Nameless Ghoul

A Balm for the Soul

Shay had called for Omega to come and get Itzal. He was getting to know him fairly well now, plus he had the calming energy that all quintessence ghouls possessed. It was hard not to like him. After their initial hostile meeting, Itzal thought that Omega had started to warm up to him.

The same couldn’t be said for Alpha though, who still glared daggers at him every time he was assigned to escort or babysit him. He had expected that from the Clergy ghouls and ghoulettes anyway, so it was no great loss.

Omega must have easily sensed his change in mood, as he sent him some calming energy unconsciously.

“How do you fancy getting some fresh air?” the big ghoul asked. “The Abbey has some woods out the back and a fair bit of land. We could go for a run? I’ve been so busy this week I haven’t had the chance to, so I’m about ready.”

Itzal perked up at that. It seemed like forever since he had properly run. The last time had been almost two weeks ago, the night he'd met Sunshine. If there was one thing that ghouls loved even more than scrapping with each other, it was running.

“That sounds great. I think I need one too. Everything has been so intense the last couple of weeks, so it will be nice to get rid of some stress.”

Omega smiled and led him outside, around to the back of the Abbey and along a path through the gardens.

The whole structure of the building was backed by a huge piece of open land and surrounded by a high stone wall. Itzal suspected that there was some magic to this somehow, as surely there shouldn’t be this much open space this far inside the city limits? He didn’t think too much about it though as he felt the rays of the late morning sun on his skin. He tilted his face towards it, taking a moment to absorb the warmth. It was winter, but the weather hadn’t been too bad and the sun was still making regular appearances.

As they walked further away from the building and beyond the meticulously kept gardens, he spotted the woods and his heart rate picked up. He could smell the moss on the old trees and the earthy scent of the damp fallen leaves on the ground. It called to his wilder nature.

He felt a smile creeping onto his face just as Omega turned around, sporting his own grin. Without a word, he launched into a sprint into the trees, and Itzal responded instantly to follow him. They ran through the woods, leaving the well-trodden path behind and jumping over fallen logs and boulders. He could hear a stream babbling through nearby, and he smelled and caught sight of many woodland creatures as he ran.

This was the closest to true freedom he'd experienced since he’d been summoned. His ever present bond with Santos had marred his previous off leash runs. Now that the collar’s inscription had been amended, and he was protected by the Abbey’s wards, he could no longer feel it.

It was unadulterated bliss.

The farther they ran, the more he found himself letting go of the sorrow he’d felt on finding out about his sire. He would deal with that when the time came to face it again, but for now, he was free. All he thought about was the adrenaline of the run and the cool breeze stinging his exposed skin as his feet carried him through the woods.

He had no idea how long it was. It felt like a lot of miles, but Omega vaulted over a log and flopped down into a pile of leaves on the ground. Itzal followed suit and lay back, looking up at the canopy of bare branches over their heads. It had turned colder and his hot breath came out in puffs of steam. He didn’t mind the chill now though, as the exertion of the run and the blood pumping through his veins was keeping him warm.

“You have no idea how much I needed that,” puffed Omega. “I’ve gotten so lazy lately. I was struggling to keep up with you. The others like a quick run, but it more often than not turns into fighting or fucking. I don’t mind that either, but I miss the longer runs. It’s not the same, running by yourself.”