Shurina

The tactical goggles were a relic from a life Shurina refused to explain, their polished lenses a stark contrast to a frayed and ragged jumper. In The Heart of the Forest, where locals sang songs about ancient spirits, Shurina’s talk of circuits and systems marked them as a heretic. They were left alone, an anxious shadow gathering bamboo at the edge of the clearing. But one local, a woodcarver with gentle eyes, didn't see a threat. They saw the weariness in Shurina's posture. They began leaving small, smooth tokens of amber wood along Shurina’s path. It was a silent courtship that lasted a season, until one evening the carver found Shurina waiting. They didn't speak of faith or futures. They simply shared a warm meal, and for the first time, Shurina pushed the goggles up, letting the unfiltered twilight settle in their eyes.