dimensions | original

Memories

"What?!" yelped Mark. Things were spiraling out of hand. "Luma did what?!"

"Not what she did. She probably couldn't even feel the presence."

"Who?"

"Phoenix."

"The proph-"

"Yes, the prophet." explained Asha patiently. Mark just sat there, a baffled look on his face.

"But how?"

"In the little 'episode' she said something about a shard storm."

"A shard storm?!" Mark gasped.

"Yes, that's what she said."

"There wasn't any sort of storm near Nevermore!" Well, no, that wasn't true. Timorous had been a yelling storm of rage that day, and it was from that the shard storm was triggered.

Asha sighed. "There must have been. How else would she be possessed?"

Mark shuddered. "But why are you telling me this? Before, you would have simply kept me in the dark." Asha's cheeks blushed with shame.

"Once, upon a time, yes. But things have changed. Luma is an changing factor. Under such circumstances, I'm afraid we turn to you."

"But why-" Mark stopped as the realization hit him. "Oh no. No, no no."

"Please." begged Asha. "Keme hates us." At the mention of his old friend, Mark found himself go cold.

"But he hates me more."

"It's been thousands of years."

"Forgiveness doesn't come easy to Keme."

Asha sighed. "But does he really hate you enough that he won't help an innocent girl?"

"Luma is far from innocent at this point." Mark sighed. She had heard enough by now that no one could call her innocent. Ignorant and inexperienced, but not innocent.

"Yes..." Asha couldn't disagree. "But he's the only one we think is powerful enough to remove it." she spat the last word, reminding Mark of when had first met her.

"No." said Mark bluntly, his eyes on the floor.

Asha shivered. "I know who you're talking about. But... I don't think I can do it. I don't think we can handle it." Her dark eyes held a fear similar to his own. "And besides, we've never had the best connections with the gods."

Mark sighed. "Or godlings."

"Hey." Asha smiled at him half-heartedly. "Things change."

"Maybe I'm no longer considered such a big threat. But it's not like Kinglyn would ever let me go, at this point. He's been working on it for so long... And after all Marsha's worked for. I know she was a good soldier. And almost a friend." Mark hadn't meant to say the last part, it just slipped out. He mentally cursed his stupidity.

"At this point, I'd like to call myself your friend." Asha said, and sat down next to him. The position reminded him of the last time the two were left alone in a cell. Asha must have realized as well, because she seemed to stiffen awkwardly at his side.

The silence between the two was uncomfortable at first, but Mark and Asha both found themselves relaxing. Asha's head dropped sleepily onto Mark's shoulder, her eyes half-open.

"I shouldn't be here anymore." she sighed quietly. "But I'm tired. And this whole Luma mess is really confusing."

"Yeah." Mark couldn't think of much to say. Asha always seemed so reserved and quiet from all the times he'd seen her that it was strange seeing her so open. But he recalled the first time he saw her... Her first words to him had been snarky, sassy even. And now she had opened up again.

"So... Where is she?" Mark asked, his curiosity taking hold of him.

"Kinglyn had her put back into a cell." Asha responded, sitting up straight and resuming her poker face, all business once more. "They weren't sure what to do."

"Surely there's someone else you can ask." Mark said, feeling guilty. He didn't want Luma to be possessed by a freaky old prophet like Phoenix, but he almost threw up at the thought of seeing his old hunting buddy. Mark had never forgiven himself for releasing the wolf inside him that one day, and he definitely knew Keme hadn't. Keme always held a long grudge, and was closed-off and hostile, unlike Mark had once been. Once upon a time, Mark had been fairly popular in his village for his golden brown hair and excellent hunting abilities, yet best friends with Keme, of whom was outcasted for his rude and surly personality. But then came the winter, that dreadful winter to end all winters. He still remembered it, how the next spring and summer had limited and wary game. Then he had appeared- the shape shifter they had shared meat with just last summer. Although somehow the story had gotten all twisted so most thought it was simply a week's difference, not a year.

Keme and Mark's popularity boomed, but some were suspicious. Finally, all the rumors and rude jabs pushed Mark over the edge. When one of his rivals insulted both him and Keme, he couldn't take it anymore. Mark still remembered it like it was yesterday, the rage that possessed him. He remembered lunging at the boy, unconsciously shifting into a wolf. Mark remembered his surprise upon seeing his own clawed paws. Terrified at what he might have done, Mark had gained control enough to shift back to a harmless human.

Mark was pulled out of memories by Asha's response to his previous question. He pushed the overwhelming memories out of his head, trying to concentrate on the situation.

"There's only three people with the chance of enough power still actively practicing the art of spirit-speaking. Believe, I've done my research."

"When?"

"Actually, I just performed a 20 minute search before coming to you. I didn't want to stress you about Keme, but he's our only realistic option."

"What are the other options?" questioned Mark.

Asha swallowed nervously. "Well... You might have heard about them from Timorous, your former guardian."

Mark froze, realizing.

"They're the twin gods Spirit and Sacrifice."

He made his decision, right there and then. He would face Keme. He had to.

After all, Luma needed him.

A/N It's been so long! I've been kinda drained lately, but I have a week off school for thanksgiving vacation, and I've been fairly inspired today, so...? Double update is the best outcome right now, I'm halfway done with the next part. Fingers crossed I have enough time!