FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

"Robert?"

A child's voice rang through the woods.

"Roooobeeeeert?"

Nothing called back, not even the sound of birds strangely absent from this forest.

"Robert where are ya?!"

She climbed over a fallen branch and stumbled through the dirt, mud splitting under her shoes as her claws scraped against the bark of a tree.

"Okay Robbie you win, you can come oot now! Robbie?!"

But no one came. She took the path that was open before her and hurried through, trembling in her fingers with pounding feet, her soft green eyes upon a brown scaled snout, her white shirt glistening with red strips and denim shorts whilst her tail twitched back and forth. The sky she could hardly see, clotted with leaves that shone of purest gold and copper that dappled across her face and painted her skin, the scents of autumn bringing a cold musk that soothed her spirit. Running through the paths of well-trodden visits, she kicked through the leaves that burst in a crimson wind, a soft gentle breeze that made her laugh as she danced upon a forest stage. She heard the babbling brook, down the passage that was guarded by knights of oak that stood tall and resolute, bowing to each one as she walked further down the path. She found the small stream, shining crystalline silver through the woods as she watched fish scatter between the rocks, picking up pebbles and tossing them down the way. Then came a scent on the breeze, something that made her look up.

"R-robert?! Robbie?!"

A figure stood on the other side of the water, dark in shadow with auburn clothes that walked behind a tree.

"HEY, Robbie wait!"

She jumped over the water and hurried after, one foot in the shallows that splashed thickly on her shoe as she found no one behind the tree. She turned to find him again, but this time much further away.

"How'd you, c-come oan ah found you Robbie it's mah turn!"

The child hurried after as he walked with steady pace, heading further from the sun which turned darker in the sky as the trees started to loom with encroaching shadows and invisible eyes from every hollow. She started to run faster the lower the sun went, but no matter how far she ran, he was always the same distance.

"R-ROBBIE, ROBERT WAIT!"

Despite her cries her voice became faint, swallowed by the forest as darkness threatened to come, the shadows reaching across the ground like knives sharpening as the girl ran further with ragged heart and quivering eyes struggled to focus on him. A gust of wind tore leaves across her path in a storm of red, blinding her briefly before she found him suddenly gone,

"R-...Robbie? Robbie where are you?"

She clutched at her chest and kept walking whilst the sun fell behind her. She heard the sound of water, growing stronger from some place as it burned thicker in her ears. Her body tensed, the ground turned wet with clumping mud until it smothered her shoes, claws poking out the front glistening with dirt as she stumbled grabbing an old oaken tree. Trying to catch her breath, she clutched her head from the roaring unceasing fury of water, drowning her ears until she thought the woods were being consumed by a biblical flood.

"R-robbie, Robbie dinnae leave me, DON'T LEAVE ME!"

The girl hugged herself tighter as the howl of the raging sea came beckoning from beyond, tearing through her skull as her sobbing stutters were lost beneath. The light soon faded as twilight descended, a panic in her breast as something screamed from above causing her to run fast down the sodden path, her claws struggling to push through the swampen ground as her throat started to burn with rasping tears. The leaves chased after her, forming a phantom as her fears ignited in her mind and she almost fell twice into the mud. The sound of the waters descended on her head as the path turned to a river, forcing her to wade deeper through until it grabbed her knees with a looming rush.

"R-rob...Robert...I'm...s-sorry..."

She reached out her hand towards him, the water rising as she felt her head descend beneath. The depths swallowed her fully, the claws of ice tearing at her chest and pushing the breath from her lungs before her eyes closed at last. Something grabbed her shoulder.

"Ey, you alrigh'?"

"WHU-WHUH!?"

She yelped almost jumping with a start.

"Fuck's sake calm doon!"

Her eyes bulged frantically looking around herself. Sitting under a large oak tree, the river flowed out in front of her cutting across the land in a small glade where the sun remained at dusk, a tender golden light casting upon her face as a Scottish voice came clearly through.

"Wuz you dozin' aff?"

"Uhh?"

"Ah said, wuz you dozin' aff, you gone deaf tae?"

"N-naw...just..."

She looked upon a raptor, twice her age with a cocky smile and eyes of hazel gleam.

"Ah wuz...jus' dreaming."

"Aye, you's were snortin' in yer sleep lahk a hog."

"Ah dinnae snort!" she slapped his arm.

"Aye ya dae, lahk a wee piggie."

He pushed his nose up at her with oinking sounds before she shoved him, a cackling giggle from both of them as they sat back against the tree with the water tickling their feet. It was a peaceful little place, a small clearing in the woods as she looked up at autumn's eve.

"Should we get back?"

"Naw," he patted her arm, "we gots plenty time 'fore we're aff."

"But, it's gettin' dark."

"Nah nah is earlier than ya think, mum an' da' ken we're oot here an' the buses run 'til eight."

"Oh...alrigh'." She cuddled into his side and hugged him. "Thanks fer comin' oot with me."

"Nae prab," the older brother kissed her head, "any reason tae get oot that shop, cannae stand that Margaret."

"Aye she's a real bitch!"

"HAH, you said it naw me."

"Yer not gonnae get in trouble?" she wagged her feet.

"Nawww," he stretched his arms, "Davie's coverin' fer me, he's a good guy."

"Why you work in that place if ya hate it sae much?"

"Cuz that's what grownups dae Mary."

"Yer like seventeen, yer not a grownup, Margaret said!"

"She's a fuckin' cow whit ya expect?!"

"SNRKHEEHEHEHAHAA!"

Mary cackled grabbing his arm as he started laughing again, hugging her close and giving her a playful bite that made her shriek before pulling her against his chest.

"Ah dinnae wan' tae leave..." he sighed staring at the sun, "how 'boot you?"

"Mmmm, ah dinnae wan' tae either," she cuddled him close, "how lang can we stay fir?"

"Lang as ye wan' tae..." he stroked down her neck as her eyes closed again, "just you an' me Mary."

"Mmmm...ah luv these woods. Naebody botherin' ya, sometimes ah..." she yawned laying in his lap, "ah think aboot just livin' here an' never goin' back tae school."

"Aye...that sounds good." He felt her breaths turn soft. "Dinnae worry 'boot anythin' Mary...ahll keep ya safe."

"Thanks...luv you Robbie."

"Luv you too Mary."

Her smile grew as she fell asleep once again. Robert smiled to himself, the shadow behind him on the tree growing with the sun, as horns crept from its head.

=============

Beyond the earthly realm of all existence, there lied the Farplane. To all creatures of all faiths, there was a constant unshaking belief that life continued on in another realm after death and this alone was true. Some thought of Heaven, others Hell, whilst others still had some world between. Between the frames of dimensions, the Farplane was a mysterious place that was as wide and grand as it had to be, the long infinite void where every creature that had died would come to be, from whichever world or life they led, and from which all would become equal no matter their station. Upon entering the realm of death, one would experience an epiphany of colours, a startling phantasmagoria that scattered in every direction from red to azure to silver and indigo, long emerald strands that shone with gold from every sun.

Every creature that ever existed would come to the Farplane, from the most ancient of beasts to the most innocent of newborns, all given the same credence that life had not given unto them. It was a beautiful place, filled with every light and warmth since Time began but to say that peace reigned in heaven, belied ignorance of the plight for those whose time had come, for those who died unjust as victims of war and cruelty.

Those who were at peace and had few regrets in life, were the ones that she spoke to as she drifted through the ethereal realm, a phantom of nebulous grin with a purple trail behind her as she found herself in a glimmering sanctum. A towering fountain of golden pools where the water ran rich, with gardens on every side where every single flower bloomed, for so too they had lived and died. The sound of buzzing wings from insects both old and new filled the halls of green and red and blue where vines of splendorous colours wrapped around columns.

This land of peace, which had many names, was the centre of the Farplane to which all souls wished to travel. Some would bathe in its waters, some swam beneath the depths, some flew underneath the waterfalls grand and wide as the mountains they flowed from, and some still would travel beneath to the gardens. No place was too small, for this sanctum would never be full, always welcome to those who had gone in peace, with hearts in tune and their minds unsullied.

Aaaaaah...always looks brighter than I last remember.

Into the valley of waters, there came a haunter. A dark indigo face floated across the ponds with a wide crooked grin and two gleaming white eyes like a tiger stalking the night, her hands hovering in front of her body which largely took the form of a gaseous head that ended in a trail of smoke that tapered behind her. Wrapped around her form was a collar with a shining bell that rang a soothing tune wherever she went, as she wandered to the garden of eternity where creatures bathed, some naked as the day they were born whilst some still in clothes that never turned wet. There were humans and beasts, both feral and anthro, side by side in eternal gratitude for the absence of pain, the silence of hunger and their thirst forever quenched. Mice skittered through the gardens surrounding the ponds next to giant centipedes, whilst wolves and deer drank together besides humans and aliens. The haunter found herself a small pool and dipped into the waters which remained the perfect heat, gasping with tranquil sigh as her eyes closed with hands sinking beneath the surface.

Haaaah...it's good to be dead.

"Not something anyone should say."

She looked up to find a shining white skull staring down at her.

I have exception to say it, I've always been-

"Don't."

The stranger slipped herself down into the water beside her, a 4-foot tall body of brown scale with a large bone club she kept beside her.

"Hhhhnnnnaaaaahhh, I was waiting for this."

You could have started without me.

"And miss the comfort of an old friend?" The skull grinned at the haunter. "That's the best part of catching up with you."

Mmmmm, I suppose...and where are your children today?

"Off playing hide and seek, as usual."

The phantom rolled her eyes with a soft chuckle.

You would think after so many years they would tire of it.

"You know nothing of a child's patience."

True, hmhmhm! Are you doing well Marow?

"As always." The marowak nodded splashing water over her head. "It's funny how time never seems to pass here."

I don't think about it too much.

The haunter grinned with teasing tongue.

I just come here to relax, and savour the peace.

"YYYYAAAAAAAAAH!"

A colossal splash drenched them both, startling them with sputtering coughs as a smaller skull peeked out the waters with tiny arms of pale brown.

"Hiii mommy, hi miss Kirie!"

"Wha-...Isaac!" the mother stood up in a huff. "What have I told you about divebombing the pools?!"

"I-i wanted to get down faster!"

"You can FLOAT down!"

"That's boriiiing, heeheeheh!"

How are you Isaac?

Kirie smiled waving her hand to the cubone.

"Gooood!" he grinned splashing beside her. "I'm lookin' fer uh, my brothers an' sisters, you seen 'em?!"

Now you know that's against the rules.

She wagged her finger with a tutting.

No asking for outside help.

"Coming from YOU that is rich," the mother marowak jabbed her face.

I play by the rules!

"Hardly, when did you ever?"

In the gyms, I'll have you know that I won THREE badges!

"By yourself?"

No, but it was a community effort and that counts!

"Okays well, I hafta go!" The boy sloshed over to the side and climbed out the pool. "If you's see any of 'em, DON'T tell 'em where I am!"

"We promise, see you later Isaac."

"Bye mommy, bye miss Kirie!"

Goodbye dear, take care!

The child ran off scampering into the garden halls as the two slumped back into the waters, savouring the peace for a few moments which stretched into hours as their eyes closed and they sunk beneath the depths. The waters washed over their spirits, rejuvenating them to a crisp clean shade as vibrant as life itself, the marowak rebirthing from the pool and slipping up to the side.

"Soooo anything new with you?"

No.

Kirie shrugged without shoulders.

Just wandering as usual.

"I would have you thought you wanted a rest by now."

A haunter is never at rest.

She flipped her eyes upside down with a cackling smirk.

You should know that by now!

"You know what I mean," the mother tapped her head, "I'm starting to think you're just one of those vagrants."

I prefer the term nomad, it sounds so much more mystical.

Her hands swept out wide as she formed sand from her fingers.

Travelling the great wastes, long and lonesome with only the moon as my companion-

"Oh stop it you're hardly mystical you're just a prankster!"

A COSMIC prankster.

The sand turned into a tiny galaxy that she spiralled towards the marowak, who swept it away fast as it turned to purple smoke that drifted back to the haunter.

"Anything new you've discovered?"

Hmmmm, not really, I spent most of my time wandering Kanto, seeing Red and making sure him and Claude were doing well.

"Has nothing changed since then?" the skullbeast scratched her head.

Well, they finally made a connecting path to Johto, that really expanded things.

"Oh that's good, I've never been to Johto."

Oh It's lovely! Lots of old culture, rich autumn colours, I'm especially fond of Ecruteak City with its ruined tower.

"Bored of Lavender already?"

Oh of course not, it's just nice to have a change from home sometimes and I...well, whenever I see that tower despite its state I find myself oddly at peace.

"And still you wear that bell?" she prodded at the jingling orb.

We promised did we not?

Kirie's hand slipped to hers.

Yours is still where I left it.

"True...it's sweet that you still wear it, even if we aren't-"

I know.

The haunter pulled her close with a nuzzling kiss.

Thank you for letting me wear it.

"I could hardly stop you couldn't I?" The marowak rubbed her side. "You always did like to go off on your own, I felt you were never truly settled even when with my family."

Perhaps, you are right I mean-n-NNNGH!

Something shuddered in her being as she sat up straight, a burning tingle through her mind as the marowak floated back.

"Are you alright?"

I-i...I am being...s-summoned!

"What?! Summoned, by who?!"

I-i...do not...know-A-AAAGH!

Shivering hard she felt the pull of an incantation, words trembling through her being as an alien language developed on her face, sounds that formed rings which bound her tighter.

I...I-i have to go. I'm sorry!

"No I understand but, who would be summoning you?"

Someone who won't keep me long, I hope. Keep the water warm for me!

"It's always warm you silly ghost!"

With a smirk Kirie gave her friend a few fingerguns as she felt the pulling force drag her towards the infinite. From the realm of peace she departed, the phantom travelling across the voids of space and spinning over constellations from a thousand worlds that glimmered across her face, her smile seen by those who would gaze upon the stars and hope for a wish. She tried to wish them back, and at least one child out in existence heard her in passing. Through a long crimson stream she followed the words that tightened round her form, pulling her into the depths whilst trailing fingers across quasars as she descended on a small bubble that she spotted through the myriad of worlds, a portal to one of many realities she had known through all her existence. The sun burned her eyes as she passed into the realm and heard the sea, the call of strange birds and fiendish bats shrieking as she floated down upon a barren cliff, with one single large cave facing towards an endless infinite ocean.

What...what sort of place is this? Wait...

She looked towards the cave and saw a pale green light.

That, that cannot be...Hau'rhun?

Heading into the cavern, the haunter kept her eyes swift and her claws outstretched, flickering sparks of dark energy between as she found stone tablets fused against glass cages where light bounced around within, forming dozens of strands of jade numbers incomprehensible to her that painted the walls in emerald. She turned the corner to find a familiar-looking shadow sat upon a stone seat.

Hau'rhun...is that, you?

"You would dare mistake me for that reprobate?"

The creature turned his head towards and beckoned her to come close. A large-bodied beast of white feathers and fur, with six pale wings and a face that resembled a gryphon without its beak. His eyes were a burning white, almost piercing through the dark of the cave were it not for the amber glow of his console, a semi-circular board that sat beneath a shimmering orb. But what Kirie noted more was the ritualistic star pattern burnt in the ground where there lied a piece of rope, a small red-and-white ball and a warding charm made of paper.

"At least I have confirmed you are the one I summoned correctly."

Who...who are you?

"My name is Noh'jhin," he spread his claws, "I seek for your aid in a mission that you are intimate with."

Well...you could have asked instead of dragging me out of paradise.

She huffed floating over towards him.

What sort of mission would I be intimate with?

"The Scissoraptor."

Her face blanched with tightening eyes and clenching fists.

"You will recall that Hau'rhun conspired with you and James Campbell to defeat a great evil. In that time after his plan succeeded, the Council were notified of his grave transgression in breaching several of our laws, and the demon that resided within Campbell's weapon was banished, correct?"

Yes...is...don't tell me he's coming back?

"He is...preparing," he turned back to his panel with the orb, "my task as a Doer is to correct the mistakes and repercussions caused by Hau'rhun's ignorance-"

Could you not speak of him like that, he was my friend!

"He was a petulant renegade and I shall address him as such. Now, I have discovered the demon's essence lurks within a pocket dimension that he is slowly recuperating within. Currently he is using what little power he has to reform the five parts of his forsaken weapon, which are convalescing upon a certain world."

Oh...oh no please do not tell me it is where James lives.

"No."

He tapped a few buttons of crystal to change the sphere into a diamond, spinning to reveal a world inside of deep prehistoric jungles and a pack of feral raptors rushing past. One however was an anthro, of a familiar gleam in his green eyes and the 9-shaped mark on the left side of his face leaping through the trees.

"Wh-what...is...is that-

"The son of James Campbell. I know not why the demon has chosen his home rather than that of his former host, but I require your assistance."

Why?

She shook her head.

You clearly know more than I do, and you said it was your mission.

"Unlike my predecessor, I have rules to obey. I cannot interfere with the events of another world unless they specifically breach beyond the border of Spacetime Six. Unlike my predecessor, I shall obey those rules."

And you are asking me for help?

Kirie crossed her arms with a sneer at him.

Aren't you just doing the same thing, asking a spirit to do your dirty work?

"That is not against the rules. What Hau'rhun did in error was bring James Campbell-"

Kennidon.

She wagged her finger.

He changed his name in marriage, it is Kennidon now.

"Whatever his name is now, the raptor vagabond whom you are acquainted with, Hau'rhun made the mistake of not only bringing him to our world which WAS against the rules, but also enact a plan that was not cleared by the Council."

And I was wondering why your world has no welcome mats.

Kirie shrugged with petulant grin.

It is no surprise every time I come here this place is barren like a desert.

"Regardless, I require your assistance in this matter to prevent the resurrection of the demon."

It is not that I don't want to help, but...

She looked towards the screen with widened eyes.

By Arceus he looks just like him...no, n-no.

She shook her head turning back to Noh'jhin.

I cannot interfere with his family again. I know he forgave me but I wanted to leave him in peace.

"James is not your target, the world in which his son resides is-"

That's not the point! After all that happened the last time, James almost dying and being dragged through worlds relentless I put him through so much! I cannot do that to his son, not any of his family.

"Even at the risk of a demon's revival?"

What is your plan then?! What does his son have to do with this?!

"The Five Hearts."

The Cocytan tapped into the console showing a Vitruvian diagram of a demon, cross-referenced by a pair of scissors now split into five.

"After studying Hau'rhun's notes, I learned that the demon relies on a negatory metaphysical energy to exist. Through countless documents of other exorcisms, I learned of a ritual that should five hearts embodying five greater traits come together, and be amplified with the correct magnitude, it shall overload the demon's core and permanently destroy it from existence."

Amplify...huh.

She scratched her chin with a flick of her tongue.

Back in my world there are certain items that if held by certain Pokemon would amplify their powers.

"Indeed."

Noh'jhin clicked his fingers as a shining rod appeared in his hand with several shapes floating above it.

"This is what I call the Golden Key, which unlocks the heart and its true potential exponentially. At least, that is the best way to describe it, to unlock a physical organ is absurd and it is more accurate to say that it amplifies the metaphysical force within a being."

But far more boring when you put it that way.

Kirie floated over to the key and tried to touch it before Noh'jhin pulled away.

That is a good plan I must admit, but what does James and his son have to do with it.

"The five hearts must embody these qualities; Courage, Kindness, Love, Loyalty and Justice. I have discovered through long-range scans that both James and his son, Oddclaw, possess two of those traits."

O-oh...oh no, do not tell me he has to fight him again?!

"Should all go according to plan, no." He clicked his fingers again for the staff to disappear. "My mission is to abort the rebirth of the demon, but also to use his selfish ego to lure his own trap to him."

So you want...them to meet again, but the demon won't know you empowered James and his son?

"Correct. That is where you come in." He leaned back in his seat with tented claws. "Oddclaw has never known his father, and as such has abandonment issues that border on resentment. If our plan is to succeed-"

Wait, OUR plan?! I never agreed to it yet-

"You will, now do not interrupt me. IF our plan is to succeed, Oddclaw must find favour with his father so that they commune together efficiently. I must not have any discord amongst the Five that I have planned to bring together."

Who are the other three?

"I am still searching for suitable candidates, but that is your task. Travel to Oddclaw's world and prepare him mentally for the day that he shall meet his father, as well as the battle that approaches."

I don't like this.

She crossed her hands as she looked back to the screen.

With James I was helping him, struggling as he was so far from home, but with his son he seems happy...so grown and...handsome...that I would feel wrong interfering with him, i-it would be too much.

"Are you afraid of repercussions?" asked the Cocytan raising a brow.

I have done enough to him. He forgave me but...if he knows about this-

"I can assure you he will not."

But I will! I just-...no. No, I'm sorry.

Kirie turned floating back towards the entrance.

Thank you for considering me but I feel I'm overstepping my mark if I meddle with his son-

"What if I offered you something in return?"

She stopped as Noh'jhin rose from his seat.

"You are a spirit ridden with guilt, one who considers family as the deepest bond. Something you yourself had envied and always wished to be a part of."

And what if I am? That is who I am, I have accepted that.

"I see."

Walking over to one of the green consoles, Noh'jhin brought out two tarnished rings that he placed inside the prism and watched them float with intrinsic energies. Crackling bolts filled the glass as words began flowing, swirling and channelling until it formed a cloud that split into two, dappling smoke through the light that showed two raptors in different places. One was sitting in the woods sleeping in the hands of a shadow; the other trapped inside a steel suit wrapped in flames.

"I offer you a chance of redemption. Gerald Campbell, and Mary Elizabeth Campbell née Thompson."

Kirie's mouth gaped wider than it had ever been, her eyes twitching with shock at the state of the two raptors as she shook her head floating up to the glass.

"I have attuned my database to search for spectral lingering. Mary is searching for her husband, who suffers forevermore through his eternal grief and the descent of fear. However she too has been trapped in a forest of illusions and without someone to assist, the two shall never meet, and their souls forever lost."

H-how...how did you...how did you even find their spirits?!

"The rings I possess are their tokens of marriage, of which I had another spirit pilfer them for my research."

You...you STOLE their wedding rings?!

"It is not theft when even in their world they are not acknowledged as legally dead."

TH-THAT, THAT MEANS NOTHING, HOW DARE YOU DISRESPECT THEM!

She lunged suddenly for Noh'jhin as he stepped back with a flap of his wings, summoning a ball of light from his fingers that struck her hard to send her crashing against the glass.

"Do NOT test my patience, half-spirit. I have many powers through years of research, longer than you have existed in the spirit realm and I will not have you disgrace me."

N-nnnngh...like you disgraced them, by robbing their corpses!?

"ENOUGH! I am offering you a chance to recompense your guilt, by serving the needs of James' family in the afterlife."

Is that...is that it?

The spectre pulled herself from the prism and floated back.

That is awfully convenient, you've studied me too well to know what pulls at my heart.

"I am a scientist, I study all of my subjects."

And that's what I am to you, a subject?

"You are but an assistant, a most egregious one so far."

He tapped the panel once more as the images faded, grasping the rings from the glass as if it were water before presenting them to her.

"All I ask, is that you assist me in ridding the demon from existence. Do so, and I offer you a chance of redemption to ease your guilt, by finding both Mary and Gerald, and bringing them together in eternal peace."

Kirie stared upon the rings that gleamed with a soft light, a warmth of tenderness she felt with the familiar scent of the raptor she had known. Her heart trembled with a flicker of need as she bit her lip, her eye twitching with the coming of tears as she recalled the sight of Gerald's suffering. His face trapped within iron, the flames unceasing that tore across his flesh that never burned away nor would ever heal.

...yes.

She took the rings from his hand.

Alright...I will help you do this.

"Excellent."

HOWEVER!

She swung a finger towards his face.

Before I commit to your scheme I will find Mary and Gerald first, after which I shall do as you wish.

"Very well," the Cocytan nodded, "you may leave whenever you are ready, then return once your task is complete."

And if I don't?

"Then I shall hunt you down and rend you to pieces, til you are nothing but a speck in the ether of eternity."

Hmph...you're lucky I don't break promises.

The spirit slipped the rings on her fingers.

Otherwise you might actually have to do something for once in your life.

"Rest assured, I am the Doer who undoes, and if my mission requires to eradicate you..."

He loomed above her with deadened stare.

"Then it shall be DONE."

==============

With her mission set, the haunter returned to the spirit realm and searched across the abyss where the lights of eternal borealis danced entwined together like threads of cloth. The rings started glowing in the presence of death, turning stronger by vibration when she chose a certain route. Both tried to pull her in different directions, but the one she knew was Mary's by the scent of motherhood, was the one she followed first.

I can't believe this...that bastard Noh'jhin, stealing from the dead of ALL things to tell me! I have half a mind to go back and drive my fist through his face...after I find those two.

The ring continued to guide her, sending her deep towards a place where the lights of stars grew faint from her mind and a dark mist descended on her being. The air turned heavy as the pressure increased, forcing Kirie to glide lower as the ring trembled stronger, picking up speed as she forced herself to dive faster with eyes slitting and her mouth thinning until her face almost disappeared. The phantom became a purple comet, shooting across the sky as she felt hundreds of eyes upon her when she saw the forest through the mist.

There! That must be it!

Her descent slowed down on approaching the woods, a dark foreboding sea of endless trees where the ground disappeared and the sky would never be. Wrapped in a cloak of silver mist, she felt the cold whistling past her face as she took a deep breath.

So this is Neliad...I've never been in this part of the Farplane...alright, best not to frighten Mary so let's try something a bit nicer.

Focusing her energies she closed her eyes and focused on a shape. Her claws started to lengthen, turning warm as a thickness wrapped between her body and her hands with her face shrinking upwards like a pin before pulling downwards to a tearing stretch. A pair of shoes landed in the dirt with hot violet strips, dark jeans beneath a black hoodie as a human face slipped out of its top with medium-length black hair that ended in purple spikes.

"Huh...this seems good, yes?"

She looked down at her new arms, one of which had her soothe bell attached like a bracelet before she bent down towards a puddle and stared at her reflection.

"Hi, I'm Angela, my favourite things are water without any ice, stale bread, aaaand dirt, nice to meetcha! Heeheheeheehahaha, aaaaah...humans are so fun to play as, make all sorts of good faces."

Testing her new disguise she pulled a series of bizarre and impractical faces that to a human would be frightening, almost mortifying as her jaw stretched open and her eyes violently bulged to blackened sores before she controlled herself, testing her tongue length to stay within reasonable limits.

"Hoo...alright, that looks good, now...Mary...Mary, Mary, quite contrary."

The forest rose above her as she stepped through between the trees. The moment she walked in, the fog began to clear as a blue sky showed itself from beyond with the sun rising above and a gentle breeze whistling through the leaves. A perfect morn where ground was soft like pillows on her feet, a smile growing on her face from the southern winds of a blissful summer, the smell of wood chips and honeysuckle dancing in the breeze that tickled her nostrils. The sun painted green down her back, dozens of tiny emeralds shimmering in her hair as she started to run briefly forgetting herself, the song in her heart swelling as her feet left the ground and she floated with a giggle before she jumped from a fallen log and twirled like a ballerina, falling straight through the ground when she tried to land on her feet causing her to yelp with a cackle. Crawling back up she kept a running pace, sometimes hovering inches above the earth and other times just drifting through the trees with spectral trails behind her.

"What a beautiful place...is it really always like this, I haven't seen a day like this since...back in..."

She stopped and looked back to see a house through the trees.

"Back...there."

Painted white with a red roof.

"No. No wait."

Her face staring from the window.

"N-no, NO!"

She slapped herself and turned away to reveal her spectral face.

Don't, don't follow it, this place will trap you...focus. Focus on Mary.

Shaking her head Kirie took a deep breath and settled herself on the ground, brushing her jeans and looking towards her ring to see it shine further east. A song faintly heard from the house made her puase in her step, struggling not to turn back with tears trickling down her cheek.

Stop...s-stop it. I don't...I don't like this.

The door opened as a child's hand slipped out.

STOP IT! I...I don't want to remember...I'm...I'm scared to remember.

The door closed again as the house would disappear, back to the mists of time as she ventured further into the woods. Tracking by the ring through the winding paths, the labyrinth of secrets tried elude her as sometimes she caught flashes of children dancing between the shadows of the trees. Old familiar far-off things, their clothes from another age of long flowing robes and wooden shoes as their voices carried through the growing fog. But the ring pierced through the veils of her memory, the forest soon letting her pass as, her mind sharpened once again to find the riverbank.

Hoh...there she is...gods she really does look like him.

Under the tree by the waters was a young girl of green eyes and brown scaled skin, a white shirt of red strips with denim shorts nuzzling against her teenage brother dressed in black shirt and long ragged jeans. Kirie clutched her human face and stepped close.

"Hi there!"

"Hmm?! OH, h-hi!" Mary looked up with a nervous smile.

"Nice day huh?"

"Aye it is, you takin' a break too?"

"Sorta, I'm just looking for someone, I dunno if you saw him."

"Havnae seen anybody," said Robert shrugging, "dinnae think we can helps ye."

"Really, not even all day? I mean I know the woods are big but...hoo."

She rubbed her neck and sat down opposite of them, seeing the look on Robert's face change the closer she came.

"Sorry I'm just exhausted, I been looking all over and I needed some company."

"Thas okay!" Mary grinned wiggling her shoes. "We were jus' playin' aroond, games an' such."

"I'm Angela," Kirie waved, "what's your name?"

"I'm-"

"Just hauvin' a wee blether," Robert pulled her close, "sorry but, oor parents said we shouldnae talk tae strangers."

"Ohhh I getcha," the human nodded putting up her hands, "you're right, I'm sorry I didn't mean to bother you...I'm just a little worried about my friend so you don't mind if I just recharge a bit?"

"Is yer friend alrigh'?" Mary asked leaning forwards.

"Well...no see, he's very shy and gets lost easily, I got separated from him an hour ago and normally I can just call him but reception's been bad."

"Aw no, ah hope he's okay."

"We'll keep an eye oot fer him," Robert stiffened his back, "he's nae been aroond here, hauvnae seen anyone fer miles."

"But if you do see him," Kirie asked, "could you tell him Angela's looking for him and he should keep heading west back to where we parked?"

"Alrigh'."

"Whut's yer friend's name?" the girl asked.

"His name's-"

Her voice stopped. Something clutched Kirie's shoulder as a voice hissed from behind.

Little girls should learn not to hunt for wolves.

The face of Robert turned to a snarl of brown sickly teeth that Mary could not see.

This one is mine. Leave now, or join me as a feast.

I have need of her.

Her voice fumed back.

Find another poor soul.

And what about you?

The hand clenched her shoulder with a painful squeeze.

Would you rather not go back to the house, like a good child?

There is no house for me, my future lies with her.

Ohhhh but surely you must be tired.

She looked up to see the house in the forest behind Mary.

Wandering without a home you must have wished to see again-

Sh-shut up!

The phantom closed her eyes and turned away.

I know what this place does, and you are nothing but its claws!

"But I thought I was your friend."

The voice turned to that of a child as she turned her head.

"You don't remember me-"

NO!

She shook her head clutching her face.

I-i don't, I don't remember you!

"I was waiting for you...why didn't you stop him?"

I, I-i don't know what you're talking about-

"You lost me."

The hand became claws piercing her skin.

"You lost everything."

STOP IT! S-stop...alright, I'll leave, I-i will leave!

That's right...run away, like you did before. Twice now you ran, and abandoned-

SHUT UP!

She stood up suddenly grabbing her chest.

"You alrigh'?!" Mary blinked sitting up. "You were awfy quiet starin' at thuh water."

"I just...I-i just...I'm..." she struggled to hold back her tears, "s-sorry, I'm really worried about my friend, I, I have to go."

"Wait, you didnae tell us his name!"

"Dinnae fret lass."

Robert pulled Mary tighter with eyes turning black towards Kirie.

"Head oot that ways ye'll get good reception. Everyone kens that, including yer friend."

"Right." Kirie nodded. "You're right, I just have to keep searching. Thanks for letting me stay a bit."

"Nae prab!" the girl waved. "Hope ya find yer friend!"

The hand slowly pulled off her shoulder to drift back into the shadows. The phantom felt Robert's grin as she smiled in turn slipping a hand towards her finger.

"Hey uh, li'l girl?"

The young raptor looked up.

"Catch!"

With an instinct she grabbed the shining thing that Kirie tossed to her, much to Robert's shock as he saw the human smile when Mary looked down at the tarnished ring.

"Whuh, u-uh, Mary?!"

"Whut, whut's this?"

"Mary gies it back, that's nae yours!"

"NAW it's pretty!" she pulled away from him. "Thassa nice ring, why you handin' it tae me?!"

"It's a memento!" Kirie said. "Something that used to belong to you!"

"HAH!" Robert stood up. "You fuckin' plamf, you gave her the wrang ring, that's Gerald's no' hers!"

"G-gerald?"

He suddenly blanked with eyes tightening.

"His...Gerald...Gerald's ring."

The brother looked down to Mary, seeing the child look older with her clothes no longer fitting.

"Gerald...Gerald don't."

"Mary, Mary naw whit're ya daein'?"

"Gerald...I don't want to leave you...oh, g-god."

Her hands shook as she bowed her head, clutching the ring tighter as tears came shivering.

"Ken whut, we should go," Robert tried to grab her, "c'mon Mary, ah ken a place where-"

She suddenly pulled back with a look of fright.

"H-how...how do you ken Gerald?!"

"Whit?!"

"Y-you...you never met him! Th-that wuz, th-that wuz years after, a-after you-"

"NAW, naw it wuz her aye, SHE mentioned him!"

"I never said his name," Kirie shook her head, "you said it."

"AH FUCKIN' DIDNAE!"

"YES YOU DID!" Mary shouted stepping back. "Y-you...you said his name, h-how do you know Gerald, HOW DO YOU KNOW?!"

"SHE SAID HIS NAME ARE YA FUCKIN' DEAF?!"

"YER LYING!"

Her shriek forced him back as he staggering towards the water, putting his hands up with a faltering grin.

"Fuck's sake Mary calm doon whit're ya callin' me a liar fer!?"

"YOU said his name, you said it wuz Gerald's ring!"

"Fer thuh last time ah fuckin DIDN'T, you musta telt me his name!"

"YOU NEVER MET HIM! I COULDNAE HAVE TELT YOU, CUZ I...I-i..."

She clutched her head as a sudden pain burned the back of her mind.

"I didn't know him, when ah wuz with you...when...before you-"

"Mary, Mary naw d-don't, dinnae think aboot it!"

"I couldnae s-save you, ah tried tae help, but ah didnae-"

"MARY STOP IT!" He grabbed her arms and shook her. "Stop, everythin's alrigh', it's just us, in thuh woods, naebody else!"

"TH-THAT'S WHY YOU DIED, CUZ THERE WUZ NAEBODY TAE HELP!"

"I didnae, wh-what?!"

"WHO ARE YOU?!" She grabbed his hands and pushed him back. "WHERE'S MAH BROTHER, WHERE'S ROBERT?!"

"I'M YOUR BROTHER YA DAFT COW!"

"YOU'RE NOT MY BROTHER YOU FUCKIN' LIAR!"

Mary shoved him hard as he stumbled into the river, cracking his head with a groan and his face half-buried in the water. Something flashed in her mind as she stumbled back clutching the tree.

"N-NO, NOOOO!"

"Mary." Kirie walked towards her. "I'm sorry Mary...you know the truth."

"N-no, n-n-no no ah dinnae want tae remember, D-DON'T MAKE ME REMEMBER!"

"You know what happened, look at him! LOOK at your brother!"

"No, it's not him, IT'S NOT HIM!"

But the body did not move from the shallows. His eye twitched with a drooping lid, his neck turned stiff as the river pushed against his body.

"N-NO, _ROBERT! NOOOOOOOOOO! _"

The forest suddenly shattered. The sky turned black with dismal storm and the trees become skeletons, the howling screech of the winds shuddering above their heads. The ground was a barren waste, and beyond where the sun had once set there lied now a blood-drenched moon that cast its eerie light across the length of the woods where shadows grew and twisted to malevolent teeth.

Did I not warn you?

The shadow of Robert stood up by itself.

This poor soul is MINE, and now you shall be next.

And I warned YOU.

Kirie's human form faded to reveal her haunted self.

I have need of her, and I won't let any of you worthless shadows harm her!

You call me worthless when you are nothing but a WRETCHED HALF-SPIRIT?!

I'm still more ghost than you can handle, you only wish you were me!

THEN I SHALL FEAST ON YOU FIRST!

The shadow lunged upon her with savage teeth stretching from its head, Kirie swerving past to lash across its face with half-a-dozen ropes that spun from her fingers like a whip, the monster recoiling to jump off a tree and dive upon her with the form of a wolf. Kirie blocked with a burst of darkness pulsing from her being, forcing the creature back as it skidded on the barren turf and charged for her again, the spirit dodging fast in a blur of smoke before she reappeared from behind with a shadowy ball trembling in her fingers she shot into its back. With rasping snarl, the wolf transformed into a sinewy human of long severe limbs standing 9 feet tall, swinging its arms with savage strength that Kirie zagged between to strike upwards with a rising punch, cracking its bulbous head backwards before hammering down both fists upon its faceless self. But the skull suddenly opened showing a crooked mouth filled with teeth, trapping one of her hands inside and tearing some of her essence as she screamed pulling back.

With wretched howl the fiend lunged for her with savage claws as she ducked beneath the swipe, shooting out a vine from her hand that turned to a thickening rope that pierced into its heart and a sucking sound filled its ears when the tendril bulged with darkening energy, channelling its strength to her as she felt her mangled hand heal itself back. The shadow grabbed the vine-rope and ripped it from its chest as it scattered on the wind, the monster spinning its body round with both arms wide like a hurricane of claws, the haunter waiting for the chance to summon a dozen ropes from her body and grab one of its limbs, the sound of flesh twisting between the grinding creak of her ropes tightening upon its arm before a sudden crack split it in two. Staggering back with crippled limb hanging off, the vile wight simply tore it off with its other arm in a rasping screech, pouring blackest water from its torn shoulder wound.

With a ferocious swipe it went for Kirie, almost feral in its lunging strike to swing its broken arm like a bat, catching her with its twisted end of bone that raked across her side and struck her towards a tree. Phasing through the bark she slithered down between the humanoid's legs to scar through its back with a rising slash that caused more of its festering ichor to spew from its form. As the battle raged on between phantom and wraith, Mary ran towards her brother's body trying to pull him out the river, frantically shaking him with fears awakening from her past.

"ROBERT, R-ROBERT PLEASE WAKE UP, WAKE UUUUP!"

Do you hear her cries for me?

The shadow turned with a thinning smile.

Every regret she has, I only gain strength.

"ROBERT, PLEASE W-WAKE UP, DON'T LEAVE ME!"

She stood up struggling to look around the glade, the spirits invisible to her as the forest shrieked in its true form.

"S-SOMEONE HELP, H-HELP, MY BROTHER HE, HE WON'T WAKE UP, S-SOMEONE HELP PLEAAAASE!"

Kirie floated back as the creature changed form, pulling all of its blood back into its body with a renewed strength as its shape became more serpentine, a large pair of fangs emanating from its maw as it slithered across the water and coiled around the two raptors, the sobbing girl screaming to the void around her. The haunter tried to attack but the creature was much faster with lunging strike, stabbing through her face with a piercing tooth that made her shudder back in recoil. She trembled in her floating breaths, waiting for the next strike as the viper launched and she swerved around its head, sending ropes from her back to wrap round its jaws and twist it hard with a tearing pull to try and break its neck. But the shadow grew in strength and pulled her towards it, swinging her across the woods as she scattered the ropes apart and shot a vine from her palm, stabbing it in the throat with a sucking groan of its pendulous length to siphon its energy to her ragged form.

Wrenching its head back with a mighty pull the serpent tried to draw Kirie in for a savage bite to its gaping maw, but much to its shock she came diving in faster than it expected and headbutted hard into its skull to send it reeling back. Grabbing for its tail she unwrapped it from Mary and Robert's body, cracking it like a whip to hurl it high into the trees and twist it among the branches with more of her ropes forming nooses, tightening around its nebulous body with crushing twisting binds that cracked its spine into half-a-dozen places. Whilst it struggled within the binding coils she rushed down towards the raptor grieving, gasping tears as she clutched her body.

Mary, MARY!

"S-SOMEONE H-HELP HIIIIM!"

Mary...it has already happened.

"N-no...n-nooo d-dinnae say that!"

You know what's happened, you have to move on, like you already did!

"H-he coulda been fine, H-HE COULDA BEEN ALRIGH' IF AH HADNAE-"

WHAT'S DONE IS DONE! ACCEPT IT, IT HAS BEEN TOO LONG TO REGRET IT!

No it has NOT!

The shadow twisted out its ropes and suddenly crushed its own body tight.

Regret never leaves you...do you not understand, half-spirit?

Wh-...what are you?

I am the shadow you cast over your heart. I am never rid, never gone but merely fade away on a clear blue day when one thinks they are normal simple creatures. But I always return, when skies are dark and the threat of rain lies on the horizon, I will always return.

STOP IT!

She turned towards the shifting beast.

Stop torturing her!

Who said I was the one torturing her?

Its legs crackled underneath a bulbous shape.

She is only fulfilling her purpose, to give birth to those like me.

A dozen eyes blinked upon them.

For nothing tastes sweeter than a childhood's GUILT!

With a wild shriek, the monstrous spider parted its mandibles wide from its new form, scuttling towards Kirie at a charging speed as she quickly faded past in a swift evade. From its swollen abdomen behind it shot a putrid string of black that smothered her face, pinning her down to the dirt as she cried out in struggling, her hands pushing against the foul ink that smeared over her essence.

What regrets does a half-spirit have?

The arachnid scuttled towards her.

Tell me...how did you come to be like this, wandering adrift in search of a family?

I have NOTHING for you except the pain I will drive through your heart!

Oh but you do.

Its jaws slathered with venomous drool.

I know every heart's regret, for I am he, and she, and they and them.

N-NNNRGH!

Look into my eyes, little spirit...tell me the story you long to forget.

She tried to look away as its eyes dazzled with a gleam that frightened her still. She saw a bed with a child's shoes beside it. She saw the garden of a house, where flowers stayed golden all year long. She heard the sound of shattering glass, smelled the bitter sting of medicine and a voice that said-

NOOOOOOO!

Tearing one hand free she clawed its eyes ripping four of them out.

I DON'T WANT TO REMEMBER!

Grabbing at one of the mandibles, she formed ropes from her fingers that tightened hard around its jagged form, before she twisted it in a savage tear to crack the chitonous maw in half as the spider shrieked in anguish. When it reeled back she launched a darkened sphere into its throat and burst its entire face to a small implosion that caused its fractured eyes to cave in on itself. Pulling herself free as the Regret shuddered back, Kirie scowled with tears filling her eyes.

Th-this...this is not why I'm here...it's for HER, not me.

Always...the coward.

The shadow wretched with cackling cough.

You will remember...a sin upon yourself, and on that day I shall come to nest in your heart beneath.

Its body began to melt.

For all things have Regret, and so we carry them...into the next...life.

The monster slowly drained into the depths of the earth, an arm shooting towards her face to pierce her mind as brief flashes of the house burned in her past.

=============

"Millie! Millie!"

"Heeheh, you followed me!"

"It is too cold to be out on your own, come on time to go home!"

"N-noooo I wanna see the birds!"

"Well you can see them when it's not cold now come on, the woods are not safe for my baby girl."

"Okayyyyy."

Fluttering songs filled her mind, the tender creep of brambles and the soft crunch of feet. The smell of home cooking, warm bread and roasted meats.

"Was my girl up to trouble?"

"OUR girl, yes."

"Heeheh, she follows me eeeeverywhere!"

"Well someone has to keep track of you!"

"Alright Millicent, come inside, it's getting dark."

"Okayyy father. C'mon girl, let's go sing in my room!"

"Ohoho yes yes, now you practiced your arpeggios I hope!"

"You think I can sing loud enough fer the birds at the tower to hear me?!"

"Hmhmhm, I'm sure you can, if you practice."

The smell of antiseptic soon drifted over her senses, a hand upon her head, the shifting of months as summer turned to autumn with golden brown through the curtains.

"What's wrong with Millie?"

"She's just a little sick, don't worry."

"Is she, is she going to be alright, we were going to sing today!"

"Come on stop bothering her, let her sleep."

"But, b-but, what if she needs me when she wakes up?!"

"Hey, hey, when she wakes up I'll tell you, now come on."

"N-no...no she...she needs me.."

"...alright, alright I'll let you stay beside her. Just don't bother her."

"What do you think I am?! She's my baby, I'll keep her safe."

=============

The forest returned with its spindly trees, the haunter watching the leaves turn back from a crimson flame to purest jade as she followed the river once more. There in the waters still knelt a young Mary, her brother disappeared as she clutched onto the ring still in her hands. The tighter she held it the more aged she became, her clothes shifting from their youthful look to a more matured set of worn jeans and a purple tank top.

Are you...are you alrigh-

"G-get back, STAY AWAY FROM ME!"

The raptor turned with a shriek and fell in the water, stumbling away as Kirie floated forth.

Wait, WAIT! I'm not here to hurt you-

"GET FUCKIN' BACK!"

She grabbed a stone and hurled it towards the phantom as it floated straight through her head harmlessly.

It's alright, I am here to help you!

"NO YOU FUCKIN' AREN'T, TH-THAT THING, THAT BASTARD T-TRYIN' TAE BE MAH BROTHER!"

And I defeated it!

"Oh aye, aye, so you could hauv me fer yersel'?!" The raptor shivered standing up with fists at the ready. "Wanna rip me tae pieces aye, make ya a nice wee meal ya soulsuckin' BITCH!?"

Snrrk...hmhmhmhm!

Surprised by her bravado, the haunter snickered suddenly as the raptor's face fumed with scarlet rage and eyes of slitted jade.

"WHUT, WHUT'S SAE FUNNY?!"

N-nothing, nothing you just...you remind me so much of someone I knew it's uncanny!

"SH-SHUT UP! YA FUCKIN' GHOST-FACED CUNT AHLL FUCKIN' AAAAAARGH!"

In her fury she grabbed a branch from nearby, swinging it towards the phantom who dodged back putting up her hands, waiting for Mary to calm herself at the peak of exhaustion when she swung too hard and went stumbling back into the water, crumpling with a sob as she covered her head.

"Get, h-hhhh! G-g-get back, d-dinnae touch me!"

I'm not here to harm you! I came to help you find Gerald!

She held up the other ring still on her own hand.

This belongs to you I believe, the one you have is Gerald's as that thing said.

"H-how...how did he ken his name?!" Mary gasped.

This is the forest of illusion, called Neliad. The shadows here know all of your secrets, your guilts and regrets, they trap you here to feed off you.

"So whut aboot you?" she stood back on her feet with reddened eyes. "Whit makes you different from that th-thing tryin' tae be mah brother, who says you'll nae feast oan me next?!"

Well...nothing, other than the fact I have not done so already.

"An' all ah hafta dae is turn mah back oan you before you suck me dry?!"

If I wanted you as a feast, why would I travel to the depths of this wretched forest to do that, when I could have gone anywhere else with far easier prey?

Mary rose a finger in objection, paused for a moment and shook her head struggling to think. Kirie broke her out of her thoughts by unscrewing the ring from her own finger.

Here.

She hovered forwards and offered it, the raptor taking it to slide down her claw and feel it sink against her knuckle. A perfect warmth filled her as she sighed deeply, the colour returning to her cheeks as she looked down upon the other ring.

"How did you...find these? I wuz...my...G-gerald an' I were-"

They were taken from your bodies. I found them on a thief in the afterlife, sensed your auras upon them and forced him to surrender them.

"Wh-whuh...sum fuckin' arsehole STOLE them?!"

Yes and I taught him a lesson, but having obtained them I sensed-

"Hauld oan!" Her face snapped to her. "Who's to say that YOU didnae steal them?!"

I would never rob from the dead!

Her face darkened to a blackened snarl.

And you will not ever accuse me again, Mary, I am trying to help you and your husband be reunited together and whatever accusations you throw against me, I will accept, but NOT that of grave-robbing!

"A-alright, ALRIGHT!" She put up her hands. "F-fuck's sake ahm sorry, ahm just hauvin' a real fuckin' rough time an' aw!"

Which is why I want to help you. The ring guided me to where you went, and Gerald's will lead you to him, so if you do not trust me that much, you can traverse the Farplane yourself if you wish.

"Really?"

She lifted up her hand with the ring in her palm and saw it glint suddenly, a burning light that turned stronger in a certain direction. She placed it on her other hand and felt a fiery smoulder through her skin, slightly harming her as she stepped forth.

"God...how lang has it been? How...ah remember when we died, it feels like yesterday an' ah can still feel the flames in this."

I am sorry for what happened to you.

The haunter drifted to her side.

I have seen where Gerald is. He is waiting for you, trapped in a prison-

"WHAT?!" She shrieked clutching her head. "Wh-why, why wuz, WHO?! Why's he trapped?!"

I do not know, but we must find him soon as we can.

"We?! Why, whit are you wantin' him?!"

Because I cannot stand to see another family torn apart by hatred and sorrow!

Her eye twitched upon Mary.

I just want to help...is that not enough for you?

The raptor rubbed her sleeve, her eyes of green flickering as she wiped off a stray tear.

"You...you did help get me away from that shadow thing...trapped in a prison, god, wh-why is he...why would anyone dae this to him?"

If you follow his ring we shall soon find out.

She tapped Mary's finger.

Do you want me to come with you? You can tell me to leave anytime you wish.

"Ah mean...I..." she clutched her face with a heavy groan, "ah just wish none of this had happened, ah wish...that he had been, but, ah cannae blame him, ah don't want tae, he's suffered sae much, even when he just STOOD THERE an' did nuthin' an' ah couldnae leave him cuz ah just can't!"

I am not here to judge you Mary. I just want to help.

"To bring us back together? ...JAMES!"

Mary grabbed her mouth as tears came whispering to her cheeks.

"OH, ohhh GOD James, oh fuck wh-where's mah wee boy?!"

No no he is fine, he is FINE!

"Wh-whit, whiddaya mean fine how can he when he OHH GOD MAH WEE BAIRN!!"

James is not dead!

Kirie grinned with hopeful eyes.

I can tell you now, your son is alive and safe.

"...no. N-n-naw naw you're nae doin' this."

She backed up with a shiver in her neck.

"Don't you fuckin' dare."

I am telling the truth!

"WHUT FUCKIN' PROOF YOU HAVE EH?!" She spat swinging her fist. "Trapped in this fuckin' forest fer fuck knows how lang, that fuckin' shadow creep pretendin' tae be mah brother, naw ah ken yer tricks, yer just tellin' me whut ah wannae hear!"

Mary, WAIT!

"GET TAE FUCK, AHM NAE GOIN' WITH YOU, YOU FUCKIN' LIAR!"

I'M NOT LYING, YOUR SON IS SAFE!

"GET THUH FUCK AWAY FROM ME!"

She ran through the forest as Kirie chased after, shadows stalking among the trees as Mary burst from her lungs with a shriek of furious sorrow that rang throughout the woods. Every fragment of their memory, every house, every shape and image of regrets they left behind as fast as they could and without the attentions of the two spirits they soon began to fade. The darkness drifted from their senses like a veil, the woods parting as Mary followed her husband's ring, a shimmering amber gleam that took her southeast as she reached the boundary of the forest. Death was her welcome, as she found the corpse of the world looming before her, a grand valley of black water beneath a mountain range of jagged crimson rust looming above in the distance. A cold wind scraped through her soul as the forest sang its cruel song of memories, beneath its twisted trees.

"F-fuck...Gerald...J-james...I'm sorry."

She fell to her knees and wept.

"I-i'm...I'm sorry...ah promised...ah promised to stay with you...I-i failed you."