The two figures flew for a couple of hours, the thin feminine body clutched tightly to the form of the gentlemen. Kasey's clothing did little against the cold wind. Had she known this would've happened, she wouldn't have worn some gym shorts and a tank top. The freezing cold air was leaving her shaking, clinging to the warmth she could get from Shobek. His wingbeats were getting slower, heavier.
"Almost there." His words were nearly stolen by the wind. Kasey simply nodded, her teeth chattering. Her eyes slowly looked ahead of them again, a strip of land finally becoming visible.
"W...Where are we g...going..?" Kasey looked up to meet Shobeks eyes, he gave a comforting smile; though worry exuded from every pore in his body.
"This land, much like the living world, is separated and split up between seven different rulers. But there are patches that no ruler has control over because it is too untamed, and only a strong demon, like me or the king, can occupy the area. Lest they be torn to shreds by the unending waves of demons."
"So we are going to one of those untamed pieces of land?"
"Yes. It's safer than landing in an owned plot of land until I strike a deal with one of the head rulers."
The stretch of land slowly grew larger, things slowly coming into view. Slowly, Shobek angled his wings to fly lower. A small island was just out of reach from the greater piece of land, a castle overshadowing the small island. As Shobek eased onto the land, creatures that had just been pacing around, darted off.
"We will rest on this island tonight." Shobek slowly let Kasey down, making sure she had her balance before pacing around, checking the nearby bushes and ill trees. The ground was a sickly grey-brown, the trees near black. And the leaves all had a fine layer of ash on them.
"Why not on the mainland? Is that owned by one of the Seven?" Kasey slowly followed him, rubbing her arms to try and keep herself warm.
"No. Not by the Seven. But by the King." Shobek's gaze quickly flitted to the castle that seemed to gaze down at them. His wings shifted slightly before vaporizing into black and purple smoke. His horns vaporizing next, leaving him looking... Human. "But we won't be here long. By the time he realizes we were here, we will be gone."
"The...King..." Kasey looked over toward the castle's grey-and-white bricked walls. If it didn't exude a strong aura of death, she'd think it looked straight out of a fairytale. "Is he stronger than you...?"
Shobek settled his gaze on his oblivious mate and sighed. Maybe I should just come clean and tell her. Then again, the more she knows, the more she'll panic. He averted his eyes, and the more she'll take to the idea of hating me. "Now, yes. But I was stronger than him before."
"What changed that?" She slowly followed him through some bushes as he pushed them aside, willing her access. The trees were slowly becoming denser. Thicker. And exceptionally tall. After a few more feet, Shobek finally deemed the area worthy enough to be a camp.
"I have been cursed. It locks away the majority of my power." Walking over to one of the older oak trees, he willed his hands to be clawed as he scraped at the thick bark of the wide tree. Its diameter was at least seven feet.
"Why?" Kasey looked around at their surroundings again, only looking at Shobek went a loud scrape sounded from him. She watched him plunge his claws deep into the bark, ripping a long strip of the tree off. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making us a shelter. Weather is unpredictable. And so are the beasts. The... Dumber ones will certainly try their luck. And if I end up fighting all night, I won't be able to get far when we leave here." Another long strip of the tree.
"Can't we find a cave?" Kasey frowned, looking up at the poor tree that was undoubtedly screaming in pain from this. Not that she could hear it.
Shobek pulled off a few more strips before looking back at her. "Do you know...How many monsters live in caves? And how many are created there?"
Kasey scrunched up her face at the word created. Do monsters breed to make more? Like real living things? But they're dead. How...
As if deciphering her face, he sighed, "The monsters here, are...compacted negative thoughts. Do you know how many people think of killing?" He stopped his work to look back at the naive mortal again. When she finally shook her head, he sighed and turned back to carving out the inside of the tree. "A lot. Even the most fleeting thoughts of it sink into the depths of hell. They are like atoms. So many eventually gather in a certain place and are so closely pushed, that they eventually become fused together. Making demons. Like how a speck of dust becomes a dust bunny. Or a grain of sand can become sandstone. It's the same process."
"Strange." Finding a flat surface, Kasey sat down, hugging her knees close to her chest as she watched Shobek work. Each strip of wood is tossed aside to make a pile. He kept carving as he continued.
"Indeed. But not everything is like that. Some can comprehend thoughts and can show intelligence or even have feelings. This is when a new sort of... grain of sand.. is brought into the mix. When an unformed monster is developing, you can usually see it only as a.. type of smoke or mist. And eventually, a stronger thought, or even a soul, fuses with that unformed creation, giving it the ability to make a complete form. Though, if that new grain is not strong enough to take complete control, it will just be a misty figure with a certain point being defined. Like a misty figure blob with the head of a dog, or the legs of a goat.
"Are you still with me?" Shobek paused, looking back at Kasey to make sure she was still following along.
"I think so." Kasey nodded, Shobek paused for a moment to take off his dress shirt, its white fabric quickly spreading to reveal a white tank top beneath. Taking a few steps, he quickly rested it around Kasey's shoulders. The gentle expression caught Kasey's attention before he turned back to the tree and continued his work.
"When a creature does finally take a form, then they will need to start feeding. So they eat other monsters that are forming or already formed. That contributes to their mass and strength. If they become smart enough, they can then become more... Human. I suppose. They can take on more human forms. The more human souls they eat, the more human they can become."
"They can't fully become human though, can they?" A chill was starting to creep through Kasey. She did not like this lesson at all anymore.
"No. But they can look very similar. For instance, Cahtora, you met her right?" Shobek paused to look back to get Kasey's confirmation, Sweat already gleaming on his forehead. After seeing her nod, he turned back to the tree that already had a deeply carved opening in it. "She is a beast from these thoughts. But there are other monsters, like me, who were created, then died and came here."
Kasey nodded, still not quite getting it, but knowing close enough to some reasonable explanation that the thought of knowing more was too much. "By the way... You mentioned that...you had a different name before?" Shobek visibly flinched and glanced at Kasey before going back to work. His silence ensued, and guilt kept Kasey from pushing the question. It wasn't too important anyway. After a short while, most of the tree was carved own, though Shobek at least left 18 inches of wood between the bark and the open space. Leaving ample room to accommodate two people for the night. Right. We have to spend the night together. The realization hit Kasey as she looked towards the dark entrance that the dragon slowly stepped out of, ducking his head slightly in order to not hit his head.
"That should do it." Shobek quickly looked over his work. The wood walls were uneven, but it was good enough. Kasey slowly stood and walked over to his side, wood still sprinkled the ground and a frown easily made it onto her face.
"If we don't lay something down, or clean up, we might get splinters." Shobek frowned slightly, she did have a point, but it's not like there is a lot they could use out here.
"If you're worried about splinters, I could get some mud and lay it around. Or we can take our clothes off and sleep on top of them. Not that your bed would be very comfortable." His eyes looked over the scrappy clothing she already wore, the only difference in her outfit was that she wore his shirt too. He quickly averted his eyes, his blush barely visible.
Kasey slapped his shoulder and hissed, "That's not funny, and NOT happening. Why couldn't we of stayed on the mainland? And can't we just TELEPORT to where we need to be?"
"That's too risky. If they know I have you, then opening random portals to places will leave a trail. Making a portal isn't some magic trick I can snap my finger, walk through, and snap to close. It rips apart the world and connects the two destinations." The incredulous look Shobek gave Kasey soured her mood further, leaving her muttering insults that he chose to ignore. "We can't set a fire either," Shobek stated matter of factly as he walked into the small cavern, sitting down at the far edge as he finally allowed his body to relax.
"So? It's hot in hell anyway, isn't it?" Kasey muttered, sitting a foot away from him, wrapping her arms around her knees again.
A ghost of a smile appeared on Shobeks expression as he leaned his head back and closed his eyes. "As I said, weather is unpredictable. So is the temperature. And from how the clouds were during our flight, I'd expect a storm if I were you."
"Pfft, whatever. I'll be fine on my own." Her gaze turned back to the opening that was about five and a half feet tall and two and a half feet wide. "I'm more worried about a creature trapping us in here."
"I set a small illusion up. They only see a normal tree." Shobek mumbled, exhaustion seeming to line his body frame.
"I thought using your magic would lead people to us?" Kasey sent a sharp look in his direction before turning back to the open entrance.
"Strong magic on a large scale. Not one for a measly illusion. Illusions are just mind tricks to those nearby the enchanted area. If something was smart enough to see that it was false, they could and would most definitely peek in at us. But If they were smart enough to find an illusion, they wouldn't try their luck at harming us." Shobek stretched his legs out in front of him, his ankles crossing. "So you are safe, dear. I guarantee it."
A few moments passed and silence drifted between them. Finally, Kasey spoke, "Why are we being chased..?" She turned back towards Shobek, his chest rising and falling slowly. His head lulled to the side, his white hair falling over his closed eyelids. An expression of peace lay over his face. Slowly Kasey inched closer, gently whispering, "Shobek?"
After a moment of no answer, she sighed and rested back against the uneven wall again, her legs stretching out like his. Leaving two inches between them. He deserves to rest anyways. Though I do wish we had at least gotten some food first. The light from the outside was slowly dimming, a crack of thunder sounding in the distance, and rain slowly pelted down from above. The lazy raindrops splattered down on the ashen ground. Resting her head back against the wood, she watched the raindrops fall outside, though visibility was growing darker. Eventually, her eyes slid closed. The sound of rain was always somewhat soothing. Drowsiness always seemed to fall with each raindrop.
Maybe...I can rest my eyes... just...for a...second...