FluxGryphon

Cool quiet surrounded Kael’n as a tropical wind sliced through air and tree, shuddering bough and leaf. All was dipped in the rosy light of approaching dusk. The Ranger crouched low to the path, squinting at the freshly etched tracks on the ground. Distant rumbling rolled far off in the heavens; a storm was gathering. He dipped a finger in a spatter of blood gathered on the ground, rubbed it thoughtfully between thumb and index finger. Foliage shrugged in the weak tumbling breeze that flowed over the canyon. Shouldering his rifle, Kael’n stood and turned his gaze skyward.

Inky purple clouds gathered overhead, dismissing orange wisps of sunset to the east, with the light. Below lay the serpentine gorge, sandstone rock edges highlighted with veins of glowing purple rock. Its caliginous mulberry depths emanated an unnatural stillness.

The Ranger stiffened and exhaled, his eyes following the trail of blood, scuffed dirt and sand. With a final glance behind him into the shivering forest, he started forward along the path. As his boots crunched along the path, rain fell pattering to the ground, growling upon many leaves.

It would be dark soon.