Submission (#6544) Approved

“Huh…”

A little perplexed, Greywind looked around and raised an eyebrow. It didn’t happen very often that he got lost. In fact, he was lowkey proud of his knowledge about all the different regions of Eyre - and yet… still … somehow he managed to stray too far from the path.

“How peculiar”, he muttered to himself, while the sunlight and his ember glow danced around him. He didn’t particularly mind being lost. Was he really lost? If anything, it was a new opportunity to explore these woods further and he was on the hunt anyway. Bellmori was beautiful after all.

As the golden hues of autumn painted the forest in warm tones, Greywind had set out on a tranquil day of exploration. Cinder was still in the city, together with Shimmer and the kittoms. Babysitting was not a task Greywind was enjoying very much - he preferred being out in nature, in solitude, exploring the secrets of Eyre even further. As the golden hues of autumn painted the forest in warm tones, Greywind set out on a tranquil day of exploration. And this time around he had heard rumors among the locals about an old trail, a path infused with mana, that led through secluded corners of the forest, adorned with encouraging messages from elnin who had walked the same path before him. He was curious to see where it would lead him - if he could find it, that is.
No one seemed to know exactly where this trail was, all Greywind got were different bits and pieces and hints on where to look.

When he started his journey earlier this morning, the forest was glowing with the vibrant colors of falling leaves in the morning sun, and a gentle breeze carried the sweet scent of pine and earth. Greywind wandered beneath the colorful trees, his paws crunching the fallen leaves as he ventured deeper into the sun-dappled woods. The leaves above as below created a whirlwind of reds, oranges, and yellows, casting a warm glow over the whole forest.
However, as he explored, Greywind soon found himself in the midst of a dense thicket, the original path he was on seemingly lost amid the twisting trees and shifting shadows. The path became obscured by overgrown hedges and bushes, leaving him surrounded by the captivating beauty of the autumn forest but feeling somewhat disoriented.
He took a moment to pause, his white eyes scanning the surroundings, hoping to discover a marker or sign; but he wasn’t very familiar with these woods. Most of his time he spent on the other side of Eyre.

Realizing he needed a change in perspective, Greywind climbed a moss-covered boulder that offered a glimpse above the dense thicket. From this vantage point, the autumn canopy stretched before him like an ocean, slow waves rippling through the leaves as the warm autumn wind brushed through them, allowing him to spot a subtle shift in the colors of the leaves - and finally revealing the path of the ancient trail just a bit south of him.

“There you are~” He smiled softly, while enjoying the wind on his face. His long hair danced around him and he took a few deep breaths, before he descended from the boulder and followed the subtle markers that had eluded him before.

[...]

Greywind continued his journey through the old forest, now guided by the faint traces of the old elnin trail. The path, woven with mana, called out for him, promising secrets concealed within the heart of the woods.The noble elnin, attuned to the mana-laden surroundings, picked up on the subtle energy of the trail beneath his paws and the foliage parted to further reveal the hidden path. With each step along the trail, Greywind felt a connection to the elnin who had left behind these markers. This forest was old, and the elnin started to feel all kinds of emotions. He did not expect this, but walking this trail felt humbling. The forest, once a labyrinth of uncertainty, now embraced him with the comforting embrace of familiarity that he didn’t feel before. The whispers of the trail echoed through the rustling leaves, guiding Greywind through the enchanting woodland and he stumbled upon small stones engraved with Old Eyreish, encouraging him to persevere. They were half hidden under fallen leaves, but he gently brushed those aside to read the messages.

Pleasantly surprised by that, he picked up a smooth rock himself and slowly carved his own message in modern Eyreish with his infused claws. It just felt right to leave his own mark here, and let others know that this trail was still in use and should not be so hidden away. He made some mental notes about talking to the locals again so they could update the information on this particular path, so that others may have an easier time discovering it again.

As he followed the meandering trail, Greywind noticed a shift in the atmosphere. The foliage began to part, revealing a hidden lake shimmering in the sunlight and at the edge of the lake, a small shrine emerged, bathed in the warm glow of autumn. A weathered wood sign stood at the end of the trail, bearing messages of gratitude and reverence. Some elnins had added on to the sign, small ribbons and charms, that were now peacefully swinging in the gentle breeze.
Greywind slowly approached the shrine, content, feeling the mana-infused energy that lingered around this sacred space. The atmosphere was serene, and the forest seemed to hush at this quiet sanctuary. It was a place where elnin had sought solace in the past, leaving behind tokens of gratitude and messages for those who followed and were brave enough to venture into the heart of the forest. The serene lake, the rustling leaves, and the comforting messages on the stones created an atmosphere of peace. In this hidden corner of the forest, guided by the old elnin trail, Greywind found not only a physical destination but a spiritual sanctuary that resonated deep within him and he quietly laid down near the shrine and waters to rest.