He lost himself to thought, a gaze of sunlight coaxing the stars that glittered brightly among the sky as he thought of their names, purpose, and stories. Had the Five placed them there for a reason? To offer their children guidance when their voices were hushed and silenced by the beating minds of their twisting mundane thoughts?

Did Viscaria’s soul reach the sky? Did she find a place among the glistening light where the pain of her existence could be transformed into warmth and love? Perhaps he would just have to look further into the dark horizon to find the star that enveloped her.

However, the sound of crunching snow, of dead leaves that littered the ground, pulled the man out of his reverie. A single ear twitched, curving gently amongst the quiet wind as he turned a citrine gaze toward the side.

Hello? He asked through a hushed and hesitant voice.

The shadows he knew existed still remained in the outskirts of his awareness. Their darkened and incorporeal bodies pressed flushed against the veil of trees that lingered in the distance. It couldn’t be them, he hoped, as he rose himself to a stand.

Unknowing of the presence that followed him, Amaris turned toward where he had heard the sound and offered another invitation toward whatever might’ve laid in that thick, inky gloom.

I don’t bite, He offered, Though are you of flesh and blood or the shadows that wish to taunt me?