What Lurks in the Shadows?

Sericea leaned into the touch, her own worries momentarily forgotten as she was enveloped by her sister's scent. It had a calming effect on her frayed nerves, reminding her of shared warmth and safety. But she knew better than to let herself get lulled into complacency. She pulled away gently, her green eyes locking onto Ravana's amethyst gaze. "We can't be sure," she stated plaintively. Her nose twitched, picking up the unsettling scent of something lingering in the cold wind that rustled the sparse grass around them.

Sericea scowled at Ravana's jest, her tail twitching in irritation. The hint of joviality in her sister's voice did little to ease the tension that had settled between her shoulders. "You'd miss me too much," she retorted, but there was an amused glint in her eyes that belied her gruff demeanor. A soft huff of laughter escaped her, the sound sweeping through the stillness. And it was then she watched Ravana stride ahead, her sister's confidence unshaken despite their brush with danger. The playful threat hung in the air between them, a familiar jest that served to lighten the mood and reassure Sericea that Ravana was there to protect her. Yet even as she took a step forward, following Ravana's lead, her mind was a whirlpool of thoughts.

Her heart pounded in her chest as she tried to shake off the unease that had settled deep within her bones. Yet despite the fear, there was an undeniable curiosity that tugged at her, a burning desire to understand what had transpired. It was this curiosity that led her to cast one last lingering glance back towards the undergrowth, her acidic green eyes straining to pierce the veil of darkness and perceive what lay beyond. The shadows danced and swirled in response, a tantalizing labyrinth of uncertainty.

Eventually she was able to break her attention free, looking back in the place that Ravana had disappeared. She heard her sister tearing through the brush ahead, and with the realization that she was being left behind, she launched herself after- eager to get caught up.

"Sericea Praetor-Inferos"