It had been several decades, years, ages, eons, since Aelfwilde, Caraine, Liriel, Anthiel, and the others before them had found their way into the cave. It had been just as long that they had remained. Every now and then, images of past individual lives would flit through their collective mind.

Now, they peered up as one, through matted hair and scraggy rags, their shared belly ravenous for a new meal.

Softly, their new sister crept into their lair. Tentative steps by delicate but blistered feet, over what cannot be made out to be the ashes of their past remains. The young one's eyes full of hope, wonder, and rightful trepidation.

Ah, who could ever resist a song?

Finis.