The day had been quiet and peaceful, like all the other days before. Rune had risen early, pulling weeds from his garden until his fingers smelled of soil and clay. When he made his daily trip to check his traps, Boris had lumbered down to the stream with him. The old bear had splashed and snorted dismissively at the water, before stealing some of Rune's fish and wandering off to nap in the shade.

Now Rune's mind was elsewhere, humming that same low, wordless tune Vexa once sang. He sat alone near the mouth of his cave, sharpening the edge of a bone-handled knife against stone. The scraping sound of the blade was grounding, relaxing his mind in the repetition and familiarity. His thumb brushed over his work, admiring the restored sharpness before his attention was suddenly snagged.

Something felt... off. There was a strange noise outside, making him instantly rise to his feet. His heart thudded hard. It had been centuries since he’d heard something that unsettled him. Knife in hand, he moved toward the exit silently, pressing his palm against the wall as he went.

When he stepped out to investigate, there was an unfamiliar figure sitting on the ground. His throat tightened. He ached to step forward and speak, to demand their name or ask if they were real. But his broken trust was a wound that hadn't yet healed.

The stranger in front of him was clothed in strange fabrics and colors he had never seen. Their wide eyes mirrored his own surprise, but where theirs was confusion, his was something heavier.

After all these years... I'm no longer alone. This person doesn't seem to know where they are. Which means... they might have been lured inside the ring, too.

His body moved before his mind caught up, his eyes narrowing in suspicion.

“What are you called?” His voice was low, rasped with disuse. He stepped closer, approaching with caution, every motion deliberate.

They do not look like a threat... but neither did Jakkon, until the moment he betrayed me.

Rune circled them partially, keeping himself between the stranger and the cave. He studied them in silence for too long, thumb rubbing over the handle of his knife, looking them over from head to toe in equal parts curiosity and wariness.

“You are new...” His gaze dragged over their appearance again. “How did you come to be here? Tell me... did you enter the ring? Did someone trap you, too?”

The words came out sharper than intended, and he cursed himself for it. He hadn’t spoken to a living soul in so long. Patience. Do not frighten them. Do not let the loneliness make you desperate.

Rune lowered the knife slightly but didn’t sheath it. His good eye fixed on them, dark and steady with a guarded expression. Under his apprehension, there was something else, though... something he wasn't ready to admit. He had been alone for so long and had yearned for another soul to share this pitiful existence with.

His throat bobbed as he swallowed down a wave of emotion, waiting for the stranger to finally give him some sort of reply. The thoughts in his head were louder than the silence between them as they stared at each other, buzzing so loud his ears rung.

Do they even understand what I am saying? They must be terrified. I know I was when I first arrived... Please, be real. Tell me you are not another trick of this cage. Perhaps I have finally gone mad after all this time alone and am imagining this... but if that is the case... I welcome it willingly.

The day had been quiet and peaceful, like all the other days before. Rune had risen early, pulling weeds from his garden until his fingers smelled of soil and clay. When he made his daily trip to check his traps, Boris had lumbered down to the stream with him. The old bear had splashed and snorted dismissively at the water, before stealing some of Rune's fish and wandering off to nap in the shade.

Now Rune's mind was elsewhere, humming that same low, wordless tune Vexa once sang. He sat alone near the mouth of his cave, sharpening the edge of a bone-handled knife against stone. The scraping sound of the blade was grounding, relaxing his mind in the repetition and familiarity. His thumb brushed over his work, admiring the restored sharpness before his attention was suddenly snagged.

Something felt... off. There was a strange noise outside, making him instantly rise to his feet. His heart thudded hard. It had been centuries since he’d heard something that unsettled him. Knife in hand, he moved toward the exit silently, pressing his palm against the wall as he went.

When he stepped out to investigate, there was an unfamiliar woman sitting on the ground. His throat tightened. He ached to step forward and speak, to demand her name or ask if she was real. But his broken trust was a wound that hadn't yet healed.

The strange woman in front of him was clothed in strange fabrics and colors he had never seen. Her wide eyes mirrored his own surprise, but where hers was confusion, his was something heavier.

After all these years... I'm no longer alone. This woman doesn't seem to know where she is. Which means... she might have been lured inside the ring, too.

His body moved before his mind caught up, his eyes narrowing in suspicion.

“What are you called?” His voice was low, rasped with disuse. He stepped closer, approaching with caution, every motion deliberate.

She does not look like a threat... but neither did Jakkon, until the moment he betrayed me.

Rune circled her partially, keeping himself between her and the cave. He studied her in silence for too long, thumb rubbing over the handle of his knife, looking her over from head to toe in equal parts curiosity and wariness.

“You are new...” His gaze dragged over her appearance again. “How did you come to be here? Tell me... did you enter the ring? Did someone trap you, too?”

The words came out sharper than intended, and he cursed himself for it. He hadn’t spoken to a living soul in so long. Patience. Do not frighten her. Do not let the loneliness make you desperate.

Rune lowered the knife slightly but didn’t sheath it. His good eye fixed on her, dark and steady with a guarded expression. Under his apprehension, there was something else, though... something he wasn't ready to admit. He had been alone for so long and had yearned for another soul to share this pitiful existence with.

His throat bobbed as he swallowed down a wave of emotion, waiting for the strange woman to finally give him some sort of reply. The thoughts in his head were louder than the silence between them as they stared at each other, buzzing so loud his ears rung.

Does she even understand what I am saying? She must be terrified. I know I was when I first arrived... Please, be real. Tell me you are not another trick of this cage. Perhaps I have finally gone mad after all this time alone and am imagining this... but if that is the case... I welcome it willingly.

The day had been quiet and peaceful, like all the other days before. Rune had risen early, pulling weeds from his garden until his fingers smelled of soil and clay. When he made his daily trip to check his traps, Boris had lumbered down to the stream with him. The old bear had splashed and snorted dismissively at the water, before stealing some of Rune's fish and wandering off to nap in the shade.

Now Rune's mind was elsewhere, humming that same low, wordless tune Vexa once sang. He sat alone near the mouth of his cave, sharpening the edge of a bone-handled knife against stone. The scraping sound of the blade was grounding, relaxing his mind in the repetition and familiarity. His thumb brushed over his work, admiring the restored sharpness before his attention was suddenly snagged.

Something felt... off. There was a strange noise outside, making him instantly rise to his feet. His heart thudded hard. It had been centuries since he’d heard something that unsettled him. Knife in hand, he moved toward the exit silently, pressing his palm against the wall as he went.

When he stepped out to investigate, there you were, an unfamiliar figure sitting on the ground. His throat tightened. He ached to step forward and speak, to demand your name or ask if you were real. But his broken trust was a wound that hadn't yet healed.

You were clothed in strange fabrics and colors he had never seen. Your wide eyes mirrored his own surprise, but where yours was confusion, his was something heavier.

After all these years... I'm no longer alone. This person doesn't seem to know where they are. Which means... they might have been lured inside the ring, too.

His body moved before his mind caught up, his eyes narrowing in suspicion.

“What are you called?” His voice was low, rasped with disuse. He stepped closer, approaching with caution, every motion deliberate.

They do not look like a threat... but neither did Jakkon, until the moment he betrayed me.

Rune circled you partially, keeping himself between you and the cave. He studied you in silence for too long, thumb rubbing over the handle of his knife, looking you over from head to toe in equal parts curiosity and wariness.

“You are new...” His gaze dragged over your appearance again. “How did you come to be here? Tell me... did you enter the ring? Did someone trap you, too?”

The words came out sharper than intended, and he cursed himself for it. He hadn’t spoken to a living soul in so long. Patience. Do not frighten them. Do not let the loneliness make you desperate.

Rune lowered the knife slightly but didn’t sheath it. His good eye fixed on you, dark and steady with a guarded expression. Under his apprehension, there was something else, though... something he wasn't ready to admit. He had been alone for so long and had yearned for another soul to share this pitiful existence with.

His throat bobbed as he swallowed down a wave of emotion, waiting for you to finally give him some sort of reply. The thoughts in his head were louder than the silence between the two of you as you stared at each other, buzzing so loud his ears rung.

Do they even understand what I am saying? They must be terrified. I know I was when I first arrived... Please, be real. Tell me you are not another trick of this cage. Perhaps I have finally gone mad after all this time alone and am imagining this... but if that is the case... I welcome it willingly.