[i]You'll all hollow within one moon cycle...[/i]

It was those words spoken by the Firekeeper that struck a chord with Saira, even as she was deep in thought and meditation before the bonfire. Even though she was an Undead like all those gathered around the fire, Saira had found new purpose within the guiding hand of the eternal Sunlight. Even though she had purpose, a reason to exist, a reason to continue, deep within her soul she felt a hint of undeniable truth within the Firekeeper's bleak prediction of their futures.

As with all things, strength of the human spirit was a finite thing. No matter how strong one's willpower and determination, what awaited each and every undead at the end of their journey was the same destination: despair, defeat, and eventual Hollowing.

Even with the realization of this unshakeable truth, Saira forced away the Firekeeper's words from her thoughts. She may eventually hollow like all the other undead, but as long as she still had the strength to continue onwards, she would live as a human for another day.

With her own sense of purpose renewed, Saira looked away from the burning flames, and noticed the familiar glow of the rising sun in the distance, peeking through the thick clouds. Beyond the stone walls and structures in the distance, Saira could hear the faint echoes of a ferociously monstrous roar in the distance, followed by a flock of black-feathered birds hurriedly taking to the sky from the source of the roar. Whatever was the source of the sudden roar was a truly fearsome creature.

As the sounds of distant wildlife began to grow increasingly distinct, Saira soon felt that she was beginning to overstay her welcome. A new day was starting, and once again, Saira felt the invisible hand of the Sunlight guiding her on.

Slowly and smoothly, Saira rose to her feet from the soft patch of grass upon which she knelt, with her sheathed katana within the grasp of her left hand, with the leather strap attached to the sheath draped over her hand.

[color=6ecff6]"Thank you, kind Firekeeper, for your gracious generosity and hospitality. A new day is upon us, and I must resume my travels once more. To all gathered here, thank you for your companionship, however brief it may have been. Fate brought us here today, perhaps it will bring us together again once more. And so, for now, fare thee well."[/color]

Placing the leather strap of the katana's sheath over her head, Saira positioned the sheathed weapon across her back. With a deep, formal-style bow, Saira turned back towards the bonfire and those gathered around its flame. Setting her sights towards the source of the roar she heard earlier, Saira took the first steps to her continuing journey.