A full moon glows on the smooth granite boulders, turning them silver. The silence it broken only by the soft ripple of water from the swift black stream, and the whisper of shadowy trees in the forest beyond. The starless sky stretches above you, black as a raven's wing. This place is unfamiliar, but the strange sights and sensations draw you onward and deeper into the darkness. There is a stirring in the shadows, and suddenly two round, light-gray eyes become visible. They shine like deep, intelligent pools of silvery water and star light, stirred by a soft breeze. He suddenly spots you. His beautiful, glossy coat is raven-black, and his head and tail, are streaked with snow-white stripes. He has a graceful frame, and his limbs are lithe and well built. Huge, dark wings extend from his back. They are powerful and black as night. He comes to a graceful stop when he reaches you. His face is calm, almost bored. He speaks. It's a voice that commands respect: "I am Ari."

A small, furry creature leaps from branch to branch like a monkey, his tiny paws gripping the rough bark. He swings gracefully like an acrobat, a small ball of fluffy cornflower-blue fur with snow-white speckles. The creature finally spots Ari, charging through the dense undergrowth, the spongy moss soft under paw. Somersaulting from the tree, the little Feepit lands in front of Ari. "You startled me there," Ari murmurs playfully, flicking the fluffy Feepit's nose with his raven-colored tail. "I was wondering where you had gone off to Crystal," Ari said, his tone affectionate. Crystal smiled in return, her eyes twinkling.

The two run through the trees, petpet and Xweetok, their paw steps making no noise on the soft, nettle-carpeted forest floor.


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