Just another day of travelling through the bright and airy forest you enjoy the summer breeze. Look how beautiful the forest is, the lush trees and many flowers in bloom. It's currently spring and the forest is bursting with life. The birds sang away in the trees. It's simply perfect. Life here is always in bloom, the seasons come and go and even when winter is here it still seems perfect. The warm sun keeps you cozy, it gives a warm feeling inside. Who would want any different? However travelling further on, a cold chill sweeps past your paws. What is that? You look ahead to see the dark and twisty trees of the Stygian Forest. It stops you in your tracks, the looming dread makes you shiver. How unsightly. No one would call that place home, would they? Oh, but they would and they say you should never judge a book by it's cover. For what isn't your perfect is someone else's perfect. The Stygian Forest did indeed become someone else's perfect.

You started to wonder and soon it started to become clear. The story behind The Stygian Forest, it is one of the darkest forests that can be found for miles, no sunlight ever touches it dead dark trees. It is also known for being one of the deepest forests to ever exist, once you enter and the deeper you go the harder it is to find an exit. Not many dare to call this place home, some find it to be either too cold or too daunting. It definitely gives a very haunting vibe, even the birds don't dare to sing here. Although this is the most uninviting forest to live, it does have some life to it. Two wolves who were looking for a new start came across the forest and even with its looming darkness they decided to give it a chance. You see, these two wolves were looking to start a pack of their own. It would make sense to start fresh in the sunlight, right? However there was something about this forest that gave them comfort and security. They weren't getting much luck in the sunny parts of the forest, it was clear that wasn't working in their favor as sadly they lost their litter of pups. Obviously they took it really bad, so much so that they decided to leave the sunny part of the forest permanently and move to Stygian Forest. They had their doubts, they thought at first it wouldn't be for them, that maybe it would be a bad omen to stay. Though the comfort stayed and actually it seemed to do them a favour. A few weeks go by, the two wolves started to settle and even found a good spot to claim as their territory. The two stayed secretive about their life here, they didn't stray too far from the forest and found ways of how to live here. They started to co-exist with the forest and in return it felt as if the forest was allowing them to stay. The mist that had started to form would shield them away from the bright outside world. It protected them.

The months rolled on by, the two wolves now fully settled into their new home. They had created a path, which meant they could come and go as they pleased. Having the path there also made it easier to bring prey home. They didn't visit the sunny side of the forest that often though, only for food. They had become use to the darkness of the Stygian Forest. The darkness actually gave them some comfort. They knew they were safe here. They had finally found a balanced life here. However it felt as if something was still missing. They didn't have any pups of their own yet. The forest felt empty and it saddened the pair but they knew in time they would be blessed. Which would happen sooner than they thought, as one day while out doing their routine walk they got the scent of other wolves nearby. It made the two wary, so they continued with caution. They were in a different territory now and they didn't want to be seen. As they got closer, they could hear the playful rumbles of pups, they became curious so went to investigate. In a small clearing they see four pups play fighting with each other, they watched in delight as the pups played. Though it also brought sadness since they didn't have any pups of their own, of course they had tried but it seemed it wasn't meant to be. They started to imagine what it would be like, to have a family. It's all they've ever wanted. Looking to the pups again and watching them play, it felt that maybe them having this walk today and finding these pups here was some sort of sign. The two looked at eachother, questioning their motives here. It seemed wrong but what if they took one of the pups? The others wouldn't notice, would they? Plus what's one pup to them? They had a litter. They were brought here for a reason, their dream of being parents would soon become a reality.

The two stayed close, watching the pups again and waiting for the right moment. Two of the pups were play fighting, the smaller one struggled to take the bigger one down and ended up being thrown towards the bushes. The small pup squeaks, sitting himself up and huffing. He was too small to play with his siblings, they were always too rough with him. The pup looks over his shoulders at the bushes, he picked up the scent of the two wolves. He tilts his head, curiosity took over and he goes to investigate. He makes his way through the bushes, on the other side he finds the two wolves. He tilts his head, tail wagging slightly. In a time like this you would think the pup would run but he didn't sense any danger from these two. The two wolves glance down at the young pup, they were in awe of him and his dark beautiful coat. The two looked at each other, he's perfect, they instantly fell in love with him. The female gently picks up the pup by his scruff and the two quickly head off. They take the pup back to their territory, once there the pup is placed down. The two smile at him "This is your new home" The female says. The pup looks around, new home? It didn't look like much but at least now he wasn't being picked on. He wags his tail, happily. The two wolves sit next to each other, this is the happiest they've been in a long while. They took this time to appreciate what they had, and even though they took the pup there wasn't any regret. All they ever wanted was a family of their own, to have a place to call home and now they had everything. It soon became clear that bringing the pup here was a good idea. The forest felt as if it changed, although it didn't seem lighter it definitely felt like it had more life to it. Sure it didn't appeal to everyone but to them it meant everything. Yes, Stygian Forest may not be the greatest place and some would say they are crazy to call this place home. But that's what it became for them, it became their home. It is their home, now they have their pup, their little Solstice. Who they knew would grow, become strong and achieve great things. He really would go on to achieve great things.

That's the story of Stygian Forest, it is a land surrounded by darkness and dead trees. It may not be bursting with life and happiness. But It is a home, it's Solstice home. So even though to you it doesn't seem like the best place to call home. Stygian Forest welcomes all. It's that book on the shelf that everyone thinks isn't good but actually just needs a chance. It needs someone to look past it's dark trees and thick mist. If you do right by the forest, it will do right by you. It welcomes you, so don't be afraid. The land may not look like the sunny side of the forest, but the mist here will keep you safe. Here, you'll be home.

It's time to bring this to a close. Now I wonder to myself, I have a question for you traveller and wish to know. Ask yourself this, are you willing to give the forest a chance? Let the forest show you what it can offer. Don't answer now, let the forest show you what it can offer. In the mean time while you work it out Solstice says welcome home, travellers. Hopefully the Stygian Forest becomes what you're looking for, and if not there is always the sunny side of the forest. Right?

Above written by Floof