Submission (#6527) Approved

In a daze of sorrow and confusion, Wem’s senses felt dulled, as if a heavy fog had settled within his core. His chest tightened with every ragged breath, the weight of despair pressing down upon him like an invisible burden. The vivid hues of the mana well that once filled him with joy now seemed muted, their vibrancy overshadowed by the devastation that he had witnessed yesterday.

His ears, usually perked up with curiosity, now drooped down against his head, showing the chaotic and depressing emotional turmoil that was ravaging his spirit. Tears had blurred his vision, making the world look like it was in a watery haze, and yet, the vivid image of the dying faerie shrouds and the shattered shrine etched itself deep into his mind.

With each step forward, his paws felt heavy, as if the once welcoming ground of Faerindell now resisted his presence. His movements lacked their usual grace, as he stumbled forward in a trance like state, each footfall seemingly dragging him deeper into the internal abyss of despair he was in.

The air around him hung heavy with a suffocating silence, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves or the distant chirping of birds. But even nature's usual sounds felt muted, as if mourning alongside Wem for the loss of something sacred.

And then, as he stumbled upon a concealed hill and tripped down, his fall jolted him out of his trance like state. He lay there for a fleeting moment, the impact jarring his senses, momentarily breaking through the haze of his emotions. As he pushed himself up, leaves and twigs clung to his fur, the physical discomfort combining with the emotional turmoil raging within.

When he finally regained his bearings and blinked away the disorientation, the sight that met his eyes was both mesmerizing and unsettling. There was a strange, spectral display of dark blue ribbons, dancing and swirling before him; a stark difference from the familiar beauty of Faerindell. Its dark and scary glow cast an eerie atmosphere around; it was both haunting and captivating.

Confusion warred with caution in Wem's mind, creating a whirlwind of thoughts that clashed and fought and tangled together like vines in a dense forest. His usually sharp mind felt clouded, tangled in a web of conflicting emotions that left him feeling torn and adrift.

His instincts screamed warnings, cautioning against the unknown dangers that might lie beyond the mysterious border before him. Stories of the overwilds, whispered among creatures in hushed tones, resurfaced in his thoughts. Tales of Elnins disappearing into the unknown depths, never to return, echoed ominously in his confused and scared mind. These cautionary tales, once regarded as mere folklore, now bounced around in his mind, sending shivers down his spine.

Yet, curiosity, a trait that he was well known for, that had always driven Wem's adventurous spirit, tugged at his thoughts. The shimmering border before him held an allure that beckoned him to explore, promising answers to questions that gnawed at his soul. What lay beyond? What secrets could this mysterious veil be hiding?

The recent devastation at the mana well, the heart of his sanctuary, fueled a yearning for understanding and a desperate desire to restore the balance that had been shattered. It was a spark of determination amidst the storm of emotions, a resolve to seek a solution, to find a way to heal wounds he had seen at the mana well before.

A part of him felt an obligation, a responsibility to uncover the truth behind the ominous border. If there was a chance to unearth knowledge that could aid in the restoration of the mana well’s fading glory, he couldn’t ignore it. But the weight of uncertainty and the fear of venturing into the unknown clawed at his mind.

With every passing moment, the magnetic pull of the border seemed to intensify, its enchanting and shifting hues captivated him, whispering to him. Wem's heart pounded in his chest, torn between the undeniable temptation of exploration and the harrowing tales that warned against it.

His breaths came in shallow, uncertain gasps as he stood on the precipice of a decision. He yearned to take a step forward, to delve into the mysteries that lay just beyond his reach. Yet, a voice, buried deep within, cautioned him against going forward, for what lay ahead, and what might happen to him? It urged him to consider the consequences, the potential peril that awaited him should he dare to venture closer.

Each passing moment stretched into an eternity, the silent battle raging within him. It took every ounce of his willpower to resist the overwhelming urge to inch closer to the border, to the questions that bounced within his head, to get answers about the unknown. His muscles tensed with the effort of holding himself back, his every instinct warring against the inexplicable pull of curiosity. He couldn’t do it, he was too scared in the moment, what with the rumors of Elnins never returning.

Wem closed his eyes, a shiver coursing through his frame, as he took a deliberate step backward, distancing himself from the border. His heart, heavy with the weight of unfulfilled curiosity and the burden of responsibility, ached with the decision made. 

It broke his heart to shy away from answers that he so desired, but safety came first. He sat down with a sigh, frustrated with himself.