the sacred cord

He pushed past the branches again, like going through a wardrobe or over a bridge. He felt the world shift underneath him, something changed- something different.

The raven inhaled the frosted air of the Everfrost- a familiar scent in the territory. Something familiar. Erebus looked up from the snow, a dull look in his eyes. Where had he gone? Was it all a dream he had to endure? Some kind of suffering to prepare himself?

There was a pain in his chest. A similar one that he felt when he first came to this land- the scar at his core almost felt like it wasn't entirely healed yet. A tug at the memory- a betrayal he alone orchestrated.

Erebus sighed a deep, longing sigh. There was a tiredness to him- this resetting was weighing on his mind. Was he never to make any progress, never to improve, never to move on and become what he though he was destined for? What she thought he was destined for?

The Everfrost had hardly changed. The man stared at it with empty eyes. No sadness left to run through him, only watchful and listening- silent learned helplessness. He wondered down to where he had dug out his own den only days after he met her. Snow covered it completely, was it even still there?
Was the land itself reset or was he simply removed from time while whatever ruled this world moved it around like tiles on their game board.

The man was growing exhausted of their games.

Did the moon speak at all here?

the staff team luvs u

The light... it hurt. Her eyes had opened timidly, but still too fast in which it caused her to groan in pain. From where had they come? How did they get here? Why was the word they in her mind?

Suddenly, she was much more awake. They... them — The others, her family, were they alright? Were they even here? Or had she awoken alone...

A brief intermission of grief struck her. To think she might be the only to end up on this forsaken piece of land. She felt only pain at the mere idea. Sure, she was a stubborn little shit. But it was only her family she could ever think to love more than life itself. 

Shaking herself from her stupor and putting on a brave face, she rose unsteadily. Frantic eyes circled her, searching for familiar signs of life.

Nothing there...

...or there...

No... was it...? ...Yes — There!

“Father!” She all but cried out, kicking her still half asleep legs into high gear. But the numb feelings could go to hell. All she could think about was getting to him and hugging him tightly. 

Thank the moon... she wasn't alone.

the staff team luvs u

Time meant little to her, meant nothing in fact. She had never been old enough to truly understand it, and the spectral god of this world had chosen to scramble her understanding even more, aging her until she was a lanky, gangly teen. She yet had the plush fur of a child, but also the beginnings of the coarse guard hairs of her adulthood.

All this meant very little to the young Tenebris child, who then

fell

fell

fell

right upon the very man who happened to be her father. This, she didn't know, her eyes still closed as her still large paws covering her head as she loosed a little groan.

the staff team luvs u