All the Whispers

Chapter 3

Ronan sent me off to collect firewood with Daun so we could protect ourselves from the night before teaching me any awesome moves. I was very disappointed. As I walked through the forest beside Daun, I started to actually process what was going on. I was in the Netherworld with a bunch of Netherlings and a Netherfish, I had been abducted by Umbrarum, whom everybody calls Her, and time obviously ran slower here, because it had been night at home already, while the sun was just starting to set here. Oh, yeah, there was also the fact that everybody treated me like I was another Umbrarum. Everybody except Kana, at least.

            “Did I do something wrong?” I blurted out, slapping my hands over my mouth. Why did I say that? Daun studied me for a moment, but didn’t say anything. I slowly lowered my hands from my lips and before I knew it, words came pouring out. “I mean, my whole life I’ve been wishing, praying, that the Netherworld was real and that someday I would find it, and be able to meet Netherlings and Netherfish! And now, that I’m here, everybody hates me, and honestly I get it, but still! Since I was four I’ve been aiming my life to this! To finding all of you! It’s not fair that just because I look like Her you treat me like Her! In all honesty, this place is nothing like the stories coming from my grandfather; you’re just as cold and judging as humans! I thought you were better than us! Better than us!” My voice ended in a loud shout that echoed through the bare trees; my ears were ringing and my fists clenched. I looked up at Daun, who, I was pleased to note, looked shocked at my outburst. Slowly, as my anger started to die away, his eyes softened.

            “Humans. So they exist then? We’ve all heard the prophecies, but none of us really imagined they would come true.”

            “Prophecies?” I wasn’t entirely sure I had heard right.

            “Yes. The prophets tell of no-winged-or-tailed creatures that will walk the earth. They will be the colors of the autumn forest, and build stiff coves that take down the forest. They will bring despair and darkness, yet great joy, wonder, and light. We thought Umbrarum may be the start of them at first, but she brought no joy, wonder, or light.”

            “You’re brave to say her name.” I murmured.

            “It’s just a name.” Daun said, looking faintly embarrassed.

            I blinked softly, a small smile breaking onto my lips. “Yes. ‘Fear of a name increases fear of the thing itself.’” I quoted Harry Potter.

            “A perfect quote.” Daun remarked.

            “Oh it’s not mine. I read it in a book.”

            “Book?”

            “Yeah, it’s a-”

            “It doesn’t matter.” Daun interrupted. “You can tell us all later.” He was looking at me oddly; I squirmed uncomfortably, casting about for something to say.

            “Oh look! A perfect firewood stick!” I hurried over to a large branch on the forest floor. I bent over to pick it up, and when I straightened, I found Daun still watching me. I scratched my arm awkwardly. “We should, um, be looking for wood.”

            Daun blinked, as if shocked out of a trance. “Yes, let’s.” He flew ahead, scouring for branches. I followed slowly, pondering. He’s probably still fascinated with the idea of a human, I assured myself, adding a stick to the pile. Yes, that’s it.