In the Rays of a Golden Sun (Ashe)

From them a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken:
The crownless again shall be King.

Shrill bird calls pierced the quiet aura of the woodland, somehow mingling together in wondrous fits of music. Melody called louder than its loyal partner, of which kept the beat in the undertones of notes and rests. Not unlike most creatures of the forest, nature’s personal aviators were active in preparation for the cold months. Some rested in wait for migration, while others picked about the foliage for food and nesting needs. Their pretty colors fluttered in the wind, blending into the trees as they disappeared into the organism’s faithful branches. Most of these vivid creatures would die in the coming months, but those who made it through would compete for rights to the young.

Moist dirt slipped between Ashe’s paws, similar to the way a slug may feel if you were unfortunate enough to step on one. Rain hadn’t been especially abundant, but the thick canopy of large leafed trees hid the ground from the sun’s warmth. Leaves littered the ground here, creating a patchwork of dull reds and vibrant yellows amongst the underbrush. Even there, between the crevices of dead greenery there was life, frantically digging beneath the surface as the light colored wolf picked her way across them. It was not in her place, the she-wolf noted inwardly, to kill such harmless creatures. With this in mind, her paws avoided what they could, silently sending those she unknowingly killed with an automated prayer.

Ashe was the prime example of what one would think of the wolf pack – at least in some ways. It had been a careful decision to join her new home, and more out of necessity than desire for socialization or family. No, she had had that once, and had little desire to take part in it once more. However, the values of Earth pack had attracted her to it, as they believed in being one with nature, much like she did. Unlike most others in her relatively new affiliation, Ashe did not bother much with emotion. In fact, those peering in would see nothing but a black void; empty of happiness, fear, sadness, or otherwise. To some, this would be a depressing existence – but to someone as apathetic as Ashe, depression was never really a threat.

But there had been a time when love had been in her life. As a pup, she had never played like the rest, or giggled when an adult tickled her belly. Instead, having been almost infatuated with her brother (whom she followed almost everywhere), Ashe had busied herself with the more difficult things in life: a natural born intellectual. She still retained such a quality. Now, though, it was used to protect others kin. The she-wolf would most likely never have offspring. After all, who would take a mate who couldn’t care less about you?

These were the thoughts, whispering calmly in the complicated tunnels that were the brain. It was there, in the hidden ditches of her mind, that they would huddle together and forever remain as memories and ghosts. Ashe’s eyelashes fluttered like butterfly wings as sunlight struck her pupils rather harshly, stemming from the thinning of trees into an open clearing of sorts. Settled in the center was a boulder of medium size, which did nothing but bring the memories that brought her torment. Even so, the she-wolf’s expression remained nonexistent as a chilled breeze sent goose bumps down her spine. As her paws met the stone in a graceful leap, warmth flooded her body in the light of the sun. It crept through her stomach as she lay there, quieting any raging thoughts that may have prodded at her mind. This was peace, in the darkness of her closed eyelids and ever-listening ears.