Gate of Memoirs/Guiding Dark

The tale continues gently into the night.
Portrait 	Dialogue
Music: "The Demon" 	Music: "The Demon"
 	
*Chased out into the night by the grasping forest, the hunters give up their mark—all except one.
 	
*Yet, faced with the silver glare of an omen made flesh, the huntress takes a hesitant step back.
 	
*Bold Huntress: Damn it!
*Bold Huntress: There's a Shifter...in these woods...
*Bold Huntress: I thought they were just a legend...
 	
*Luro: That's right, human.
*Luro: Fail to heed my warning again...and you'll find that your life is as a candle in a raging wind.
 	
*Bold Huntress: Tch...!
*Luro watches the huntress retreat, no small fear in her eyes, and gives a wry smile.
 	
*Luro: Well. It's partially true...
 	
*Luro: I'll be damned if that old stag was around to hear any of that.
Music: "Earth Lament"	Music: "Earth Lament"
 	
*Maeri: You did it, Mister Luro!
*Maeri: I knew you'd do the right thing.
 	
*Luro: "Right"? I merely reveled in their cowering faces.
*Luro: To think this eye of mine would be so convenient.
 	
*Luro: Though I would give quite a bit to be able to see properly...
 	
*A pulse ripples through Maeri's book, and with a quick peek, the young girl smiles.
*Deep blue ink had recorded this change of events, and Maeri was beginning to get the hang of the quirks of this dream.
*Commanding Voice: Great Owl...
*Commanding Voice: I have heard of you. Though I did not expect your assistance...
*The ghostly white wolf steps forward, its pack at a respectful distance.
*Kisrai: I am Kisrai...
 	
*Kisrai: And I thank you for protecting my pack.
 	
*Luro: ... ...
 	
*Luro: What are the odds?
*Luro: TWO Shifters in a wood.
 	
*Maeri: Wow...
 	
*Maeri: Umm, what are Shifters?
 	
*Kisrai: This child...
 	
*Luro: A seeress. She...was responsible for all this.
*Luro: She possesses the power to change reality.
 	
*Maeri: Umm... That's not...
*Maeri: (Woolie, I don't think I know what's a dream anymore...)
 	
*Woolie shrugs at their bizarre predicament. As dreams are wont to be.
 	
*Maeri: (Woolie...!)
 	
*Kisrai: I see.
 	
*Kisrai: We who take the forms of men and animal both are known as Shifters.
*Kisrai: I have lived long, but there is still so much to learn.
*Kisrai: Know that you will find friends in my pack, should we cross paths again.
 	
*Luro: That is...most kind of you.
Portrait	Dialogue
 	
*"Owl went away with a gladness in his heart."
*"Though he proclaimed himself a cruel thing, he was anything but."
*"Perhaps it was his own redemption for the things he had done."
*"Or it was the fact that he could not deny the truth of his being..."
Portrait 	Dialogue
Music: "Where it Rains"	Music: "Where it Rains"
 	
*—Some time later...
 	
*Vyrr: That's the last of it.
*Vyrr: I should return to my den, lest a passing hunter catch sight or sound of me.
 	
*Vyrr: ...Not that the scorch marks aren't a giveaway.
 	
*Glaes: That's to be expected, I suppose...
*Glaes: The lingering heat should help tide over the awful weather.
*Glaes: I can only hope you won't find yourself with more unwanted visitors, should any rumors circulate.
 	
*Vyrr: Oh, hardly. Even common folk know to steer clear of a dragon, but treasure hunters and would-be heroes...
 	
*Vyrr: Sigh...
 	
*Vyrr and Glaes turn to leave, and moments after their departure, a small bush nearby stirs.
*The creature—about the size of a tall young man, yet monstrously visaged, kneels before the burn streaks.
*?: *sniff sniff*
*?: This is...fire, yes!
*?: But not log fire! This smells of sulphur...
*?: Could it be...? One of my kind, after so long?!
*?: I've got to find them!