As the seasons change, this year brought a particularly bad winter. It not only brought famine across the area, but it also swirled around some long forgotten illnesses. Snow had not accumulated yet, but each morning there was a thin dusting of snow coating the ground, turning the forest a blinding white.
The new season came with new surprises as well. Saki had recovered I full, but has not questioned Lilith’s presence yet. Now that I think about it, no one in the pack has really questioned their presence… But I didn’t think much of it. Our pack was very open to new Viscets, so I just assumed they were welcomed and staying in another den. That wasn’t the biggest surprise, though.
“Ari!” Saki called over her shoulder towards me, and my ears perked up in response. “It’s your turn, I’m heading out to look for food, seeing as you’re going to stare at the wall all day.” The female stated, and I padded over to her. As she stood, the egg in her arms shook, as if cold from being exposed from the chill air.
“Alright, be safe, alright?” She nodded and took the egg from her grasp, holding it with slight difficulty. I watched as Saki began to make her way out of the clearing, “And try not to run off, ok?” I teased. She responded with a rough lash of her tail, and she was gone.
I sighed and sat back on my haunches, looking down at the egg. My egg. Our egg. It had a lot of black dots on it, but there were a few lighter speckles here and there. I craned my neck down to rest my head on the top of the egg, feeling its warmth. I focused, seeing if I could get a Sight of my future child, but I had no such luck. Guess I’d have to wait, like every other parent.
Come to think of it, I haven’t Seen anything in nearly a year. Or rather, I haven’t Seen anything other that that
blinding fiery light, and have in return been trying to suppress the ability. I held the egg a bit tighter and wished that the little one wouldn’t end up with the Sight ability, even though I knew it ran in our packs genes.
I felt my chest tighten at the thought,
my Viscetling experiencing the same fear of Sights they can’t explain. I shook my head, trying not to worry about it. I glanced around; no sign of Lilith. They must be leaving me be for now… Anxiety swirled within my mind, and I squeezed my eyes shut.
No, I’m here, Saki is here, and we’re safe. At least for now. I carefully curled up in the corner of the underbrush and drifted into sleep, holding the egg close.
_______________________________________________________
Winter proved harsher than usual, but spring came eventually. A few of the Elders didn’t make it, but they peacefully left.
Saki proved to be the better hunter, catching and storing food for not only us, but also for the rest of the pack in the few cold months. As the sun peeked over the horizon, it brought a bit of warmth, thawing the frozen earth for the first time in months. And to not only our surprise but also the whole packs, our egg had survived the harsh winter.
All odds were against our unhatched Viscetling; To be laid in winter, and to rarely feel the warmth of the mother, the Viscetling had toughed it out. No one really knows how, but I’m not going to question the survival of my child. And now that spring was nearly here, the egg shook occasionally, as if eager for the warmth.
Saki returned to the den, nuzzling my shoulder in greeting, “You ok?” “Yeah…” I murmured. Ah, I almost forgot. Through the winter, I had developed a sort of… illness. It didn’t really affect my health besides drain my energy, but I also contributed part of that to the harshness of the winter, and the rations of food.
“How much longer do you think until they’re here?” Saki asked, taking the egg from my arms into hers. I smiled at the thought. “Impatient, are we?” “Not as much as you, Ari,” She chuckled, leaning onto me. I stuck out my tongue playfully before responding, “Decide on a name?” She nodded, but hesitated. After a few moments, she replied, “I think so… but I’m not telling you until it hatches.” It was her turn to stick her tongue at me. I playfully flicked my tail across her ears. Movement caught my eye, and I glanced to the wall.
There they stood, as if they hadn’t missed a thing. I nodded to Lilith, who chuckled in return. Saki noticed my gesture, however, and lifted her head to look up at me questioningly. “Did someone come in?” She asked, and my gaze fell back on Lilith, confusion in my eyes now. “She can’t see me,” Lilith said calmly, not budging from their spot. “Nobody can. It’s just you and I, Ari” They added as they lifted their arm, the Red String dangling from their paw.
I stepped away from Saki and approached Lilith, who stood taller now. “Ari, what-“ Saki questioned, but I cut her off, pulling Lilith with me as I exited the den. “I’ll be back, I need some fresh air…”
I led Lilith out of the camp and didn’t stop until we reached the outskirts of our territory. I tuned on them, but they seemed unfazed. “You have some explaining to do.” I snarled, but they didn’t react. “What do you mean?” They offered, as if not understanding.
Very funny. I know they’re hiding something…“Where were you this winter?” I started, but they shrugged. “Around,” They trailed off, not wanting to say more. I tried a different approach, “Why didn’t you tell me I was the only one who could see you?!” My voice began to rise, but they paid it no mind and responded calmly yet again, “You never asked.” They sat back on their haunches and adjusted the skull headdress adorning their head. “I thought you knew, honestly.”
I tilted my head, “Knew…?” I was taken aback.
Knew what? They spoke again, a gleam of knowing sparkling in their eyes now, “I’m surprised you’ve lasted this long, to be honest. You’re stronger than I thought.” They laughed and added, “This is gonna be more entertaining than I thought…” Whatever they were going on about, it lit a fire I didn’t know was there within me. My voice came out weaker than I had intended, “W-What are you talking about?”
They smirked that wide, menacing smirk once more, and for the first time, I genuinely felt
afraid of them.
They stood once more, and despite their short stature seemed to loom over me as they moved closer to me. When they finally spoke, it sent a chill down my spine, “You’re
ill, honey.” I hesitantly nodded, agreeing with them. “Y-yeah, I know that. I caught a cold or somethi-“
“No,” Lilith sharply cut me off, “You’re
dying, Ari. Haven’t you noticed?” They chuckled, and I could almost feel my blood run cold at their words.
My head swirled, anxiety filling my mind once more.
Saki. My unhatched Viscetling. My pack. Everything flashed in my mind, until it eventually faded into the all too familiar hot, bright flames that scare me to this day. I took a step back, snapped back to reality by the harsh
snap! of a twig underfoot.
I… What? How can they claim something like that? “You’re lying….” I growled, unable to hide the fear in my voice. The feathers on my back began to stand on end. “Ah, denial! It’s more common than you think, dear.” Lilith sing-songed, and anger rushed through me, the fire burning my very core. I lunged at them, pinning their small frame to the ground. Lilith didn’t even try to fight back.
“How can you claim something like that, Lilith?! I’m… I’m fine.” I snarled at them, feeling my paws shaking as a held them down on the cold earth. Something else clicked in my mind, and I challenged them. “You told me you’d watch over me… We made a deal! I’m supposed to be immortal!” I yelped. Lilith snickered, not responding right away.
They spoke calmly for someone under attack, “Yes, you are correct my dear. You
are immortal, but,” they paused glancing to the side. I lashed my tail is frustration, and Lilith continued, seeing my frustration and impatience. “Not by normal terms.” That all knowing grin adorned their face more. “Explain.” I growled lowly, ears flattening against my head while they explained.
“Immortality by normal means is living forever; never dying nor aging. You, however… You are ‘immortal’, yes. You will live forever, but by
my terms.
“You are able to succumb to plague and famine, and will eventually age and die, as you normally would. But, holding my end of our ‘deal’, you will be reborn the moment you previous life ends. Tragic, isn’t it dear? A soul forever trapped in a body that’s forced to live again and again~”
I let them up, half meaningfully, half not having enough strength to keep them held down. Lilith stood and shook the dust from their feathers, but made no attempt to leave. My legs gave out, trying to process everything I have just been told. “If…” I choked on my own words. I tried again a few moments later, “if what you say is true… When I’m reborn, won’t I be recognized in my next life?” Another menacing laugh in return.
“That wouldn’t be fun, dear. In your next life, you will indeed retain all your memories… but all memories of you will be erased from those who have come in contact with you.” I shook my head, feeling dizzy and warm. I felt sick, like I could throw up at any moment, but they continued, “No, that’s not quite right. They will remember
someone, but not your appearance nor name.” Lilith moved to stand over me, their eyes gleamed with mischief.
The fire had returned, bubbling up within me. I don’t know where it came from, but it didn’t feel unnatural. Green flames glowed at the back of my throat, threatening to spew as I spoke, though my voice weak. “That… That’s not what you promised!” “Ah, that’s where you’re wrong, honey,” Lilith spat and dug her claws into the soil next to my head, “I said I’d grant you
immortality, but you failed to question what it entitled.” Their voice sharp, laced with danger.
A few stray flames escaped my mouth, and I gasped at the sight. It felt… warm, but not uncomfortably so. I ignored it for the time being and narrowed my eyes at the Viscet standing above me and hissed, “That’s dirty!”
“As what you’d expect from a
Shinigami, my dear~” Came their response.
I couldn’t believe it. I suddenly understood why the Viscet hovering me was chained to the tree, and why that clearing was forbidden.
I’ve made a huge mistake. I remembered Saki’s words to me, and I inwardly gasped at what she meant. “I’m sorry, Saki… I did end up doing something I regret after all…” I whispered to no one in particular, but my throat felt tight.
My vision blurred, and my head felt heavy. Sharp green flames filled my vision once more in a Sight until I eventually gave into the warm numbness.
