> In the unforgiving deserts of Fyrin, the meerkats stood as sentinels of the sands—small in stature but unmatched in their resilience. Their bravery shaped the tides of history, for where others saw mere creatures, Helx found protectors. > > Stahlia's History Book on Fyrin ## Prologue In the vast, arid plains of **Fyrin**, a realm where time and space twisted, **Misho the Meerkat** stood guard. Constantly vigilant, their keen eyes scanned the shimmering horizon. Their burrow was nestled beneath the roots of an ancient, gnarled tree, said to hold ancient magic. Misho had heard the stories, of course. Tales whispered by the elders about beings who existed outside of reality—creatures who could bend the very laws of nature. But Misho was skeptical. They protected their colony, and no old legend could shake their resolve. That all changed one fateful evening. The sky turned an unnatural purple shade, the hue that made the fur on Misho's neck bristle. The usual golden sands shifted under their feet, and the wind, which usually brought warmth and distant rivers, smelled of something ancient... something dark. The shadows of the tree stretched longer than they should have, curling in unnatural ways as if alive. Out of the gloomy mist, a creature emerged. It seemed like a mirage. A tall, slender silhouette cloaked in frayed robes that fluttered despite the stillness of the winds. The figure's face was covered by a hood, but two glowing green eyes punctured the darkness. Misho's heart raced, but they held their ground, standing tall on their hind legs. "Who goes there?" they called, their voice steady but betraying their unease. The creature let out a low, guttural laugh that echoed through the canyon. "A mere sentinel dares to question me?" Her voice was like the hiss of wind through dry leaves. "I am no ordinary traveller. I am **Veyla**, the Weaver of Shadows, and I've come to claim what is mine." Veyla. The name sent a shiver through Misho's spine. It was a name they had only heard in ancient warnings. The Weaver of Shadows, a witch-like entity who had once ruled over the forgotten lands of Fyrin before being banished by the very forces that now bound her. Her magic was said to warp reality itself. "I know of no claim here," Misho replied, trying to keep their voice firm. "This land belongs to the colony." Veyla drifted forward, her feet never touching the ground. "Such a small, insignificant creature, bound by duty. But even you must understand that power does not ask permission. It _takes_ what it wants." Misho could feel the air growing colder, the weight of her presence pressing down on him. Yet, something inside him burned with defiance. They protected their colony and would not let this witch-like being disturb their peace. "You'll find that this sentinel is not so easy to intimidate," they said, digging their claws into the dirt beneath him, grounding himself. Veyla's smile curled under her hood. With a flick of her wrist, the shadows around them shifted and began to take form—twisting, writhing figures of smoke and darkness that encircled Misho. The ground trembled as the figures closed in, their hollow eyes fixating on Misho. But Misho didn't rely on mere physical strength. They had learned the old ways; the elders passed down secret rituals. Drawing a deep breath, they focused on the earth beneath him, the sky above, and the life force that pulsed through Fyrin. They began to chant the words of protection, their voice rising above the howling winds. The ground beneath him glowed faintly, and the shadows hesitated. Veyla's eyes narrowed. “Clever, little meerkat,” she hissed. "But you cannot hold me at bay forever." Misho's paws dug deeper into the glowing earth, feeling the power of the land flow through him. "I don't need forever," they replied. "Just long enough." The shadows surged, but Misho stood firm. With a final burst of energy, the ground erupted in a circle of light, scattering the shadowy figures and forcing Veyla back. The witch cried out as the light pushed her to the edge of the clearing. "You may have won this day, sentinel," Veyla snarled, her form flickering in and out of existence. "But Fyrin's magic is fading. The land will weaken, and when it does, I will return to claim what is mine." And with that, she vanished, leaving only the echo of her laughter behind. Misho stood alone, the sky returning to its natural golden hue. Misho was shaken but resolute. The colony was safe for now. But they knew that Veyla's threat was real. The magic of Helx was fading, and it would take more than a single meerkat to protect it from the shadows that lurked just beyond the horizon. But as long as they stood, Misho vowed to never let the darkness claim their home. ## Details | Name | Misho | | ------------------- | --------------------- | | Origin | [[Fyrin]] | | Colours | Sandy brown and Beige | | Diet | Omnivore | | Size | 0.30 meters | | Connected Principle | [[Sportmanship]] |