Haiku stood on the edge of the castle grounds, fully aware in that moment how much time he had spent down here in the Hallows. He just hadn’t been able to convince himself to leave. He knew that if he asked Bowen would return to Abaven with him, and the two of them could tell Theory what he wanted. He’d have to tell his mom and dad… He wondered how they would feel about this sudden absence and his desires to be with the girl he loved. These difficult thoughts were on his mind as he looked into the night sky.

Like he’d seen with Bowen when they found the rabbit the moon was in an odd phase. Where Haiku believed that the event had been nothing but a shared fever dream he couldn’t help but wonder now if that was true. There was an animosity in the air that put him on edge, especially when he saw the blue mists coming it. The boy’s hair stood on end as he lifted himself uncomfortably from his seated position. The stars fell from the sky in unnatural patterns and the blue fireflies began to light up the shining fog. Haiku didn’t know what was going on, but now it felt like he was being followed.

Ever since he'd seen the strange moon and blue mists the other night with Lillith, Romulus had been cautious about going out beyond the castle walls at night. He'd heard through passing that some paranormal things had been going on around the plains at night. Even the Aegis had experienced some sort of encounter with specters on the fields. That gave him cause for concern. If something supernatural was emerging around their home, he wanted to know more about it so he could best help protect the Hallows, and by proxy Lillith.

This night, Roman had been pacing along the walls of the castle, keeping his eyes turned out across the plains, waiting for the strange occurrences to start. He saw a few blue fireflies emerge across the sea of rolling grasses, looking akin to cool-hued stars glistening across the dark earth. As he rounded the southern gatehouse, Roman saw the strange blue mist beginning to rise from the ground like wisps of ghostly tendrils reaching out to infect the world. His eyes narrowed as he gazed at the thin fog. That was when he saw movement at the bottom of his peripheral vision, almost missing the dark-furred wolf standing just beyond the walls. He didn't recognize the wolf, but he knew the Hallows had a guest from the north.

Romulus found the nearest stairs and hurried down them, trotting out the gates to come up alongside the other wolf. He nudged the other young man with his shoulder, casting a cautionary look his way. "Need some backup?" he offered, glancing back towards the strange mist that looked like it was glowing beneath the blue full moon. "Alpha doesn't want anyone beyond the walls alone at night. Not that I blame him with shit like this going on..."

"Romulus Armada"

These had been sone of the best days of his life living with Bowen down here in Auster. Well, living was a strong word. There had been nothing official besides staying as a guest. All in due time. They had to get through this strange haunting first. He didn’t know what he’d seen with Bowen, he wasn’t even entirely certain of what he was seeing now. Like every night his eyes began to play tricks, but everyone else could see the blue mists, the lights, and strange glowing when the sun went down. The worst part was that he didn’t know if it was a real threat or just perceived, or what he could do to protect Bowen from it.

His mind raced as the sound of another presence startled Haiku, he jumped slightly as the man approached him. He was a Hallows wolf, and despite his status as a guest his touch held a familiar sense of camaraderie. The young Destruction gave a quick nod, he hadn’t planned on going very far on his own. Not with this out here. ”I really don’t want to be out here alone, if you want honesty.” He returned with a chuckle and a shiver down his back. ”I’ve never seen anything like this before.” He wasn’t young but the older wolves seemed just as nervous.

His presence had clearly been unexpected, as the second Romulus spoke, the brown wolf gave a start and turned to face him. He offered a wry, apologetic smirk; he hadn't intended to scare the younger wolf, especially not when the world was doing a good enough job of that on its own. The stranger admitted that he didn't want to be out here on his own, and Roman gave him a curious glance and asked, "Then why are you?" The yearling was a guest of the Hallows from what he could tell. So why was he standing just beyond the walls in the dark on his own? Was he trying to prove his bravery or something?

"Neither have I," he muttered in agreement. "It's not natural." He briefly thought back to the glowing bats and army of spectral wolves he'd seen the other night with Lillith from their balcony. Up above the plains, he'd felt safe. But now he was standing on the same ground those ghost lupines had stood on. Were he and this other wolf in grave danger being out here? The hair on the back of his neck stood on end as a cold breeze whispered gently past them, and Roman could swear he heard a voice on the breeze. Steely eyes scanned over the fog and the distant fireflies, nerves tense as he sought to look for those glowing eyes that had left ice in his veins.

As if on cue, the wind picked up, sounding almost like a phantom's howl, and then ahead of the two wolves in the mist formed the silhouette of a wolf. Piercing blue eyes glowed at them from the darkness, staring down both young men. Romulus bared his teeth in a silent snarl; he knew that once one formed, more would inevitably be on the way.

"Romulus Armada"

Why was he out here on his own? First he was sure when Bowen wasn’t with him she was likely with Artorias and a part of him wasn’t sure he was ready to see them together so he didn’t go after her. More importantly, ”I didn’t think I would see it here.” He admitted softly. They hadn’t been so far away when he’d seen the glowing rabbit, but still a part of his mind had believed they wouldn’t be followed here in pack lands, where they were safe. The man agreed that he was uneasy as well, whatever it was that followed him here wasn’t natural, and no one had seen it before.

Before he could reply the wind picked up exponentially. There was a chill that struck right through his bones and Haiku wasn’t sure he wanted to remain here beyond the castle walls any longer. ”I don’t think we should be out here.” Haiku whispered as he lowered his head into a defensive position as the spectral wolf formed before them. Its piercing eyes like nothing the boy had ever seen. He was frozen there by its ice blue gaze.

The stranger whose name he hadn't gotten yet stated that he didn't think they should be out here any longer and Romulus was inclined to agree. Keeping his gaze leveled with the spectral wolf, he nodded and nudged the larger wolf's side with his shoulder. "Start backing up slowly. We'll get to the gate and get inside." No sooner had he started backpedaling though, Roman saw the wolf mimic their movements, taking a long stride forward every time they took a small step back. But more concerning was how the wolf seemed to grow in size with each step it took. What began as a smaller misty silhouette had become a dire wolf sized wraith, it's glowing eyes never blinking nor leaving the two young wolves. When it reached an unnatural size, the ghost wolf snarled, revealing rows of icicle-like white teeth. Then, as if it had been cut from a leash, the wolf charged them.

"Fuck it! Run!" Roman shouted and turned to bolt for the gate right behind them. He didn't need to check to make sure the other wolf was with him, knowing his company wouldn't be dumb enough to try and stand against the ghost wolf. Romulus panted hard as his paws thundered across the ground, all but throwing himself through the gates as a blast of arctic air hit him in the rump. He skidded to a halt and turned to stare out the gates, seeing nothing but the quiet night and fading mist across the plains. Whatever that creature had been was long gone, nothing but a nightmarish vision the two had shared.

"Romulus Armada"

Romulus

The air feel̸̏̂s somehow thinner than before. You also find 3 mushrooms. Maybe these are worth keeping…

Haiku

You see a tight cluster of fireflies up ahead. You also find 1 crystal. Maybe these are worth keeping…