The Sunspire Manifest that shit

Hunger drove him from the lake shore despite what he’d told Amalia. And one contradiction led to another: Atreus headed toward the mountains to the west. He was keen to see what prey he might find there, after failing miserably at fishing the lake.

His fur was still damp from crossing a creek when he slipped through a gap between two peaks and found himself in a narrow corridor. Atreus paused, ears pinning as he tipped his head back and studied the rock walls on all sides. This place felt… secure.

The opposite of a mountain, he muttered under his breath as he continued walking.

He reluctantly began to climb as the ground rose underfoot. Quite quickly, Atreus caught the scent of some small mammal. He tracked it ever upward before losing it in a crevice.

Void was at his home, after recovering from his head injury when he caught a familiar scent. At first he couldn't place who it was, but then he did. It was the boy he had seen in the forests a bit ago. He wondered what he was doing up here.

Void started to pad in the direction of Atreus, though who he thinks is named Ancelin,'s scent. He soon spots the boy and makes sure his posture doesn't have any threat or dominance to it. He knew the boy was skiddish and tentative to talk as is. "Ancelin." Void said calmly in greeting as he came into earshot of Atreus. "Remember me? Void." He said.

He sat beside the great fissure in the rocks, disappointed but also curious. It was dark down there but full of smells. Atreus bent down to sniff closer, squinting into the shadows, and jumped at the sound of a voice behind him.

“Ancelin.”

He sat up and whipped around in one jerky movement, eyes looking everywhere for any sign of his brother. They only found a swarthy figure, familiar after a few blinks. Atreus stared at Void for a long moment, a shaky exhale the only indication of his disappointment that his brother hadn’t magically materialized.

Yeah, he replied to the man’s question, thrown once again by being discovered by someone he knew. I remember you, he said even as Atreus wondered if his father and aunt might track him down so easily, though would they even bother trying?

"How've you been? what brings you to the mountains?" Void asked, guessing he was still on the run from something. "these are my home, but are quite far from where I last saw you." He commented.

He noticed Atreus tense and look around when he called his name and Void, not knowing his name wasn't actually Ancelin, assumed it was because he wanted to make sure no one saw him or was around him.

And what about Ancelin. Would he try? He’d said he would, though he had been jesting at the time…

Void’s voice brought him back to the present moment, in time to catch his last few words. He lived here? Atreus frowned thoughtfully, trying to recollect all the things they’d talked about in the maple forest.

My name’s not Ancelin, he said apropos of nothing. I just said that because you were a stranger at the time. My real name’s, Atreus informed him, Bear.

Bear. That was why he seemed uncomfortable around the name. Because it wasn't his. "well personally, I think Bear is a much cooler name." Void said. "You still on the move?" Void asked, restating his previous question in other words this time though.

Yeah, I’m… Atreus replied, pausing to think before continuing, I’m scouting, I guess. I’m totally on my own now.

And unlike Void, he couldn’t do this on his own. He was quickly realizing that. If not for Amalia fishing for him yesterday, he would be on the verge of starving. He was already thin; there were no fat stores to fall back on when his hunts failed.

"I have a den, that I like to say is temporary, but I've lived there for months now, longer than your life probably, if you want to head over to it. I have some prey stored, and theres a small creek running in the back of it, so it's a decent place." Void said, offering Bear a safe space to stay. "Or I could help you build a den nearby, if you'd want that." He offered, realizing his original offer may seem weird as they hardly knew eachother.

Amalia had been hard pressed to leave the boy, and she promised herself she'd check on him the next day, but when she went back to where he was. He was gone. At first her heart fell like weighted stone and then she followed his scent.

His pathways meandered and didn't make much sense, and she wanted to scream. Why was he not listening. Why did he keep leaving? Did he not want her help? Or maybe her affection was not to his liking or perhaps she cared to strongly.

Was this a test of some kind? She didn't know. All she knew was that with the flutter of fear upon her breast she followed his scent trail. She saw him a way aways, and with him a big black furred beast, but she couldn't see who it was from her angle.

Bear. She called out to him.

Like Amalia, Void renewed his earlier offer to look after him. It had only been a day since he’d seen her but things were really starting to feel precarious. Atreus couldn’t afford to think anymore. He needed to take advantage of the opportunity in front of him.

Wi— he started to say when a voice cut across him, shouting, “Bear.”

He recognized it and called back, Amalia…?

Void saw the newcomer. He recognised her from somewhere. They'd met a while back. And he didn't think it was a positive interaction. Then he remembered. She was from that pack that he had once considered joining. He couldn't place her name or its. But he suddenly felt hot as he remembered his feelings for her. He looked at Bear though, who seemed to not want this other wolf around.

"Who are you." Void growled in her direction. "[b][size=small]What do you want with Bear?" [/size][/b]He asked defensively, stepping infront of the boy.

Amalia's tail wagged as she heard him call back and she loped forward only to be growled at. Then she saw who it was and her stomach fell.

You, you... Void? You attacked Sadey! And what are you doing with Bear? I came to check on him, obviously.

She tilted her tail up over her back, but she didn't get into a position to fight yet. She didn't want to scare the boy and he was between her and the other male. How dare he, block her from seeing the youth.

Bear are you okay? she asked, her concern for him evident in her tone of voice and the way she held her face.

With the obvious exception (Ancelin), Atreus had never felt as though anybody gave a shit about him. And now, all of a sudden, two wolves seemed ready to fight over him.

His lips parted in surprise when Void stepped in front of him, shielding him from Amalia’s view as she appeared. He wanted to reassure him that she wasn’t a threat, though before Atreus could get a word in edgewise, she raised her voice at Void.

Then, “Bear, are you okay?”

Yeah, I, Atreus said, sidling around Void and tapping his shoulder to show that it was alright, I’m fine. Well, I’m still… He gestured vaguely.

Atreus fell silent then, peering back and forth between the two. They knew each other. And Void had apparently attacked somebody named Sadey. Atreus wasn’t sure what to do with this information, nor the fact that both these wolves ostensibly wanted to take him home with them.

It was a good problem to have… but still a problem.

"I've attacked a lot of wolves." Void said coolly. He felt Atreus's tap, and he seemingly didn't have a problem with this wolf, but she was having a problem with him now, and Atreus was on the run from something. If this wolf was checking in on him, perhaps she was somewhat related to that. Void didn't want to take any chances. He wanted Atreus to stay with him. "Bear needs someone. How can you really care about him if he's left you? Or if you lost him? I'm going to keep him here with me, and if you want to argue with that, fight me. You might not even be as lucky as your friend Sadey was, to be able to tell the tale."

Amalia tilted her head. Thats awful and you should be ashamed of yourself. Attacking with no reason is not kind.

Amalia stared point blank. Green eyes alight with fury, but she didn't push. Didn't move forward this was a precarious position.

Amalia lifted her head and titled her nose. It isn't my choice or yours what Bear chooses to do and if you are trying to make him make a decision you're as bad as the ones who've hurt him in the past. You're taking away a choice.

Amalia looked to the youngling again and smiled, ignoring the other wolf.

Bear. Would you like me to leave? I promised to keep on checking with you, but if you'd rather I didn't. Or i can find you later even. You just were gone and it worried me.

As the verbal argument broke out and quickly grew heated, Atreus could only stand there and stare, mouth slightly ajar. He didn’t know what to think about what was being said.

If Void had said these things to Aventus or Avicus, he probably would’ve appreciated these threats of violence. But it was Amalia, who he truly believed cared about him. Even still, he felt a weird thrill at the way Void demonstrated so clearly that he would protect the boy.

Amalia appealed to Atreus directly, offering to leave if that’s what he wanted. He shook his head quickly. He didn’t know what he was going to do or who was going to do it with, yet he didn’t want to dismiss Amalia.

I know you both want to help me, he said, emphasizing the word a little as he glanced at Void. You guys don’t have to fight.

“that’s not what i’m doing at all. i’m protecting him to allow him to make his decision. making sure he doesn’t feel forced to come to you. sure we have different outlooks on things but that’s something we can agree with. Bear can make his own choice.” Void said to Amalia, suppressing growls and slurs for the boys sake.

“you seem to be obsessing over not wanting him to be with me. is there lack of trust? because i assure you i’d die for him if i had to.” Void said strongly, his words full of sincerity. He remained in his dominant battle stance, ready to attack or defend if things got there.

“Bear. Do you want us to fight over you or do you want to make your own decision who to go with? if you truly trust Amalia and want to go with her i won’t interfere. But i’ve sensed your hesitancy and discomfort these days. if she’s related to your past and you want to escape that, you can start fresh with me.” Void said, calming his tone and posture while turned to Atreus.

Amalia stared him down. Please don't put words into my mouth that i didnt say.

Green eyes went wide at him asking the child if he wanted them to fight. What kind of crap was that. She gave a soft gasp.

Why would you ask him that, it's terrible. That is not a decision you should put on him. Who even said anything about fighting? What is your damage?

This was what he’d always wanted: people who cared about him. And they didn’t just care a little, they cared a lot, enough to pick a fight! But like with Amalia’s attempts to show him the affection he yearned for so much, Atreus didn’t know what to do with the actuality of it. The resulting feelings were intense to the point of being overwhelming.

Just like Amalia had done a moment ago, Void paused his tirade to appeal to Atreus directly. Before he could think of what to say, Amalia interrupted, pointing out that it was terrible to put Atreus on the spot like that. The boy’s mouth opened and shut.

You guys don’t have to fight, he repeated himself. I want to make my own decision, Atreus added, feeling immensely pressured not just by these two but the circumstances. This was definitely too much of a good thing. I need—I need a day! Just give me one day to think about it!

Void backed down at that. He would do what Atreus wanted. "Right, ok. You can have whatever time you need. Sorry for pressuring you like that Bear." Void said sincerely. "Since we're by my den now, do you want to spend the night here? Amalia, you can too I guess, if we promise not to kill eachother while the other sleeps." Void said coldly, but full of seriousness. He could promise to that, because of his care for Atreus, but he needed to make sure she would too.

i want there to be a fighttttt. how r we gonna get to a fight if atreus doesn't want one and both will listen to him?

Amalia nodded at Bear and shifted.


Amalia sighed. Why on earth would I do anything to hurt you. I'll be fine nearby.

She wanted to approach Bear and give him a gentle tap or a nudge, but void stood in her way. And she knew were she to even attempt the clearly unhinged violent beast would attack.

What happened to the mannerly wolf she had met in the field. She liked him much better than the monster before her.

It was all too much, even when Void capitulated and invited not just Atreus but Amalia to spend the night in his den. Atreus pulled a face outright at that, wondering how Void could suggest such a thing only a few moments after threatening violence.

Amalia seemed to be of the same mind. She declined roundly, seemingly leaving Atreus to go home with Void. He found himself trying to catch Amalia’s eye, though he didn’t even know why. Through this entire episode, he’d been at a loss for words.

I’m not going anywhere with anybody today. I said I need time to think, Atreus finally spat, flustered and overwhelmed into surliness. Just leave me alone, he added rather unnecessarily, thinking of Avicus as he spun on a heel and dove toward the nearest footpath.

Void felt bad now. He'd fucked up. He felt he'd lost Atreus, though all the actions he'd done where to protect him. "Bear-" He said as the boy turned, but he was gone before Void could get any words out.

He was left there with Amalia. He wanted to just attack her then and there. She'd contributed to scaring off Bear. "You're also at blame for scaring him off." Void snarled at her.

Amalia watched Bear go with sadness in her pretty green eyes. She said nothing. Simply walked a bit towards where he went, far out of reach of the dark angry wolf.

She stared at him and shook her head. Think whatever you want I don't even care. He'll be back, he just asked for a day. You can't rush him.

She sniffed around for a place to lay this evening. Where Bear could easily find her. Should he want.

Void went to his den for the night. He had prey stored there. He would bring some tomorrow for Atreus as an offering, not necessarily a bribe, just an offering, as he had noticed the boy seemed weaker with hunger.

Back at his den, Void ate. He ate a rabbit. Needed to keep his strength up if things were to happen tomorrow. He drank from the stream behind his den before settling down for the night. He made sure to set scent markers strongly in a circle around his den to warn anyone off.