azrael
It is a night for magic and for wonder, where the moon is high and the skies are painted with Caligo’s aurora brush. These are the sort of nights the shed-stars gather to worship, when the stars twinkle brightly in the night sky, unburdened by clouds and lighting the world beneath with a wash of silver glow. He walks quietly, bow staff tipped against his side, and his companion perched upon a leather harness on his shoulder. Noctua seems restless tonight, her feathers shivering in the midnight air as she whispers a warning to his mind. Be careful… something is not right about this place.
She senses it before he does, made aware that the world was awry even as a scream pierces Azrael’s wandering. Spurned into action, he races toward the cry, not even stopping to consider that danger may lie ahead. It was simply in his nature to want to help, even as Noctua hissed and rose to the sky to be his eyes. This is magic. her voice warns, and a dark magic at that… it could be a trap. But Azrael shakes away the warning, pushing his own thoughts toward the barn owl, insisting that he should help even as she resigns herself to follow.
Ahead, he sees the source, a child lost and scared, taunted by the shadows around her. His turquoise eyes are warm and wide with concern as he watches the shadow beasts, lunging with teeth bared and hissing breath. his is a dream, Azrael of the Shed-Stars. He knows the voice without question, even as Caligo appears to him in the sky and he falls to his knees in reverence. She is stardust and night enfolded, almost as much ether as she is goddess, and the brilliance of her is enough to take his breath away.
Save her. Save her. Save her. Caligo urges as she stands beside him, and Azrael nods mutely to his goddess, unable to find the words to express his wonder even as she fades into night once more. With his staff drawn, the stallion of stardust and cyan glow plunges toward the demons, finding his voice once more as he cries a warning to the girl. “Close your eyes” he warns, even as his dreamcatcher staff plunges into the chest of the closest shadow, drawing a scream as it dissipates into the night. Again and again, he fights off the haunting creatures, until at least it is only Azrael and the girl who remain.
The night is calm once more as Azrael sheathes his staff, his owl returning to the nearest branches, settling to protect the girl with a watchful stare. “Come, little one – do not fear the night.” he lowers himself to the ground, wrapping his body close to the girl, touching her trembling frame with a gentle warmth as she melts into him. “Sleep now, and I will watch you as you dream. Soar high with the stars, and remember I am with you.” And with his words, the girl dreams once more.
@Random Events
