Arkyn had found himself wishing to show Asiel the world. The good, the bad, and even the ugly. This world was not like the one he came from, and certainly he doubted much like the one she remembered. But still, even in their travels, he found himself steering them away from the worst of the worst—as if he held some quiet responsibility to keep her sheltered from the most horrific aspects that now thrived in the daylight of Mythris.

The poisonous waters for one. He had taken Sarge’s advice as if it had been a general handbook to survival, and steered the pair of them away from anything looking oddly discolored. And if he saw just the faintest shade of red or purple in the distance, Arkyn had turned them around and away.

This world, and whatever horror continued to persist in the land, was not kind. However, there were pockets that were peaceful, where it felt like the world was not turning its back against them, and it was those places that Arkyn sought out.

Not the massacred bodies that he was certain still remained bloated and rotted in the fields he had passed. Or the plague-infested waters that surely placed a spell on all those who were invited to drink from its source.

No, he wouldn’t subjugate Asiel to that.

Not on his watch.

And so Arkyn did his best to avoid all the paths he had remembered—ones he was certain held the bitter taste of this reality. Perhaps that was why his paws guided him south, for he knew the path from the east to the west was riddled with monstrosities.

However, what he hadn’t expected was for their path to cross a newly ignited flame—one that seemed to just exist in the midst of an expansive meadow. He paused in his approach, flashing a cautious gaze toward Asiel as his brows knitted atop his features. That is odd, He muttered to himself as his narrowed gaze tried to spy its dancing silhouette clearer in the distance.

We should turn back around, he offered in advice, however, his stare never left the flickering light of that dancing flame. It was unusual for fire to stand still, was it not? Similarly, improbable that they could see just one plume, right?

Fire consumed. It did not rest.

Which could only mean it was yet another monstrosity that this world decided to hand them.

I believe if we head back towards the mountains, we may be able to get around it, he finalized his thoughts, as his brain tried to plan out the safest route possible. It would be…longer…but if we make it to the red-painted trees, I think we may be good.

That was at least where Sarge had been, Arkyn recalled, and if he was still alive—surely he would know more about what still remained safe and what was still a danger.