4/22/2025, 2:10 AM
the report of the Visitor and BWP events are recounted ICly here - Solulfur is interpreting the Visitor's words and her experiences through her own worldview and religious/cultural understandings of magic, etc; she should be considered an unreliable narrator in general, but in particular here where she is reporting the situation regarding the BWP
The triumvirate of the Dawnbreak pack gathered to Solulfur quickly, somber in their approach. Nottin was first to arrive, a self-assured set to his shoulders and worry creased into her brother's brow. The unsure, roughly hewn edges of the boy she'd grown up with had already shown signs of polishing beneath the responsibilities of his new role. As it did every time she saw him, these days, a fierce pride flickered to life in the Sun-wolf's chest at the sight of him. Today, she did not bask in the sentiment nor offer her support and praise. Instead, she provided a curt and professional dip of her crown in greeting.
One moment, brother. I will explain when we're all gathered.Solulfur attempted to sooth his worries, her tone reassuring despite the stormy look she wore.
She had so many questions - uncertainty after uncertainty piled on top of one another, like a mudslide stripping trees out of the earth and stacking them up like twigs at the bottom of a hillside. It was crushing as it was suffocating, and every effort she made to course-correct within the confines of her mind and create a plan only spiraled out of her control a moment later, as a new question or three surfaced. How did she explain this? Would they believe her? Was it better to gather a larger band of allies from other packs, or focus on working herself to the bone to find the runes? How did she trust the Visitor? How many of their own were witnesses? Were the infants of the pack still unaffected by the snow, here?
Tiberii approached next, the nickname and her reference to their shared experience soothing some of Sol's nerves. She hadn't thought she was going mad, but it was reassuring for it to be acknowledged all the same. At the Power Pillar's heels, a flash of red. Solulfur only glanced briefly at Shiloh, acknowledging his presence without further comment; as resounding a sign of her appreciation for the man's loyalty as she was able to show, at the moment. He was not pack, but he'd been as dependable and devoted to their efforts and wellbeing as any other packmate. And, it was Tiberii's ankles he was at as usual. It was her who Solulfur would expect to leash him should he prove unworthy of the high regard Solulfur held him in.
Yes.She replied crisply to Tiberii.
Aurelia was the last to arrive. Together, then, their words echoed within Solulfur's mind, not unlike the Visitor's voice but so much more compelling to the Sun-wolf. She felt her ribcage expand with a full breath, one that, for the first time since waking up, didn't leave her wishing for a few scraps more of oxygen. Just as quickly as her gaze had snapped to Aurelia, Sol's golden eyes darted away, almost guilty.
I have received visions. They began as dreams, visits from some wolf-spirit from another time. I disregarded them...but recently, I was called to investigate the Summit at the Visitor's behest.Her gaze flitted to Tiberii, then Shiloh.
It was not the only location investigated. I was not the only wolf called to action. Amongst a strange, suffocating snow, the witnesses and I discovered a set of runes that the Visitor activated.
She was silent for a moment, for the benefit of those who were hearing this for the first time.
Tiberii and Shiloh can attest to the truth of what I say, but there are many more than even us who have been called to this quest.Solulfur heaved a slow exhale, mouth twisting into a disapproving near-grimace. She didn't like what she had to say next. That would not stop her from her duty to report her findings.
I and some other witnesses upon the Summit returned to our borders, where the Visitor offered us all another vision. He claims that Mythris is in danger - that this land we've been brought to is the danger.This time, her gaze flitted to Nottin's - Solulfur knew he'd understand the severity of what she was discussing; the insult against everything they'd been raised to revere.
The wolves of Mythris before us dishonored the spirits of this land - so severely that the spirits were corrupted, unleashing a plague that would destroy everything.Solulfur's ears tilted back, close to her skull.
The ones who came before sealed away the corruption, but wolfkind's presence in the land has unleashed the plague once more. The Visitor claims there are runes scattered around Mythris which are the key to sealing away the corruption once more. I have been called to seek them, as have the other witnesses. I have seen the runes myself, upon the Summit - and encountered a brush with the corruption that now darkens our doorstep.
War, her mind whispered, guilt and seething animal terror clawing up her throat, has come once more, to tear everything down.
The Sun-wolf flexed her paws, digging her claws into the snow-melt softened dirt.
I have called us - witnesses and Pillars - to consider what options we have, what tactics are best suited to our survival, and how best to present this to the pack as a whole. We cannot incite a panic; not with newborn mouths to feed and guard and winter's scarcity only just loosening its hold on our territory.
