Chimper #1867
Ashurako the Thresholder tightened the final knot on the shivering hatchling’s sling, their unamused eyes scanning the treacherous lava pools ahead. Most explorers came to The Underworld for glory or vengeance; Ashurako came for the lost. They sought out the terrified souls who stumbled through the gateways beneath pale trees, offering not grand speeches but a steady presence and a safe path home. Using their ninja training to navigate the ash-choked plains and avoid the wandering undead, they guided their charges with quiet competence. They never crossed the thresholds themself. At a shimmering gateway, they would simply unburden their passenger, watch them scramble back into the Overworld's light, and turn back. The whiskers on their face would twitch, just once—the closest they ever came to a smile.
