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[indent][color=lightgray]The night was coming, and the air was growing colder. Shirik had left the town of Ertiseda a few hours ago, having stopped to rest and check their map. The usual odd looks and skittish trepidation had been expected, but Shirik was just lucky they stayed dry after the talk with that innkeeper back in town. Stars began to come out as the distant moon soon would rise into the sky. Shirik had been all over the world of Kanth-Aramek by now, but the mountains were always a sight to behold. Even in the quiet company of an eternal flame, they felt at home when they could travel from place to place. Shirik threw their [url=https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/1052752174590996500/1053795406083006635/image.png]hood[/url] overhead as the sky began to darken. It was easier to travel at night when they didn't glow as brightly.

It had been a very long time since Shirik first emerged from that cave, since they became a new person altogether. Since then, their life became much simpler than their days in the Iriad. Walking from place to place and lending a burning hand to those who could benefit from it, and resting for the sake of quiet contemplation were most of what Shirk did. They had considered going to the Ascendancy to make a life there, but that was a decision that they never made. Shirik took a turn off the regular road, and made their way up the mountains into the woods. They were always so peaceful at night.

In one hand, Shirik held a [url=https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/1052752174590996500/1053796448740839424/image.png]staff[/url] made of wood and small stones of various origins. It was part walking stick, for trekking through unexplored places, and part magic instrument, for when Shirik needed it. In the growing gloom of the forest, Shirik glowed like a warm candle. Anyone following them would be able to track them easily if they paid attention, as they had their guard down enough to let the flames do as they pleased under the cloak they wore. Eventually, Shirik came to an open spot between the trees, a meadow of undisturbed grass and flowers atop a peak overlooking a valley beneath. Not a sound could be heard, and overlooking Shirik's surroundings was a cloudless, black sky glittering with stars and the moon of Kanth-Aramek. It was a beautiful night, and it was quiet.

Shirik liked quiet.

Shirik lowered their hood, and walked to the edge of the cliff they stood over, breathing in the night air. The flames that seeped from under their skin seemed to settle and burn more gently at the sight of the sky. There were many things that irritated Shirik, and many things that pushed them into a jagged mindset all too easily these days, after the things they endured. Anyone who had to fight and claw their way to survival had a short fuse. But it was evenings like these, so peaceful and wonderous, that reminded Shirik that they were still here in the present. Life had moved on, and they were there to catch up with it. They were alive. Shirik bent down and sat on the ground, with a tree at their back. On their right was the moon, and on the left was the path they took up here. Shirik's cloak had come open, and yet the forest was untouched by the fire that rolled against their skin when they touched the forest floor. They shut their eyes, and let everything fall away. Twere at peace.

At least, they were until they heard a twig snap behind them. 

Shirik's left arm shot upwards, pointing straight in the direction of the sound, as they made a gesture with their hand. Ring finger curled inward, thumb pointed to the ground, with their remaining fingers pointing outwards in a trident shape. Suddenly, a streak of brilliant sparks was sent in the direction that their middle finger was facing, splattering against a nearby tree. Oddly enough however, the tree was completely unharmed. Not even a trace of singed bark, as if nothing happened. The rest of Shirik's body had stayed completely still until after this spell was cast, at which point they turned their head to face whatever had followed them, their eyes flickered like glowing coals from a furnace in the moonlight.

[color=D68300]"Show yourself."[/color]
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