadcasting this same situation not only to him, but to everyone around. An illusion, but one Alrik was willing to convince himself of. If only he had done something. If only he could've DONE SOMETHING.

There was only one answer, laced throughout the sequences of tormenting, taunting images playing and replaying in his mind. He had to be stronger. He had been waiting to be like Shane Go, like the Kings, like that green-eyed beast. He had been waiting for his epic power to come. He had thought it inevitable, eventual, like the coming of age; in fact, he'd thought that age and that power were almost one in the same.

And he still hadn't been entirely disabused of this notion. No, he hadn't been dissuaded. Instead, he'd proven to himself that... it wasn't enough. He needed more, he needed it now. In case of the next disaster, which was likely to be as inevitable and eventual as power, time, the rising of the tide, the falling of the snow, the death of a life.

He wanted the power he deserved. Nothing short of immortality, to ease his inclement heart. If nothing could touch him, then he had complete control. Then he could finally, FINALLY do something.

He would begin with a loud yell, an attempt to summon a CHALLENGER.

And none would come.

Alrik would find the nearest rock and try to smack it as he could. WHAP! It was a good hit! The rock would've shuddered in pain and fright, if it had been alive.

But it wasn't.

Alrik bit his tongue.

He figured he ought to go... do something else. He didn't want to give up. Maybe he'd just been to scary!

Maybe he should go find the blood of a savage No. He wasn't... he wouldn't. That was that. But he could go looking for the blood of a meal.

It was time for a smidge bit of a hunt, then.

Alrik looked around for what felt like forever until he finally heard a noise. It was unpleasantly loud. Wait... was that just one, or several like it? Alrik looked around. Oh no. Oh no. OH NO NO NO NO NO--

Something moving in the corner. What was that?! Another thing fluttered on the pallas' cat's other side. NO! He had to get out, he had to get AWAY!

But if he stood his ground here, didn't that mean he was at least trying?

What?! NO! He had to get AWAY--

But that's what happened last time.

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO

Alrik curled into a ball.

And wept.

- exit -