I’m weak. Ruby was right.

That’s all i thought when it happened.

Everything turned bright red, it burned like fire, it consumed my mind until it was all muddled.

I’ve never felt anything like this.

I couldn’t recognize my voice when i growled like a beast. I wanted him dead, he hurt my family.

My soul manifested and i knew i was in a fight when his stats showed up.

A row of sharp wooden spears flew towards me, i tried to avoid it but they were too fast. I cried in pain, lying in the snow for a couple seconds, expecting to die, thinking it was too much, that i couldn’t win.

“Is that all you have, puppy?!” The bear laughed.

The feeling inside of me boiled up even further, and before i realized, i was standing again to his astonishment.

“My turn” I grumbled.

I never used magic before. I never expected to need it. But the “how” manifested so clearly in my body.

I felt a rush running through my soul, it tingled, flowing across my arms until i could sense it in my fingertips.

My magic sparkled alive, blue and white bones growing in the air around me. I aimed and they followed my orders simply, like they were part of me. It was thrilling.

My first shot was too slow, it didn’t even graze him who avoided successfully.

The bear laughed at me when his second attack left me in the ground again. “I’ve seen cubs with better reflexes!”

“Fuck… you…” I gasped out, my chest burning. My face hurt, one spear had raked my face, and it was starting to feel wet.

I stood up one more time, my legs were shaky and my soul was already drained. I didn’t have much time left.

It occurred to me that i had to take this turn carefully.

If i couldn’t kill him, at least i needed to put Blue and Ash at a safe distance from him, just so my parents could find them in time.

I knew what to do.

“Hey Teddy, wanna play hide and seek?” I asked playfully.

“What?”

“Bet you’re too fat and slow to find me!”

I started running.

“Hey!”

When i looked back, he was indeed following. That was easy.

My legs were already exhausted and weak. My body hurt. But i ran as much as i could, making sure he had his eyes on me all the time.

“So this is your territory? How about i kill you and claim all this as mine?” I provoked to keep him close.

“You can’t even kill a fly, puppy!”

I heard the wind being cut down behind me when a sharp pain raked my ribs. This time i didn’t stop or fall, i kept running even though i knew i was dying. Attacking was futile, there was no point in facing him now. I had to go on as far as possible.

At least i can do that for them.

A dry bush covered with snow showed briefly in my sight but i wasn’t able to avoid it in time. I stumbled and fell on the ground, my legs giving in to the exhaustion.

I couldn’t move anymore. But it was okay. It was time.

He stepped on one of my legs, stomping on the bone with enough strength to crush it.

I sucked on all the air i could…

…and howled.

“Shut up!” The bear plunged a spear in my sternum and pressed hard until it was buried deeply. My voice turned into a cry, my bones splintering as the signs of dusting started to show up.

My head became light, like a feather flowing upside with a cold breeze. I stopped feeling my limbs for a long, long time.

It was like an eternity. I found myself swimming in the sea my father talked me about once, surrounded by small lights dancing around me.

Is death supposed to be this way?

I blinked, and suddenly i was awake. A set of red eyes were fixed on me.

“Well, look who’s back” He said with a smile.

I blinked several times more before i felt completely aware. “Mm, who…?”

He gasped. “I’m hurt, don’t you know who–?” He paused and stared at me. “Wait, did you lose your memory? Is that it? Oh my god, you lose your memory. What are we gonna do?!”

“…Maple?!” The flash of panic disappeared from his face when i said his name.

“Oh my god, you scared the shit out of me! Out of all of us! You big idiot!” He punched me playfully, smiling. My soul started to race.

“The hell are you doing here?!” I questioned returning the punch softly. My body felt heavy and clumsy, but hell, i was happy to see him.

“Mint?” A voice across the room called.

When i turned i saw Ash behind another taller skeleton.

I choked on my own breath. “Ruby?”

“You’re awake. Oh stars” She said walking towards me with a big frown i remembered clearly. “In what the actual fuck were you thinking to fight that bear by yourself? Are you nuts?”

I was going to retort as soon as she asked, but the way her voice broke in the last words as she leaned to embrace me just kept me silent.

“I can’t believe you were so reckless, i thought you wouldn’t make it” She sniffed.

I swallowed and sighed. “…i fucked up, didn’t i?”

“No. You kept your promise” She whispered.

My head started spinning, and i hugged her back with my soul full with emotions. I looked away to find another surprise by my side.

“Mura?” I called. He was curled beside me in the bed, breathing slowly.

Ruby pulled back and looked at him. “You owe him a big one. If he wasn’t so close that day you would’ve got killed”

“What?”

“Yeah bro, he totally saved your ass” Maple affirmed.

I snorted. “You kidding, right?”

“I wish” A third voice showed up from the door. “I would’ve gladly kicked that bear’s ass myself if i had the chance”

“Lemon!” I smiled at him in surprise. “So, you’re all here huh. And our parents?”

“On sentry duties” Maple answered.

“Is uncle Blue okay?”

“Yeah, we got little scratches in comparison to you” Ash remarked placing her paws on her hips.

A weight settled by my chest. “…sorry” I muttered. “I guess i had everyone worried”

“Not me” Mura growled lowly.

I turned to him in surprise. His eyes were closed.

Mura has never been the most talkative, i didn’t even know he could speak. I think i saw Ruby squint, trying to decipher if it was his voice or not.

“You were always as strong as any of us bro” He followed. “I knew you would be okay” He said blinking one eye socket open, a dark crimson light glowing in it.

My soul swelled. I still couldn’t believe they were all back, safe and sound. Even me.

“…Thank you”