Dark Pasts & Deep Secrets

Chapter 2

Shadow kneeled next to Decibel, hands shaking, breathing shallow as they tried to think. Shadow had lost so many friends in battle that they had made sure to get medical training to avoid such disasters again, but at the moment, every bit of knowledge fled them, leaving their mind blank and void like. Shadow jerked as Lightening laid a hand on their shoulder.

"Take them to the realm, Shad." He said, calmly, firmly. "Do you remember how?"

Tears ran faster down Shadow's face and they shook their head. Lightening clenched his jaw and thought for a moment.

"Shad. Take a deep breath." He commanded. Shadow faltered and tried before sobbing once and returning to the shallow breathing pattern they had before. "Shadow, are you having a panic attack?" He asked, concern now furrowing his brow. Shadow took a moment to respond before shaking their head and shrugging. They weren't sure. Lightening clenched his jaw and summoned his power.

Zzz-ack!

Shadow jumped and jerked toward Lightening as a small volt of electricity ran down their back and into their arm.

"What? " They demanded, their voice altered by their powers.

Lightening suppressed a shudder at Shadow's voice. "You needed to snap out of it. That wasn't the best way to handle it but we don't have time for the best way. You need to take them to the realm, Shadow. Now. Before it's too late."

Shadow's eyes widened, their mouth dropping open slightly as they looked down at Decibel's pale face. Stoning their face, the nodded once before placing their hands onto Decibel's shoulders, closing their eyes and focusing. Lightening stood up and stepped back a few paces, watching as the shadows around the two arranged themselves into a bubble, encompassing the pair in darkness. After a moment the bubble began shrinking until it had disappeared completely. Lightening stared at the spot they disappeared from for a moment more before turning to Morpheus.

"Come with me," He demanded, sounding like it might be an option, though they both knew it wasn't. "We have much to discuss."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Shadow opened their eyes when the temperature changed and the light surfaced behind their eyelids once more to see the Shadow Realm.

The Shadow Realm was usually very comforting to Shadow. They had found the Realm at a very young age while attempting to hide from their tormentors and had visited quite often. The dark world was deeply shadowed and seemed to be lit from trees and certain plants with a warm red glow that heated the area nicely. The trees were probably their favorite; stark white skeletal trees that stretched to the sky above, mostly void, partially stars, and while the trees were thin, they were quite sturdy and made for good climbing when needed. At the moment though, Shadow didn't have time to climb trees and enjoy the scenery. They scooped up Decibel in their arms and ran. They vaguely remembered the way to their mentor, but they weren't very concerned about it, knowing their mentor would sense that she was needed, and knowing the Shadow Realm would lead them to her.

After what felt like an eternity but was only a few moments, Shadow burst into their mentor's cavern, shoving aside the bead curtain and forcing their eyes to adjust to the blue lit room quickly.

"Master!" They called out, setting Decibel down on the counter, panic now beginning to course through their veins again. A woman rounded the corner, carrying a leather pouch, a calm expression across her face.

"Child, calm yourself. There's a candle set in your spot."

Shadow nodded and walked over to a comfy violet chair with a small table in front of it with a large lit candle. Shadow worked on breathing techniques while their Master worked.