I was in no hurry to rejoin the others that evening, casually walking down the side of the highway. I don't often find comfort in being alone, but something in the adjacent woods called out to me. Whatever, or whomever it was, I thank them. Having crossed the threshold to their world, I found an inner strength that had been suppressed for fear of rejection. I learned to listen to my heart, and in doing so, discovered my hidden self. I found acceptance. But these milestones came with sacrifice. Bound to the clutch of a malevolent and despotic wolf, an entire nation of well-intentioned beast-folk fell in line with his bloodlust. Through false prophecy, they brought suffering to the shores of Andelusaria. That day the ocean turned crimson, the Blood Tide, would be forever seared into the land and her citizens.

A new prophecy was forged. A new leader would be summoned from the ashes of Nattfaravik. Though, his inner strength was restricted by oath and his form obscured through the magic of Neiphlsven. When I crossed the threshold, and found myself before his looming shadow, we found a new sense of comfort in the presence of the other. But, as the ember of our bond began to glow, the spirits warned of a second Blood Tide. With the sands of time almost depleted, he will need to trust in me what magic shrouded. I would need to trust in him the unobtainable. Only as one, can we defy the will of the gods that control these lands, and strike down the broken and the heartless.

I've never been one to heed the shadows, pacing alongside me. As I trudged down the highway that night, something in the forest called out to me. Following the sound of water, a new prophecy set in motion. A prophecy that would let my heart finally speak without fear, and awaken a clearer version of myself, locked deep within. Though, the path to this new inner strength would not come without great sacrifice, to both myself, and the beast-folk of Andelusaria.

Bound to the clutch of a malevolent and despotic wolf, an entire nation fell in line with his bloodlust. Led on a foundation of lies, those from Silfrfold brought anguish to the shores of Andelusaria. That day the ocean turned crimson around the peaceful island of Nattfaravik, the Blood Tide, would be forever seared into the land and her citizens. From her ash and ruin would rise a new, enigmatic leader of the Andelusarian people. His own inner strength chained by oath and his true form obscured through the magic of Neiphlsven.

The shadows lured me to their realm. Anxious, I found myself in the presence of the sword-wielding lion charged with protecting his kinsman. Sensing I was of no threat, he was quick to open his heart to me. Healing long standing wounds from within, we found a new sense of comfort in the presence of the other. With his guidance, I came to understand the runic tongue that gave life to Neiphlsven's magic. Through the support of his closest companions, I would learn how to fight for peace. Through my deeds, I would gain the respect of the ethereal entities that govern.

In his arms, I would come to understand the deepest desires of my guiding spirit, and wholly accept myself for them.

As the ember of our bond began to brightly glow, the spirits warned of a second Blood Tide. An event that would hone our fates to the same tip of an arrow. With the sands of time almost depleted, he will need to trust in me what magic shrouded. I would need to trust in him the unobtainable.

Only as one, can we defy the will of the gods that control these lands, and strike down the broken and the heartless.

Only as one, can we unshackle each other from the burdens of our past, and forge new amity for Andelusaria, and for Silfrfold.

Perhaps if I gave credence to the shadows that night, my story would be different. But, would I want it to?

Born and raised in Amherst (Buffalo), New York, Matt Ziemba has always been creatively focused. His passion has been in photography and digital illustration, with a focus on wildlife and big cats. Part of the gay community, Ziemba had championed acceptance and normalization of relationships between all people, regardless of identity. Through a narrative that reflected on his own struggle for acceptance, Ziemba combined his creative mind, his identity and his passions, to create his first novel, The Grimoire of Neiphlsven.