Silence of the Hillside

Mariah had awoken early that morning, her mind still groggy from the sedative- but was determined to make the most of her day. She felt the draw to get away- to get some distance between herself and Elysium. For so long, she had been at the mercy of her own mind. But now … maybe things were starting to get better.

A light mist hung over the valley, the grass damp with dew beneath her paws once she got to the main land. She breathed deep, savoring the crisp scent of fallen leaves and damp earth of the forest just beyond the thicket. Setting out at a brisk trot, Mariah headed south, skirting the edge of the valley and following the winding path that led into the heart of the southern territories. The forest closed in around her, the trees adorned in their fall finery of crimson, gold, and amber. A few stubborn leaves still clung to the branches, but most had already fallen, carpeting the forest floor in a crackling blanket.

Mariah ventured deeper, until the rushing sound of the rapids grew louder, echoing through the trees. The brisk autumn air chilled her to bone, but it was refreshing. Invigorating. Time passed in a haze, and as the afternoon wore on, she realized she had wandered farther than intended. But just as she was about to retrace her steps back to northern territories, a different kind of shadow caught her attention. “Cerberus?” She called out over the roar of the swift water. It had been a while since she had last seen him, and the surprise of his presence ignited something within her—a flicker of warmth amidst her more recent detachment. She had missed him.

"Mariah Mendacium"