Janius nodded at the ground. "We didn't just talk. We laughed, we spent time sharing what our lives were like. We went on a hunt, which turned out to be more than we bargained for. We grew close very quickly without knowing exactly why. Perhaps we did not want to think about it." He gave Julan a smiling glance. "Mind you, we were several years older than you are now. However, then and now seem very similar, with what is beginning with you and Hal-Leeus."

His eyes went to the ground again and his smile faded. "Now, were you ever told how mother was turned?"

[hr]
If Rhazii was listening, he made no indication. He kept his distance and continued gnashing his teeth and growling. Ahnasha had never seen him like this before. In truth, he had never fully lost control of his beast spirit before. Before Ahnasha was a wild animal.

The first movement Ahnasha made could not have been slow enough to avoid provoking Rhazii further. Rhazii lunged forward to snap before immediately turning and bolting away into the forest. The threats were just a response to his fear, empty but just flinching enough to make his escape.