Historia Dualitatum

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Somnia Nix

The harsh howl of the wind echoes loudly in the barren land, snow like velvet crushing under the rough pads of the wanderer. Silver reflects off the glistening white of the frozen substance, the Moon Mother making herself known to all who dared travel during her gift of tranquility. Suddenly, the wanderer stops, oil slick nose pointed towards the sky as they gave a tentative sniff. A low growl rumbles low in their throat as they spin around in a slashing circle, eyes narrowed harshly and lips pulled into a snarl. In response, the wolf before them simply smiled, a twinkle in her eye as if she was amused. The frigid breeze ripped passed, rustling the soft, blue-tinted bristles of her fur. The wanderer, unprepared to the sudden rush, shivers in their spot. The stranger, however, seemed to pay it no heed. Again, the strange wolf smiled.

"'Tis a lovely night, is it not?" The newcomer said after a moments pause, turning her ice-blue eyes towards the horizon, where the Moon Mother hovered in her full glory, her army of stars twinkling serenely yet threateningly behind her. This was not what the wanderer was suspecting, their lips pulling into a frown as they tilted their head in confusion. The stranger turned back towards the wanderer, a knowing look within her icy gaze.

"Tell me, what is your business here?" The white wolf inquired, seeming like an apparition in the wintery grove. At a loss for words, the wanderer stayed silent, warily watching as this strange new canine simply sat down on her haunches, bushy white tail curled serenely around her strong legs. In response, the wolf simply chuckles, her voice like bells ringing eerily in the night.

"Do you know where you are, Youth? Of the tales that reverberate through the very land?" The wolf continued with her questioning, her icy stare like a frozen ocean desperate to crack the surface. Again, the wanderer stayed silent. The aura the strange wolf gave off was friendly enough, but something about her was mysterious and, dare they say, dangerous.

"They call this land Mare Nix. The Sea of Snow," Snow began to fall in soft drops, all but disappearing within her pure white fur, "'Tis dangerous land, Mare Nix. Not many survive within its frigid surroundings. Many packs have tried, but only one has succeeded."

"Dualitatum," Both the wanderer and the strange wolf responded, the wanderer's tone as soft as satin. If possible, the twinkle within the white wolf's glacial depths increased tenfold."

"So you have heard of them. The pack that seeks equality and loyalty, especially to those thrown out by circumstance," The white wolf continued, an amused tone hidden beneath her otherwise monotonous voice.

"I have heard... but they are only legend," The wanderer responds, finally finding their voice after long minutes of searching, "They have not been heard from for nearly 1,200 moons."

The strange wolf's smile deepened further.

"Ah, that is where you are wrong, Young Wanderer," She responded in a hush, slinking closely to the wanderer, noses nearly touching. It took all the control the wanderer had to not flinch from her proximity, her crystalline eyes instilling an emotion the wanderer couldn't place, "They are very much real. As real as you and I. You only need to know where to look."

As quickly as she came, the wolf backed away, knowing and dangerous smile still playing on her pale lips. The wanderer couldn't help but to follow her with their eyes, not wanting to miss one graceful movement. 

"Now, listen closely, Young Wanderer. You are about to learn the history that no tutor can even begin to teach."

The cool silvery rays of the moon cut out, covering the snowy terrain in darkness.

"Listen closely to the Historia Dualitatum."