Ouroboros Spine To all things housed in her silence

southwest, sólhárr said, voice low but certain, as his eyes swept the horizon beyond the lake. or to the quarry.

he did not look at her right away—he could not. not when the weight of his choice hung between them like fog, heavy and unmoving. it was not made out of ease. nor out of pride. but out of necessity.

the forest is haunted. he added, at last, glancing to her, eyes tired but resolute. after all we’ve lost.

his voice softened, though it did not waver. i will not abandon the nuiruk. nor moonglow. but i must move forward. for forneskja to live, we cannot stay where ghosts linger too close.

a pause.

ipiktok may have a future with us. we are not closing our doors. only... moving them.