The martyr is alive after having lain dormant for so long, but even with the joy of life he knows he is an abomination. No one should live for so long, no one should return to steal an innocent's body and occupy the hallows of their soul. For looking down Huric knows he is an unnatural occurrence- looking out, seeing further than before, and taking steps in a younger frame, acts as a revelation to him.

And he knows that he has died, because he can still see with frightening clarity the outstretched fingers of fiends clawing out his throat. And in the corner of his mind, lurking, is someone else. He feels sorrow and pain for that lost soul as it wanders; shirks at the sound of its cry in his mind, runs from it as it calls out a familiar name. He feels unnatural and knows he does not belong- tastes blood on his lips and understands that this body has killed, sees the black mutt at his heels and knows he has destroyed something beautiful.

For when Manhattan looks deep into the silver-blue eyes of her master and searches for his mind, she sees a deep pink and hears another's thoughts. Somewhere in the shadows Knox lies alone and tormented, made to suffer by his own foolish decisions to trust a goddess of hatred. His bonded feels pain and his bonded feels loneliness, but she knows better than to leave him free of blame.

In the distance she hears the scuffling of a hunt, and the ears of the stallion perk at the somehow familiar sound of a stranger. Huric sets forth at what once would have been a light trot, only to find himself bulkier and slightly more awkward. The grace of his rose grey figure has long since gone, and is replaced with a more powerful and purposeful stride. Still he subdues it as he enters the clearing from which the call came.

And when she sees her sister, Manhattan rushes forth. It is a foolish act made by a young, concerned pup, but one made nonetheless. She has no interest in Loretta's meal, only in her wisdom. For Manhattan is lost when she looks into her bonded's eyes, and has few places to turn. Knox is gone, she whines to Loretta, placing both paws on her older sister's hindquarter's. He has been cursed by the moon, condemned to lose his mind to those of other's. Help, sister; please, she continues, feeling strangely ashamed to be asking the bitch for help after fighting with her not too long ago.

Fighting and losing, she remembers. But does Huric remember? she wonders. She looks into the blue eyes with red behind and knows he does not. He is empty; someone else, an intruder. And Huric, the eldest brother of his family, looks upon the features of one who should be known to him and shows nothing. With nervous eyes, he turns his gaze to the bear and his master. Not that he fears nature, simply that he respects it, and well enough to keep a distance. With a kind look, one full of knowing, he watches the pair from the shadows before emerging. The stallion has spoken true and well; Huric himself has felt the same obligation to service.

And so with a light and charming voice, he joins the conversation. He does not fear intrusion or rejection; he is blinded by this chance to live again. He feels guilt and regret, but he accepts his situation, and he moves on. He must always move on, as he always has.

"An admirable goal," Huric begins as he sidles up alongside the massive stallion. "Tell me, stranger, he begins with a nod to the mare, who appears to be the one the stallion submits to, "Who are your Grey?" And when he speaks he does not know his own voice, and he knows that he is not who he should be.