The moonless and starless night, followed by an oppressive, suffocating darkness that enveloped the world in a moment's notice. The tremors that started shifting beneath the earth, reverberating through the castle and making it sway, all hours of the night. And the ominous, vibrant, crimson glow that spread as far as the eye could see, consuming the skies of both continents at the break of dawn. It was all quite frightening for the princess, and yet, she was enthralled. The magnetism she felt toward the new, pretentious land didn’t manifest out of fear- instead, Clove was driven by the desire to investigate the unknown, because she was an explorer at heart. And something about the night's events made her feel restless. As if a drug had been released in the air, drawing wolves from their homes to explore the foreign land that appeared in the West.

But she wouldn’t be going alone. She’d sent a raven to Akito when the tremors began, inquiring of his safety, and inviting him to join her in the morning. They’d agreed on traveling to the foreign territory together, to gather information and report it to their superiors. And she’d never pass up the opportunity to spend time with her handsome Akito!

With their companions in tow, Clove and Akito crossed the bifröst and made their way into the Western region. On the horizon, tall stone spikes, taller than any tree she’d ever seen, reached into the red sky, guiding their way to the prominence. Once they arrived, Clove lingered on the borders before entering, observing what she could from a distance. The scents of many wolves hung in the air, indicating this was a high-traffic area. It seemed all the wolves in Ardent were being drawn to this place. "This is... Weird." She murmurs, looking up at Akito for his input. "This place, its not on any of our maps." She's thinking back to the maps spread out in The Hallows common quarters, which were highly detailed and fairly accurate. How had their scouts missed this place entirely?

"Clove Carpathius"

For what happened so far north into Boreas, it would surprise anyone that it touched the lands as far south as Tojo-Kai. Their little slice of privacy was shaken through the night. Bamboo branches rattles and stalks knocking together to create a haunting cacophony that would disturb any who heard. Akito's first instinct was to ensure the pack was safe. Rounding up the younger wolves and informing them to stay put while he scouted the outskirts of the pack. Whatever this was... It wasn't safe. Meanwhile, at the back of his mind, he worried for Clove and her safety. He held back sending his raven, certain that her father and the rest of The Hallows wouldn't allow harm to come to her, but it still tickled at him. And it would bother him until her own companion showed up, the two birds chattering happily together while news was relayed that she was safe and wanting to meet with him by dawn.

Against the word of the Kaicho that they should stay in place, Akito slipped out from the shadows not a few hours later. Though the ground still shook beneath his paws and the night was unusually dark, he would need time to reach Clove before dawn. Having sent her bird back up to inform her that he too was safe and shortly on his way to meet her, he didn't want to waste any time. Now that the bamboo was certain to be free of evil, he felt at ease enough to leave. Clove was just as important to him now as Tojo-Kai was.

Typically, the journey north would have been comfortable and easy going, his feelings toward Clove clear in his stormy eyes. But as dawn rose over the horizon instead awash with colors of crimson, he couldn't deny how nervous he was about this. What was going on and why?

As they approach, hesitating along the border, Akito looks up toward the towering metal spires with their rust-etched runes. His brows draw closer together in confusion and something else he doesn't want to admit he feels. Instead, he turns to focus on Clove and keeping her safe. She was the adventurous one, the curious one, the one who pulled him from his laid-back and anti-social demeanor. The fact that this place isn't on their maps has him even more worried. How had all these massive shapes just suddenly appeared out of nowhere?

"Don't stray too far," he warns her quietly, eyes lingering on her face before looking out to the new territory once more.

"speech"

They linger at the border of the ominous land, allowing their raven companions to complete a quick, aerial assessment. Aside from the appearance of the towering spires, and the blood-red sky that cast an eerie shadow over the territory, there didn’t seem to be any immediate danger. Not yet, at least. Shifting her weight from right to left, Clove swallows down her apprehension, and flashes Akito a smile. “I won’t, promise!” She confirms, finding comfort in the protective warmth that radiates from him. They might be far away from the safety of their packs and families- but at least they had each other.

Taking a step forward, Clove crosses the threshold. It feels like she’s stepping into a different realm- the air grows thick with tension, causing her instincts to sharpen, and a chill to run up her spine. A weight settles in her chest- a mix of apprehension and fear- but she swallows it with a big gulp. Steeling her resolve, she makes her way toward one of the towering spires, and starts to inspect the grotesque, fearful creature’s faces that are etched into the weathered stone. “I…” She’s starstruck, and at a loss for words. “I’ve never seen these creatures. They look so.... Scared.” She’s referring to the faces etched into the spires.

The longer she stared, the heavier the air around her felt- as if the air itself carried the weight of ancient secrets, and the land around her was watching her every move, aware of her presence. To determine if she was a threat.

And perhaps it was- suddenly, the air around them picked up, wind rushing past them with fierce intensity, as if it were alive. It whips around the corners and crevices of the spires, creating a sharp, piercing tone that made her ears ring. It was similar to a dissonant cry, and was oddly mournful. Reflexively, she gravitates back towards Akito, pressing herself against his side as the wind whirls around them.

"Clove Carpathius"

The amused half-smile on his maw is gentle, a sight only for Clove. As much as she promises to be safe, he has a feeling that danger sometimes radiates toward her. He enjoys being the knight in her fairytale though and because of this, he hangs back, giving Clove the freedom to explore. Trailing a few feet behind her so that he too could get a good look at what now surrounded them.

Tall, pointed metal objects that seemed to angle in the direction of the blazing sun now coated an eerie blood red color. The upper halves had holes worn into them, and he's not sure if it's on purpose or because of some sort of erosion. Farther down their old, rusty bodies, Akito notices the carved faces a moment or so after Clove does. Her surprised gasp brings him walking closer to her, protectively hovering as his monochrome gaze falls to the horror struck upon the carvings. Their solemn appearance triggers an odd feeling in his chest.

"I wonder if it is meant to keep others away from whatever it is they are guarding," Akito posits as Clove meanders closer to him. He didn't like the high-pitched wailing that pierced his ears. It was almost as if the carvings themselves were emitting the noises.

"speech"

Clove nods at Akito’s observation- whatever these creatures were, and what they represented, must have stemmed from a need to conceal something. To guard something. Perhaps they served as an omen- a sign meant to predict a future event, given the blood-red sky and the towering spire’s foreboding nature. “I wonder what it could be…” She muses aloud, finding comfort in Akito’s closeness, as she pressed herself harder against his side. But her mind was reeling, racing through possibilities, each one met with a mix of apprehension and excitement. What treasures might be hiding here?

“Let’s go further- maybe we can find some clues near the heart of the territory.” She says, nudging Akito’s shoulder with her snout. The air around them picks up again, as if to warn them to stay away- but Clove meets it with a look of determination. She’s ready to explore some more.

With each passing moment, the howling wind grows louder, and more intense- whipping through the spires, and rustling aggressively through their fur. She had to squint her eyes as she walked deeper into the territory, to avoid getting debris in them. "It feels like something is trying to keep us out!" She yells, her voice almost drowned out by the howling wind.

"Clove Carpathius"