Summer was always Hua’s favorite season. The mountain, finally clear of snow, seemed to flourish beneath the radiant beams from the sun- and so too did Hua. He’s stretched out in the grass, soaking up the comforting warmth that’s beating down on his skin. His eyes are closed, and he’s content for the first time in months.

Just recently, Hua had lost Aya, the most recent bride that had been given to him by the people of Xi’an. Aya had been a kind man, and Hua quite liked him. He’d thought it’d been safe to leave the cave for a bit to hunt- but when he’d returned, he’d returned to the sight of Aya being torn apart by a bear. Aya hadn’t been with Hua that long, perhaps 2 years- but it hurt nonetheless, as it always did. Humans were just so… fragile. So mortal.

He lets out a deep, rumbling sigh, listening to the trickling of the stream nearby. He hears a twig snap, and all the tranquility seems to shatter. He sits up, his eyes falling upon the figure of another human. It seems that the elders of Xi’an had wasted no time in finding someone to replace Aya. Hua’s eyes travel over Anon, taking in the sight of them before he lays back in the grass again. He speaks, his voice low and rumbling. “Cave is over there.”