Dawn of the Immortalis: Volumes 1-3

Chap. 23: A Meeting of Misfits

"What was that?" Mutt asked.

"What was what?"

"In the corner," Mutt explained," the pillows, they moved!"

"Ah, that is my oldest friend. Come out Fluffs," Theristorary said, waving to the corner, mandibles clacking as she talked.

Talis was taken back by what came out. Fluffs, as she called it, was not bigger than a kick ball, and looked like nothing but a big clump of white fur. A small snout and two likewise miniature eyes showed through the fluff. On its short four stubby legs it jogged over.

Talis kneeled down reaching to pet Fluffs.

Fluffs jumped back, a deep evil sounding voice came from the small snout, "You imbecilic, inane, thickheaded, miscreant. How dare you believe you can touch your superior, you spineless thug. Apologize now else I must make an example of you."

"Uh," Talis replied, falling backwards in shock.

Theristorary chuckled in that crackling voice, "You've never met a Belfiencent before have you Talis? You better do as he said, you'll regret it if you don't."

"My, uh, apologies," Talis said, sitting up.

"Don't apologize to that beast Talis, that little ball of fluff," Mutt said, egging on Fluffs.

"The nerve of you little metallic redundancy," Fluffs replied, shaking with rage; his fur turning red.

"Oh well ain't that handy, if you're ignorant petty words don't show how you feel, your fuzz does," Mutt replied.

Fluffs ran and jumped back under the pillows, snarling to himself.

"As you can see," Theristorary said in a hushed voice, helping Talis up, "they'll soon be good friends.

Talis laughed, mostly at himself really, "Is that the friend you were talking about?"

"He's right behind you," she replied.

Talis turned round only to behold something even more terrifying. For the first time in quite a while, his face went white and hit the floor, darkness rolling over.

"This can still happen?" Mutt said, it was the last thing Talis heard before he was out.

********************************

Talis found himself sitting up in one of the old chairs around the table. To his left sat Fluffs with once again white fur, though it slightly fluctuated to a reddish color, beady eyes staring back at him. On his left was that dark shape, sitting down. A few books were placed on the table, blocking the light from the candle in the direction of the shape. Darkness like thick smaug oozed from the thing. Across from him sat Theristorary, looking back at him. Quicksilver and Mutt were placed on the table in front of him.

"Are you alright now?" Theristorary asked.

"I - I guess so," Talis replied, eying the dark form.

"That is Tom," she said, nodding towards the shape, "he doesn't bite, Talis, it's alright."

The dark form, Tom, faced Talis, smiling, "Greetings."

"Hey," Talis replied, awkwardly waving, "what, well uh, what are you?"

"He is a Tenebris, he is the darkness of a world. Every world has a Tenebris, when the corruption consumed his world, he started to explore. That is why he is here he is on the plane of time. Tenebris' are terrified by light, that is why they hide from it. Tom, he wasn't forthcoming in being so close to a light source, but he is the most courageous Tenebris I've ever met, aren't you Tom?" Theristorary explained, looking at Tom.

Tom smiled again, "I am happy to help."

"So you're the reason why everything is so dark?" Mutt asked.

"Well, sort of. There are a few of us that live now on this plane. I used to always be feared, especially by children. All I ever wanted was to be of comfort, like a friend that's always there."

"Tenebris' are very misunderstood creatures," Theristorary explained, "they are, in majority, not maleficent. Rather it is the contrary, they are very kind hearted things. They also know quite a lot, after all, they've been everywhere and they don't die. Wherever they go, they leave behind what you know as darkness. It is still a part of them, that is how they can see what happens around them. This is the friend I was talking about Talis. He can tell you where Talontongue is, and hopefully how to get to him."

Tom nodded, "Shall I say it now?" he asked.

"Yes, I believe it is time to explain," Theristorary replied.

"I've been exploring many of the worlds, visiting my kin. There was a world where I was told that it held Talontongue. I knew not who he was, but I felt like exploring, so I looked around the world. In a cave I found him, he looked very odd," Tom explained.

"Most likely he was malformed from his recomposition," Theristorary added.

"How did he get to a world from the plane?" Talis asked.

"That was what I was wondering too," Theristorary replied, "I believe Tom can help us there."

"That I can. I asked a few of other Tenebris about how it was done; there are a lot of them, many Tenebris chose to come to time's plane. One, Snug was his name, said that he had saw Talontongue's journey. We believe Talontongue stole a time strand from outside the corruption, brought it here and found a way to ride and maneuver it to where he wishes."

"I thought time does work properly here?" Talis questioned.

"It came from outside the corruption," added a flustered Fluffs, "don't you listen you petty minded serf."

Mutt started to talk but Theristorary interjected, "It's of no use."

Ignoring them, Talis asked, "So can we do likewise?"

"Well no, not exactly," Tom said, "we can jump though."

"Jump?" Mutt exclaimed.

"Yes, it shouldn't be too bad. I can scout out the direction and hopefully you will land properly on the world," Tom said.

"What world is it first?" Talis asked.

"Thralor," Tom replied, by Talis recognition he added, Do you know it?"

"It is where I came from," Talis said lighting up, "we have to go, there's no other choice."

"Talis," Quicksilver said, "I think your judgement is being impaired."

"What's the chances of us landing the jump," Mutt questioned, rather cautiously.

"Uh, fairly good chances," Tom continued, "maybe not actually. Considering there are more worlds than we count, and that they are all moving. Our chances are, well, perhaps whatever comes after none, as a numerical percentage that is."