Araceli | Female | Sun Tribe | Priestess |
Location: Sun City | Mentions: Dipita [direct], Spiro & Kirtonos [indirect]

The soft sift and hiss of the sand accompanied the otherwise serene and silent priestess as she journeyed through the buried city of her tribe, her graceful gait never halting or stumbling as she crossed paths with others, giving them a tender smile before continuing on her way. A gentle presence, despite the warring nature of the god she worshiped. Despite the war they waged upon the Followers of Aibek.

With her, she carried a smokey, aromatic scent and the delicate sound of wind chimes, prompted by the thin, golden hued piercings that dangled from her ears. The sounds of the tribe soothed her, made her believe all was well, despite the war and the drought. The hustle and bustle of the artisans, the rallying of the warriors, and the solid physiques of the scouts setting out. It really all gave the appearance of peace. How wrong it was. It felt almost like a shoddy masquerade. Perhaps if it looked alright, she could act like it was.

Clicking her tongue silently, she turned her mind to the supplies the tribe was supposed to be delivered today. The thought eased some internal suffering. Perhaps Kirtonos had already gone to gather it. Or perhaps another, with a greater need for it. Araceli knew it had come regardless. Eden was nothing if not punctual. It was something she liked about the Earth leader. Celestial blue and copper eyes searched and searched… and found what they sought. Dipita, tugging a Murk beast towards her own destination. Speeding up into a fluidic trot, she caught up with the tall, angular lass. “You’ve beaten me to it, it seems,” she said in way of greeting, a smile brightening the silken’s mien. “How do you fare?” She asked kindly, bracing herself for the female’s fiery whip of a tongue, despite her own friendly disposition.

Spiro | 4 Years | Male | Sun | Leader
Location: Sun City | Mentions: Dipita, Araceli, Kirtonos / Eden (Indirectly)

Golden orbs peered from the darkness of the church, crouched in shadow as the outline of the sun appeared on the horizon. The day would soon grow unbearably hot, worsened by unending drought. He sent a silent prayer to Elio, pleading his intervention. How much longer could they survive on borrowed water? How much longer would he be at Eden’s mercy? He was indebted to her now and the notion made him sneer. Spiro loathed the thought of owing another dog a single thing. A familiar bellow drew his thoughts back to the city below, bustling with activity as the craftsman prepared the market.

Rising to his paws, Spiro descended the stone steps as Dipita and Araceli rose toward him, the former’s teeth clutching the reigns of their water bearers. His eyes cast behind them, expecting more, but only Kirtono’s dark form appeared behind the large cervids. “Only three?” He asked, his trepidation thinly veiled. His eyes lifted to the Spirit Raven perched atop the leading deer’s antlers, head tilting in an agitated manner as he awaited an explanation. It clearly had some message to relay if it were here at all.

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Aquila | 4 Years | Male | Moon | Priest
Location: Moon Tribe Fortress | Mentions: None, Open / Cygnus (Indirectly)

“The night is dark and full of terrors, yet by the grace of Aibek we wake to greet each new day,” Aquilia’s voice carried across the fortress, echoes reverberating off the stone walls and reaching the ears of every dog who remained within the ruins they called home. “The serpent’s poison has not tainted us, and the lion’s claw has yet to silence us. Have faith brothers and sisters. As Elio and his followers rage war against us Aibek works against him, their beak sharpened and talons at the ready. They will never abandon us, so long as we believe.”

A smile graced his muzzle, gentle honey-colored eyes brimming with warmth and encouragement for his troubled tribemates. He hoped they would take his sermon to heart, and that it would bring them some peace of mind as they began readying themselves for the day’s tasks. Slipping from his perch, a large block of stone risen above the floor, he leaped down to ground level with minimal effort. The first face he sought was the freckled visage of his sister, but Cygnus was nowhere to be found. Gone already it seemed, seeking solitude in the mountain’s craggy paths. No matter. He would catch up with her another time.

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Polaris | 6 Years | Female | Loner
Location: Desert | Mentions: None, Open

’Rest.’

The word bounced inside her brain, a repeated mantra she continuously ignored despite the voice’s growing insistence. “I will rest when I’m dead,” Polaris replied flatly, her vision blurring as she forced herself forward. The night offered a brief respite from the sweltering heat that weighed on her limbs during the day, leaving the hound overheated and disoriented, yet the chilling bite was just as bad if not worse, cutting through her sleek coat down to the bone. She wasn’t meant to retain warmth, most of it lost through her comically large ears. This land was a curse, but it was her prison now. She must make the best of it.

Something slithered in the darkness, glossy dark scales glinting under the light of the rising sun. Polaris’ amber gaze narrowed, zeroing in on the beast as it coiled around her. “You are not real,” she stated factually, continuing her trek.

“Aren’t I?” The serpent hissed, his silky timbre ringing through her ears. “When will you see the truth? I am the one god. The true god. The only one who can free you from this suffering. Will you not submit?”

“I will not,” Polaris confirmed. “Be gone Nagaraj.” As if on command the snake burst into flame, disappearing seconds later in puffs of smoke. Polaris watched as it spiraled into the sky, feeling satisfied. Delusions of the gods were always the easiest to see through. They were nothing more than stories. Tales dogs made up to explain the world around them and give them something to believe in. She could see through the lies, the fairytales. They were not real. They were never real.

With an abrupt lurch, the Ibizan tumbled forward, landing in a clumsy heap with a grunt. Specklings of sand showered over her frail form and for a moment Polaris could do little more than lay curled on her side. Perhaps it would be easier to sleep. To give up and forget this world, but she was nothing if not tenacious. Crawling through the dirt with all the elegance of a worm, she found the strength to return to her paws, shakily continuing her aimless wandering.

Araceli | Female | Sun Tribe | Priestess |
Location: Sun City | Mentions: Spiro [directly], Dipita[indirect]

Araceli exhaled slowly, her eyes resting on the path ahead, falling into silence. The shaman’s behavior was normal, for Dipita, anyway. Araceli could never remember her acting any differently, but she never saw the harm in trying anyway. They both helped make up the backbone of the tribe, along with Kirtonos, so she just couldn’t see why Dipita found it so hard to even be in her vicinity.

Araceli silently bowed her head to the leader, noticing the look of trepidation. After all, she shared it. The dread had blossomed in her chest the past couple of days and festered like some disease. Of course, ever the faithful devotee, she kept her mouth shut, her head high, and words pleasant. It was a dread that grew to infest her eyes. The words of the snowy raven set an ache upon her heart. The Earth leader meant well, and was doing her best to supply the tribe in the drought. The blame had nowhere else to go but inward.

Backing away from the Murk beasts, she moved towards Spiro, her expression tender and understanding, and she willed the sparkle of determination into her eyes. “Worry not, Spiro. Elio will be pleased soon, I’m sure of it.” Her voice dipped low, her tones feather-light in an effort to soothe. “I have a sermon prepared. Our praises will spur Elio into action.” There was no doubt in her words. Araceli had ripped doubt from her words, from her voice, like it was nothing more than a weed. Despite her calm resolution, her tongue tasted of sugary rot. Every word out of her mouth always felt like a lie now.

Asra | Female | Earth Tribe | Warrior |
Location: Earth Market | Mentions: Eden [directly]

Greenery swished about the female as she strode about, listening to the tribe beginning to come to life within the tunnels as she made her rounds above ground, doing a scouts sweep when she noticed the lack of them doing their duty. Her eyes were alive with a lambent glow, her posture strict and professional as she patrolled, simultaneously seeking Eden. Asra had noticed that their beautiful beasts were already taken to what she could only assume to be the Sun Tribe. The thought made her gaze narrow. The warrior could only hope they made it to their destination safely.

Spotting a deer-like figure bounding towards the fortress, she perked up and strolled forth on streamlined limbs, her pace quick and lively. “Eden,” she greeted, dipping her head respectfully, her voice holding a tinge of softness to it that was otherwise uncharacteristic for her. Asra knew, from hearing the female talk, that she had a hard time with anything experiencing pain or hardship. While Asra herself found the struggle to be naive and childlike, she couldn’t stop the feeling of admiration that roared despite the inner criticizing. “Did you send the delivery already?” She questioned, head tilting. “I went to help you, but…” Their herd was weak with the sacrifice of the best stag. Three of their beasts being sent off wouldn’t help it in regaining its strength. Especially if they didn’t return.

She turned, as to continue walking, letting the female lead her if that was her wish. Asra wished the leader would simply take a warrior or two with them to the border. And she said as such. “I wish you would take some of us with you. It wouldn’t be a bother on any of us, and I don’t want Sun Tribe to pull something on you.” The Sun Tribe and their constant belligerent behavior was always something to worry about. Eden wouldn’t last a second, and it drove her up a wall. Several walls, to be exact.

Bailey | Sun Tribe | Warrior | Location: Outskirts of Sun City | Mentions: Shiro, Dipita, Araclei, Kirtonos

The female's head lay gently against the trampled ground and her chest heaved with exhaustion as she tried to catch her breath. Her previous sprint had lasted nearly half a mile as she weaved meticulously between sparse stone structures. The outer rim of the city was hardly active this time of day, but was making itself home to a handful of Desert Monitor younglings who enjoyed mindlessly scavenging the sandy streets. Of course, at their usual size Desert Monitors were commendable opponents, but with the babies’ small scaly frames reaching barely the size of a paw it seemed they were more of a nuisance. Thankfully, the sight of a dog had sent the little reptiles scampering back off into the desert, hopefully headed back to their burrows.

But, now with her face resting on the hardened sand, and her morning responsibilities handled, she was keen for another task. Upon hearing a thundering noise echoing in her ears her energy was replenished, the pale furred canine once sprinted off. The smell of Murk Deer filled her nostrils, as did the sight of a handful of the creatures adorned with leather sacks of water from their allies in the Earth Tribe. She thought momentarily what one would taste like before scolding herself mentally for letting the more feral side of her think such a thing. She was a civilized animal, not some common coyote like her ancestors. Thrusting the thought to the back of her mind she wandered up to the small group of canines gathering. Recognizing the pelts of her tribemates Bailey decided to approach. While gently shaking off her sand covered pelt the female announced herself,

”Greetings all! It’s a fine day in the desert, isn’t it?’ She joked dryly and then continued, ”I see the Murk Deer have arrived... When they’re done distributing water will they be needing escorts back to the Earth Border or are these some of the kind that know their own way?” She questioned honestly, accompanying the query with a head tilt. It would seem such a shame to get rid of the useful animals so soon, but they did have their own Arid Camels for this kind of work, after all, and there was no need to rely on other tribes when they can handle themselves.

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Finn | Moon Tribe | Craftsman | Location: Moon Tribe Fortress | Mentions: OPEN

The mottled red and white dog wandered aimlessly out of his makeshift den, he stretched slowly, his young muscles easily warming up for the day. Although within the Fortress’ structure there were many comfortable places to rest, he always ended up choosing to sleep under the same ancient slab of crumbled stone that rested near the base of the fortress instead. It was large enough that no high ranking dog had ordered it moved, but out of the way in a fashion that ensured it would never be much of a nuisance to the rest of the tribe. Inside he could only move a few body-lengths, but considering that it was nothing more than a storage place for him and his creations this didn't matter.

Like each morning, Finn trotted cheerily up the imposing steps, dragging behind him a hefty pouch of goods. He hummed to himself quietly, and nodded politely in greeting as a few other dogs passed by him. Finn struggled momentarily on the last step, he had to awkwardly wiggle his bag off of a piece of jagged stone before finally reaching his destination.

A clearing on the side of a main pathway through the fortress was an optimal place to set up his shop, and a familiar one to him and his customers. Of course, the Earth Tribe’s market would be the best place for him to make a profit, but all he had on him today were mainly pre-ordered accessories and simple pouches for his own tribemates. Setting his materials on the ground, Finn laid down formally, scanning the fortress' occupants. He raised his voice to a conversational level and yipped out short advertisements to his tribemates.

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Aspen | Earth Tribe | Second In Command | Location: Earth Tribe Territory | Mentions: Asra, Eden

The stocky tan male padded through the complex tunnels. His paws grappled against some loose dirt, and Aspen easily concluded that he wasn't the first one awake... although activity was at a lull in this moment. Taking the relaxing opportunity Aspen took a sharp left and exited the tunnel system into the forest.

He squinted slightly at the sudden light change, and pulled a deep breath of fresh air into his lungs. The forest always seemed much more alive than the tunnels. Sitting at the entrance and exit of a smaller branch of the tunnels the male took up a momentary watch.

His attention was quickly dragged away from the uneventful scenery when he noticed the familiar pelts of his tribemates. Seamlessly, he blended himself into their personal bubbles, allowing his deep voice to politely cut into their conversation.

"Asra you're absolutely right," he agreed, "Our fearless leader needs to learn some self-preservation skills," he added in a joking tone. "Especially with so many Sun Tribe dogs involved. We may be giving them water now, but once their oases return they might not feel so appreciative."

Spiro | 4 Years | Male | Sun Leader
Location: Sun City | Mentions: Dipita, Araceli, Kirtonos, Bailey (Directly) / Eden (Indirectly)

The strain between Dipita and Araceli hadn’t gone unnoticed, but the shaman did have certain tendencies, her frosty disposition failing to shock him. Regardless, the matter of their dwindling water supply was of more importance to him than any quarrel between the females. If something were amiss he would leave them to sort it out amongst themselves. For now, he only had eyes for the raven, intense golden irises never leaving its snow colored form. Spiro expected the excuse he received before the words tumbled out of the bird's beak. Eden’s herd was weak and she could not afford to risk lives.

The notion of a damn deer being worth more than his tribemates prompted his teeth to grit, dark lips pulling back into a sneer. Fury surged beneath his pelt hot and furious as a wildfire and it appeared Spiro's dismay was shared by his fellowship. Dread flowed from Araceli’s eyes like a stream flooding it’s banks, Dipita’s face expressed her perturbation and Kirtonos was bold enough to voice his own in a hushed tone. The raven was wise to retreat to their perch, temptation to seize it in his jaws and shake until all life was gone from it swarming his brain.

Araceli’s gently uttered comforts quieted his temper, a deep breath drawn in and eyes closing momentarily before settling once more on the raven. “Thank your master for her charity. Sun Tribe is truly grateful,” he replied courteously, though his voice dripped with derision. Head swinging back toward his priestess, he merely nodded, expression growing dull as she spoke of sermons and Elio’s appeasement. “Get on with it then. Soothe Elio’s wrath with that clever tongue of yours.”

Despite the lack of niceties, his voice held no malice and a brief glimmer of affection flashed in his eyes before he turned to address Kirt and Bailey, the white warrior seeing fit to invite herself into the conversation and volunteer her services. His gaze was critical and sharp as it passed over her, a silent reminder to remember her place before he nodded his concession. “Allow them a moment of rest and then take them. Don’t rush the beasts or nip at their heels. Elio knows I won’t hear the end of it if one of them should perish. All three of them are to return in one piece.”

He stared at Kirtonos sternly, but his faith in him was resolute. Spiro hadn’t been keen on choosing a former outsider as his second. Ordinarily, he would have picked an older, wiser warrior born into Sun Tribe as his greatest advisor, but the ghostly hound refused to give any of the dogs who disposed of his mother that much power. It was entirely of spite that led to his choosing the shadow-furred male. The decision ended up not being one he would regret. Thus far, the wolfdog had yet to fail his expectations.

As Kirt inquired if he would send a message he shook his head. “Only what I’ve told the raven. You’re dismissed.”

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Polaris | 6 Years | Female | Loner
Location: Desert | Mentions: Caspian (Directly) / Kite (Indirectly)

'Lost?'

Polaris’ irregular paw steps faltered, her head swiveling toward Caspian in an unnervingly slow motion. “Lost,” she repeated thoughtfully, amber gaze taking in the newcomer’s wilting appearance. The stranger was an odd looking thing, his tightly coiled fur laden with sand, and coarse jute fabric hiding his face. “No. Are you?”

Dogs didn’t often wander this far into the desert. Not of their own violation. She lurched toward Caspian with unsteady steps, her rosy nose diving into his curls. The scent he carried crossed her as authentic. Her eyes squinted, still unconvinced he wasn’t another mirage. They had tricked her before. Perhaps it didn’t matter. Isolation could be wearying. She would be glad for the conversation, real or not.

“The nearest settlement? That would be Sun City. I am not welcome there,” Polaris growled, bat-like ears pulling back against her narrow skull and teeth baring in offense. “You’ve come to taunt me, haven’t you? Who sent you?” The accusation hung in the air, rage radiating from her ravaged frame. She looked poised to strike, readying her legs to spring at the hapless male when a new thought slithered from the recesses of her mind.

If this dog were real and knew the way, he could lead her anywhere. To the forest...or the mountains. “If you are to take me anywhere take me to Moon. Bring me to Kite,” she spoke abruptly, abandoning her previous posture. The Moon Kingdom’s leader would know who she was within an instant of setting eyes on her. In the past it was a fact she dreaded, it was why she accepted her banishment. Polaris refused to compromise her dignity by crawling to another tribe pleading refuge. Now though? Now things had changed.

“Beautiful, spiteful Kite. She worships the raven, but moves like a serpent, her teeth plunging deep, her tongue lashing hard as a whip,” she murmured, eyes looking past Caspian as if not seeing him at all. She could imagine herself standing on the steps of the fortress, waiting for her old enemy’s judgment. Surely kind, gentle Kite couldn’t turn away a poor wretch like her?

“A proper foe, one worth my animus. Yes, I really must see Kite,” she continued to ramble, her gaze, at last, resettling on Caspain. “Will you show me the way?”

Araceli | Female | Sun Tribe | Priestess |
Location: Sun City | Mentions: Spiro, Kirtonos, Bailey

The ethereal canine nodded to Spiro’s command, an affectionate smile twitching at the edges of her jowls. Spiro, in all his devastating godlike fury, had been a good friend to her these years. Providing inspiration for her sermons and comfort where no one else could soothe her, and she hoped she had the same effect with the proud canine. Araceli glanced over at Bailey, who she had heard to be a decent warrior, and offered her a tentative smile before her eyes slid over to the handsome, wolfish shepherd of a second-in-command, listening to him speak.

Once everyone was finished with their briefing and questions, she rose seamlessly, her movements nothing more than a serpent’s glide across the sands, and offered them all a smile that gleamed with the climbing sun, giving her a saintly glow. “And with that, I must be off. Feel free to join the service and offer your praises in hopes that this drought might end.” Araceli gave a slight dip of her head, her delicate piercings chiming with her smooth gestures. Standing upon streamlined, lengthy limbs, she moved with a regal grace towards the usual place of gathering, away from the leader’s church and towards the common folk of the tribe. She always thought it felt more… personal. The closeness. The willingness of their priestess to go to them, rather than them going to her.

Araceli gazed about at the gathering dogs who awaited her usual sermon. Impassive eyes hid the tumult beneath. Did she deserve to be doing this? To be posing as their resolute priestess? The one who believes in the power of Elio? She supposed it didn’t matter. She was the only one who could do this. Araceli took a deep breath before she strode towards her destination, a building with slopes of sand leading up the sides. Leaping, she made it to her mark, sylph-like body landing elegantly upon the roof of the building. Celestial eyes gazed out over her people, those depending on her words. Slowly, carefully, words began to form.

“As our mighty God begins His ascension, we gather to raise our praises to fill the sky, greeting Him on this day. Behold the golden light He gifts us. Every day He blesses us with warmth, granting us prosperity and strength to continue to the next day!”

Araceli’s paws, placed firmly upon a lifted mass, placed her just in front of the rising sun, the rays illuminating the curves of her body and her elevated head, which was lifted as if to bask in the warmth she spoke of, even though the ground was blurred by waves of heat. Always a lover of the dramatic, she stood elegantly, with the sun cresting just over the apex of her cranium, as if the rays were crowning her.

“Our mighty Lion God blesses us with strength in this war against the pathetic light of Aibek and their petulant children. Like Elio Himself once did, we will ignite our enemies! Win the battle and win the War! We will survive as our mighty God has, with strength and tireless energy!”

Her voice raised to the sky, unfurling in emotion like an eagle's wings, a strong-willed energy swelling behind her words, mellifluous vocals growing rough and firm with passion. Gone was the sweet, serene tones and tender expression. On her countenance raged a face of war and its deeply buried sorrows. A loving lass transformed into a flaming phoenix, copper-hinted eyes alight with emotion. And, as the sun lifted past the crest of her shoulders and above her head, her voice softened and words of love returned to her, pouring generously from her maw, before she fell completely into silence, dipping her head to offer a prayer all her own.

Slowly, she lifted her head once more, looking upon those gathered with an air of composure and regality. “Let our praises be weak no more. This drought makes us weak, and we refuse weakness, as He does.” She stayed there upon her pedestal, waiting until the last of her listeners had departed, with only the sound of murmuring of prayers and the sound of delicate wind chimes that sounded with each stale breeze that brushed through her fur.

Asra | Female | Earth Tribe | Warrior |
Location: Earth Fortress | Mentions: Eden, Aspen [directly]

Asra nodded slowly, worried about the rich sorrow that coated her words like a sickly sweet honey. Their weak state and the sacrifice had put a blooming kernel of sorrow within her too, but felt as if she was unworthy of expressing such emotion. After all, she was birthed by a loner, not one of the Earth Tribe. “They will grow strong once more, Eden. They always do. Resilient things, they are. Like all of Alira’s creations.”

Asra nearly sighed, exasperated. Eden was too compassionate for her own good. And she expected everyone to be the same. Cute, but not exactly… efficient. Fixing her eyes upon the leader — after offering Aspen a respectful dip of her head and reclaiming a more comfortable distance from the male she lacked a solid friendship with— and frowned slightly. “Eden, with all due respect, you cannot expect a bloodlusting tribe to be kind. I doubt they think of you as some kind-hearted soul ready to deliver them from Nagaraj’s wicked fangs. They will see it as a debt needing to be paid, and if they don’t want to pay that debt—” The female broke off willingly, sighing aloud this time. “Your kindness is admirable. Your love for life is captivating and rare. But please, do take heed.”

Her lambent amber and moss mosaic eyes flickered to Aspen’s, grateful to have the second at her back. She worried for the kind-hearted, benevolent leader of theirs, often excessively. The female was great for community, yet seemed to lack knowledge of how… desperation worked. And if the Sun Tribe was desperate enough… Asra didn’t have time to finish that thought. A raven, descending upon them dutifully, nearly startled her. Asra stared at it blankly, puzzlement hidden behind her usual stoic mask. “Were you expecting a message, dear leader?”

Aquila | 4 Years | Male | Moon Priest
Location: Moon Tribe Fortress | Mentions: Kite

Kite’s approach saw him rise to his paws again, dipping his head in respect to the feather-cloaked leader. As she spoke of dreams he felt a surge of excitement. It was rare for their God to speak directly to any dog beyond his sister, but perhaps Aibek had graced their leader with a sign? He doubted she would so desperately seek his council otherwise. “Of course. Come, let us go to a place where we won’t be overheard,” he suggested, leading her deeper into the fortress and away from prying ears.

Within minutes they arrived at his quarters. The room wasn’t especially large. Aquila was a dog of the people, after all. He did not spend his days hoarding wealth. Part of the ceiling had crumbled away, revealing the sky, but what remained offered plenty of shelter from the elements on a peaceful night and Aquila enjoyed seeing the stars as his consciousness slipped away. A nest of thick black fur lay situated in a corner, the pelt of a dread bear. He looked upon it with a certain smugness. He’d delivered the killing bite himself on that terrible beast, ending its terror against the pack.

He’d kept many a trophy from that slaying, in fact. A bear tooth hanging from a chain dangling at his throat, the entire skull itself hanging from a wall. A bit morbid for a priest, perhaps, but why shouldn’t he take pride in smiting a dog killer? Other artifacts lay scattered across the room in what could only be considered cluttered organization. Some were mere trinkets, others like the dreamcatchers made from spirit raven feathers and chimes embedded with moonstones held clear religious significance. Sitting down in a corner, he motioned for Kite to settle wherever she pleased with a paw before gazing at her encouragingly. “What’s troubling you?”

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Polaris | 6 Years | Female | Loner
Location: Desert | Mentions: Caspian

The stranger insisting he wasn’t from Sun Tribe crossed her as suspicious, amber eyes narrowing. Polaris’ nose twitched as she drew in another breath. He carried the same scent all desert-dwelling dogs came to procure, of scorched sand and baking fur, but followers of Elio always carried an underlying aroma, something that set them apart. This dog didn’t have it, and neither did she now, she realized. “Very well,” she conceded, accepting his apology. “Forgive me, traveller, my time among the sun dogs didn’t end well.”

“I’ll fair better with Moon, yes. The enemy of my enemy is my friend, as they say,” she muttered, her tail spiraling in a slow wag. “What way then?” she urged, ignoring the exhaustion tugging at her limbs. “I’ve been trapped inside this giant sandbox for moons, too many to count. I once knew it like the back of my paw, but now...now my mind plays tricks. I was cursed to roam this hell until the end of my days before you came along.”