The Prince of Winter

"You… what have you d—" Trying to question the owl, Kaelus was silenced as it flapped its wings and silently landed atop his shoulder, nuzzling against his neck. So many questions, no answers. Kaelus had countless questions swirling in his mind, but no answers and no way to get answers, unless the owl could somehow communicate with him, which was obviously unlikely.

At least the creature isn't hunting me anymore. Kaelus thought… Wait, the creature! He shot to his feet, looking around for any sign of the creature that was attacking him. But, luckily for him, there was no creature in sight, only a small black gemstone.

A stone? Kaelus thought, eyeing the beautiful black stone resting on the ground. Unassuming at first, the more he studied the stone, the more intrigued he became. He approached it slowly, kneeling down and moving his face closer to take a good look at it.

The gemstone is pitch black, its surface smooth and glasslike, yet inside it was churning with life. Tiny motes of black spiralled within, glowing faintly with mystical radiance. It was entrancing. Ow… If not for the owl pecking at Kaelus' ear, he might've lost his sanity, staring into the depths of the ethereal gemstone forever.

"Thanks for that," he said, stroking the owl's soft feathers, appreciative that the owl saved him before it was too late. That was close, I almost lost myself. Receiving the caress, the owl hooted and began snuggling against his neck again.

Hmm, I should probably name it; I can't call it 'the owl' forever… Kaelus thought, watching the owl. Sensing his gaze, the owl looked back at him. "Do you have a name?" He questioned, to which the owl shook its head. At least I confirmed it understands me. He thought.

"Alright, I don't know how, but it's undeniable; we are connected. Also, I can't call you 'the owl' forever, so I'm going to give you a name. Do you understand?" The owl hooted in response and flew off his shoulder, landing on the floor in front of him, watching Kaelus expectantly.

*

Kaelus sat with his head in his hands, groaning as the owl looked away from him, shoulders drooped, looking… disappointed. Why doesn't she like any of the names I chose?! He thought naming the owl would be a simple task at first, after all, how hard could creating a name be?

But after introducing a few names, he could feel the owl's growing sense of dissatisfaction. He could understand not giving her a men's name since he figured out after a few tries that she was, in fact, a female.

Still, every name was rejected. I thought the last one was pretty cool too… "Haah, alright," he muttered. "This time I will give you the perfect name, I promise." The owl turned her head and looked at him, still dejected. Kaelus knew he had to get the next name perfect.

Thinking deeply, Kaelus remembered all the things that brought him some form of respite in this world. If he had to give the owl a name, he wanted it to be a symbol of the good times, not the bad.

First there was the water stream, but the creature ambushed me from there, so probably not, and I can't even think of a name that has to do with water. Looking up, Kaelus stared into the sky at the three moons illuminating the world.

Kaelus suddenly had an epiphany. He had passed out, helpless, certain he was going to die. But instead, he awoke and saw the moons, a ray of light in this world of darkness. Not to mention if it wasn't for the light of the moon, he would still be lost in the dark.

"Lunafreya." The name came instinctively, slipping from his mouth as if it had always been there, waiting to be brought to life.

The moment the name left his lips, a warmth pulsed through the invisible thread that bound them. The owl—Lunafreya—blinked, then turned around and spread her wings wide, the pale moonlight catching the edges of her feathers in a soft, silvery glow.

Kaelus felt something stir deep within him, an understanding that went beyond words. This wasn't just a name—it was recognition. A confirmation of the bond between them, sealed in the moment he had given it form.

Hoot

Lunafreya let out a quiet hoot, then flapped her wings and landed on his shoulder, her talons light against his skin. Kaelus exhaled, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "I take it you like this one?" She nuzzled against his skin, and for the first time since waking in this strange realm, Kaelus felt truly happy.

Rumble

"…" I guess I should continue on, I still need food after all. Lunafreya seemed to agree with him as she orbited his head. "Alright, alright, I'll get the gemstone, and we will go find food." Reaching over, he grabbed the gemstone, careful not to focus too intently on the swirling notes within, and stood to his feet.

Although I don't really want to hold it, I haven't exactly got a choice. "Do you want to fly, or are you going to stay on my shoulder?" Kaelus questioned, his eyes following the owl flying around him. "I fly."

"Huh?" Kaelus flinched. Am I hearing things, or did I just hear a voice in my head? "I fly." His body tensed as he spun around searching for the source of the voice, but the only thing around was Lunafreya. Wait a minute… "Lunafreya, was that you?"

Hoot

The owl moved, hooting joyfully, and hovered in front of Kaelus' eyes and nodded her small head. "…" Again, what should I not expect at this point. Sighing, Kaelus rubbed his temples before simply just walking away, heading further down the path.

"Do you think you can keep up with me if I start running?" He questioned, a smug expression on his face as he smirked at the owl. "Run!" Hearing the confirmation, Kaelus picked up his speed and started in a slow jog. "Let's see if you can keep up."

*

Kaelus lay sprawled on the cold ground, his chest rising and falling as he took in sharp, uneven breaths. His legs ached, his lungs burned, and yet he was grinning. Atop his chest, Lunafreya lay on her back, wings splayed out, her own breaths coming in soft, rapid huffs, she appeared just as exhausted as he was.

He let out a breathless laugh. "You…" Swallowing, he took a moment to catch his breath. "You're slower than I thou— Ow!" He was interrupted as Lunafreya pecked at his skin. "Sorry." Stroking her head, he continued. "You're fast… I'm just faster."

A moment of silence followed, only the sound of the wind and their laboured breaths filling the space. As Kaelus was catching his breath, he took in the vast expanse before him. Just beyond the stone path, the land opened into a great, almost endless plain, bathed in the soft silver glow of the three moons.

The grass rippled like an ocean beneath the night breeze, waves of white shifting in an unbroken movement. The air smelt fresh and pristine. There was an eerie beauty to it. A sense of freedom, but also vulnerability, as if stepping into it would mean exposing himself to some unseen danger.

And beyond the plains…

A forest.

Its trees stood like ancient sentinels, their towering forms stretching towards the heavens, their canopies a dense tangle of shadow and moonlight. The trunks are massive, their bark shimmering faintly in places, almost alive, veins of silver running through the wood like trapped starlight.

Wisps of mist clung to the canopy, weaving through the branches like spirits wandering in silence. Similar to the plains, the grass and leaves are white, a striking contrast to the dark grey of the tree's bark.

Gulp

He swallowed hard. "No matter how many times I look, it's really a beautiful but scary sight." Lunafreya landed on his shoulder, looking into the forest beyond the plains, before speaking in his mind. "Forest. Danger."

You think so as well, huh. He thought; whilst racing along the path, she seemed to have gained the intelligence to speak a few more words. Although she was not yet at a level where she could actively communicate with Kaelus, it was enough.

Getting up, careful not to disrupt Lunafreya, Kaelus stood near the end of the path. The way back did not exist in his mind, there was nothing waiting for him in the emptiness behind, no answers, no food, and no way out. Ahead beyond the plains only the unknown existed, but at least it was something. No point overthinking, just do it.

He stepped forwards, Lunafreya atop his shoulder, heading for the border separating the smooth stone path from the white grass of the plains. Each step got heavier and heavier as he advanced closer to the boundary, as if warning him of the dangers beyond.

His breathing became laboured, but it wasn't just exhaustion. The weight pressing down on him wasn't natural. The silence deepened, the gentle hum of the wind fading into nothingness. The world itself seemed to slow, the space between his steps stretching longer, his body getting sluggish, as though he were walking through water.

Lunafreya shifted on his shoulder, her feathers ruffling in unease.

"Are you alright?" Kaelus murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. Even sound felt wrong here, like it was being swallowed before it could fully form.

"Alright." Her voice in his mind was quieter than before, restrained. "The boundary does not like to be crossed."

Kaelus gritted his teeth and pushed forward. The pressure increased, wrapping around his limbs, pressing into his chest, his lungs. He forced his foot to move, then the next, determination grinding against the invisible weight. The edge of the plains was just ahead, the towering trees of the forest looming beyond it, waiting.

A little more! Hang on just a bit longer!

Blood dripped from his eyes, ears, and nose as he got so close he could practically taste the grass.

Thud!

With one final thudding step, he crossed the boundary.