Aleksandr woke up early the next morning and headed straight for the woods. Taryn insisted that Raine stay home and help Ila with the chores, so it was a solo hunt today. Not that he entirely minded as sometimes he enjoyed being alone. The first thing he had noticed was the bitter chill in the air that colored his face. He pulled his navy-blue cloak over his head and decided to try and find some more herbs for his mother. After foraging he would set out in search of game.

Aleksandr walked towards the river and followed it east. He found the bush which grows leaves that contain medicinal properties. “If only it didn’t taste like tree bark. “He thought. Aleksandr crouched down and used his hand to uncover the plant. He snapped the branch from the bush and carefully placed it in his sack. Aleksandr sighed as he stood and headed father into the forest. He climbed up the hill and spotted the village. Aleksandr watched the smoke exiting the rooftops and listened to the crow of the rooster as dawn approached. He cast the village one more glance before disappearing behind the trees.

Close to the village there was another person in the forest that morning. Vitalani, the goddess of life. She had decided to check on the progress of winter in the country of Auroran. Despite Atara’s insistence that there were acolytes who took care of such things, Vitalani never felt more connected to the planet than when she could see it with her own eyes. Like one massive heart beating, she could feel the planet and all its inhabitants breathe as one. She looked at the trees and their barren branches covered in frost. The footprints furry rabbits snuggling comfortably in their burrows.

Vitalani had grown to love winter and the serenity that the season seemed to bring. It reminded her of the first time she met her husband, the god of death. Damius had always been a temperamental spirit who was constantly in a battle with his inner self. It took many years but eventually she was able to help him come out from his shell. Together the two of them helped to bring balance to the world, and the rest is history. Vitalani followed the sound of the rushing current and found herself near the river. “Thats odd, why hasn’t the river frozen over?” Vitalani thought when suddenly she spotted a boy.

The boy was no older than ten and seven. He had short dark hair that laid to the side and was wearing a navy-blue cloak. Vitalani couldn’t help but notice there was something familiar about the boy. Then she realized it was the look of weary on the boy’s face as he kneeled beside the river and removed his glove from his hand. He lowered his hand into the water as Vitalani curiously watched on. Vitalani was surprised when the boy winced in pain, and she thought she noticed a tear tickle from his eye. “The poor boy, I wonder what’s wrong? Perhaps he was hurt." The goddess thought.

Overwhelmed with compassion for the boy, Vitalani lifted her hand and sent a surge of elk, rabbits, and birds the boy’s way. He quickly wiped his eyes and turned in astonishment as the animals leapt past him. Vitalani then turned her raised hand into a fist and the once barren trees began to sprout delicious ripe fruit. The boy stood and walked towards the tree, his ungloved hand reaching out for the fruit. Vitalani couldn’t help but smile as the boy grasped the fruit in his hand. The goddesses’ joy, however, turned to anger when the fruit withered away from his touch.

Shock and betrayal welled in Vitalani’s eyes as she watched the fruit rot in front of her eyes. Blinded by rage Vitalani quickly fled the scene by the river and ascended into the sky. She could feel the heat rising to her cheeks and knew she had never felt this level of emotion before. She had experienced love and sorrow, but this was completely foreign to someone of her nature. This was something entirely new and Vitalani knew it was unbecoming of her, but she did not care. Vitalani arrived at the Temple and immediately summoned Atara to the center of the tree. She sat on her throne and impatiently tapped her foot up and down. The large doors opened and Atara entered through the doorway. Atara the wisest and bravest of them all, Vitalani’s most devoted follower.

“My goddess, you’ve returned so soon, how was the progress of winter in Auroran?” Atara asked as she kneeled in front of Vitalani and the Tree of Eve. Vitalani’s face was buried in her hands and Atara could feel the tension rising in the room like a raging fire. Like the island and the tree, was being filled with all the goddesses’ thoughts and feelings. “My goddess? What is wrong?”

The goddess of life spoke, “It’s Damius, he- “

“The god of death? “What happened, is he alright?” Atara interrupted, her brows furrowing with worry.

“He’s fine, he- “Vitalani began once again shaking her head in disbelief.

“Oh, thank goodness, where is he? Shall we call- “

“NO!” Vitalani bellowed and the room trembled with fury. She stood up and Atara could see the tears in Vitalani’s eyes. Vitalani walked behind the throne and placed her head against the tree, closing her eyes. Vitalani could feel Atara’s hand on her shoulder, but she couldn’t bear to look at her. Her dark curls hiding her from her shame.

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“Please my goddess, whatever it is, you can tell me.”

Vitalani turned and looked at Atara, before taking a deep breath and saying, “Damius has fathered a mortal child. He has cheated and betrayed our union, our family.”

Atara took a step back and chuckled while shaking her head. “Damius? Are you sure?” Atara asked.

“Of course, I’m sure, you dare question what I say?” Vitalani replied, irritated at Atara’s lack of trust towards her. Atara’s eyes immediately shot down to the ground and she hesitated before responding.

“No, my goddess-I would never.” Atara replied,” Just tell me what you saw.”

“I saw a boy outside the village of Kairin when I was in Auroran. He has the same dark hair and ghostly white skin as Damius.” Vitalani said envisioning the boy near the river and the fruit crumple in his hand so carelessly.

“With all due respect, maybe it is just a coincidence that the boy resembles the god of death- It is not that uncommon of a feature- “Atara said trying to find some semblance of logic in what Vitalani was saying.

Vitalani shot a glare at Atara who could feel the goddess’s wrath before she retorted, “No? then perhaps it is a coincidence that the boy destroyed some fruit with his bare hands, a power that only my husband possesses? The boy is his child, I am sure of it.”

“What will you do?” Atara questioned.

“I am going to find out all that I can, please tell Sol that I wish to see him. Thank you.” Vitalani said before returning to sit on her throne.

“Of course, Vitalani, right away.” Atara said swiftly bowing before heading towards the door.

“Oh, and Atara, no one is to hear a word of this. This stays between us, alright?”

“My lips are sealed; I’ll send word for Sol at once.” Atara reassured before exiting the throne room leaving Vitalani alone to ponder on husband’s betrayal.

Aleksandr was returning to the cabin very happy with his bounty. He tried his hardest to make sense of what happened by the river but most of all he hoped no one had seen what he had done. Aleksandr was never supposed to remove his gloves, no matter what. It had been his shameful secret for as long as he could remember. Cursed to destroy anything he touches. Sometimes he felt like a monster and for good reason. The children from Kairin would make up stories about him, just like their parents made up stories about his mother. The freak of a woman and her demon of a son. At least Raine seemed to be somewhat normal, something Aleksandr was very grateful for.

He heard a twig snap, followed by the sound of a low growl. Aleksandr’s eyes widened, and he quickened his pace. His slight jog turned into a sprint when Aleksandr saw a white flash appear from behind the trees. Something was chasing him. Something big. Aleksandr ran as fast as he could out of the forest. As Aleksandr neared the cabin, he equipped himself with his bow and arrow. Outside of the cabin, Aleksandr saw Raine and Isa near the chicken coop and furiously he yelled, “Get inside both of you! There's something behind me!”

Raine grabbed Isa’s hand and darted for the house. Raine swung open the front door and pushed Isa inside before closing the door behind her. Aleksandr could see Raine pull out a dagger from their apron. Aleksandr stopped running just in time before slamming against the house. He steadied his grasp around the bow and aimed towards the trees. “Get ready Raine. “Was all Aleksandr said never taking his eyes off the forest and whatever was coming. The white flash dashed out of the woods and the siblings stiffened at the sight of the wolf racing towards them. Fangs snarling and its piercing yellow-green eyes.

Aleksandr took a step forward placing himself in front of Raine and the cabin. He shot his arrow, and the wolf swiftly dodged it by leaping forward in the air. The closer the animal got the more apparent the beast’s size truly became. This was much larger than any wolf Aleksandr had seen. As fast as Aleksandr could he reached for another arrow and noticed there were only two more left. “Better make them count.” Is what Aleksandr thought before releasing his second arrow. This time, however, instead of jumping the great wolf stopped and let the arrow fly right over its head. “Raine go inside and lock the door.”

“No way. “Raine exclaimed.

“Listen to me!” Aleksandr snapped his heartbeat pounding in his ears.

“Yeah, well you’re not the boss of me.” Raine replied. Aleksandr muttered something under his breath before he equipped himself with his last arrow and aimed it towards the wolf’s head. The wolf steadily slowed down before stopping just twenty feet shy of the cabin. Instead of attacking it merely looked at Raine and Aleksandr, studying them. Its brilliant eyes glaring deep into their souls. “What are you waiting for? Kill it!” Raine hissed, not breaking eye contact with the majestic beast in front of them.

“Be quiet!” Aleksandr whispered harshly back, firmly standing his ground. Raine gulped before taking a deep breath and lowering their dagger. Aleksandr followed suit, placing his weapon on the ground. The Wolf continued to peer into their beings until it snorted and shook its large head. It turned around and walked back into the forest only giving the siblings one more knowing look before disappearing into the trees. Aleksandr and Raine watched the wolf vanish without a trace before turning to each other in bewilderment.

“What in the world was that? “Raine asked half laughingly before slipping their knife back into their apron.

“I don’t know, let’s just get inside before anything else happens, I’ve had a very peculiar day.” Aleksandr said not yet knowing how much more peculiar things were going to become.