Alaric stepped out into the cool night air, the forest around him alive with the soft rustling of leaves and the distant hoot of an owl. He looked up at the sky, the stars twinkling like diamonds against the velvet black canvas. His heart pounded with anticipation as he scanned the treetops, searching for the mysterious owl that had delivered the letter from the Phantom Assembly.
After a few moments, he spotted it—a large, inky black bird perched on a low branch, its eyes glowing with an eerie light. Alaric approached cautiously, his hand outstretched. The owl didn't flinch, its gaze locked onto him.
"Hey there," Alaric murmured, reaching out to stroke its feathers. The owl blinked slowly, almost as if acknowledging him.