violence ringing in ears, body unfit for sleep, paws aching and bloodied, journeyed lonesome soul across lands unexplored. pushing through foliage, ears pinned to cranium, mind adrift and lost in the world's ways. breath parting from jaws, ichor and blood staining tongue within maw, yawning as heavy paws stepped amongst snow drifts, crushing brittle fronds of fern and bush. eyes drifting over medleys of gray and white, blues stinging along sharp crystals, icicles bowing pine boughs. body aching, jagged ripped wounds aching with ferocity akin to fire, ashes coating throat. left behind camp, civilization, surrounded by sound of feral nature, untamed, untouched, virgin lands.

bird song crying above, emptily ringing across silent clearing, buck and does bounding through trees, away from threat of sharp tooth and claw. bones tender and soft, ahead loomed structure of shelter, reaching towards heavens in silent oath. eyes lighting upon wood and stone boundary, numb paws striking steps with each stretch, heavy dark furred body sliding under roof firm and patched, reaching towards bed of granite. collapsing upon wide platform, paws curling to body, tongue working over rent flesh and blood, soothing pain with passing press. cold their fur, drenched with snow, electricity dancing along dark pelt, soon returning the snow to water. grooming their body, the kingpin laid their head upon the platform, exhaustion crumbling away their consciousness.

moon set and fiery star arising in sky brought tired body to awakeness, bones stiff and body aching from rest in such a strange place. thrills running down spine as they took in their surroundings, the kingpin's eyes barely open, barely registering the small shrine that they had stumbled upon. closing their eyes, they became grateful for the sunshine that filtered through the walls, head resting on their paws as they took the chance to relax, oddly peaceful at this place.