The wind gently cut through the trees of the forest, their whispers almost mystical as they blended with the distant sound of a stream. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, creating a pattern of dancing shadows on the ground, while Strax walked slowly between the trees, the only visible presence for miles.
He was certain of it. He had already used his keen perception, his ability to sense the changes in the environment around him, and assured himself that there was no one here. No one within a ten-kilometer radius. He was alone. And that was exactly what he needed.
The forest was peaceful, a tranquility that contrasted with the turmoil that always surrounded him. There was no weight of responsibilities, no expectation of conversations. There was no one to judge or question his movements. He simply walked, his steps light yet firm on the soft ground, unhurried. The sound of the leaves moving with the wind seemed almost like a soft melody around him, a comfort to his tormented mind.
