The Sentinels Save what has been lost

Photo by Sebastian Unrau on Unsplash

She could feel it, deep in her bones. It was here, she just knew it.

With the cliff at their backs and many guardians and bushes to buffer, the pair had come upon what could only be described as pure potential and promise. The tall sentinels were scattered about, but there were some large enough where dens could possibly be dug out, even some fallen trees and large rocks could serve the same purpose. Moss grew in abundance along the trunks of the trees, while also creating natural circular shapes along the forest floor, almost as if they knew of the possibility that some day someone would make this place their home.

The brook from when the two first met was not far, she could still hear its bubbly laughter. A good source for drinking water, she thought.

@Kirain, look. She stepped out of the lily's path so she may have an unfettered look at what nature has provided for them.

Solenya… it’s perfect! Kirain breathed, her voice filled with warmth and eager wonder.

Without waiting for the lupine’s reply, she surged forward, unable to contain her excitement. There was so much to take in, so much to admire. She lowered her nose to the earth, drawing in the rich, layered scents of the clearing, the soil, the moss, the faint traces of passing creatures.

She moved with purpose and joy, trotting to the trees to gauge their height, assessing their strength and the shelter they might offer. Her paws pressed into the mossy ground as she tested its softness, letting the textures guide her sense of place.

It was beautiful.

It was untouched, alive, right.

And in that moment, as the pull of the place settled into her chest, Kirain felt it fully: this wasn’t just a clearing.

It was home.

A brilliant smile lit her face as she turned back to Solenya, her eyes alight with emotion.

Solenya could not hold back her amusement, her laugh twinkling in the lily's wake. The joy radiated from her friend, bright and vibrant, and the lupine knew--this was absolutely, without a doubt, where they were meant to bloom. She could see it now: children dancing on the moss, newcomers with their chosen soulblooms touring their new home, elders sitting at their dens yelling with feigned annoyance at other, but deep down were enjoying what life offered the whole of the Viridian Sanctum.

Yes, Kirain. We are home. Trotting to join her, Solenya surveyed their surroundings a little closer, eyes roving over different areas, ideas forming.

Much, much to do, my lily. We must first decide where the dens will be and start the process of digging them out. She eyed the trees and those that have already fallen small hills, then some rock formations, and even an amalgamation of trees and rocks upon a small hill that seemed to catch her eye more than other possible places. 

She felt its pull and began making her way over to the area, looking it over once upon it. She nodded, more to herself than Kirain, deciding this was hers. Turning, she nodded to Kirain, giving her leave to do what she must to find one herself. Then, they would dig out more dens in that area.

It was a perfect start.

Home.
A word Kirain had chased for so long, now materialized before her like a long-lost dream. Tears welled in her eyes unbidden, threatening to spill. It was so beautiful. So peaceful. For several moments, she simply stood there, taking it all in, this place that stirred something deep in her soul.

She drew in a breath, slow and steady, committing the scent to memory. Soon, it would become a comfort, a reminder of safety and belonging.

When Solenya mentioned dens, Kirain’s ears perked. She had known many temporary shelters, fleeting and fragile, such was the way of a nomad. But to have something hers, a space to root herself into the earth... The thought alone filled her chest with joy.

Her gaze wandered, searching, until it settled on a large tree standing quietly among the others. Its base was marked with old fire scars, more pronounced than those of its neighbors. Yet it stood tall, defiant. Surviving. Healing.

Something in her shifted. She felt the pull.

Stepping closer, she took in the moss that clung to the bark, the lines of blackened wood like old stories etched in time. It was imperfect. Damaged. Just like her.

Slowly, reverently, she raised a paw and placed it against the gnarled root. A quiet gesture. A vow.

Yes, she thought. This one.

Her gaze had followed the lily as she watched her silently, her breath slow and steady. There was emotion on the wind, she felt it deep within her stir something so solid and ancient; it was as if the forest was alive and celebrating what was happening here, and her soul rejoiced with it. As soon as she saw the claiming paw against the trunk, she turned to her own prospect. 

Photo by Edi Bouazza on Unsplash

She remained at the base of the small hill, looking up at the formation. Though the rocks had formed its own opening, she would need to work at widening it a little more, and until she climbed the rocky steps, she couldn't tell what needed to be done on the inside. For now, she worked her way up, and her paws dug into the soil, working quickly. Once widened enough, she sat, pleased with her work, albeit a little worn. A deep breath was taken, let out in a whoosh before she bounded down towards Kirain.

Once you're finished there, let's work on some dens for when others join. They will need a place to lay their heads until they decide if staying is what their heart and soul desires. We will take them to the cliff for their soulbloom ceremony and they may choose their own den, or keep the one given to them. She nodded curtly, as if agreeing with herself. 

Wasting no time, Kirain set to work, digging out a hollow beneath the roots of the scarred tree. The space was ideal, ample room for a proper den to take shape, and her heart swelled with joy as she toiled, each scoop of dirt a labor of love.

She was still clearing debris, nose dusted in soil, when Solenya bounded over to her. Kirain paused, turning toward the lupine with a bright grin stretched across her dirt-smeared muzzle.

Yes! Definitely room for more dens, she said, breathless but beaming. You could start by marking the spots that need clearing? Once I finish up here, I can help with the rest.

Excitement stirred in her chest, warm, humming, alive. A future was forming before them, and she was ready to shape it with her own two paws.

Perfect. I’ll see you in a bit. 

Solenya trotted off, pausing in spots where the ground was slightly raised, just enough to dig fine dens, marking them with a quick dig of her back paws.

She started on one, humming as she worked. They were going to be so worked down to the bone. A quick dip in the brook will be needed when they were finished.

When Kirain joins her, there was an idea she wanted to discuss with her.

Taking her time, she carefully carved out the space she had envisioned, then paused to take it all in. Her tail wagged freely as she stepped back, surveying the work. There was still much to be done, but the foundation had been laid, the structure taking shape just as she’d imagined.

Satisfied, for now, Kirain turned her gaze toward the other dens. With renewed energy, she moved to join Solenya, selecting another marked site and diving eagerly into the work. So eager was she, in fact, that the looming exhaustion awaiting them never once crossed her mind. All she could see was progress, possibility, hope. And for the moment, that was enough.

After some time, the pair finally dug out the dens and stopped to rest. Solenya had suggested the brook, and after carefully making her way, she laid by the water, head between her paws.

You know, Kirain, I was thinking we should do something to mark our dens somehow. What do you think?

The brook was a welcome reprieve from the relentless work of digging dens. With a contented sigh, Kirain flopped down at its edge, dipping a paw into the flowing water. The cool current rushed over her aching limbs, bringing immediate relief. The gentle murmur of the stream wrapped around her like a lullaby, easing the tension from her frame as she rested beside Solenya.

Hm? Mark our dens? she echoed, turning her head lazily toward her companion. How would we do that? I mean, our scents will be there… won’t that be enough?

The lily was right. Scents should be enough to mark their dens. But still, Solenya wanted more, something tangible. She thought of her old home in Hidden Valley, where lupine flowers would always signal that she was arriving home, that it was just around the bend. It was a nice touch, one that she hoped to continue here.

She finally responded, Our soulblooms. Wouldn't it be just beautiful to have them planted at our den entrances? Imagine: our souls for all to see, to smell, to admire. They are who we are, are they not?

Soulblooms? To mark our home? Kirain’s heart warmed at the thought, and she smiled gently at Solenya. That’s a beautiful idea. Just imagine, each soulbloom unique, a reflection of the Viridian Sanctum’s growth. Taking root… blooming… Her voice trailed off, caught in the vision.

She imagined wandering beneath the canopy, greeted by a riot of colors and sweet, mingled scents. It would be more than just a sanctuary, it would feel like home. A home shaped by them, and for them.

Going to fade here! <3

Solenya lazily hummed her agreement as she listened. When the girl’s words trailed off, the lupine’s own thoughts began to wander. They floated on the wind like dandelion seeds—soft and light. And no sooner had they taken flight than her eyes slowly closed, her breathing easing into steady rhythm.

Her dreams were filled with blossoming flowers, howls building into defeaning crescendos, figures dancing and singing around the feet of giants.