The Kindred Spirits [AWAITING EDITS]

I

Wind swept the sand from stone steps as No approached the temple. He walked the world once more after ages of slumber. Feeling the ever-present mental nudge of his master pushing him in this direction he inhaled the hot desert air. It was good to feel, to breath, to exist. The world changed while he slept, but the world was always different when he returned to the land of living.

He clutched the amulet around his neck feeling the magic swirling inside of it. That was the only source of magic he had for ages, the only source that allowed him to live in the world devoid of it. When his master saved his life, so many eons ago, he merged his spirit with the essence of the cat, removing the deadly wounds he had but forever making him depend on magic to keep him alive. But magic returned once again, the world Knitted, and the three realms are one again. Reaching the summit of the stairs he peeked into the darkness of silent temple. His cat eyes adjusted to the gloom right away but he saw nothing but an empty hallway.

His whiskers twitched, the smell of humans and Anadori reaching his nostrils. This was the right place. Somewhere in the depths of this crumbling ruin was a maharoon that his master wanted. No wished the current owners of the magical tome would just give it to him. But he knew better as well. Whoever got their hands on maharoon knew it was useless to them. Only humans capable of wielding magic could open the book, but those don't exist anymore. Modern humans couldn't mold the anima anymore. Leaving for so long in the world without a shred of magic changed them somehow. His master was only living human he knows of that is capable of magic.

Taking a deep breath he unclasped the large sword from his back and took it in his large clawed hand. Unsheathing it slowly he dropped the scabbard on the floor and silently moved further into the darkness. Deeper he went stronger the smell of habitation became. He froze when the coppery smell of blood touched his senses. He stifled a growl that came from his throat, fur on his back rising in response. Someone died here and the smells were still fresh. He was late to save whoever that was by a few minutes. Steeling himself and clutching the sword he pushed forward.

Soon the faint light came from around the corner and on silent feet, No reached the entrance of the large chamber. The walls were decorated by engravings and lit torches. In the middle of the space was a stone altar and naked men lay there his throat cut and his lifeblood dripped down the sides into the shallow groove on the floor. Above the dead human stood Anadori female, her naked breasts heaved as she chanted. With both hands in the air, one palm clutching bloody dagger while the other held a heavy book.

No stopped moving to look at the sight, trying to rain in the killer instinct triggered by the smell of blood. His jaw clenched in effort when the draft brought stronger scents. His eyes widened when he realized that Anadori woman was half-breed and that he didn't smell magic on her at all. She was mundane, born in last three centuries, her blood dominated by her human side, preventing her to mold anima. He relaxed slightly, letting his unbreakable sword hit the stone floor.

The woman stopped her chanting and snapped her eyes No's direction.

"Who's there?", she yelped dropping the maharoon and pointing the bloody dagger.

"It didn't work, did it?", No said gently. "You killed him for nothing."

"Shut up!", she said with a shrill voice.

No stepped from the shadows into the light of one of the torches. Half-breeds eyes widened as his white-furred form emerged in front of her.

"You can't cast magic." No, said matter of factly.

"What are you?" She said watching him verily.

"I am a chimera and I came for that book." He answered calmly taking step towards her.