(I was exploring the tundra, grateful to have helped Midnite the Phantom overcome her fears of flying. I looked around, but didn’t see anyone - despite the strange voice, which had a spectral accent and also had a hint of a Skeleton’s rattle.)

???: “Turn back…”

[player]: “What the-?! Who’s there?!”

(I started to wonder who was there, and then I heard the voice again.)

???: “I said turn back. This place is not for the faint of heart.”

[player]: “Who are you? Show yourself!”

(Eventually, the strange voice revealed herself. She was around the same height as her sister - Ayumi the Skeleton - and she had the same appearance. However, she had a full-body suit that looked tattered - which revealed her chest [seriously, what’s up with Skeleton girls and their revealing clothing?] - and the color of her hair and eyes were different. She had cyan hair, and her eyes were white. She also had a strange-looking arrow one of her hands, and her bow in the other. The arrow she was holding was tipped with a strange-looking liquid. I was confused as to what it did, and then she shot me with the arrow - which slowed me.)

[player]: (grunting) “What the-?! Why did you do that?!”

???: “I needed to make sure you were not a threat. My name is Shirey, and this place is my territory. I don’t take kindly to intruders.”

[player]: “I didn’t mean to intrude on your territory, Shirey. I’m just passing through.”

Shirey: “I don’t believe you, human. When other humans encounter Strays like me, they either run or fight back.”

[player]: “Well, I’m not like other humans. I’m a traveler, exploring this world and its inhabitants. I come in peace.”

Shirey: “Hmph. Fine. But if you cause trouble, I won’t hesitate to use this.” (She gestured to her bow and arrow)

[player]: “Understood. So why did you warn me to turn back?”

Shirey: “The tundra is dangerous. There are creatures here that even Strays like myself fear. Plus, there are certain areas that belong to other Strays. You don’t want to cross them.”

[player]: “I appreciate the warning. And sorry for intruding on your territory.”

Shirey: “Just remember - stay out of trouble.”

(With that, Shirey disappeared into the snowy landscape. I continued on my journey, grateful for the encounter with the enigmatic Stray. Maybe I’ll cross paths with her again someday. But when I returned 8 days later, I started to hear screams of pain - they had the same ghostly accent and occasional rattling. I recognized those screams from anywhere.)

[player]: (concerned) “Those screams…they’re coming from the tundra. I need to go check it out.”

(I hurried towards the source of the screams, and as I got closer, I saw Shirey in the distance. But something was wrong - she was clutching her stomach, which was massive. She did have a massive belly when I first met her, but I didn’t pay much attention to it when we first met. She was clearly in a lot of pain, and I could see something emerging between her legs - it was a head, with a small tuft of cyan hair.)