Paws slapped hard against jagged grounds as he bounded through vast lands and narrow paths for what seemed like an eternity. A burning flame danced ahead – a red gown fluttering and spreading across the rock atop which she rested. Nails dug into the soil as the creature skidded to a stop.

He found her, at last.

Dark brown fur was ruffled by the soothing breeze while his tongue lulled out, pants disrupting the stillness of the night. He took a couple of steps before lowering himself to the ground at her feet, nudging her leg with his head.

"Einar."

A soft whisper of acknowledgment for she'd been awaiting his arrival. Raven strands brushed her collarbones as she spared him one swift glance before resuming her stargazing.

When he remained quiet for a couple of two long heartbeats, a sigh tumbled out of burgundy plump lips and she narrowed her eyes. "What brings you here, Einar?"

Satisfied with the outcome of his teasing, Einar shed fur for skin with a grunt and then met her carnelians with his pale greys. The scarred side of his cheek shifted into a half-smirk.

One eyebrow lifted and she rested her head atop her palm. "Have you found her?" He shook his head. "How insolent of you then to disturb my peace and quiet, wolf."

"I must apologize, your highness. However, as much as I love to jest, I wouldn't rush here without a proper reason. Especially not at a time like this."

Slender fingers teased the fabric of her hood before dropping it and letting the wind play with her hair as much as it pleased. Pinning the shapeshifter with a stare, she motioned for him to continue.

Einar cleared his throat and bowed his head involuntarily. She was basically a goddess and he ought to tread carefully.

"I've found someone interesting, your Highness."

"Someone interesting, you say?" She hummed, giving in to the urge to stroke his disheveled locks. 

His chest rumbled with quiet purrs before he caught himself. Einar exhaled loudly, gathering himself. "A human."

"You must know that I do not meddle in any mortal affairs. You are also aware that I cannot afford any distractions. So, pray tell, Einar, why do you think this human would pique my interest?"

"He's no ordinary mortal for he has eyes like yours." He looked up as her hand froze. "Two crimson jewels that are to kill for."

Her irises glinted. "What makes you think I would be interested? It is but a pair of red eyes."

Einar sighed, her forced indifference making the strenuous journey here worth it. "You and I both know it, Your Highness, that no one holds such precious gems for eyes except you – Adaliah, the princess of the dark side of the moon."

The sound of bones rearranging into a massive wolf was soon followed by an excited bark as the Lycan watched the woman stand up and stroll to the edge of the cliff, her dress trailing behind her.

Perhaps what Adaliah needed was a small detour, a little distraction from her draining mission. Or, maybe, she was simply deluding herself into thinking as such.

It's been a month, and they have yet to find a single clue. Running her fingers through her hair, she took a step off the edge. Scarlet fabric flapped to the gentle whoosh of the breeze as she levitated. Her eyes landed on Einar with burning intensity; he could only flinch and cower.

"Very well then, take me to him".

Emrys couldn't tell if the darkness that had blanketed everything came with nightfall or from within his soul, for he'd been teetering on the verge of oblivion for too long that the lines had started to blur.

His feet moved at a shambled gait, caked in blood and screaming for rest. How long had he been walking?

He couldn't tell.

It's been too long, too lonely, too dark.

He'd been wandering around – a ghost searching for the light leading to the other side.

His arms barely swung by his sides, having lost all willingness to push forward. He had no one. He had no memories. No one remembered him. So, what was the point anyway?

There was no proof of his existence. There was nothing tying him back to this life.

His eyes burned with unshed tears. Yet, there were none left. Sticky cheeks, stained lips, and a shabby cloak – he was a mess.

His only solace was roving about the forest, hoping something might attack and save him from his misery, for he was too much of a coward to take his own life.

Dull eyes moved to the wounds etched onto his arms. Why did he even bother? Feeding off his blood...he didn't want to attack anyone. That was what he kept telling himself.

Yet, perhaps, deep down, he also wished to not depart from this life – as painful as it was.

His knees suddenly buckled under the weight of his gloomy thoughts. He crumpled, surrendering to the darkness that wanted to swallow him whole, and sought solace in the phantasmagoria of crimson beauty that hounded his dreams.

His breathing slowed and he was finally standing at the edge of his misery. Just one step forward, one leap into the nothingness calling for him, and he'd be saved.

Emrys lifted his foot. It hovered over the slope. 

It'd be all over.

He hesitated.

Thump, thump, thump.

Softness caressed his cheek; it glided all the way to his jaw and rubbed soothing circles over his blemished, cold skin.

"It must have been hard for you, you poor mortal."

His eyes fluttered open to connect with familiar rubies that bore into his garnets. 

Emrys flinched as fire ignited and crackled somewhere within. Was he dreaming? His gaze flickered around before returning to the woman before him, swathed in scarlet and oozing warmth. Her hair rippled and teased his face as she knelt beside him.

His heart nearly burst with newfound eagerness as life seeped into his system and trickled like blood in his vessels.

His hand lifted on its own, reaching for her. When she didn't fade or turn into dust the closer he got, a tear escaped. Thunder exploded in his head when skin met skin and both recoiled.

Emrys wasn't dreaming. No, not this time. Tonight, the woman was very much real and alive.

Einar slinked to the shadows, resting on his hind legs as he watched the destined encounter of two solivagants.

Word count: 1077.

Total word count: 6126.

MEANING OF THE WORDS USED:

Solivagant: one who wanders alone.

Phantasmagoria: a sequence of real or imaginary images like that seen in a dream.