Alice's Cradle: Stars and Scales

On the stone walls of a dark cave, I carved 1,460 marks: four years spent growing up alone in this world.

I am the lord of the Dark Forest, a monster capable of transforming into a dragon.

I don't need food, friends, or anyone to understand me.

If someone makes too much noise, I tell them to shut up;

if someone trespasses in my home, I drive them away.

They were afraid of me anyway: afraid of my horns, my wings, and my red-and-black eyes.

I planned to live quietly like this forever.

Then one day, after I carved the final stroke on the fourth wall,

I suddenly wanted to go to a place called Gratia and celebrate a birthday that was mine alone.

And then, somehow...

I wasn't alone anymore.