dimensions | original

Wild and Simple

"How farther away is it?" Luma heard someone yell over the roar of the wind.

"Not long now!" someone else responded. But Luma wasn't sure how much longer she could take. The roar of the wind through the black Portacar's open sunroof (Asha had insisted that it would be good to have a steady flow of fresh air) strongly reminded her of the shard storm and it's swirling wind. It even more strongly reminded Phoenix of when he was a shard in the storm, and so he kept trying to use that to his advantage and muscle his way into control. The only reason Luma was still able to stay Luma was because of Mark's gentle and slightly clammy hand around hers, reminding her that someone was there for her.

"How is she?" It took Luma a second to process that Carressa was talking about her.

"She's dazed right now, but she's holding on." Mark's voice answered.

"Good. I knew she could. She seemed tough from the beginning." Somehow, that little vote of confidence was like a boost of energy.

Filled with determination, she casted her thoughts down to Phoenix, who was continually making offers and begging.

I have to hold on. I have to, and not just for myself and my family. For everyone around me, Phoenix. I've seen your dreams, and you've seen mine. We could never share this body together, and I won't give myself up. I've seen what you've done, the disasters you've caused and the hearts you've broken. You don't deserve another life. But mine has hardly begun, and my reasons to live are more powerful than yours will ever be.

Phoenix's demanding voice began to fade, Luma's new determination to stay herself drowning him out and filling her with calm.

Slowly, Luma fell asleep, her dreams full of her reasons to live- her family, friends, the magical world of the Dimensions...

***

Keme was having one of his worse days.

In the last few decades, he had begun to be haunted by both guilt and nightmares alike. And he was truly and terribly lonely.

He was doing the usual housekeeping- polishing his dragon fangs, shining his bronze cauldrons, and cleaning his huge wooden spoon. All were important to his chosen career of spirit-speaking, and needed to be attended to frequently. Keme had been so bored lately that he had taken to cleaning the tools almost daily- no one ever seemed to be inhabited by souls of the deceased anymore.

But then again, when had it ever been a regular thing to do? Keme couldn't help but wonder if there had been a time where people regularly required a spirit-speaker's help. If so, he missed the calling. He had only begun this particular hobby about a thousand years ago, not long in the ancient sense. Of course, he could mail a Dimensions historian, but even those were faulty sometimes. They just don't make them like they used to. Or maybe it just is hard to remember all history, since there's always more of it today than there was yesterday. One simply cannot remember everything, I suppose.

However, Keme's rambling thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice. One that he had repeatedly heard through nightmares.

"Keme?" The shapeshifter froze, hoping he'd been mistaken. "Keme, are you in there?"

He squeezed his eyes shut. There was no mistaking it. That was Matchitehew's voice. He would have recognized it anywhere.

No. Surely not. They hadn't spoken in forever. I must be hallucinating. Yes, that's it. Just another nightmare. Keme tried to reassure himself, but still when he heard the voice again, he could not deny that the voice sounded very much like his old friend's.

But it had been thousands of years, and Keme was an old fool longing for the past. Matchitehew hadn't bothered to communicate since the day After. That was still how Keme thought of the life-changing incident that happened so very long ago. Before and After.

Keme still missed Before.

He had had so many exciting and marvelous adventures, but he still dreamt of when things were simple, back in the village with his best friend. Those days were easy, though he hadn't seen it at the time.

If only Matchitehew hadn't lost control the two would have both lived as immortal shape-shifting hunters.

But then again, if Matchitehew hadn't snapped, would the creation of the werewolves have ever occurred? All of history would have been rewritten. Once again, he had more to ask a historian, darn it. He really needed to stop thinking so much. But he couldn't help but wonder continually.

Keme had looked back so very many times, each time realizing something different, until everything hit him at once.

Then again, he was still in denial.

His thoughts were broken by the voice-that-sounded-like-Matchitehew's calling.

"Keme? Keme are you in there? Please, I need you."

Keme swallowed, erasing all rising memories. Whoever was calling was sure determined to speak to him, and while Keme was usually eager for company, he found he was unconsciously delaying the interaction. But there was no need for that.

All hesitations aside, I should really answer the door.

Keme sighed, walking through the cave hall to the entrance, which was covered by a ragged black curtain. Keme never had been one for luxury. He preferred things wild and simple.

Wild and simple. Just like Matchitehew had been, once upon a time.

The shape-shifter pushed back the curtain, and almost screamed.

It was Matchitehew. His once crazy, dirt-coated hair had been reduced to simply messy, his plain clothing was very different than his old leather and furs, and even his eyes had changed from brown to the red color of the werewolves. But it was him.

"Match?" Keme whispered, feeling himself crumble. "What? Why?" Then he looked beyond him, and saw five others, including a sleeping girl with a clear aura of pain around her. She required his help, he could sense it.

But why was Matchitehew here, and what was his connection to the girl? What was happening?

Why did Matchitehew come back only when it seemed he needed Keme's help?

A/N: Sadly there's not a lot longer to go. maybe another 5-10 chapters, and then I need to rewrite the first 10 or so chapters. they really moved way too fast, and I already have some changes in mind. I also forgot I had written this, so it's way late.