There’s nothing quite like the cover of night, especially in the wilds of Arcadia. Where the lights dim, darkness grows and threatens to swallow you whole. Your vision becomes blurred, every sound you hear increases as you seek desperately for any source of light. The night holds one thing universal for every person and creature here.
The shadows are not safe.
From the branches above, swiftly flying in on silent wings come the owls. Large birds with razor sharp talons, they can come in unnoticed from any angle. Snatching their prey with precision, and back away like they were never there. Rarely does prey have the chance to even react to the presence of an owl before it’s just seemingly gone.
With fluttering wings appearing from the shadows has also descended the form of Malachi. Striking at newly exposed mice to the NXT fields, you’ve moved your shadows into the halls to give you the cover needed to impose your terror. All in the name of Hades to unleash the devil itself out from the underworld, a goal that would bring the end for us all. Just another step into your dark machinations and schemes for power.
But with such a bounty in front of you, it’s hard to see what’s been following you. Silent, seemingly uncaring. For the shadows that make it easy to hunt also hold those that would seek to harm you. Hidden in the shadows that you hold so dear, something coils up tightly. Someone, that is.
You of all people should know that the devil is not in the shape of an owl, but a serpent.
An evil as deep and vile as yours does not go unnoticed. I’ve watched, waiting for the right moment to strike hidden still beneath the shadows that you hunt. Seen how you glide into a match and surprise those that come unprepared. But your quarry is far from an unsuspecting mouse.
From one hunter to another, you’re coming in blind. So far lost in your midnight flights of fancy, you fail to see what will come from you. To be so high, very rarely do owls ever bother with looking up. For when you think yourself the top of the food chain, what else do you have to fear?
There’s always a bigger fish though.
I’ve seen many try to push me out. I’ve clashed against panthers that stalked, hyenas that tried to gag me under rules with wicked smiles, and clashed with the fiercest taking on the world. And despite all that, I’m still here. Still standing.
So come with what you can with your shadows Mr. Midnight. You may be used to the darkness, but this is where I thrive best. Here I stalk the shadows, searching for the unsuspecting enemies hidden away. All I need from you is to slip up once. One moment, and the serpent will strike faster than you could ever hope to blink.
What use are silent wings to a crushing vice?