Neverwinter Forest the void of a world

open to any forneskja members! tags for visibility: @Solharr @Callyope @Rokkur

stark awoke to a pale sliver of morning light creeping through the canopy, his body stiff and sore as he pulled himself upright. the hush of dawn pressed against his ears. it took him a few moments to steady his breath, each inhalation filling his nose with the heavy scent of a pack he did not know.

@Needle.

her absence struck him harder than any physical wound. she was not here—that much was clear. the panic that rose in his chest demanded he move, demanded he find her, but his limbs trembled with weakness, and the ache in his side warned him not to push too far. he forced himself to remain still, nostrils flaring as he scoured the air for some trace of her.

nothing. not even a lingering whiff.

his single eye roved across the unfamiliar surroundings, cataloging every shape and scent, searching for answers. the desire to leave boiled beneath his skin, but he couldn’t—not yet. not until he knew who had taken him in. at the very least, they were owed his thanks. as much as such a thought grated on him. slowly, he let the fear sink beneath his composure, burying it. it would do him no good—nor needle, wherever she was—to charge off half-dead. for now, he would bide his time. only when he was strong enough would he decide his next move.

though his frame was weakened from injury, his resolve stiffened his spine. he halted at the tree’s broad root, inhaling deeply, but there was no trace of needle in the cool air—no scent he recognized beyond that of strangers who had tended his wounds.