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Amaranth · 1/3/2026, 6:28 AM

Skill:

[Image: dc4m3i2-87e99cba-7abd-4524-9974-79197204...ovRCBg463c]

Things were colder. Darker.
(And not just in the world of Mythris,
but in the world of Amaranth as well.)

The golden wraith had spent her days slowly limping around the river, dropping off trinkets at her mate's side when the other was sleeping. She'd nearly frozen over it, sleeping some feet away instead of coiled around Valeska's warmer frame.

It was not uncommon for the raven-eyed woman to drop gifts off for her mate, but both of them knew that this was different. Valeska was normally Amaranth's safety (and a net for the Augur's sanity). But since the 'incident', the silver woman had become standoffish. It was as if all of her love had been held in her tail, and now that it was chopped off ... perhaps there was nothing left to give.

Or, perhaps the plague had affected Valeska more than Amaranth had realized.

Had she taken the cursed appendage off too late?

But it was strange ... the poison ... it had seemed to lift from the river (much like it had left Valeska's body, though everyone seemed remiss to thank her for that), leaving the Respite once more ... habitable. It was a development in the destruction of the world that was puzzling — not unwelcome, and yet ... ominous. But as the world would ease a wary sigh of relief, Amaranth would release a sigh of her own.

Her ankles ached as she approached Valeska once more, this time with an ebony river stone in her jaws—Obsidian. It was a small, jet black stone said to empower truth, grounding, and protection.

Soft, limping paw-steps drew delicately nearer, and this time Valeska did not move away. Those golden eyes, once more, held a familiar sparkle, and it was enough to ignite a glimmer of hope from behind the dark veil of Amaranth's aching heart.

Amaranth would place the obsidian in the pile with the rest of the gifts.

I wonder what has changed ... the woman would ponder softly, easing herself into a sitting position to take the pressure off her injured ankles. Her voice would wonder about the lake, but her eyes would linger on Valeska's face, watching the angles in which her lips moved. Amaranth did not want to mention her latest theory ... you know ... about the cleansing fires. So she opted instead to nod along with her mate — We can go home.

She allowed herself the privilege of a small smile.

But Valeska seemed to struggle, tripping slightly over words. Amaranth yearned to wander closer, to lift Valeksa's chin beneath her own and hold her up. But the wraith remained patiently, painfully, rooted.

We have found Elysium over and over again, she would hum, blinking slowly as she turned her gaze toward Valeksa. Nothing could keep us from it forever.

Silence lingered for a moment, the strain of her anxiety grating against the calmness of their newfound hope.

I am truly sorry, мой свет , she would say finally, flattening her ears against her head. I feared that I would lose all of you, had we not sacrificed that piece. She spoke her truth, regardless of how insane it sounded — there was no point in lying. I would rather have you here ... and very angry with me ... She'd swallow, squinting her eyes against the pain of what she thought would have been the truth ... Than not have you here at all.

She looked rather like a kitten left alone in a box on the side of the road.

Welcome Back!

Greetings Stranger!

Fate's Respite

the golden wraith