World Of Worlds (Arula: One)

Chapter 16

Omar and Dagner drew their weapons, stepping toward the creature. But before they could attack, the fox-like creature leapt over Karma and dashed into the trees. Karma, who had instinctively thrown her arms over her head, slowly lowered them. She gazed in the direction where her creation had disappeared.
Disappointment settled over her. She had hoped it would stay. Omar and Dagner cautiously sheathed their weapons—but another rustle from the trees had them redrawing their defenses.
Then, just as suddenly as it had vanished, the fox returned—this time, carrying something in its mouth. It trotted over to Karma and dropped a dead squirrel at her feet. Tilting its head, the creature waited expectantly.
"Uh... thanks?" Karma said, hesitantly picking up the squirrel by its tail. The fox's mouth stretched into a wide grin, its long blue tongue lolling out onto the ground. Karma slowly extended her hand toward it.
At first, the fox flinched. But after sniffing her palm, it flicked out its tongue, giving her a quick lick. Then, finally, it allowed her to pet its head. As Karma scratched behind its large cupped ears, the creature let out a content sigh.
Dagner, watching with his arms crossed, shook his head. "What is that thing?" he asked, strapping his axe back to his belt before taking a long swig from his flask.
Karma smirked. "This, my drunken friend," she said, scratching the fox's tailbone as it arched in pleasure, "is a long-tailed fox. Since foxes are one of my favorite animals, I decided to bring one to Arula—but, of course, with my own unique twist."
Holding up the dead squirrel, she tossed it to the fox, which snatched it midair and devoured it in seconds. Omar chuckled. "What are you going to call it?"
"Her," Karma corrected, running her fingers through the fox's soft fur. "And I think I'll call her... Angel." At the mention of the name, the long-tailed fox perked up and turned to Karma, ears twitching.
"Looks like she already knows her own name," Omar laughed as Karma affectionately rubbed Angel's head. Nearby, Hanley, Dagner's wolf, watched Angel warily, her fur still bristling. Dagner patted Hanley's head reassuringly.
"Worry not, old girl," he said. "This wee creature may be new, but she'll never be as superior as you." He winked as Hanley huffed. Another rustle came from the trees.
Angel growled. So did Hanley. A moment later, Shari—the saber-tooth ferret—waddled back into camp. But before reaching Omar, he paused to inspect Angel. The ferret's nose twitched.
Then, with a sharp hiss, he scurried up Omar's arm, disappearing into the elf's long white hair, leaving only his small head visible. Karma rolled her eyes, reaching for her book.
After closing and locking it, she noticed Angel staring at it curiously. The fox sniffed the book, ears flattening slightly. Then, she let out a low rumble from her throat. Karma exchanged glances with her companions.
"Don't ask me," Omar said, raising his hands. "But it looks like your new friend doesn't like that book."
Karma snorted. "I don't blame her." Slipping the book into her satchel, she glanced up at the night sky.
"If we want to reach Abaddon soon, we should rest. We don't want to be exhausted when we get there."
"Especially you, lass," Dagner said. "You look like you're about to pass out any second—not to mention, you're as pale as the moon itself." Omar nodded in agreement.
He and Dagner quickly decided that they would take night watch, allowing Karma to rest. Karma considered protesting—but, truthfully, she was exhausted.
Curling up near the fire, she watched as the flames danced before her eyes. Angel yawned, her tongue rolling out of her big mouth and onto the ground before she curled up beside Karma.
Smiling, Karma wrapped an arm around Angel's furry neck, feeling the texture of her soft, thick coat. It reminded her of Buster, her German Shepherd back on Earth—her birth-home. With the thought of home lingering in her mind, she closed her eyes and drifted into sleep.
~~~~
The next morning, something wet and warm startled Karma from her dreamless sleep. Blinking her eyes open, she found herself face-to-snout with Angel. The fox's radiant baby-blue eyes locked onto Karma's grass-green ones. And as Karma gazed into them, she saw something...
Something more than just an animal she had created. She saw a soul. One that somehow—reflected her own. Angel's mouth stretched wide, and before Karma could react—
SLURP!
A massive lick covered her entire nose and eyes. "Belch!" Karma groaned, wiping the sticky slobber from her face. Dragging herself up from her woolen blankets, she spotted Omar by the fire, rotating a spit. She trudged over, still wiping her face.
"What's for breakfast?" she asked.
"Rabbit," Omar answered after a pause.
His tone was heavy with sorrow. Karma's chest tightened. She knew what was on his mind. He missed them—Mika and Hope. They were his entire world.
Karma had met Mika two years before she left Arula. She had been tall—even taller than Omar, with raven-black hair and light purple eyes that shone like amethysts. Her fair skin had glistened like diamonds in the sunlight.
Omar had fallen for her instantly. And Karma—who had always believed in love—had done everything in her power to push them together. Now, they were gone. And it was her fault.
"Omar..." she started, but he shook his head.
"I know," he said, voice barely above a whisper. "I know you're doing your best. I don't blame you for what happened to Mika and Hope. Not at all. I just..." He exhaled deeply.
"Just can't stop thinking about them?" Karma finished for him. Omar nodded. Silence stretched between them as he slowly turned the spit.
Then, the aroma of cooked meat filled the air. Dagner—who had been snoring on Hanley's side—suddenly snapped awake. "By Thor's hammer!" he bellowed, sniffing the air. "Is that rabbit I smell?!" Karma and Omar exchanged amused glances.
Omar smirked. "Your nose is as sharp as your battle skills."
Dagner grinned. "Aye! And may the Gods know it! Ha-ha!"
With a wild enthusiasm, the dwarf tore into his food, eating like a starving wolf. Karma took her share—eating far more civilly—and moaned at the flavor. "Omar," she sighed, licking her lips, "I don't know how you do it, but this is the best rabbit I've ever eaten."
Omar simply shook his head with a small smile. "Just something I've learned over the years."
After breakfast, they packed up and set off for Abaddon. "Only five more days," Karma muttered to herself, swinging onto Pepper's back.
Omar, mounted on Jack, rode up beside her. "Are you ready?" he asked.
She took a deep breath. "Ready as I'll ever be."