schism

Korona’s paws moved carefully over the mossy forest floor, every step cushioned by the thick, damp vegetation. The eerie silence of the forest is broken only by the faint drip of moisture slipping from the tangled canopy high above. She took a deep breath, tasting the cool, damp air—it was stuffy in a weird, refreshing way.

Somewhere nearby, Calliope was exploring as well, which was a mildly comforting idea in this dense, uncharted expanse. Though she did think her sister would test her mettle if it came down to it, instead of helping or protecting her. She liked it that way.

A sudden shift in the air brought forth the arrival of a thick, creeping fog. It rolled in with silence, shrouding the ground and swallowing the rays of light from above. The forest grew dim, shadows blending until there was only a curtain of gray, blotting out familiar landmarks. Korona’s ears flicked back suspiciously, her sense of direction already destroyed as the fog wound its way around her legs like a ghostly serpent.

“Shit.” she cursed, her voice muffled and distant, as though the fog devoured the sound before it could reach any further. It was disturbing. The sudden isolation gripped her, and a ripple of unease coursed down her spine. She hated being alone. She took a tentative step forward, then another, paws sinking into the spongy moss as her eyes strained against the smothering gray. The silence had grown oppressive, no longer peaceful, no longer wanted.

Korona’s patience snapped as she moved blindly, frustration rising. The fog distorted everything—depth, distance, even the way the forest felt beneath her paws. Like she was heavy, like everything was sticky. She stumbled and caught herself, growling softly as the sense of disorientation increased. Suddenly, the unexpected happened: she collided hard into another form, fur meshing against fur with an impact that sent her sprawling back onto the forest floor. Her breath rushed out in a sharp gasp, ears flattening as irritation flared up.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?!” Korona spat without reserve, eyes narrowing as she shook off the dampness and moss clinging to her fur. The words were edged with a surprising amount of venom for one so young, her tail bristling in irritation. She blinked rapidly, trying to pierce the fog, heart thundering with a surge of adrenaline.

WC: 393
"Korona Vanity Fallen"