A brow rose quietly amid Rinon’s words as a delicate gaze washed over his. Amaris couldn’t be certain what it was that they would learn—together—or if the answers truly lay in the stars as the other boy thought, but he would try, nonetheless.

Even if the responsibility, now, seemed to weigh heavy on the silver yearling’s shoulders.

The Five? He echoed, his words holding a moment of shock as he glanced toward the other’s expression. I’m surprised my mother did not introduce you to the Five already… Were his murmured words as he swung his attention back toward the stars.

Amaris was no storyteller, no great spinner of words or teller of tales, but he presumed he could try, at least this once. It was a day of firsts. After all, why not lean into it? I’m no storyteller like my mother, but the Five are…our guiding lights in this life, he started after a breath.

Houtu is our Great All-Mother—she is creation, she is love, she is home. It’s said that she and her younger brothers and sisters were the ones to create these worlds—nurturing them into existence. Amaris continued with a smile, recounting the words he had heard throughout his life.

Rhys, her brother and lord of the flame, brought fertile soil to the worlds so that life could grow. Aether, lord of the wind, shaped the mountains and valleys of the world so that others would have a home to thrive within. Then, there is Nivia, our lady of water and snow, who brought water into the world, ensuring that Houtu’s children would have a place to drink and nourish themselves. The last sister is Sylvanus, our lady of flora, who, through her love, sowed the seeds of plants, herbs, and trees, bringing grass and other foliage to our existence.

The All-Mother then created life, creatures and beasts alike, but held a special place for wolves like you and myself. We are not meant to take from this world more than necessary but ensure, in Houtu’s image, that the world remains at peace. We follow her guidance and love here in Elysium.

He shrugged as his gaze still tracked the stars, My mother speaks of them better than I can, he quickly followed up. It is the All-Mother who has blessed my siblings and me and, perhaps, has blessed you as well, Amaris murmured.

His gaze was cast to the stars toward the clearer sky that twinkled down at them. And as his words had come to a close, a flash of light danced across the horizon. Look! There! He pointed to the falling star with his muzzle, quickly drawing in a breath as his ears would right themselves atop his crown. A shooting star, he whispered with a smile.

Perhaps the Five had heard them.