As the sky grew darker from clouds blotting out the moon, the form of an old wolf pushed free of a den seperated from the others. The small cave he had been slumbering in since his first days in the mountains had become his home and anyone who knew Stavros knew they could find him there. This night however he would leave behind his den and not return. In a way the old male was leaving, but not in the way a younger would woulf leave. His body would remain withing the lands he now struggled across. Paw prints were left behind in the snow some slid around others dragged making his tracks sloppy and easy to follow. White flakes of frozen rain water clung to his brownish grey fur leaving him to look like a snow wolf moving across the frozen lands. The color in his old green eyes seemed to fade from his usual rich emerald, to a faded mint looking color. Taking a look back to his den Stavros smiled, he was leaving the home he knew for one rason, a home should be of good memories. Of happieness and hope, not death and decay.

As he pressed on he shook the snow from his fur for a moment only to be covered once again in a matter of moments. The snow storm had hit and he knew others would be hunkering down against it until it had passed. This was his moment to sneek off into the less traveld paths, his moment to slip from this world to the land of thoes who had come before him. His moment to go home without seeing the sadness in the eyes of his family. Forcing his paws to move pasts the other dens and wolves he kept his head down until a familiar voice echoed in his ears.  NaNuka had spotted him, Hello, Stavros. Care for some company in this weather? He asked quietly. Stavros however simply shook his head and spoke, No thank you my friend, but today I prefere to walk alone. He said as cheerfully as he could manage and continued on leaving NaNuka on his rock where he had been staying. 

The ground slopped upwards causing his paws to slip and struggle to keep his grasp on the land below him. Hips struggled to keep up with the males trek leaving his tracks to show his struggle clearly despite the falling snow. He had hoped to catch a glimpse of Eveli and Blackout one last time but had only managed to see NaNuka. They would have to forgive him for not seeing them first. At the top of the large hill he had climbed Stavros looked around spotting the perfect place to rest he made his way over and looked around him. He could see most of the lands around him from this perch he had stumbled upon in his early days of coming to Kameskai. Sitting on the ground in the center of the hills top his hips protested and he crumpled to the frozen ground below him. 

A patch of sky broke through the clouds leaving Stavros to look up at the stars and the moon above him. Lowering his head in a gentle bow he smiled. I shall be joining you soon my brothers, my sisters and my family. If you have crossed then you too my love. He thought and lay down in the slow collecting around him. The aches and pains in his joints slowly faded into numbness as the cold stole all feeling in his body. 

Time seemed to stand still as he lay watching the snow fall, winter had always been his favorite time of year. Everything looked so new and pure, nature was wiping the slate clean for the new life coming into the world come spring. A small smile formed in his eyes as he realized he was in fact making way for new life as well, for when his life ended as it was soon going to, a new life would begin. He only wished he were able to stay long enough to meet and play with his grandpups. That however was not his fate, he was fated to go home and be with his family and ancestors. 

At first stavros hadn't noticed the change in the land around him. Snow was still falling around him but the ground was warm and green, no longer frozen. Before him in the distance lay the golden rivers, glistening and glittering in the bright light that surrounded him. Awe struck, Stavros stood before them and drank in the sights.

With a shuttering breath he reopened his eyes and looked to the mountains that surrounded him for the last time. The last look around made the old males heart seize with pain for a brief moment, curling into a ball he tucked his nose under his tail and began to think of the few regrets he harbored. He wished he was able to see both Blackout and Eveli more before his passing, wished he had gotten to know more of the pack and even seen Hinto and her family all together one more time. He would have to be content in knowing that both Liam and Hinto had brought him food as his days grew closer and closer to an end. He had grown fond of the young male that seemed to be following his mothers gentle pawsteps. 

A voice inturrupted his thoughts forcing him to reopen his closed eyes and glance around through the falling snow the land was once more green and warm. A small group of wolves stood on the rivers banks waiting for him to move closer. Stavros, love. The female spoke softly stepping in closer to him. His ears and tail perked up in excitement. Could it really be her? Burshing against her fur he ignored the others for a moment. Seeing her again made him feel like a younger wolf again. Other voices soom joined in the excitment. Papa! You're here! Home at last! They all seemed to talk at once making it difficult to distinguish who said what but once he took a moment too look the others over he recognized them as the little balls of fur he had seen a mere pawful of times. His pups. Rushing over to bump and brush against all the others he yipped and licked them all on the muzzles. Papa? Can I run with you? I promised to take you back to meet the others. They have been waiting so long to see you. A small female said excitedly and Stavros nodded in agreement before watching the others jump around in excitement. It is time we move on Love. Join us and run into the stars to watch over your new home and our Blackout. When it is his time we shall greet him as well. She assured him and began making her way back towards the riveres, the others followed and soon Stavros had as well. As they ran one by one each leaped over the rivers and when it was Stavros' turn to jump he had expected to land on the otherside. Instead of landing he leaped over the river and soon found himself amung the stars looking down upon his body and the Kameskai mountains. Watching over his family and friends until he was no longer needed.

His body shuttered once then the breath that escaped from under his tail ceased. Stavros was home in the stars while his body lay motionless and unbreathing on the top of the large hill he had struggled up. The clouds remaind parted around him allowing the stars and moon to twinkle down at thoes who had come to mourn his loss. A howl started to sound within the wind, screaming through the trees as the wind traveled across the lands. The snow storm that had hit so suddenly had died out just as quickly leaving the area calm and quiet.