When the blue finally came

Aryn remained for the most part in a self-imposed lockdown on pack territory once she'd returned home from the soulless forest. While initially going out and exploring these changes seemed responsible and almost necessary to pay back something to the pack that had taken her in, the adventure had quickly turned nightmare. Ever since that night it felt like the sun hardly ever rose anymore. The already-cold winter seemed to grow colder without the warmth of the sun's rays, and blue luminescent mushrooms and crystals had begun popping up everywhere. Eligos had denied being related in any way to the phenomenon, but Aryn couldn't rule out that the witch who'd cursed him with a glow hadn't also cursed the world. Then there were the dozen or more deities whom Boreas wolves prayed to. No matter how hard she tried, it felt like Aryn was getting no closer to unraveling the mystery.

Aryn, a voice called on the wind, breaking her concentration. It felt like it was beckoning her forward - and there was a faint familiarity to the tone - but after her evening in the forest being assaulted by spirits Aryn had no bravery left. Eli wasn't here to protect her this time, and familiar or not spooky detached voices were nothing but terrifying. She sprinted away from the voice toward the volcano but it followed her, no longer seemingly beckoning but almost as if it was chasing her there.

By the time she arrived and saw Veigar her chest was heaving, eyes wide. She paused, swallowing hard as she struggled to catch her breath and look somewhat respectable for the child. Blue fireflies swirled around her and she shrunk away from their touch, watching as they circled high in the air and then moved up the mountain slopes. "Veigar, it's not safe this close to the volcano." Aryn tried to counsel the boy, though her shaking voice did not hold the firm note of authority an adult's should.