POLAR BEAR ARC CHAPTER 29

For some polar animals, the arrival of the polar night is good news, offering more opportunities for hunting. However, for others, it is a time of danger, as they become the prey. Birds of prey like the Arctic owl, the gyrfalcon, and the vulture thrive in the dark due to their excellent night vision, while animals like the Arctic reindeer, which have limited night vision, become vulnerable to predators.

As for polar bears, who stand at the top of the Arctic food chain, the distinction between day and night doesn't seem to affect them much—unless you're talking about Alexander, the polar bear who, surprisingly, is afraid of the dark.

#ThePolarNightIsHereNoMoreOtisAndCuteAlexander#

On the polar enthusiasts' forum, people were both celebrating the arrival of the polar night and lamenting that they would no longer be able to track their favorite animals, particularly Otis and Alexander. Their popularity had skyrocketed, and they had garnered a devoted following. Fans across various platforms shared their stories and photos, drawing even more attention to these charming polar bears.

Over the summer, Otis and Alexander had become something of the poster bears for the Arctic, much to the delight of environmental advocates who were thrilled to see these bears capturing global attention. They hoped that Otis and Alexander would raise awareness about polar bears and the polar environment, encouraging more people to take small steps to help protect these precious creatures.

However, some advocates were concerned that the widespread affection for these well-fed, clean, and plump bears might give people the wrong impression—that life in the Arctic was easy for polar bears. After all, Alexander looked better fed and healthier than many pets, leading some to question if the bears were in captivity, further fueling misconceptions.

#CouldAlexanderGoOnADietCampaign?#

: I'm a university professor who regularly writes about the polar regions. Recently, I posted a couple of updates about Otis and Alexander, along with some cute pictures. People commented, saying these bears make the Arctic seem like a pretty decent place to live. I was speechless...

: I get it. I'm Norwegian, and people keep asking me on social media if these bears are in a sanctuary because they look so well-cared-for. They think our country must be really rich."

: Otis and Alexander are wild-born polar bears from Greenland!

: I knew this would be an issue. Alexander looks like he's living better than I am. Making him the face of Arctic awareness might give the wrong impression that polar bears have it easy out there. But who's to blame?

: The problem is that scraggly, emaciated polar bears just don't go viral. The ones who make waves are the adorable ones like Alexander, but pushing him into the spotlight can easily create a false narrative that the Arctic isn't so bad. So, whose fault is that?

: Otis's fault, maybe? But it's not really a fault. I wish every mother bear were half as good at raising cubs as Otis.

: Otis, the bear dad who makes all the mother bears ashamed.

: So, what's the consensus?

: There is none. If Alexander loses an ounce, Otis will probably take care of the problem himself.

: To get Alexander to slim down, you'd have to get past Otis first.

: Actually, Otis probably doesn't want Alexander to be out there 'working' at all. And I totally get it from a human perspective.

: Who would want their precious little one to be scrutinized by so many people every day?

Indeed, even the forum members recognized how closely Otis watched over Alexander, sometimes even hiding his favorite toy to coax him into eating, much like a parent hiding a toy to get their child to finish their meal—full of love.

As for Alexander, he didn't feel confined or restricted by Otis's protective nature. On the contrary, with the constant darkness of the polar night, he loved being close to Otis. And Otis certainly didn't mind.

After spending several days in the bay, Alexander, who had initially struggled with the polar night, finally got used to it, or at least to the particular bay they were in. Familiarity bred comfort, and he was no longer afraid. The bay was teeming with fish like grayling, capelin, and Atlantic cod, all favorites of polar bears. With the night providing cover, these fish ventured closer to the surface, making them easier to catch.

While Alexander wasn't much of a whaler, he was pretty good at catching fish—good enough to survive on his own if necessary.

The starry night sky above was breathtaking, more like a beautiful painting than the deep darkness he feared. Alexander's fear stemmed more from the eerie, misty fog that blanketed the sea, combined with the sound of the waves and the unseen depths that reminded him of a horror movie set. But now, he had grown accustomed to it. He even ventured further from Otis to catch fish on his own.

Pleased with his catch, a tasty capelin, Alexander floated to a nearby rock to enjoy his meal. Halfway through, he spotted a white bear head in the distance swimming towards him. His first thought was Otis, and he immediately considered saving the fish's tail for him. However, he quickly realized something was off. Otis should be in the waters behind him, not coming from that direction. This bear was not Otis.

"???"

The little bear, who had read 'The Art of War, instantly grabbed his half-eaten fish and dived back into the water, heading straight for his protector. If he swam fast enough, danger wouldn't catch him.

With a splash, Otis surfaced with a fish in his mouth, ready to look for Alexander when a small, wet bundle barreled into his arms, the familiar yellow bucket and a half-eaten fish in its mouth, confirming it was indeed his little companion.

Otis squinted as he detected a stranger approaching from the distance—a trespassing bear eyeing their fishing spot.

Before the other bear could get too close, Otis, with Alexander in tow, swam back to shore. If he had been alone, he might have shared the bay or fought the other bear, but with Alexander to care for, he avoided conflict whenever possible. Since taking on the role of guardian, Otis's skirmishes had significantly decreased, and he only bared his teeth when absolutely necessary.

They landed on another rock, the wind making Alexander squint. The little bear raised his paws in approval of Otis's decision to flee rather than fight. After all, they were both endangered creatures—no need for unnecessary violence. More harmony meant more fish to eat.

If this bay was off-limits, they could always find another.

Clutching the fish tail, Alexander licked the water droplets from Otis's eyelashes. As long as he was with Otis, anywhere was fine.

Oh, and he almost forgot—the little bear shyly offered the remaining fish tail to Otis. It might have been just half a fish, but it was a rare treat!

Had he not remembered sooner, there might have been none left.

But Otis, after eating the half-fish Alexander offered, handed over the fish he had just caught.

No matter how Alexander calculated, he always seemed to come out ahead.

After the little bear finished his meal, Otis took him back into the water, heading towards a new bay.

This meant Alexander had to leave the familiar place he had just gotten used to and venture into a new environment.

New. Environment.

Who knew what they would encounter there?

As the unfamiliar landscape came into view, Alexander's chubby legs started to tremble, his heart began to race, and he didn't know where to look, fearing he might see something scary.

After swimming for a while, they finally reached the shore. They shook off the seawater, and it became clear that they would be traveling on land next.

Walking in the dark—

Without hesitation, Alexander pressed himself against Otis.

The night Alexander was familiar with was full of bright lights in human settlements. The wild, dark nights might take some time to adjust to.

Otis, sensing the little bear's trembling, kept him close, nuzzling his face to ensure everything was alright before focusing on the journey ahead.

Otis had a clear goal in mind: to find the next spot with food before winter arrived, making sure they had enough to eat.

Under the starlight, they walked together.

Aside from the occasional sound of animals or waves, everything was silent—a unique experience.

Gradually, Alexander calmed down and began to feel at one with his surroundings.

When he first came to the Arctic for work, he never felt like he belonged, as if the Arctic was just a temporary phase in his life.

During his free time, he would explore and admire the scenery, but always with the perspective of a visitor, viewing everything as an outsider.

But now, it felt different. The Arctic was no longer a transition but a home.

Even if that home had some spooky nights.

"Rawr~~~" Alexander found the silence too dull and decided to chat with Otis.

He giggled to himself, wondering if the typically silent cool bear would respond.

"Grr..." Otis, proving to be a good companion, responded with a low growl, his voice deep and resonant.

If Alexander had to describe their voices, he'd say he had a cutesy, childish tone, while Otis had the commanding voice of a leader—so powerful it made Alexander's legs wobble.

Of course, that wasn't because he was thinking inappropriate thoughts; it was simply because he was tired.

"Rawr..." The little bear yawned, letting out a sleepy sound, with tears welling up at the corners of his eyes.

Within ten minutes, Otis found a suitable place to sleep, positioning his

large body to block the wind, creating a semi-enclosed space for Alexander to rest comfortably.

The little yellow bucket was left outside, alone.

A small bear head poked out, resting its chin on Otis's arm, gazing happily at the stars.

A bedtime treat.

There were countless stories about the stars, and how Alexander wished he could share them with Otis. The simple life of a polar bear might not be filled with exciting stories, but Otis would probably find human food more interesting.

Sausages, fruit cans, biscuits—Alexander smacked his lips, wondering if they should revisit that little cabin next year.

As he lay there, the little bear drifted off to sleep.

Otis lifted his head, licking the sleeping bear's face before pulling him close, cuddling him gently as he closed his eyes.

Although life wasn't filled with thrilling tales, it wasn't dull either. Besides the usual survival tasks—finding food and shelter, just like any other polar bear—he had a mischievous little bear by his side.

In the past, he'd wake up to bright sunlight, but now, he woke up to darkness.

How refreshing.

It didn't matter how long he slept; it always felt like the night had just begun, and he could sleep a little longer.

Waking up but not wanting to get up, the lazy little bear lay in Otis's arms, idly scratching himself.

No one could tell that beneath his adorable, carefree exterior, a battle was raging within.

Time to get up and get moving, little bear?

Oh, no, he didn't want to.

But then a voice reminded him that he was almost an adult bear, and that time was precious.

Oh, well, Alexander flipped over and continued scratching. He had heard enough of those motivational sayings to develop immunity.

The grand plan of "keeping" Otis remained unfinished, so, for now, he was still just a lazy bear.

Bear pride on the line?!

That was the last straw. Determined, Alexander finally got up.

"Rawr rawr rawr."

First things first: a little pep talk to start the day. One day, he would definitely be able to "keep" Otis!

As usual, Otis followed Alexander's lead, pulling the little bear into his arms for a morning lick.

Admittedly, the gesture was a bit intimate, but Alexander hoped everyone understood that for polar bears, this was just part of their morning routine—like washing your face and brushing your teeth.

Who doesn't wash their face and brush their teeth in the morning?

The methods might differ, but the principle is the same.

After a thorough North Pole-style grooming, Alexander gave Otis a quick lick, then they set off.

They continued their journey, walking under the stars for about a week until they found a new place to stay.

The area was desolate, with only rocks and a few sparse shrubs, making it unlikely that other polar bears would join them.

Alexander, who tended to form attachments to places, hoped they could stay there until the ice formed.

Otis had chosen a rocky shelter—not quite a cave but a space formed by large rocks piled together.

He busied himself clearing out the sand and debris inside, using just his paws and mouth.

Was this a temporary shelter?

Curious, Alexander watched, but the space was too small. While it could accommodate sleeping, there wasn't much room to move around. Otis gently nudged the little bear out, as if to say, 'Be good, play outside, and don't disturb me while I work.'

"!"

Alexander, who had always been used to Otis's rough-and-tumble style, almost forgot that polar bears could also build nests.

Usually, it was only female polar bears who did this, creating safe dens for their cubs. Male polar bears, being solitary, didn't have the same need.

Had he sparked Otis's maternal instincts?

Alexander glanced at himself. He wasn't exactly small anymore. His body had started to grow taller, and he would likely shoot up even more by winter.

Thanks to Otis's diligent feeding, he had received plenty of nutrition and was growing quickly and healthily compared to other cubs who had to deal with inconsistent meals.

Having a place to live made Alexander very happy, and he eagerly helped Otis set up their new home.

There were gaps between the large rocks that let in the chilly autumn wind. Alexander brought over some appropriately sized stones to block the gaps.

His actions inspired Otis, who soon began carrying stones to reinforce their stone house.

An hour later, their stone house was complete.

Alexander rolled around inside, thrilled. He was no longer just a well-fed bear; now he was a bear with a house!

After celebrating, he looked out to see Otis tirelessly fishing by the sea—truly a hardworking and dependable polar bear.

Someday, the lucky female polar bear—no, male polar bears don't stick with one mate...

Well, Alexander realized there wasn't much he could do to stay with Otis forever.

Male polar bears were solitary wanderers, as free as the wind.

Revised ✔