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+--- Thread: BWP First Door: The Sun's Return (/showthread.php?tid=10814)
RE: First Door: The Sun's Return - Setka - 3/31/2026
The world had fallen into cold and darkness. Snow was nearly a fabled event, one that happened rarely in the desert land from which the physician hailed. Now the sky screamed. Snow swirled in all directions, hiding the horizon line behind a global white haze.
It was the end. What else could it be?
Thinking was already and arduous tasked when chilled to the bone, now he had to contemplate the future that would never be. He would never practice medicine again. Iufni would not grow in a hale, young man. Myyrh would not see the spring to test nature's splendor for all of the cruel and clever ways it punished those too eager to experiment.
The half-wolf was not given the time to mourn this development. A voice that had long since whispered into the darkness behind his eyes had now grown strong enough to stand before him.
The Dream Visitor presents an ugly truth. A horrid history that spiraled into the calamity he—no, everyone— faced. The Visitor then delivers a choice.
Choose one of three doors. Fight this end; be it with your voice, your strength, or your very being.
The path of the healer.
The path of the warrior.
The path that may ask everything of you.
Setka was not a man blessed by the gods. He was not gifted with strength greater than what his mixed heritage would otherwise suggest. He was not whole. He already had so much taken from him. His mentor, his peers, his very flesh and bone. Setka had suffered at the hands of those stronger than himself. Those of divine and noble descent.
He could not give any more.
The remaining choice was perhaps the most obvious. It was a physician's oath to heal their patient.
But how did one heal the land?
The question crossed his mind as he stepped over the thresh hold. Delivered to a place of eternal dark, the cruelest of winters raged with lashing winds and pelting snow. It nearly blew the three legged man over, the cold rooting his remaining legs into the earth.
If circumstances were different, he very well would have died here. But the strange world Setka had fallen into had its magic. It was there, the unexplainable lie pulsing within the earth. The power of gods, monsters, and spirits alike lived in this land. Its truth beyond the comprehension of mortals such as himself.
But Setka understood what this dark expanse asked of him. Even if he hadn't, there were other that had begun the song. Voices both old and young. Voices both resentful and reverent. Voices of both canines and beasts. Voices laced with various accents as all gathered turned their voices skyward.
He recognizes the song of the sun priests. Those trained to greet Ra on his daily voyage across the sky. Heaven's Mercy is also present. Her Majesty's voice resolute in opening the sky.
Setka does not approach these familiar voices. Head craning to the sky, his narrow muzzle suffered a barrage of ice as he bared himself to the heavens.
How long had it been since he last prayed? He couldn't remember.
So Setka pleaded.
He sang for the divine traveler to show himself once more. The friend to all, the bringer of warmth and light and health. How long had the sun hidden away, now? The sun that rose each day, even if perhaps the clouds hid it from view. The sun that had seen and known him his entire life. It had been too long since they last met. He wished for Ra to know him once more. And if Ra had enough of the half-breed physician? Well, Setka begged for him to return, if only so that Ra may know Iufni and Myyrh. Those whom he cherished most.
RE: First Door: The Sun's Return - Aisling - 3/31/2026
![[Image: Viv_Aisling.gif]](https://sig.grumpybumpers.com/host/Viv_Aisling.gif)
SKILL : - - - ( 1 / 5 )
The dream rattled her.
When she woke, its claws still sank into her mind and soul. With the battering of her heart, she could almost believe they were hooked into her very flesh.
Her eyes were wide, rimmed by white as the urgency of the situation washed over here. She had bore witness to loss, betrayal - the unfairness of it all.
It awakened something in her. She had been left behind before, too.
By her father.
By her sisters.
... By all those who got too close to her a lifetime ago.
The realization of it all was the cracking of the dam intended to keep her safe. Emotions she had tried to stamp down into some recess of her being surged forward, flood waters escaping through the imperfections and quickly pooling all around her.
Aisling's thoughts were a maelstrom of hurt she both possessed presently and hadn't in quite some time; her memories of whatever life she led before this one were still blurs and little more than a patchwork quilt of regret and longing, but their sentiment clicked into place. She had done something wrong, many times over; she could fix none of what had come to pass, but maybe, just maybe she could be a positive force here.
Though she had yet to reconnect with her mother, Fox, and the rest of Avon, she was overwhelmed with a sense of duty. For them, she would take a leap of faith in the hopes of accomplishing good.
Rising to her paws, she whisked into the first portal. Light bathed her for a moment before dissipating, leaving the world dark once more - and it was angry, its howling winds whipping against her slender frame as she fought to trudge forward.
Just when her willpower began to flag, energy coursed through her and she found renewed vigor. Hope planted roots in her chest, tangling amidst her ribs and reviving her gusto. Clenching her teeth, she moved forward, quaking from the cold but filled with determination.
As if it was all a test, her shivering halted. She was still, her body faintly warmed despite not having any logical reason behind it. She turned her head in each direction slowly, tracking the terrain for movement, but she saw, sensed no one - she was alone, but not.
There was something here.
Something that spoke to her without words, only intentions. It built into a hum in her chest, purposeful, and she was powerless to resist the lure.
Lifting her muzzle toward the inky sky, she poured every fiber of her pain, her hope, her regrets, and her determination into the song she proffered to whatever force lay dormant.
A plea.
When she woke, its claws still sank into her mind and soul. With the battering of her heart, she could almost believe they were hooked into her very flesh.
Her eyes were wide, rimmed by white as the urgency of the situation washed over here. She had bore witness to loss, betrayal - the unfairness of it all.
It awakened something in her. She had been left behind before, too.
By her father.
By her sisters.
... By all those who got too close to her a lifetime ago.
The realization of it all was the cracking of the dam intended to keep her safe. Emotions she had tried to stamp down into some recess of her being surged forward, flood waters escaping through the imperfections and quickly pooling all around her.
Aisling's thoughts were a maelstrom of hurt she both possessed presently and hadn't in quite some time; her memories of whatever life she led before this one were still blurs and little more than a patchwork quilt of regret and longing, but their sentiment clicked into place. She had done something wrong, many times over; she could fix none of what had come to pass, but maybe, just maybe she could be a positive force here.
Though she had yet to reconnect with her mother, Fox, and the rest of Avon, she was overwhelmed with a sense of duty. For them, she would take a leap of faith in the hopes of accomplishing good.
Rising to her paws, she whisked into the first portal. Light bathed her for a moment before dissipating, leaving the world dark once more - and it was angry, its howling winds whipping against her slender frame as she fought to trudge forward.
Just when her willpower began to flag, energy coursed through her and she found renewed vigor. Hope planted roots in her chest, tangling amidst her ribs and reviving her gusto. Clenching her teeth, she moved forward, quaking from the cold but filled with determination.
As if it was all a test, her shivering halted. She was still, her body faintly warmed despite not having any logical reason behind it. She turned her head in each direction slowly, tracking the terrain for movement, but she saw, sensed no one - she was alone, but not.
There was something here.
Something that spoke to her without words, only intentions. It built into a hum in her chest, purposeful, and she was powerless to resist the lure.
Lifting her muzzle toward the inky sky, she poured every fiber of her pain, her hope, her regrets, and her determination into the song she proffered to whatever force lay dormant.
A plea.
RE: First Door: The Sun's Return - Eilidh - 3/31/2026
No...she did not like these dreams! Wasn't this an adult thing to do? An adult thing to handle? Why her? Why?
Eilidh crawled through the first door on her belly. Tail tucked between her legs, she looked around at the dark scary sky. So many had gathered, and the sounds of song and voice filled the air. She felt that they were calling out to the light, to the sun to come out and free the world of the darkness. Eilidh gulped. Grey eyes looked back and forth. Where are her siblings? Her parents? They were all strangers! She felt herself wanting to cry, and her eyes filled with tears.
Then she heard something. In the voices, she distinguished...two friends. Stardust AND Ketamine! In a panic, she lifts her head up. Her paws skitter her small body around, weaving between wolves until she sees the two from her pack. Eilidh scurries between the two, huddling in their fur as they sang. It takes her a moment, but she finally feels a little bit better.
A little bit.
Just a little.
It was enough that the desire to sing overcame her fear, and she licked her nose before singing a song. A bird song that she had been practicing...though it wasn't very good.
Eilidh crawled through the first door on her belly. Tail tucked between her legs, she looked around at the dark scary sky. So many had gathered, and the sounds of song and voice filled the air. She felt that they were calling out to the light, to the sun to come out and free the world of the darkness. Eilidh gulped. Grey eyes looked back and forth. Where are her siblings? Her parents? They were all strangers! She felt herself wanting to cry, and her eyes filled with tears.
Then she heard something. In the voices, she distinguished...two friends. Stardust AND Ketamine! In a panic, she lifts her head up. Her paws skitter her small body around, weaving between wolves until she sees the two from her pack. Eilidh scurries between the two, huddling in their fur as they sang. It takes her a moment, but she finally feels a little bit better.
A little bit.
Just a little.
It was enough that the desire to sing overcame her fear, and she licked her nose before singing a song. A bird song that she had been practicing...though it wasn't very good.
RE: First Door: The Sun's Return - El'Zeath - 4/1/2026
The dream...she had encountered one that shook her before, but now, it was different. Now, she was presented with a choice...but she had not been in this world that long. She was pretty much a newcomer, and the plights of this new world were so foreign to her.
But she knew she had to help. She had to do something. Just like in her old life...mostly... she always tried to do what was right. What was just. What would help the most. Thus, she stepped into the door to the healer path.
The large woman sees the dark sky, hears the songs of the others around here...and the yellings of a few. El'Zeath looks around and her heart is full. So many were trying! So many were encouraging! El'Zeath nodded to herself. She might not know what is going on...but she knew to sing! El'Zeath lifts her head, and sings with her deep, comforting voice, to aid in bringing light back to the land.
But she knew she had to help. She had to do something. Just like in her old life...mostly... she always tried to do what was right. What was just. What would help the most. Thus, she stepped into the door to the healer path.
The large woman sees the dark sky, hears the songs of the others around here...and the yellings of a few. El'Zeath looks around and her heart is full. So many were trying! So many were encouraging! El'Zeath nodded to herself. She might not know what is going on...but she knew to sing! El'Zeath lifts her head, and sings with her deep, comforting voice, to aid in bringing light back to the land.
RE: First Door: The Sun's Return - Calyx - 4/1/2026
RE: First Door: The Sun's Return - Kaphiri - 4/1/2026
Singing for the return of the sun seemed like the right choice. Kaphiri could fight, and he would, but when there were other options? Leave that to those better suited.
He was calling to his God for the return of the warmth, of the light!
Kaphiri sung his song to the skies.
He was calling to his God for the return of the warmth, of the light!
Kaphiri sung his song to the skies.
RE: First Door: The Sun's Return - Mojave - 4/1/2026
MOJAVE
Mojave'd never had a dream like this before. It was too real, it was too vivid- how could he not act? It was not as though he did not remember a time where he had encountered stranger, certainly, this was his calling. Of the doors presented to him the first had coaxed him forward, and forward he leapt.
The songs, the howling, it brought back clouded memories of a time when he was younger. A warm feeling rose in his chest; he had to contribute. Whatever this was, though he new little of this place, it reminded him of hope. Mojave joined in, howling toward the sky for the first time in a long time.
MOJAVE
RE: First Door: The Sun's Return - Cade Simons - 4/1/2026
Location: Atop some Rocks…
IT’S THE AMUSED CHUCKLE THAT LEAVES HIS MAW.…
It shouldn't, and simply being here in this new life and land is hog wash already. Khyra already voiced their displeasure and had attempted to walk away. But Cade Simons was never not a man of action, and even he could see the dangers of leaving this alone.
“Now, if everyone had that sort of reason nothing would of ever gotten done in life,” he softly bumps shoulder with the younger and leapt up upon some rocks.
If he was a younger man and time he would have walked through them portals, faced the one that done this, or help defend something innocent. But he wasn't and that man had passed.
So all he could do was lend his voice. Looking down at the other he gave a wink “Take a few down for me spitfire” he remarked before soon his own voice joined the many that sang their song to the raging storm, a deep rumbling tone soon mingling with other to bring back them sunny days
It shouldn't, and simply being here in this new life and land is hog wash already. Khyra already voiced their displeasure and had attempted to walk away. But Cade Simons was never not a man of action, and even he could see the dangers of leaving this alone.
“Now, if everyone had that sort of reason nothing would of ever gotten done in life,” he softly bumps shoulder with the younger and leapt up upon some rocks.
If he was a younger man and time he would have walked through them portals, faced the one that done this, or help defend something innocent. But he wasn't and that man had passed.
So all he could do was lend his voice. Looking down at the other he gave a wink “Take a few down for me spitfire” he remarked before soon his own voice joined the many that sang their song to the raging storm, a deep rumbling tone soon mingling with other to bring back them sunny days
RE: First Door: The Sun's Return - Neven - 4/1/2026
The moment he stepped through, the cold devoured him. It was not winter as he knew it—no, this was something crueler. Something endless. The wind screamed, clawing through his fur, snow biting like needles into his skin, stealing breath straight from his lungs.
Even amidst the cold, and the wind that tangled his fur, Neven could feel something else—something alive. Energy unlike anything he had ever known. It started in his paws. A crackle, a hum that built and traveled, making his fur stand on end, his skin prickle and spark as it climbed through him, filling him from the inside out.
He rarely did anything of importance, of heroism, but something about this… It pulled at him. Chose him. He was certain of it.
There was sympathy for the creatures in the dream, yes, but it was not why he did this.
Around him, strangers tipped their heads toward the sky, voices rising. Their songs were different—wild, broken, reverent, strangers to one another—but together, it wove into something melodic. Something that felt right.
A boyish grin broke across his face, wild and bright as he laughed aloud, uncaring who heard him. His tail flicked once, twice—swagger creeping back into his stance despite the apocalypse raging around him. He was not the best warrior, nor the best man, but if it was song that was needed?
That, he could do.
Neven tilted his head back, snow lashing against his face as he drew in a deep breath, filling his lungs with biting cold and something brighter beneath it. Then, he joined them, his eyes sliding shut as his howl rose to meet the others, threading itself into the chorus like it was meant to be.
Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me—Grunting, his voice was ripped from him, swallowed whole by the storm.
Even amidst the cold, and the wind that tangled his fur, Neven could feel something else—something alive. Energy unlike anything he had ever known. It started in his paws. A crackle, a hum that built and traveled, making his fur stand on end, his skin prickle and spark as it climbed through him, filling him from the inside out.
He rarely did anything of importance, of heroism, but something about this… It pulled at him. Chose him. He was certain of it.
There was sympathy for the creatures in the dream, yes, but it was not why he did this.
Around him, strangers tipped their heads toward the sky, voices rising. Their songs were different—wild, broken, reverent, strangers to one another—but together, it wove into something melodic. Something that felt right.
A boyish grin broke across his face, wild and bright as he laughed aloud, uncaring who heard him. His tail flicked once, twice—swagger creeping back into his stance despite the apocalypse raging around him. He was not the best warrior, nor the best man, but if it was song that was needed?
That, he could do.
Neven tilted his head back, snow lashing against his face as he drew in a deep breath, filling his lungs with biting cold and something brighter beneath it. Then, he joined them, his eyes sliding shut as his howl rose to meet the others, threading itself into the chorus like it was meant to be.
RE: First Door: The Sun's Return - Hirundo - 4/1/2026
Frankly, this was all a bit much for Hirundo. First he'd woken up in the middle of nowhere in winter, possibly the worst time to be lost. When he'd finally gotten tired enough to rest his eyes despite the imminent threat to his life, he was plagued by an awful nightmare he could barely understand. A nightmare that, apparently, was real!
All he wanted to do was run away from everything, and keep on running until his paws went numb. He only hesitated because there was something inviting about the first magic door. Something warm, calm, a hint of sun! When was the last time he'd seen the sun? He had no idea, now that he thought about it. Better not to think about it. Just go towards the light!
When he stepped through, he was distraught to find himself dumped yet again in some miserable hellscape of snow. Something felt different, though. He heard shouting, song. He almost felt warmth on his face. The sun was close by! Was he supposed to...sing to the sun? Would that call it back? Huh.
Well, if there was one thing he was good at...
Hirundo lifted his voice in a deep howl, finding himself singing a tune that his mother had taught him. A song to welcome spring, and the sun, and a celebration of the death of winter...