Caster was no hero. He wasn’t strong, wasn’t brave or mighty like most other wolves or people he had met in this life or the last. In truth, he thought himself to be weak, cowardly, and perhaps maybe even a little selfish if he had to be honest. The world around him was struggling, dying, and what good of a healer was he if he couldn’t even do just that? To heal, to mend all that is broken— is that not what he was created to do?

Despite his flaws, despite the anxiety in his stomach telling him not to go, he does. No longer could he remain on the sidelines, not when so much was at stake. For once, just this once he would do something greater than himself. Just this once, he would answer the call.

In the darkness his voice calls like a siren. A song, a melody that reverberated and danced on the wind with every note, every cadence of breath that the man had to offer. No matter how harsh the cold bit and tore through his fur, never once did he falter. Like the others before him, it was Caster’s turn to join the chorus.

The wolves were called to howl, but.

Horses can't howl? Neighing works, right?

The young pegasus turned horse neighed with all his might, stomping his hooves into the snow and churning the dirt as he flexed his lungs for all their worth, baying at the clouds and telling them to get the fuck out of his house.

The song was beautiful if it weren’t for such dire times. How so many came together, sang and prayed together— Valsaega had never seen anything like it before. It was commendable how so many chose to come to the world’s aid, commendable still for those that were willing to fight for it. Despite the darkness, there was no mistaking the light that shined in all of them from within. The light of hope, the light of peace. She couldn’t help but crack a smile.

Such delicate paws were created for mending, not maiming and it was an easy choice as to which path the woman was to choose. Although it pained her to not be able to aid any more than this. Perhaps, however, her song would suffice. Like a sacred prayer her voice joins the many. Calling, aching for the warmth to return to the world once more. To call forth life, to bring a dawn of healing and rebirth— Valsaega couldn’t have asked for anything more than this moment now.

Skill: Expert Meteorologist

The end of the world was a strange prospect.

She had endured the dreams, thought them a product of an overactive imagination for a while. Tried to carry on with her life and duties even as the skies blackened overhead and the earth slowly began to freeze over like an icy tomb.

Aurelia couldn't ignore them anymore.

Whatever her opinion on the tragedy of the Dream Visitor's tale, she stood in front of the three portals, assessing each path with the cold scrutiny of a chess player. It was logical to assume most of their warriors would have chosen the second or third door, flinging themselves into danger not only to prove their mettle but also stave off the End - and she could assume all manner of strangers across the continent would be there to aid them.

She looked down at her petite paws; remembered the slavering, feral coyote that had almost taken her life. Genghis had saved her then. Certainly she had performed well in Northfall's tournament, but that was a controlled environment - nothing like this.

What if she ended up only as a burden, a liability? What if she entered the second or third doorway and immediately sustained injury, distracting those of Dawnbreak already engaged in the fight who cared for her?

What if she got them killed?

Aurelia had always been uncertain of her prowess as a warrior.

What if Tiberii was injured? Solulfur? Vidarr? Who would be left to bring them home, what if the number and severity of their wounds overwhelmed the few healers they had? Aurelia was no expert on herbs, but surely she could help.

Someone had to keep the light on so they could find their way back.

She took a deep breath, stepped through the first door, and found herself precisely where she had already been, looking up at the black sky as thoughts of Dawnbreak flitted through her mind. She could hear the distant chorus of voices raised in a singular song from every direction, and the clouds shivered overhead as if dislodged.

Aurelia lifted her head and joined them. Yes; she would help bring back the light. For many moons she had longed for the endless blue sky, and the time had come for spring to take its rightful place once more, spreading its warmth and mending this broken place.

There would be rain in summer, fluffy white clouds would dance again across the vast expanse overhead; they would bask in the colorful bounty of autumn, and the sun would rise again, and again, and again.

He did not understand the dream; not easily. Nen'tah was only left with the impression of a strange feeling, one that made his chest coil tightly as if mother's milk had soured within his gut.

In the darkness of the den he watched the spirit summon a great number of glowing stones, stones etched with glowing symbols that meant nothing to him but pulsed with an energy he could feel flowing up from the very earth. Nen'tah stood, observing the three doorways with quiet intrigue.

A beautiful sound emanated from the first portal. It was almost like a song, but sung in many different tongues and by many voices, yet none that he recognized; with wide eyes he slowly crept through, finding himself now standing outside the den as if suddenly transported.

The sky loomed dark and heavy, but with every surging chorus, the clouds parted a fraction of an inch.

Nen'tah felt a fire burn from within. He wanted to join them! To make that beautiful sound!

But oh -

He opened his lips, and only the very shyest of Awooos escaped, so soft it almost went unheard.

A single cloud shivered and a thin ray of light peeked through.

It would have to do.

She woke with a start.

What the fuck, guy?

The Dream Visitor, nonplussed, summoned his Runes. He either pretended not to hear her or simply didn't care; it was actually kind of a wonder why he bothered showing her any of this at all, given she was neither a) a wolf or b) anyone who gave a damn.

She stared at the three portals as he solemnly laid out the terms and risks surrounding each.

I see.

Again, he did not look at the little raven; he was content to stare somewhere off to the left of her. She hopped several paces to the side to ensure he would meet her eyes. Instead, his gaze drifted once more, this time up toward the dark sky.

Sylvie frowned.

Fuckface. I don't like the look of you either.

Flapping noisily up to the three portals she carefully studied them for approximately thirteen seconds each, head cocked as she took special care to listen to the screams emanating from within the last two, then seemed to settle on a decision.

You know, I was mistaken for a songbird once by a ravishing young hawk, she said, smirking. He said I had a gift.

Sylvie thrust her head through the first door and took a good look around. Surprisingly, the other side appeared awfully similar to Fate's Respite. Could... it read her thoughts? Did it know she wanted to get out of the southern region?

Well then. That solved it.

Bon voyage, loser, she squawked back at the spectral Visitor, Remember, everything is your fault!

Flouncing through the portal, Sylvie took in the beautiful sight of the Respite's snow-capped mountains. Home! The sound of wolfsong filled the air from every direction, and with each cry, another ray of sunlight burst forth and flooded the landscape in a golden glow.

Sylvie opened her beak and screeched into the sky as instructed.

The clouds... it almost looked like they huddled closer together?

This was the opposite of what she was told.

Sylvie glowered, inhaled, then screamed again.

As if begging for mercy they parted a fraction of an inch, and the raven smiled to herself.

The dream came as an intense range of colors, and Tsaałi was unsure what was going on. He could feel it, though, the emotions were sharp and different. The stones that opened the portals were neat - he'd liked watching them, they looked so different than the crows and other birds that frequented the Elk's Crown. Tsaałi was amazed as he saw the portal open, and through it he could hear something divine. The Lazandoii peered curiously at the portals. The other two did not sound pretty. And that was when he saw - Nen'tah was going towards it!

His brother managed to go through the portal, and then Tsaałi was on his way. He shivered when the biting cold hit him and made him acutely aware, for the first time, that there was safety and warmth with his littermates and his parents. He did not like this feeling, and as Lazandoii he would need to get used to the cold. He would not be shielded on the March, when it started. He'd heard the chatter of his parents, and though he had no idea what that would entail, he heard it would be long. They would not have the same place to sleep every day.

This felt different, though, and Tsaałi felt his little heart racing. Through the portal he went, stumbling the last few steps until he found himself tucked against the side of his darker brother. Shoulder to shoulder, the feeling swelled as the wolves all sang together. Hope was a beautiful thing, hope was something vibrant, hope was a song that they all knew instinctively.

The howl was not one anyone would describe as majestic like his parents might have offered. But his voice rose with his brother's, eventually overpowering it, and singing loudly the hope when Nen'tah could not.