recovery takes time

Finally it seemed like their lives were going to go back to normal. The sun had dawned again and the darkness was finally held at bay. The crystals, mushrooms, and madness was sloughed off and Ashen was born anew once again. Like the phoenix they would rise again, free of their burdens. Venom felt as though the sickness had made itself a blockade between herself and her family. Hattori had gone mad, Kuroki wanted to throw himself into his work, Ikigai was sick… Venom had felt her family tearing and drifting apart because of the plague of darkness.

Now the sun was returning, the illness was fading and Venom could gather those she loved around her once more. Most relieved she was about Iki’s return to grace. She hadn’t been able to keep as close an eye on her as she wished, but she was no healer and her daughter hid away from most of the world. She hoped this meeting might bring her back to the forefront.

Venom returned to the palace and called out to her dainty daughter. There was a cozy fir in the hearth in the middle of the main hall. The akitas provided refreshments and made Venom comfortable as she awaited the princess.

location: dove island archipelago