Forgotten Part 46: Death and shadow.

Forgotten Part 46: Death and shadow.

“Shadow, how quaint. Never expected to see you again.” The strolling creature stopped, halted by a strange, hooded figure. The desert was hot, yet neither black entity was bothered.
“Mortalis, I have no business with you.” The hood was pulled back, revealing a vixen.
“Come on, you remember me.”
“I serve Cravon’s deepest wishes. Thus, you are not of importance.” The vixen grabbed his shoulder and pulled him closer.
“Shadow, please; show me where he is.” He pulled loose and continued.
“I have to find Amanda, so it’s better you forsake your ideas.” The vixen followed him, not hesitant to act.
“Shadow, I suggest you assist me. Who is…? Amanda?” She asked caring.
“Amanda is Cravon’s new ‘mother’. Currently, he’s scared, so I will assist her fate.” The vixen shrugged, slightly tripping over the robe.
“Can I at least do a little networking?” The bird stopped.
“You still regret sacrificing life? Enough to ask your boyfriend’s emotional minion for a link to the spiritual network?” She nodded and he consented. “Be swift, I doubt an otter can survive a desert any longer than you in reality.” The bird opened his beak, allowing the vixen to slither inside.

***

She looked over the massive net of people. Cravon had little allies left. A grey line to an AI, a bright, white one to the otter and a thick, white one to an albino wolf. She knew what those lines meant, and was infuriated. Not only was he cheating, but he also lost any connection to her. Quickly, she checked his net, looking for herself.

***

The shadow remained motionless for a while, before a black, dark copy of the vixen separated in the front of his body. “Shadow, I’ve seen reality. With my lack of connection to this world, your weak soul is the perfect manifestation. Don’t worry; I won’t interfere with YOUR goals, unless they go against MINE.” She merged with him again, before he continued, completely indifferent. Whatever she saw on the network wasn’t his deal, so he continued to find the otter.

***

The man cackled as he checked each and every bone. “Perfect!” His strong, piercing laugh shattered the ears of anything that beheld it. Continuing on his camel, he petted her. “Oh, Darling. We just need to reach the border and we can start our circus. Finally, a good example for necromancy!” He cackled loudly, before seeing a shadow in the distance. It was a completely black vixen, who approached him. “Good day, good sir. Could you spare some water for a traveller?” He agreed and handed a flask to her.
“That’s real Oasis Water for ya.” He gave a promoting smile and nod to boot. But when she grabbed it, a small tentacle slithered up his sleeve. Quickly, he removed it and threw flask in her face. “Be gone, demon! I’m too strong for such petty magic.” She cringed, feeling the magic burn her face. He did not know a fragment was still on him, and making his move.

***

Sun and sand, that was all there was to see. She had no more water, let alone any kind of food. One day took so much, more than she could bear. In the distance, however, there was a small, black dot. An oasis? A caravan? Maybe even a vehicle! She stumbled and tripped across the sandy terrain, slowly scrambling to the dot. There was hope at the horizon.