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The Gift

Stephanie's Storyline, Chapter 10.2

copyright comidacomida 2019

I held up a hand and he fell silent. Glancing around at my companions I raised the obvious question. "There's one man out there and one Spirit... if we're going to stand the best chance then shouldn't we ALL go out there to see what he wants?"

All of my spirits immediately objected to the idea of me going out there, speaking over one another in various ways. Strangely, despite being the most soft-spoken of all of the Spirits, Anapa was the one I heard most clearly. "Hemet'netjer. Please. No."

It was a heartfelt objection, that much I knew, but I also couldn't stand the thought of one of my Spirits getting hurt because I wasn't willing to help. It was not an easy choice to make, but I knew it was mine. I wasn't willing to risk anyone. We were in this together, so we'd all go out to face what awaited us. Moving to the door, I unlocked it and threw it wide, speaking to my companions. "I'm not hiding. No matter what happens, we face it together."

Tom stepped through the wall first, moving to take up a position in front of me and Kyle stepped out right behind him. I passed through the doorway with Medved walking through the wall to my right and Anapa was directly to my left. William Smith remained on the sidewalk at the end of the driveway, saying nothing but the way his eyes shifted left no doubt that he could see my companions. I hoped it meant that I'd have his support in wanting things to remain peaceful. Only once I stepped onto the grass in front of him did he say anything. "Your father called my employer... you're Stephanie, right?"

It was pretty direct of him, and, after a moment of surprise, I was able to appreciate that. Nodding, I confirmed his guess. "Yes... and you're William Smith. You were the one who picked up my brother from the river's edge."

The man shook his head, and I watched as the black creating his foggy aura began to coalesce behind him, taking the shape of some kind of humanoid Lynx/Panther/Stag with webbed digits and eyes brightly glowing a fierce Amethyst. Even as the Spirit took on a more solid-looking form, the paramedic spoke and, I noticed, the Spirit did at the same time, their two voices blending into one. "No. Your brother was already gone... we only took his Warmth."

The final word wasn't said in English, but it was what I heard nevertheless. Beside me, Anapa's ears raised and he murmured softly "Sheut.".

Kyle didn't miss it either, and his attention shifted from the Water Panther to the Jackal then back. He stepped out from behind Tom, speaking up in a language I had not yet heard. "Kwey, Mishupijiw. Mino kijigad. Anin tash epideg?"

The feline Spirit rested his right paw on William's shoulder and slowly stalked around him to his left, coming out from behind the man with his eyes focused exclusively on Kyle. "Minobide, Kaagaagiw."

There was something formal about the exchange, but I was left with the impression that there was some kind of barely restrained rage from Mishupishu. Still, the fact that they were talking was still an improvement. Tom interjected, speaking to Mishupishu directly. "What do you know of Billy's 'missing piece'?"

The black-furred Spirit rumbled; the sound that emerged came out like a combination of a growl and a chuckle. He opened his muzzle and clearly enunciated; although he continued talking in the language he and Kyle had been using, when William talked at the same time he spoke in English. "You should ask the Raven... he was there."

Kyle took a step back, his feathers puffing up as the Underwater Panther Spirit stared him down. Although William stopped talking, Mishupishu continued, speaking directly to the Raven, but he'd switched to English. "Tell her, Kaagaagiw."

The Panther's eyes gleamed Amethyst, and a soft glow surrounded Kyle for a split second. He tensed up, as if he'd just been startled, or maybe more like he was anticipating an impact of some kind, but his muscles remained tense, his breath coming out as a hoarse murmur... along with the faintest of a whisper. Although I couldn't hear it clearly, I could tell that he wasn't speaking in English. I was also surprised to see little rivulets of tears leaking from his eyes.

Whatever the Panther was doing, I could tell that it was causing Kyle distress, and I couldn't stand to watch it. Although I fully planned of stopping him, it wasn't me that made the move. Before I could act, Anapa stepped from beside me, moving quickly forward to position himself between Mishupishu and Kyle. He held both arms out in front of himself, paws forward with his palms out in a 'stop' gesture, and he said simply "No."

The Panther and Jackal locked eyes, nothing more happening for several long seconds until William spoke up. "You were there, Raven Spirit... I saw you there. She wants to know what happened to her brother... why didn't you tell her?"

I stepped up to defend my friend. "He already did... but what he DOESN'T know is what you did with Billy after you left the riverside."

Mishupishu was surprisingly close to me; I hadn't realized just how close he was until he spoke up, barely an arm's length from me. The Spirit towered over me, at least seven foot tall and imposing beyond words... but when he spoke in his native language, I was paying more attention to Kyle, who translated for him in unison, much the way William Smith had. "Your brother was already gone... we only took his Warmth."

Kyle quickly put a wing up to hide his face, shaking his head like he were shrugging off a bad dream. His eyes came to focus on me. "Step back from him, Stef... it's not safe to get that close!"

Mishupishu blinked, expression blank. A faint pulse of Golden light shone in his pupils before he repeated the same growling laugh from before and, when he next spoke, he spoke for himself. His voice came out deep, unaccompanied by anyone else as he used thickly accented English. "Says Trickster Raven Kaagaagiw... he no know how speak all truth... just make story with some truth..."

A paw wrapped around my forearm; without even looking I could tell it was Medved's, and he quickly pulled me away from the Underwater Panther. "He is trying to divide us. I may not always LIKE your Kyle friend, but I have faith that he would not betray you in such a way... not how this 'Bes' is suggesting."

Tom wasn't so sure. "Wouldn't he? I could imagine that there is plenty he might not tell us if it benefits him... isn't that right, Raven?"

Kyle shot him a dirty look in response, but said nothing. There was a long silence, in fact as nobody spoke. I glanced at Kyle, and he met my gaze, but I could tell he was faltering, and having trouble holding it. In his eyes I could see so many truths; even though he'd already told me his feelings I hadn't realized just how deep they went... or how conflicted they were. He wanted to do his best for me and tried in all the ways he knew how, but there was also something else--- something... hidden. In that moment I could tell that there was more to what was being said, and, for that split second, my mind went blank.

Eventually, after what felt like an eternity, Kyle looked away, folding his wings tightly around his body like a scared little child wrapping himself up in a blanket. He hesitantly lifted one of his legs, dexterous talons at the end balling up into a 'fist' before slowly opening. A small speck of bluish-green light sprang into being. His voice was timid as he whispered "I... I couldn't let him go... not all of him. I'm sorry, Stef... I--"

Something about that light was more than just familiar-- I knew what it was; Kyle had taken some of Billy's Spirit Essence! With my mind and focus wholly on the Raven, I hadn't noticed that Mishupishu had stepped forward until Medved interposed himself between me and the Underwater Panther. Rising up to his full impressive ursine height, my Guardian announced "That is close enough, Bes."

Mishupishu ignored Medved, speaking past him to me. His words returned to his native language but, for some inexplicable reason, I could still understand him. "That spark is mine as well, Stephanie Brenner. You sought answers, and now you have them. Tell him to relinquish it to me and we will leave you in peace."

I--