Soon, the band would journey onward, leaving the frigid north and all it's power behind. Sol and Khonsu, amidst the harsh northern wilderness, had moved quickly to make up for the lost time brought from the short notice. To collect vessels for their sacred flame. Though far from their birthland and Cinere's devout, their new role as Sidi had only served to deepen Khonsu's spiritual resolve. Practicing his religion offered to the twin some solace amidst the upheaval. A familiar constant in the rough sea of change.  

Laid before their fire lay what would appear to be an almost random assortment - bark from an ancient, towering oak, lichen, grasses, and even brittle shards of slate sourced from the cliff face - each carefully arranged upon a bed of oceanic salt and sand. To Khonsu, each item was a vessel; a potential cradle for life, harboring what might be countless souls awaiting rebirth. Thousands more spirits might still dwell within the cliffs, tides, and frozen soil, but Khonsu could only collect and relocate so many.

Their paws gently stirred the hourglass suspended around their necks, disturbing the ashes within. The twins wore these remnants to seek from them wisdom, courage, and strength, but now with their mother gone and her ashes captive... the hourglass had become more then simply a religious relic.

Khonsu began with the oak bark, nudging it into the fire and watching the flames lively reaction. The vegetation soon followed and finally the salt, sand, and slate. He knew not all would fully combust, but even a partial transmutation would be enough for his purposes.

Sol & Khonsu

She stalked through the rugged terrain of the northern wilderness, her movements silent and fluid. The crisp air carried the faint scent of smoke, beckoning to her like a mysterious whisper. Her curiosity piqued, she followed the delicate trail until she came upon a secluded clearing. Her sapphire gaze immediately found the presence of Sol and Khonsu, though she hadn't ever been officially introduced. They were already a curious individual as it stood, but what they were doing couldn't help but make her heart lurch.

Her keen gaze took in the scene—a makeshift altar laid out with what seemed like an eclectic mix of nature's elements. Bark, lichen, grasses, and shards of slate adorned the ground, each contributing to the flames that cast shadows on the taiga terrain. The oceanic salt beneath them added a touch of ritualistic symbolism to the arrangement. Aurelia recognized the essence of an altar- or as it would be to her, a sacred space where intentions and offerings met the dance of fire. It might not align with the deities she acknowledged, but the aura of reverence was familiar. Intrigued, she approached cautiously, hesitating at what would be the perimeter in her own ritual. Though seeing no boundary or edge markers, she felt it was safe to come closer.

Standing at a respectful distance, Aurelia observed the twins—Sol and Khonsu—as they carefully added each item to the flames. The dance of smoke and embers wove a story, one that resonated with the spiritual currents she, too, felt coursing through the taiga. Though their beliefs may differ, the language of devotion and reverence transcended such boundaries. Without uttering a word, Aurelia began her own silent meditation. Her sapphire eyes closed, she focused on each offering, allowing the crackling fire to guide her thoughts. In this quiet communion with nature, she found a connection to something beyond the physical realm—a shared moment of spirituality amidst the shadowed grasps her soul had been stolen by.

"Aurelia Veratti"

With the offerings fully embraced by fire, all that was left to do was to patiently wait for the transformation to complete, the elements breaking down into the potent ash they sought. Methodically they began preparations to collect the remnants, pulling from their bag a half dozen glass vials.

The silence stretched on, interrupted only by the faint crackling of flame. Finally, as the fire began to settle, Sol and Khonsu turned their attention to the silent observer.

Khonsu, with a gentle inclination of his head, spoke first. "I hope we have not disturbed you, miss.” They still had many names and faces of the band to learn, but something told them this wolf was not one of the vicious Saxe monsters they had been brought into bed with.

Sol cleared his throat, interjecting cautiously. “If you are cold, you are welcome to come share in the warmth.”

Aurelia sat in deep meditation, her eyes closed as she absorbed the essence of the flickering flames and the offerings before her. The orange and yellow hues of the fire danced and swirled, casting a warm glow on her peaceful face. Her fur seemed to catch the light, reflecting a soft sapphire hue that matched the deep blue of her closed eyes. She felt a sense of reverence for this sacred moment, shared with others in spiritual communion. As the shadows from the flames played along her fur, it added an ethereal touch to her already serene presence, like a mystical creature emerged from the fire itself.

The twins, Khonsu and Sol, turned their attention towards her, their movements breaking the heavy silence that had enveloped the small clearing. As if in response to their presence, Aurelia's eyes fluttered open, revealing vibrant blue orbs that seemed to glow in the dim light of the fire. Her gaze first met Khonsu's, the one who had spoken first, before shifting to Sol's, who extended a subtle invitation for her to join them by the warmth

Aurelia's response was measured, her voice a soft murmur carried by the whispering breeze that rustled through the leaves. "No disturbance," she assured them with serene confidence, her eyes sparkling with kindness. A subtle nod acknowledged their presence, welcoming them into her peaceful space. The invitation to share the warmth of the fire was met with a quiet gratitude, and she gracefully stepped closer, finding a spot that felt just right. "We may not speak to the same recipient, but it is still spoken in a similar manner." She answered lightly, allowing her attention to drift back to the lingering flames. "My name is Aurelia." She offered softly, taking the opportunity to properly introduce herself.

"Aurelia Veratti"