Mudminnow River it will break my heart to go against your wishes [m]

Long had Aventus doubted his family's faith in the bear's spirit.

From his first breaths, fear rooted his reverence for his father. His soul remembered the feel of the man's teeth on his newborn flesh, the hot, rancid rush of his breath and the crackle of danger. Aventus could not access these memories, but his soul remembered. In his early days, he listened and worshipped because he was afraid of what would happen if he did not.

Then his sister pulled away from the bear, and in response, he drew closer. His fear became a sense of duty. The siblings grew apart. He remained ever in Merrick's shadow, eager to live up to his father's expectations. The bear never came for him... but it came for everyone he held dear.

It came for Evien at his command, a regret he held caged within him. It came for Avicus, too, and at the time he had wished it succeeded, but in hindsight, he was ashamed and glad she still lived. Avicus turned her back. Merrick brought them to the mountain where the bear was strong, and it came for his mother then, casting her into the jaws of the Saints and giving them the victory. Asperas had forsaken the bear. Apophis was likely dead.

Now, Merrick's faith in the bear led him to Rivenwood. To Indra and Abel. To Laurel, and this very moment. The image seared itself into Aves' mind. Astara and Merrick both gone. Avicus and Asperas both departed. Apophis... Well, the boy had hardly made a mark before he disappeared. That left Arielle. How long would he get with her before the bear came and took her from him as well?

The bear was responsible for everything.

Something vital gave way in Aventus when she pressed against him. It was all he could do not to draw away from her and shut her out. This wasn't supposed to happen like this. He had misgivings about keeping those children, but this wasn't supposed to happen like this.

This wasn't supposed to happen

This couldn't be happening

This

couldn't

and Aventus slammed shut the door to his mind, locked away his thoughts and his feelings for the time when he might be able to confront them. His eyes were cold as they lifted to Laurel. Laurel, who had taken Merrick's mother from him. Laurel, who had sent Merrick on this insane path to begin with.

Laurel was responsible for everything.

Aventus surged, seized her corpse by the neck, flung her this way and that with all the frenzied might he possessed, every hair on his body on end. The sound of flesh tearing was music to his ears. It was a balm for his shrieking, unraveling soul. He tore and tore and tore, ripping fur from flesh and flesh from muscle and muscle from bone, exposing the innards, and painted the creek red.