This is probably the oddest macro piece I have ever written.

One of my interests during college and the years after was around bears. Bears are, after-all, fairly big land animals. Macros in their own way.

I've also been a student of religions and spirituality over the years. Intersecting with the interest in bears, I found a book called "The Sacred Paw" which is sort of a survey of native american beliefs that surround bears.

To summarize quickly: where he appears as a spirit animal, Bear is usually a focus of life and death. A collector and bringer of souls.

At one point I was pondering why would a macro spirit version of Bear ever appear? Naturally, to collect for death occurring on a massive scale.

And thus, this story was written. I tried to write it in the way those translated mystical tales sounded to my ears. They have their own cadence and timbre.

Like I said. It's an odd Macro story. And it's sad.

This story inspired  Rogue to write "The Return of the Spirit-Wolf." So maybe there is something interesting here. Personally, I think Rogue's story is WAY better.

This story originally appeared in Megamorphics #4, in Jan 1998.