Beyond the Rabbit Hole

Unstoppable

Alyss's head spun. A strange sensation bore into her like slender fingers tightening around her calves. And with each passing moment, she felt the grip strengthen. What is this? Why do I feel so. . . weak? Am I tiring?

The slender dreadknight continued to circle her, stalking her—prowling and blending into the dread haze like a shadow in the dark.

"Have you finally given up?" Alyss forced a smirk. "I told you your attacks won't work on me. You'll never pierce my skin, but I. . . I will catch you. . . eventually."

"So, you say," said the dreadknight, his voice smooth like a whisper as he tilted his head to the side. Still circling. Still prowling. "But your body tells a different story."

Alyss followed his movements with a sharp glare, never taking her eyes off him for even a moment.

"I've hunted beasts like you before. Always thrashing and stomping. No matter how many spears you throw at them, they never show weakness. They never flee. They seem as if they have shed the yolk of death and entered into the realm of the gods. Immortal. Undying. Unfaltering. . . all until the moment that they fall. And once they do-"

The dreadknight disappeared again. A flash of black and steel foretold the grinding blades across Alyss's neck.

Alyss gritted her teeth, swinging her warpick again.

"-futility." The dreadknight appeared on her other side and began prowling again.

Alyss felt her neck but still had no injuries. Sweat trickled from her creasing brow.

"It doesn't matter how tough the hide is," said the dreadknight. "If the beast can't move, then it can't stop you from skinning it." He flipped his blades again, aiming the sanguine tips at his prey.

Even if I'm exhausted, there's no way he can hurt me if he hasn't been able to do so yet. . . right? Alyss's face twisted as worry and doubt began to seep in. But I don't understand. I've been fine this entire journey without sleep. Why do I feel such fatigue? And so suddenly at that?

"There is one possibility," the white hare spoke into Alyss's mind. "Morgyn."

Alyss's eyes widened. Morgyn? But how could he-

"If he is undergoing rigorous activity, it would reflect on you as well," said the hare.

Alyss's eyes narrowed in confusion. "I don't understand. . ."

The dreadknight came to a stop and tilted his head.

"I believe I've mentioned this before, but you two are one and the same," said the hare with a deep sigh. "Your bodies are fabrications of the soul—a soul that is rightly connected. Suffice to say, if one of you should tire, the other will too."

Alyss shook her head. "That doesn't make any sense."

"Oh my!" The white hare jumped to the side.

A curved blade grazed the hare's body, and the dreadknight landed several yards away.

"Good heavens, that was close!" Said the hare with an exasperated flair. "I almost lost an ear."

Anger flared in Alyss's nostrils as she turned to face the dreadknight. "Hey! Leave the bunny out of this!"

The dreadknight examined his blade carefully. "Strange rabbit. Weird rabbit." He shifted his gaze back to the white hare, uncannily standing—or sitting in the sky above. "Still. . . no blood." A simmering frustration coated his voice.