Rahln’s
Loss
© 2000 Tsunsong
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Rahln’s Loss by Tsunsong
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Rahln licked his lips and grinned as he watched the dark brown wolf casually sauntering along past him. He knew he was well hidden, and that, since the other wasn't looking for any trouble, he’d have no difficulty getting her.
He slinked forward, silently, carefully, and stood stock-still as the other wolf stopped. He counted to five in his head, his brown-tipped ears twitching excitedly, then suddenly exploded forward, howling idiotically as he did.
The female saw him much too late, and shrieked as he ran full into her, knocking them both to the ground, laughing. They wrestled for a moment, then the female broke away, giggling incessantly. Rahln settled to the ground, still grinning, and watched her. She finally got a hold of herself and tried to put on a frown.
That wasn’t funny, Rahln, I was thinking about something!
He laughed softly. What?
She suddenly turned her head away. None of your business. Besides, it doesn’t matter anymore. You lost my train of thought!
He shook his head, still laughing. No, I just unhitched it. You lost it!
She kept the frown for a few more seconds, then suddenly broke into uncontrollable giggles. Rahln, who hadn’t stopped laughing since he’d tackled her, laughed even harder. For a moment, they just laughed together, stopping now and then, only to glance at one another and start laughing all over again.
This wasn’t a particularly uncommon scene for the two wolves. Rahln often pulled stunts like this one, and GreyTail always seemed to be the target. It wasn’t because he disliked her, or liked to pester her, in fact, it was quite the opposite. He actually liked her.
He liked her in a way he couldn’t describe. It was something strange, as though she was his sister, but something deeper. Of course, he’d never admit it to anyone, let alone the object of his affection. His greatest fear was of her rejecting him, and he didn’t know if he could handle it if she did. But, if he never told her, she could never reject him, so it worked, sort of.
She recovered, at long last, from her bout of giggles, with only the occasional snicker now and again. Finally, she was able to speak. So, aside from tackling me, what are you doing today?
He thought. Well, I didn’t have any real plans for today. I think the only thing on my agenda was to tackle you. He grinned as he said it, but started sweating just the same. Yes, he had planned on tackling her. Something about touching her, in any way
She shrugged. Well, let’s go exploring, shall we?
Where?
Anywhere. Somewhere no one’s even been before, where no one knows what awaits them.
He smiled. Alright, then. Lead on.
She grinned and did just that. Within minutes, the pair was in a stretch of forest he’d never seen before. As a wanderer, however, he wasn’t worried. He liked seeing new places, going somewhere neither he, nor any other creature, had ever been before. He followed closely behind the dark brown female in front of him, admiring ever aspect of the beautiful wolfess. He in fact lost himself so deeply that he almost didn’t stop when she did, nearly running into and through her. A bit surprised, and embarrassed, he looked to see why she had stopped even as he asked her. Hey, Grey, what’re you
He trailed off. It was amazing. Fascinating. Unbelievable, yet it was there in front of the two bewildered wolves. It was a a
It’s a Fathom! GreyTail suddenly exclaimed. Rahln looked at the strange hole in front of him. It looked like someone had simply ripped a hole in the air. Through it, he could see a blurred landscape, much different from the forest around him. He looked back at GreyTail strangely.
A Fathom? What’s that?
She looked back at him, excitement visible in her eyes. A Fathom. I’ve never actually seen one before, but I’ve heard about them. They’re supposed to be holes in space and time that’ll take you somewhere that no one’s ever seen before. I always hoped to find one, even though they are considered myths. Although, she grinned, since we just found one, they can’t very well be mythical, can they?
He looked at the strange disturbance. No, I guess it can’t. He looked at her, getting a bit excited himself. Shall we go through and see what there is to see?
She nodded vigorously. Yes! Let’s! With that, before Rahln could say, let alone do anything, she dove into and through the hole. There was a blinding flash of light, and the hole disappeared for a moment. Rahln panicked, thinking it to be gone with GreyTail inside, but as soon as he had begun to panic, it returned, just as strange and ominous as before. He looked around to make sure that no one was nearby to see him doing this, then jumped through himself.
As he disappeared into it, it contracted sharply, collapsing onto itself until it was gone. It didn’t return.Rahln yelped as a bizarre feeling of being torn apart at the seams came over him. The feeling increased until it actually began to hurt. Finally, when he was certain that he’d be ripped in half if it didn’t stop, it did. He fell out into the warm sun, hitting his nose against the ground. He sat up and looked around.
First and foremost, he saw GreyTail, whose tail was waving back and forth furiously as she took in every aspect of her surroundings. Seeing her, he relaxed, and decided to look around like she was. He took in the strange vegetation growing everywhere. Obviously, they were not in a forest anymore. Among the sparse greenery, he took note of all kinds of strange creatures skittering around, escaping the sudden intruders to their land. The sun was high in the sky, and the sky was a heavenly mix of blue and yellow.
GreyTail suddenly notice him standing there, looking around, and grinned at him. Amazing, isn’t it?
He nodded, unable to speak. She laughed softly and came closer to him. Kind of scary, too, how different it is. We could be anywhere. Who knows what we’ll-
She suddenly cut off as the sun was blocked out by a gigantic shadow. Terrified, the two wolves turned to see a massive lizard-like creature rearing up, bellowing furiously. It fell back to all fours, shaking the ground beneath them, and GreyTail suddenly panicked. Shrieking, she started to back away from the behemoth, and Rahln acted in the only way he could think to, putting himself between GreyTail and the monster. He bared his teeth, even though he knew he had no chance against this demon.
The monster looked at him for a moment, slowly flapping its massive wings, then it roared again and snapped its head down to catch the unfortunate wolf in its jaws. Rahln braced himself for the impact, ready to die for GreyTail, even though he knew that when the monster had eaten him, it wouldn’t hesitate to eat her, as well. He heard GreyTail’s terrified gasp behind him, and suddenly, there was a shrill screeching, a pained roar, and a dull thud followed by a huge crash.
Rahln opened his eyes to a bizarre scene. He decided that since he obviously wasn’t dead, what he was seeing was just as real as anything else around him. The lizard had been knocked away by what looked to be a massive silvery winged creature. He couldn’t quite tell what it was, as it was desperately fighting with the monster. Or was it? They didn’t seem to actually be trying to hurt one another, rather they were trying to restrain one another. Finally, the bird-creature ended up sitting atop the lizard, laughing.
Ah, Kraken, you lose again.
The lizard laughed, too. Aye, but I almost had you.
Indeed, had I given you another season or so, you might have gotten somewhere! They both broke into open laughter as the winged creature allowed his friend to stand up. He peered over at the two wolves who stood, staring at the pair of monsters, and looked back at his friend. Now, if you would be so kind as to tell me why you were trying to eat these two?
The lizard shrugged as he stood. He was nearly three times Rahln’s size, and covered in violet and orange scales. His wings had claws at the ends and the tops, and the skin stretched over the frame was a darkening violet that became black at the bottom edge. His arms ended in five-clawed hands, not paws, and his legs in five-clawed feet, and his tail was almost as long as his body was, thick and strong. He had no visible ears, but rather had a rear-facing horn on either side of his head. His eyes were a deep scarlet. He opened his mouth to speak, revealing row after row of razor-like teeth. They were there. I saw them, and I decided to make a quick snack out of them. Why, pray tell, did you stop me?
The other scowled. I have told you many a time not to eat strange creatures, and these, he looked at the wolves, are as strange as they come.
His friend sighed. Aye, I suppose you are right, as usual, Silvra. Besides, if they prove to be sentient, I will feel most ashamed.
Shall we find out?
Yes, let’s.
The one called Silvra, the winged monster, faced the two canines and smiled. He was a creature perhaps twice Rahln’s size, with wings and the head of a bird. He kept the wings folded against his back unless he was using them, and stretched them now and again. His fur was silver down to the start of his paws and wings. On his wings, the fur was black, and the feathers alternated black and silver. His tail had a black tuft with silver strands running though it, and his ears, a bit over-large and wing-like, were also black. He opened his glittering silver beak to speak. I am Silvra, and this is my friend, Kraken. Who and what are you, and where did you come from?
Rahln just stared for a moment, before he could find himself able to speak. I-I am Rahln, and this is my friend, GreyTail, and we’re wolves.
Woves? What is a Wove? Kraken inquired of the visitor.
A wolf is a creature that is relatively common where we come from. We came from a forest, elsewhere.
Where is Elsewhere? And what’s a forest?
GreyTail suddenly spoke up. You don’t know what a forest is? It’s a place with a lot of trees. The two creatures looked at her strangely. She tried again. You know, trees, like those. She indicated towards a group of treelike plants.
The creatures looked towards the plants. Ah, you mean the sky supports. Yes, we have those.
The two wolves looked at one another. Sky supports? Perhaps these creatures were more primitive than they seemed. GreyTail continued. We came to this land through a Fathom. Do you know what those are?
A Fathom? Yes, we know what those are. I created one, a moment ago. I meant to look through it and close it, but my friend caught my attention and I left it open. I didn’t mean for anything to come through it.
Wait, you, created it?
Silvra nodded. Aye, I did indeed. I have the ability to open a hole in time and space, just to see what’s on the other side. But it is discouraged, mainly because of what just happened to you two. See, now that the Fathom is closed, you can’t go back to where you came from.
Rahln was stricken. C-can’t go back? Why?
The Fathom is closed. I couldn’t make another one to go back to your origin if I tried. They’re very random, you see.
Rahln was still trying to grasp the truth. Closed
Silvra nodded again. Yes. I’m very sorry. You’re welcome to remain here, though. You could come and live with me in my nest.
GreyTail smiled. Yes, that sounds like a good idea. Thank you. Come on, Rahln, let’s go.
Hold on, Grey, he paused for a moment. Where, Silvra, is here, exactly?
Here, he responded, is known as Hiram. With that, he began to walk away, his tail curling left and right as he trotted along, GreyTail and Kraken following him close behind. Rahln sat, skeptical for a moment, and finally decided to follow them, as well. He wanted to know more about this place that was apparently to be their new and final home. Hiram.When the group finally reached Silvra’s nest, which happened to be inside a large cave that doubled as Kraken’s home as well, the sun had set, leaving the sky a deep violet, streaked with yellow and blue stripes. Rahln, still a bit apprehensive about waltzing into a strange creature’s home in a strange place, lingered outside for a moment, until GreyTail’s voice drifted out to him. Come on, Rahln, get in here. He won’t bite.
Fat Chance, Rahln thought. But he gingerly trotted into the cave anyway. As his eyes adjusted to the dim light cast by a few candles sitting here and there around the room, he saw GreyTail standing suspiciously close to Silvra as Kraken disappeared into another part of the cave on an unknown errand. It was painfully obvious that GreyTail had taken a sudden and unbridled liking to the odd-yet-charming bird creature. Feeling a sudden slight pang of jealousy, Rahln defiantly snuggled up close to GreyTail. Neither GreyTail nor Silvra seemed to care or even notice. Perturbed, Rahln snorted softly and went to the other side of the cave. GreyTail, suddenly noticing Rahln’s strange behavior, after a second or two of consideration, followed him. Silvra watched her go with concerned eyes, then shrugged and spoke.
This is Kraken’s home and mine. Feel free to make yourselves at home, as well.
GreyTail set about doing just that, looking around and adjusting things. Rahln, however, set about drilling Silvra for answers. Exactly what are you? And Kraken?
Silvra shook his head slightly and stretched his wings. I’m a Griffin. Basically a lion with the head and wings of a bird. Don’t look at me like that. Lions and birds have come through the Fathoms, too. You’d be surprised what lives and has lived here. See, since nothing can go back through a Fathom to the place they came from, most just choose to stay here. Some species flourish, while others die off. It depends on how many of each species comes through the Fathom. Fathoms generally only last long enough for one trip through, by any creature.
Wait, just one? Grey and I both got through, and she went before I did.
Silvra shrugged. Maybe you just got lucky. In any event, it doesn’t matter. You’re here, now, and since there’s one male and one female of your species, you could easily continue the wolf species here in Hiram.
The two wolves suddenly looked at each other. Pups? It had never occurred to either one to think about their becoming mates. Well, at least it hadn’t to GreyTail
As for Kraken, however, he’s a native to these lands. He’s a Dragon. Certainly you’ve heard of them before. They have a bad reputation for eating others with no consideration at all, but that’s not true. Silvra winked at Rahln slyly. He always considers how they’ll taste, first. He laughed at Rahln’s shocked look and shook his head. No, no, not really. He doesn’t actually eat something he doesn’t know for a fact isn’t sentient. He just happened to mistake you two for a pair of Arjes, I suppose. You do look a lot like them. And they aren’t sentient. But I noticed that you were definitely not Arjes.
Rahln suddenly remembered. Oh, right, I forgot to thank you for rescuing us.
Silvra waved a massive paw, dismissing the thanks. He does that occasionally. I’m only glad I could rescue you before there wasn’t any of you left to rescue. Besides, if I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have had the pleasure of meeting you. He distinctly grinned at GreyTail, who smiled obliviously back at him. Rahln was struck again by a pang of jealousy. He cleared his throat to catch the two creatures’ attention. Well, I suppose that since we are stuck here for the time being-
-Time being forever
Rahln glared at the Griffin. Whatever. Since we’re stuck here forever, we may as well get used to this place.
But not tonight, Silvra cut in. Tonight, you guys need to decide where you’re going to sleep so we can get to sleep so we can show you around tomorrow, right, Kraken?
The Dragon nodded as he walked in slowly, carrying a tray of edibles. Right. But before that, even, we need to eat. So, dig in!
Kraken proved to be a most experienced cook, and Rahln blissfully, though a bit apprehensively, indulged in a bit of every dish that sat upon the massive tray. When he could eat no more, there was still a large portion left on each, as well. When the two native creatures decided that the two newcomers had eaten their fill, they dug in with a passion. Within seconds, every dish had been licked pristinely clean, and Kraken took it back to the back of the cave while Silvra showed the two wolves to another room in the cave where they could sleep.
Unless, he naively smirked, Grey wants to sleep in my nest with me. It’s very warm and cozy. He grinned at the young female.
She looked at Rahln, as if asking permission. He frowned and sneered at her. Go ahead. I’ll be fine, here, alone, all by myself, all night.
She didn’t catch his sarcasm as she shrugged and followed the Griffin back to the room where his nest was. Rahln was suddenly blinded by a searing flash of furious jealousy which he beat back, berating himself. You had your chance. You’ve had all the time you loved her to tell her so. Now that she’s fallen in love with a creature from another world, you’ve lost your chance. Too bad, Rahln. He sniffed as an angry tear rolled out of his eye. He settled to the cold stone floor and curled up, closing his eyes against a pain he couldn’t heal.
Outside, the moon slid by, silently counting off the hours in which both grieving pain and ultimate pleasure were experienced, in the same place, by different creatures.Rahln awoke the following morning to an extremely cold, lonely stone floor. He stood up and stretched his aching muscles, then miserably plodded out into the antechamber of the cave.
Silvra and GreyTail were already there, lying close to one another, discussing something in very low voices. As soon as they caught sight of Rahln, however, they fell silent, and GreyTail lowered her eyes to the floor, as if embarrassed. Silvra smiled slyly to Rahln. So, how was your sleep?
Rahln glared at him. Lonely. And yours?
Silvra smiled smugly. Nothing like yours, I assure you. Rahln felt a flash of rage slice through him and he lowered his eyes, too, to the stone ground and counted silently to his age. Then, he raised his eyes to see GreyTail looking ashamedly into them. He held the gaze for a moment, then she, uncomfortable, broke it and looked at the wall. He closed his eyes and shook his head. Every day, he thought, I don’t say something, the further she gets away from me. He sighed deeply, then walked over to her side and flopped down next to her, as close as he could get. Silvra looked him over, then shrugged. We’re still waiting for Kraken to wake up. We were thinking of going to see the Talon today, to see if he can help you get home.
The Talon?
Silvra nodded. Yes, the Talon. He’s an old, magical creature who lives deep in the forest. It’s difficult to get to him, and even if you do manage to get to where he lives, it is difficult to find him, because he always changes form, depending on what creature comes to see him, and what their problem happens to be. Once you find him, if he deems you worthy, he’ll grant your wish, whatever it may be.
Rahln looked at Silvra skeptically. Seems like a lot of work for such a simple thing. Why don’t we just stay here forever? I’m sure Grey won’t object to that, will you? He narrowed his eyes at her. Silvra glanced at her, too, and she looked back and forth, then at the floor, again, ashamed. Rahln nudged her gently, and she suddenly looked up at him. He stared at her expectantly. Will you?
She looked distressed. No, I mean, yes, I mean oh, I don’t know, whatever! She suddenly burst into tears, jumped up, and ran back, deep into the cave. Rahln and Silvra both watched her go, then looked at each other.
Happy? Silvra frowned at Rahln accusingly.
What do you mean?
You just made her miserable. Isn’t that what you wanted?
I don’t know what you’re talking about.
I think you do. I also think you owe her an apology.
Rahln looked at the floor. I think she owes me one.
Silvra suddenly exploded. FOR WHAT? What has she done to you that would require her to apologize to you? All she’s done is made the best of what’s happened to her, unlike you, who has spent the entire time moping and frowning and trying to make her unhappy, so you can feel better!
Rahln exploded back. I have not! You don’t know what I’ve been trying to do! You don’t know what it feels like to watch someone you love go on loving someone they just met! An entirely different species, too! I’ve loved her ever since I first met her, and then we come here, and she meets you, and suddenly, she’s in love with some creature from a different time and place, and I’m just Rahln, as usual!
Silvra’s face suddenly melted into a curious expression. Have you ever told her you loved her?
Rahln squirmed. Well, no, but
But nothing. Maybe, if you’d said something, you might’ve found out that she loved you, too. And she does, too. But now, she’s got me, and she doesn’t know who she wants to be the mate of. Obviously, since you’re her species, you could reproduce together, but what if she loves me more? Then what? We can’t reproduce. See, you have the upper hand. She has more of an incentive to be your mate than mine. I don’t see what you’re bitching about.
More incentive? What are you talking about? Grey’s never been bothered with reproducing and pups! She doesn’t care! All she cares about is someone to follow her on her little adventures, which is what I’ve been to her!
Maybe for a while that was the case, but she’s not a pup anymore! She needs more than just a friend, a partner! She needs a lover, now, and you’re to full of yourself to give her what she wants and needs!
Rahln sat, quivering with rage for a moment, then suddenly stood, glaring at Silvra, and turned to follow GreyTail. Silvra watched him silently, shaking his head. No, it was far too late, now. He had GreyTail right where he wanted her. Rahln could do nothing. Nothing.Rahln followed the racking sobs all the way to Silvra’s nest, where GreyTail lay in the center of the grouping of feathers and other materials Silvra had gathered for a bed. He tentatively walked up to her and lay down beside her. She sniffed, still crying, but silently, now, and turned her head away from him. He felt a painful sadness enter his heart, and he gently nudged her. She looked at him with tears in her eyes. He tried to smile back.
Hey, Grey, I’m sorry about that out there-
Why, Rahln? She suddenly cut him off. Why’d you have to ask that?
He looked at his paws. The silvery feathers glinted and swirled around them. He closed his eyes. I don’t know, Grey. I guess I’m just
Stupid? Inconsiderate? Mean?
Each word hurt like fire to hear her say, but he realized for each one, she was right. He sighed again. No, jealous.
Jealous? Rahln, what are you talking about?
He looked into her questioning eyes, no longer with tears in them. I’m jealous, Grey, of Silvra. He has you, he loves you, and you love him back. And I’m just here.
So? What’s that supposed to mean?
Grey! You never really could put two concepts together, could you?
She looked down, ashamed. He suddenly felt bad. It hadn’t been necessary to say that. No, wait, Grey, that’s not what I meant. She looked up at him to see what he did mean. I meant that that He took a deep, shuddering breath. This was it. He’d always wanted to say this, and now I -
A shrill whistle suddenly cut through the uneasy silence. Ahoy! Rahln! Grey! Kraken’s up! Let’s go!
Rahln cut off, both relieved and furious that he hadn’t been able to say what he’d meant to say. GreyTail looked curiously at him, as if expecting him to say it anyway, as they went back out, but he shook his head. No, I’ll tell you later. He stood up, brushing the feathers out of his fur, and followed her out into the main antechamber.
Silvra and Kraken stood, waiting for them. Surprisingly, they both had a sort of pack on, Silvra’s slung around his neck, over his chest, Kraken’s over one shoulder, at his side. Rahln was about to ask about them when Kraken cut him off. Supplies. You never know what’ll happen on the way to the Talon.
Silvra nodded solemnly and then turned to stalk briskly out of the cave, saying as he went, Alright, then, let’s go.
Rahln, Kraken, and GreyTail followed him out into the blinding sun, on a quest to return home.The day was perfect for travelling, with the sun high in the sky, warming everything, and a few clouds shading it occasionally, and keeping everything a moderate temperature. Everywhere one looked, it seemed as though someone had dropped Mother Nature’s palette and not bothered to clean it up. Small purple and red flowers bloomed amidst a thick carpet of blue-green grass that was soft and blunt, making it ideal to walk on, with little insects of a wondrous variety flitting from flower to flower. Here and there, a tree, or ‘sky-support,’ as Kraken insisted on calling them, would sprout, seemingly out of place on the vast flat expanse. They had a slick green trunk up to the first branches ,which spread out, with few leaves. Little flying lizards perched in them, often an entire spectrum of colors, splashed here and there, with no heed to camouflage or symbolism. They were dressed to impress, and did just that.
Rahln tilted his head back as they walked, noting with delight that the sky retained its blue and gold coloring even in the daytime, with the colors mixing and shifting constantly in the sky, dancing around the shimmering golden orb that was the sun. The clouds ranged in a flurry of dark color, from the deepest of violets to the lightest of blues. It was all completely breathtaking.
So much so, in fact, that Rahln had not watched where they had been going all the time and realized suddenly, with a mild panic, that he could no longer make out the way back to the cave. He wondered where they would go if ever they got separated from their guides, but then realized it would be exceedingly difficult, as the world stayed perfectly flat for miles in all directions.
Finally, the small group made it to the edge of a lake, and Silvra turned to address the two wolves. According to the sun, he began, the Talon is beneath the surface of this lake. Where beneath it, I don’t know, and how we will continue to navigate once underneath without the sun to guide us, I also do not know, but nonetheless, if we are to find him, we must go down, under the lake.
Rahln knew very well that he hated water, and could by no means swim under a lake, but Silvra and Kraken had already figured that out. From their packs, both produced something of a harness, which, when they strapped them on, proved to hold the wolves quite easily, and comfortably. Rahln inquired about the harnesses and Silvra explained that they were commonly used to transport Arjes, which were very similar in shape to wolves. With that, he, with GreyTail strapped to his back, dove into the lake. Kraken, with Rahln atop his, also dove into the icy water and began to follow Silvra.
Rahln had had just enough time and sense to take a deep breath and hold it before they hit the surface, but when the cold water washed around his head, he exhaled it, just the same, in a panic. Now, with nothing in his lungs but the small amount that remained, he was panicking even more, struggling and thrashing about in the water. They were moving along at an incredible pace, the water rushing by on all sides, but Rahln, with his eyes closed, was not watching to see where they were going and if they were close to their destination. Kraken changed directions sharply a few times, and just as Rahln was about to pass out from lack of air, his head broke the surface, emerging into a stiflingly warm, lit cavern.
He fell from Kraken’s back willingly, coughing and spluttering, and opened his eyes, blinking against the water that now ran into them from his fur. He peered around the cavern, which he now saw was extremely small. It had lit torches sitting in holders on the walls, and it led off into a dimly lit passageway. Silvra was also looking around, as if apprehensive, and then decisively strode over to the wall and removed a torch from one of the holders. Come on.
They walked through the cavern, which twisted, turned, dipped, and rose, following the endless rows of torches, burning as if indefinitely in the gloom. Silvra kept looking over his shoulder, back at his companions, as if he expected to be attacked, and when he did, he occasionally hit the wall. He would back suddenly away, as if afraid it would strike him, and run into the small group, which would then fall into a tangle of limbs and a volley of curses and shrieks. After a while, the convoy got smart and started walking a bit behind him, to keep from running into him again. At this, he seemed to relax, and walked with more confidence.
After what seemed like hours, (it had only been a few minutes) the tunnel opened into a huge chamber, in the center of which sat a large round platform, glowing with the power of a sun. Rahln had to turn his eyes away from it for a moment, then, once they had adjusted to the sudden onslaught of light, he looked back at the platform.
Above it hovered a sort of void, similar to the Fathom, but through this void, Rahln couldn’t see anything. Puzzled he looked to Kraken. The Dragon seemed just as puzzled. Silvra, where in Hiram
Silvra suddenly reached into his pack and pulled out a knife, honed to a shimmering silver edge, and held it in his right paw. He advanced quickly on Kraken, slicing it across his midsection as he did. The blade bit deep into the Dragon’s flesh, splitting it open and exposing his innards.
Surprised, Kraken had little time to react before Silvra had jammed the knife into his shoulder, up to the hilt. Kraken cried out in pain even as he retaliated, forcing his own claws deep into Silvra’s right shoulder, causing the Griffin to release the knife in pain. Stung, he fell back and glared at Kraken, now wavering slightly and holding his own belly together with one hand and removing the knife from his shoulder the other. He growled weakly and glared back at Silvra, wielding the knife and holding his ground.
Silvra, now robbed of his weapon, set about to attack the Dragon without his knife, flying forward and slamming full into him, knocking him over and biting his wrist, hard. The severed hand, still holding the knife, fell away and bounced across the floor of the chamber. With a triumphant cry, Silvra leaped over to the knife and picked it up. He turned and bore down on Kraken, even as he was trying to stand again.
The knife bit deep, hard, solidly buried in the Dragon’s back, and Kraken did not cry out this time, but only moaned softly, a horrible, haunting sound, as Silvra removed the knife and jammed it into his flesh again and again. Over and over, he stabbed the dying Kraken, and even when life had left the mutilated body, he continued to force the knife into him, making certain and then some that he was dead.
When he was finally satisfied with his dirty work, he turned slowly, shoulder still bleeding profusely, to survey the two wolves with an evil grin.GreyTail, oblivious as always, spoke first. W-why did you do that, Silvra?
Silvra, apparently not surprised by the question, nonchalantly looked back over his shoulder at the corpse of his once-living friend, then shrugged and looked back at the wolves. Because. He would have stopped me. You see, we aren’t going to see the Talon, as you can see. Instead, we’re going to make it so we don’t have to.
Rahln felt a terrifying revelation. H-how?
Why, we’re going to make it so you won’t have to go home.
This time, GreyTail spoke. H-how?
Well, you see, Grey, since I love you, and you me, I will make it so that we can be mates, and have cubs, and live together forever, like you know you want to. As for Rahln, I’m afraid he just doesn’t fit here in Hiram, so
Rahln felt his stomach sink even as he spoke. So?
So we’re going to remove you from Hiram, permanently.
Wait, are you going to create another Fathom and send him through? Wishful thinking.
Of course not, too much work. We’re just going to, he again peered over his shoulder, kill him.
GreyTail’s eyes widened. No! You can’t!
Oh, no? Watch me! He again reached for his knife, but suddenly, as though he’d had a sudden revelation as he reached for it, he stopped, and smiled at Rahln. On second thought, I won’t kill you, just yet. No, instead, I’m going to have you watch me make GreyTail mine. He reached into his pack and pulled out a sphere that seemed to emanate its own power, though it didn’t glow like the platform did. He held it out in Rahln’s direction, and a sudden beam of green lightning arced out and struck the unfortunate wolf.
Pain like fire seared through his body, and he yelped in agony, even as he felt himself fall paralyzed to the stone floor. From his position, he could still easily see Silvra, GreyTail, Kraken’s corpse, and the platform. Silvra laughed softly, then turned to GreyTail. Now, my sweet, we will make you mine forever. He caught her up in his arms and brought his beak down, rubbing it gently over her head. She seemed to cringe as he did so, and he looked at her, puzzled. What’s wrong? You don’t like that? Well, I guarantee you will when you’re a Griffin like me!
Ah, so that was his plan. A gruesome plan, but terrifyingly well thought out. Kill Kraken, the only one who could stop him, paralyze, then kill Rahln, so GreyTail would have no one else, then make GreyTail a Griffin, so he could truly be her mate. Rahln narrowed his eyes, furious at Silvra, furious at GreyTail, furious at himself, and furious even at the deceased Kraken. His fury spread throughout his body, warm and vibrating, and he felt a new strength flood though him, even as Silvra led, or rather, dragged, GreyTail to the platform.
She fought him the whole way, but once he set her atop it, she suddenly froze, paralyzed like he was. Silvra then reached into his pack again, once again producing the orb, and held it out in front of him. He said nothing, but this time, a red lightning bolt arced over, encompassing both Silvra and GreyTail. She writhed, not from pain, but from terror and fury. Even as she writhed, though, she began to change. Her soft, beautiful muzzle began to harden into a beak, her tail lengthened and a tuft of fur sprouted at the end. A pair of wings began to sprout and grow from her shoulders, and she began to grow to Silvra’s size.
Silvra laughed as he watched the changes, maniacal and insane, and Rahln feverishly fought with his own body, to escape from the paralysis. Suddenly, he felt a ripping feeling, then he was free. He didn’t take any time to think about it, but only threw himself at Silvra, still holding the orb and grinning as GreyTail continued to change.
He struck the Griffin, hard, and knocked the orb out of his hand, leaving it lying on the ground, still glowing red, holding GreyTail in its clutches. Rahln struck the Griffin blindly, biting and slashing anywhere there was unwounded flesh. The Griffin writhed and screamed beneath him, even as he tore at its flesh, releasing and spreading his bluish blood around the cavern. Finally, he stopped writhing, and Rahln staggered to one side, sick enough to vomit, but strangely unable.
He heard a sudden, soft sound, and looked back up at GreyTail, trapped in a body that was a horrid mix of wolf and Griffin. He slowly stalked over to the orb and picked it up. He held it, his eyes closed, even as the red lightning encompassed him, as well, even as GreyTail began to change, returning to a wolf, and becoming translucent, like Rahln now was. When he opened his eyes again, she stood in front of him, as beautiful and pristine as even, but more so, now. He noticed only one thing different. Grey, you, you’re
Translucent? So are you.
He looked at himself and shrieked. It was true. He was translucent, and so was she. Still not understanding, he looked up at her, his eyes wide with panic. What? How?
She jumped down from the platform and slowly walked over to where his body still lay, paralyzed, now dead, without a soul to inhabit it. I don’t know. One moment, you were sitting here, paralyzed, and all of a sudden, you jumped away from it, and hit Silvra. I don’t know how you did it, but you did.
And then I came over here and held the orb as a spirit, which is what you became, he said, finally understanding. And now, both of us are spirits, trapped here in Hiram.
Yes, she suddenly looked sad and happy and curious all at the same time. I wonder, though, if that’s truly a bad thing. I mean, as spirits, now we’re immortal, right?
Should be.
And since we’re both spirits, we should be able to touch each other, right? She said this even as she walked over to him and nuzzled him gently.
He moaned softly, happily. Right.
So we can be together, forever, right?
Right. He suddenly realized the doors this opened for them. And the mysteries it presented. There’s a lot we’ll have to learn about, now.
She suddenly smiled. There’s one thing I want to know, right now.
What’s that?
What were you going to say to me, right before we were called away?
Oh, that, he squirmed, well, I just wanted to tell you
Tell me?
I love you. There, he’d said it. He waited for the hurricane.
It didn’t come. Instead, she took a small step back, then smiled and nuzzled him gently. Is that all? Oh, Rahln, I knew that.
You did? He was frankly surprised.
Yes, ever since you started acting jealous towards Silvra, I knew you loved me. I knew it, and I just didn’t know how to tell you that I loved you, too.
You did?
Yes, Rahln, and I still do, more so, now. Oh, Rahln, I’ve loved you for so long, but I’ve never been able to tell you. You always got so anxious whenever I started to talk about it, and I was afraid you wouldn’t love me back, so I never told you. Then, we came here, and the first night I spent with Silvra, he told me he loved me, and asked me to mate with him. We did, but it wasn’t what either of us had been expecting. We talked about it the following morning, and came to the conclusion that it was because we were different species. I guess, she lowered her head, I guess that’s when he came up with this plan.
He nuzzled her gently again, and licked her face gently. She looked up at him. Don’t blame yourself, he told her, it wasn’t your fault. He was just lonely. Too lonely, I guess. Lonely enough to kill. But now, he’s been repaid. We’ll never forget Kraken, or Silvra, but we don’t have to worry about it any longer. Come on. Let’s forget about it. Come with me.
He led her willingly into at secluded part of the cavern, even though there was no other living soul to see, and there, in the cavern where the impossible had happened, and death had been repaid with death, they became one flesh, and mates forever.
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