Elfric
Legacy Name: Elfric

METROID

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It was a rhetorical question. Whether anyone answered me or not, I was up on my paws for the 375th time...or was it 393 now? I kept losing count.

In any case, it was thanks to Subeta's talented healer that I was revived to full health, so I could take on the great Tempest once more.

"Elfric..."
My human owner, adoptive mother, Fenix, began to say something, but I blocked out any further noise.

My eyes narrowed, glaring at the storm bear goddess. She was sitting on her haunches, her face full of despair and hurt. The battlefield turned muddier as cold rain continued to pour heavily from the dark clouds above, with pinkish lightning occasionally streaking across the sky.

"I'm not stopping til this damn beast is good and dead."

She was a foe unlike any other, one in which no other battler had ever crossed paths with before. Only two managed to deal final blows against her, but she was still alive.
Countless pets had fallen, only the best kept fighting on.

"PLEASE EVERYONE! Let Tempest be!"
Esther's voice reverberated loud enough to interrupt my thoughts briefly.

"We're not finished with her yet! How dare she continue to live!"

I was finished hearing excuses.

My legs shook, unsteady from exhaustion. Rain dripped down my face, soaking my fur, sending chills coursing through my numbed body.

"I don't care if I keep going down, I'll get back up. I'll take her to Hell if need be," I snarled.

Gripping my Forj Tempered Machete tautly, ignoring the tremor in my forepaws, pretending I didn't hear the hilt 'clink-clink-clink' against the wobbling blade, dangerously close to breaking. My shield had been thrown somewhere else, one-use bombs were gone, only a few weapons remained at my feet. Didn't care anymore, I'd use my fangs and claws as a last resort.

"ELFRIC!!" came a familiar shrill voice, right before a heavy mass, of blue & white dense fur, clobbered me. Was it--?

"Nanaba?! What--"

"YOU STUPID FURBALL! When are you going to quit this insane battle?!" bellowed my adoptive sister, as she squeezed me in a constricting embrace. My other siblings, Skits and Haluk, ran forward as well.

"GAH! Let go of me! C'mon--OW! Dammit Haluk, don't chew my ear off! Guys, STOP!"
My complaints went unheard. Skits licked my right cheek affectionately, while Haluk nibbled on one of my black-tipped ear. Nanaba merely carried on, blubbering drool and tears into my neck.

I looked to Mom, surprised that she hadn't joined in on the disgustingly embarrassing moment my siblings had initiated.

"They were worried, El," she explained while shrugging her shoulders. Tears were welling up in her amber-coloured eyes. Nanaba pulled back, her purple eyes wide with fear, face stained from sobbing and--was that...

"--blood? Nana', you have blood on your cheek." I could barely comprehend much, my head was actually hurting. So was my face, strangely.

"Idiot, it's your blood! Look!"

I gazed down into the puddle of rainwater, then gasped. My right cheek bore an ugly claw mark. Blood seeped from each individual wound, and even my eye was a gross, crimson mess.
The realization of my wounds; the pain that became noticeable suddenly; the appearance of my once-pristine, well-kept white fur torn out in patches and now darkened with mud, soot and caked on blood.

"I think I'm going to be sick." Mom caught me as I feel forward, gagging with full intent to puke.
She said nothing, instead she rubbed my back comfortingly as I wretched red-stained bile and stomach acid. Dizziness set in from lack of food; I couldn't recall the last thing I ate. How many days had it been now? All of this continuous fighting seemed to have blurred time.

"Elfric, you've fought harder than anyone I've ever known, ever since that cold spring morning when I found you, abandoned and frail, in a Centropolis alleyway. So close to death...but you fought for your life and thrived."

I could remember those days, being constantly sick and bed-ridden, forbidden from any strenuous activities until I was older, stronger.

"I've got to keep getting stronger though. I'm still a weakling compared to others. Even the Tempest outmatched me," I wheezed in pathetic protest. I was pulled into a warming hug by her, mindful of the aching joints.

"There are some fights you cannot, or may never, win. But you're not weak, El, not by a longshot. Love is stronger than you think. Don't forget that."

The rain lightened up before ending completely. The dark clouds looming overhead began to dissipate, revealing rays of light. The glow of the re-emerging sun bathed the land with much-needed warmth and life.

A sign that peace, love and forgiveness, previously taken for granted, had returned once more to the Subetan land.