17b - Reversal of Emotions

[ForeverZeroUltima]

The moon slinks down in the sky...
Life is cold, and the game is old...
Feel the terror draw ever nearer the more you stare in the mirror...
Face the wind alone...toughen your scars...
There will be a day that I will sell my soul away...

Lynx continued to prowl through the darkness of night as eerie thoughts rushed to his mind. He didn't remember what the memory was, but he began to suspect that by the time he remembers everything, his time in this dimension will be over.

Face the wind alone...toughen your scars..., he thought. He vaguely knew the outline of this riddle. How was it that he knows it? And the missing words were driving him crazy as well.

As the moon slinks down in the sky... He looked up at the actual moon. He didn't know what was so great about it. However, there was something that kept pulling his gaze towards it. Something mystical about it...

He shook his head. He has no time for such foolishness. He has to figure out how to change back. He looked at the bag of spells again. What a disaster...I will have my revenge on the twins....IF I ever find my way out of this mess. As well, I need to find Bax...I need to find...something that will locate him...

His gaze turned back to the moon. What was happening? He began to snarl as his anger elevated. Why does the moon make him angry? The answer is clear, obviously. It lingers in the sky, laughing at him, unbound by the pains and sorrows of those who look up to it. And Life is cold...the moon doesn't care, of course. It just sits there...laughing...

The rage overwhelmed him. He stopped in his tracks, sat on his haunches, plowed his front paws into the ground, and lifted his head and howled. For the next few moments, his blind rage kept building up, before it dissipated.

He had never felt so...alive. When he howled, he felt that all the pains in his mind and body were gone. It felt great to let it out. He let loose another long howl. Let me feel....ALIVE for once!

He stopped. He heard another howl in the distance. Probably just his echo, though. He shook his head. He didn't know what had just overcome him, but it's pointless to obsess over it now.

He felt tired. For the first time ever since he existed, he felt tired. Probably just this body, he thought. He trotted over to a nearby river and set his body down, his eyes turned away from the sky.

In the morning...everything should become clearer.

I hope so.

[ForeverZeroUltima]

Morning approached. Lynx kept his eyes shut, as all sleepers do when they’re supposed to wake up. It was different for Lynx, however, because this was the first time he had ever woken up – let alone sleep – in his life.

The sunlight bathing his face finally forced him to open an eye. Still groggy from the seemingly nonexistent sleep, he focused his eye on his surroundings. A river, a few trees, and a stretching grassy plain. He opened his other eye as he remembered the events from the day before. Still stuck in this body, he realized. He was beginning to grow more and more used to it, however. He sat up, pushed his paws forward, and stretched to relieve his back of any stress.

He stopped himself. He had never done that before, either! Was he becoming too used to this body?

His attention was cut short by the sudden, unexplainable, burning in his throat. He tried to clutch his throat, with some obvious difficulties. What is it now? He had never had this feeling before, either!

His mind wandered, and finally he realized something. He had heard and seen many humans before complain of such conditions. But how did they treat it? They would commute to the nearest restaurant or market and buy…

Lynx’s eyes widened as he figured it out. He was thirsty.

And hungry too, from the looks of it, he added as his lower region began to emit noises that complained of a deep emptiness. It seemed to him that as long as he stayed in this body, he was subject to all the inconveniences of humans and creatures alike. But as long as he was like this, he might as well treat it with similar care.

He trotted over to the river. The sparkling water reflected the sun’s rays on his face as he lowered himself to taste the water. As soon as his tongue felt the water, the cool, refreshing taste of such a natural element of nature flowed through him and he realized that he had never experienced anything better.

His mood changed the moment he pulled his head back up. Through the ripples in the water, he saw his reflection. He was not the least bit homely; rather, he actually looked rather, in the words of humans, dashingly handsome. The fur on his face was smooth and somewhat silky, the white markings on his head stood out noticeably, and his teeth were properly aligned and clean, but the part that startled him the most was his eyes. Before now, his eyes were simply empty and void of all emotions. But now…he looked as if he bore something deep within him…something he had never experienced before…

Reversal of Emotions?

He quickly lifted his paw and splashed at the water. Then to clear his mind, he drank some more. He was unprepared for what he saw next.

When he finished drinking, he kept his head low, but looked across the surface of the water. He saw another reflection of himself. He thought nothing of it, until he realized that it was impossible for him to have two reflections. He quickly lifted his head and looked across the river.

There was a mirror image of him standing on the other bank, except this one was slightly smaller in stature and considerably slimmer. There was a lengthy pause before the other jumped across the river and landed gracefully next to him.

Lynx was startled. The other turned and looked at him full in the face. Hello, a voice echoed in Lynx’s mind.

Again, he was startled. Female?

She advanced on him until her nose was touching the nape of his neck. What brings you out here? the voice echoed again.

Lynx realized that she must be speaking to him through his mind. Makes sense, he supposed, as verbal communication was not too possible in this form. Perhaps if he…

He focused his mind and thought, Who are you?

It worked. She replied, Ah, my apologies, dear. I have not introduced myself. I am Ralza of the Ru’el tribe. Impressive, yes? She batted an eye at him and let her nose off of him.

Lynx stood stiffly. What was she doing?

Ralza tilted her head with a smile. By the way, what is your name?

After a long pause, he finally forced himself to answer: Lynx.

Lynx? That is a very unique and interesting name, Lynx. And from your markings, you must be from the Shur’tor tribe. Very well known breed of speedsters, correct? Lynx heard a sound similar to a giggle as she turned around in place, brushing her tail against his breast.

He stiffened even more so. Yes…I suppose so. So that’s what the markings on his body meant. It was a tribal rune.

He focused his mind again to speak with her. How did you find me?

She looked at him again. She advanced on him once more and placed her neck against his, nuzzling her nose against his ear. She let out a sigh. I heard your beautiful howling last night…I heard it and was instantly amazed. I knew that I had to meet you…I just had to.

So it wasn’t an echo, he realized. She was responding from a distance.

She continued: And now I’m here with you. From your howling, I knew right away that you had to be…agile… She began to slide past his right flank. Strong, She turned around his back and brushed her side against his tail. Intelligent, She circled around his other side, and at last came to a stop in front of him again. And handsome.

Ralza let out a gentle sound from her throat. Lynx was baffled. What was he to do now?

Ralza smiled again. You do not have to say anything.

I do not know what to say, he responded. He moved away from her and began walking alongside the river.

It is alright, Ralza said sweetly as she followed him.

Lynx kept his attention away so that she didn’t hear his thoughts. What is she up to? Why is she following him? He continued to walk at a brisk pace with her following closely behind.

[ForeverZeroUltima]

Ralza laughed with delight as they traveled alongside a grassy plain. Darkness began to cover the skies overhead as Lynx simply kept looking and going straight forward.

And that is what my name stands for. Guiding Light. The females in my tribe have often told me of their envy at me for having such a name. Ralza smiled sheepishly as she looked at Lynx for a response. The elders of my tribe have stressed so much that a fitting name is important for a young Ru'el. It is the very backbone of what guides a Ru'el to grow properly.

Although Lynx didn't particularly care, he suddenly looked at her upon the mention of her tribe. Ru'el? Where had he heard of that before?

Ralza tilted her head with curiosity. I know that customs are not the same for every Kou'rin tribe, but may I ask why your name is Lynx? And what does it mean to you and your tribe?

Kou'rin? Of course, that's it! Lynx remembered back to the library where he had done research on creatures. It mentioned the Kou'rin as large wolves, and that the Ru'el is the most intelligent.

He thought for a moment, then sullenly replied, answering only the second question: My name stands for Misguided Soul. Because through many years of life I am always left wandering by myself in the end. Perhaps not the best answer, but there was a chance it could tell this female the reason behind his solemn nature.

Ralza stopped. Lynx noticed and stopped as well. He looked back at her, and noticed that she was looking down at the ground. What is it now? he asked.

Ralza lifted her head slightly, and Lynx saw her stunned look. I... She trailed off, then found her voice and finished her sentence. I...just think that it's terrible. Why do you look down on yourself like that?

Lynx saw the hurt look in her eyes. Why does she care so much about what he says? He took a moment to choose his next words carefully.

It...it is simply a fact of my life, Ralza. He turned around and approached her. I may have been cynical in my answer, but that is...that is just how I am. My life has been like this for as long as I know. I am not who you think I am, Ralza. I have lost time in my life, time which cannot be healed. You...you are still young and full of life. You have life, Ralza. That is something that I can only yearn for. I...I envy you, Ralza. I may not envy you for your name, but I do envy you. Life...how I wish that it could be given by those who have it! He looked into her eyes. I do apologize for my cynicism. And my envy. And--

That is enough. Ralza placed her paw over his and pressed her muzzle against his neck. I...I think you're quite brave for confessing so much to me, Lynx. You are very down-to-earth and honest. That is why I like you. She lifted her other paw and pressed it against his chest firmly. And, of course, I forgive you for your cynicism. The envy is something I'm entirely used to.

They laughed together.

She continued to nuzzle against him before he pulled away. It is very dark right now, he said. Perhaps we should rest for now.

Ralza smiled in the darkness and flicked her tail against the grass. Yes, let's. They found a spacious patch of grass upon which they layed upon side by side.

Lynx peered at her face in the darkness once more. She wasn't so bad, after all. He even enjoyed her company...a bit. She looked back at him and smiled.

Good night, Lynx.

Good night, Ralza.

[ForeverZeroUltima]

The light breeze of the wind. The bright pour of sunlight. And the familiar presence of a friend.

Lynx slowly opened one eye, then the other.

Good morning, Ralza greeted him with a smile.

Good morning, he responded. He placed his paws out and stretched his back. He stopped when he saw a dead doe in front of him.

You took your time sleeping, so I brought you breakfast, Ralza explained.

Lynx looked at the doe again. The poor creature had slash and bite marks over its neck and flank, and a steady stream of blood flowed down its side, revealing raw, tender meat underneath. It was then that Lynx realized that he was hungry. For the first time in his life, he was hungry.

Ralza…thank you, he quickly said before he started scarfing down the meat. After a few seconds, he paused. Aren’t you going to eat any?

Ralza shook her head. You eat.

Lynx paused for another second. He peered at Ralza and took note of her slender, trim figure. He thought he also detected a sign of weariness in her eyes. No, he refused. He stood up against and sat next to her. You spent your time and energy to gather rations for me, and I did nothing in return. Please, you eat.

Ralza began to protest, but Lynx fixed a stern eye on her. A few more seconds passed between the two. Ralza suddenly smiled. Lynx…I’m so flattered. In my tribe, regardless of who hunts and collects the provisions for our tribe, we females always have the second bite to eat. We do not mind in the least, because it is out of reverence for our males. Lynx…you are the first one who has ever returned as much respect to me. Thank you. She closed her eyes and a tear fell to the ground.

Tears? Were all females this…emotional? Lynx stiffened as Ralza lay her head against his shoulder. He relaxed his muscles and looked at her.

It was in that moment that Lynx realized that his eyes had been closed to the world all this time. Lynx made a short gasping sound as his eyes widened. Although ruffled up from an obvious brawl with the doe, Ralza’s fur coat gleamed under the bright sunlight and her sweet breath filled his nostrils. The grass around her suddenly seemed more defined and more colorful. The air that hung around them so tediously seemed so timeless, something that Lynx had never imagined to be like him. He suddenly realized how much in the world he had been missing all this time. He didn’t want to let go of it all yet.

Ralza opened her eyes and smiled again. Lynx returned the smile. Shall we?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Whew!

Lynx rolled over on his back. Ralza laughed and sprawled out her body on the grass, placing her head on his chest.

Did you like it? Ralza asked.

It was lovely, Ralza.

Ralza closed her eyes with contentment, and Lynx teasingly joked, You should prepare more meals for me in the future.

Ralza laughed and batted a paw at his face. You’ll have to go hunt with me next time, lazy. She got up, stopped, and looked at him again. …in the future?

Lynx peered up at her. Yes. What about it?

There was no answer. Instead, Ralza collapses her entire body weight on top of him, causing him to jolt in response. What are y— His thought was cut off as Ralza began licking him around the mouth. Lynx stayed down, stunned. Ralza’s tail extended, fluffed out, and she gently pawed his expanding chest as he inhaled and exhaled.

Let’s get you cleaned off, Ralza smirked. She got off and turned her back to him. Catch me if you can, she giggled. She ran off.

Lynx rolled over and stood up. Hey! Get back here, you! He sprinted after her.

Ralza quickly glanced behind, realizing that Lynx was quickly catching up to her. She picked up speed, but Lynx soon ran up behind her and made a daring leap, landing on top of her.

Aah! You got me! Ralza exclaimed as they rolled down the grass together. They eventually stopped next to a shallow stream.

You said something about my tribe being renowned for speed? Lynx teased. He got off.

Ralza nodded sagely and looked at the stream. Looks like we’re here. Without warning, she gave Lynx a quick shove, causing him to lose balance and he went flying into the water.

COLD!

Lynx resurfaced and gasped for air. Ralza sat on the edge, continuing to giggle. Lynx shook excess water from his face and angrily demanded, What was that for?!

You need a bath after eating such a meal so messily, silly.

Lynx continued to glare at her. Then he smirked. Yeah? You shared that meal with me, so… He quickly reached up and pulled her in.

HEY! Ralza yelled as she hit the water. She went under, then came back up, also gasping for air. She glared at him, then changed it to a sheepish grin. I guess I had that coming to me.

They both laughed. Suddenly the water didn’t feel so cold. Ralza pushed Lynx against the side of the stream and placed her paws on his chest. Lynx watched as his chest again expanded as he took each deep breath of air. They momentarily embraced in the water, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still. Then Ralza splashed some water at him.

A splash fight ensued. Ralza laughed with delight as the fight continued. Lynx chuckled heartily. Alright, we’re clean enough, Ralza said. She placed her paws on the side of the stream and pushed herself up. Lynx followed, only to have Ralza shake her body and spray water at him. He mimicked the action and Ralza ran off again.

Lynx felt his heart race as he followed Ralza into a deep forest. He caught up to her again, and they collapsed on the ground. They lay side-by-side, facing each other.

I…have never felt more alive, Lynx exclaimed, exhausted. Lynx’s sight became blinded for a second, but the welcome image of Ralza soon came back.

Ralza simply smiled at him, and Lynx knew that she has never felt the same way either. At least, not until now.

[ForeverZeroUltima]

Lynx woke up with a dreaded feeling the next morning.

Ralza was still asleep next to him. She looked so serene, so peaceful that he couldn't help but smile, despite the horrid feeling.

He sat up and began stretching his front legs. As he did so, he suddenly felt sore in the arms. What's going on? He took a look at his paws. They had become slightly smaller. His digits had become somewhat thinner over the course of the night and his fur had become shorter as well. He reached up and touched his muzzle, which has also shortened a bit. His tail behind him had become thinner and not as bushy.

How could this be happening? he thought. He took a few moments to think, and used whatever remained of his spell-enhanced intelligence to come up with a solution.

The night before, as he had lay down to sleep, he had looked at Ralza one more time. He remembered being blinded. Lynx's gut feeling sank as he knew what that meant: he had run into another one of Silek's spells, positioned behind where Ralza had lay down. But which one? The spell didn't seem to have taken any immediate effect; if anything, it was happening over the course of a long period of time-- Oh no... he murmured to himself.

It was the mask. He had run into the black mask. Kelis had told him that the black mask was undoubtedly one of the more powerful spells; it had the effect of enhancing a random trait or attribute of the victim in the most unconventional way, or if the white mask was active, it had the ability to negate the white mask's effect. Lynx thought back to his fight against the tarasque; he had invoked the anti-monster spell, but had instead caused him to change into what he was now.

He again looked at Ralza, who was beginning to stir. He didn't want to leave her yet; Ralza had taught him more about living these past few days than he had known all his life. He had felt...alive when he was with her. His feeling of dread became replaced with sorrow. What would Ralza think of him?

Ralza opened her mouth and yawned before peeking up at him. Good morning, she greeted.

Perhaps Ralza hadn't noticed his change in appearance because it was still dawn? Good morning...Ralza. He wasn't feeling particularly pleasant, but he would have to be content with the little time he had left with her.

Ralza sat up and stretched before looking at him with half-closed eyes. Shall we find something to eat? I'll lead the hunt and you follow me.

Lynx followed closely behind her, sighing. She was so innocent, so kind, so beautiful...and yet so oblivious to the harsh truth that would emerge in a short amount of time.

He almost tripped. He stopped to look at himself, and realized that his paws had become thinner and longer, half-way to resembling hands and fingers.

Is something wrong? Ralza turned her head to ask, noticing his trip.

No, not at all, Lynx hastily answered back. He was still trying to find out an excuse to tell her once he changes back completely.

Ralza's stare lingered for a few seconds longer. Lynx paused; Ralza just smiled and nodded before closing her eyes. Just be careful, Lynx.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

They passed through the forest and emerged in a grassy plain. The river continued to flow on the left, and few trees and big rocks littered the region.

Ralza... Lynx finally mustered up the courage to speak. He caught himself; he was beginning to speak with his voice and not his mind now.

Ralza stopped moving and sat down. Lynx stopped as well. A few seconds of silence passed between the two. Lynx looked at himself again. He had already changed half-way back and was starting to stand more upright than on all fours.

Lynx... Ralza began.

Her thoughts were cut off as a bright flash caught their eyes in the far-off distance. Something had formed and was approaching. Lynx's eyes widened.

"Get down!" he yelled, reaching out and pinning her down as the black sword flew by right above them. Lynx let go of Ralza and turned around to look at the sword, only to see that it had turned around and already made it half-way back to them.

Lynx dashed to the right while Ralza, quick on her feet, hopped to the left as the deadly blade skewered the grass between them. It was then that Ralza looked straight at Lynx.

Even with the danger of the black sword at present, Lynx felt time slow down as his eyes connected with Ralza's. He swallowed. Ralza's eyes widened, then slowly closed. Lynx was shocked; Ralza didn't seem to care about his appearance change.

At the landing, Lynx turned in time to see the sword coming at him again. Good grief! he thought to himself. How was it moving so quickly? He barely even had enough time to recover after each dodge as the sword started making attempts at stabbing him. Lynx started to lose his balance as his legs appeared to become straighter like his normal humanoid form.

He fell over as the sword made another thrust attempt and sailed over him. He rolled on his back and saw the sword come again.

"Damn it!" He felt the bag of spells still tied to his waist bounce against him as he dodged again. He quickly reached into it and grabbed the first spell he could find. He pulled out the doll. He took a moment as he avoided the sword to recall what Kelis had said the doll did. It will switch my identity with the closest living creature... But all the spells had been swapped; so it would have some other effect. Seemed like a pretty reasonable bid, though; since the spells did not have the effect they were supposed to, the doll was his safest bet for now as one of the other spells could potentially have the doll's effect.

"Invoke!" he whispered, narrowly dodging another attack. Please be the Shield... he thought to himself.

Instead, the mental thought of a large circle with arrows appeared. All but one arrow dropped, leaving the lone arrow to point in a certain direction. The compass?! he raged at himself. The sword sliced a clean line through the ground and nearly sliced him as he leaped out of the way in time.

Lynx! Watch out! Ralza's voice called as she ran toward him at a distance.

The sword turned downward and rose above him, hovered for a second, and plummeted down at him with blinding speed. He barely even had enough time to realize the danger he was in, let alone how quickly the sword was reaching him.

LYNX!!

A heartbeat. That was all Lynx heard, even as he screamed out in terror; even as Ralza jumped over him; even as she pushed him down with her paws to protect him; even as the sword pierced straight through her, spraying her fresh blood over him.

Ralza's beating heart was all Lynx heard.

[ForeverZeroUltima]

Thud.

Ralza's body sailed right over Lynx and landed in a heap on the ground past him.

"Ralza!!" he screamed out. As he fought to stand up, he realized that he was almost completely changed back. He tested out the flexibility of his blood-stained paw -- now a hand -- and was able to emit dark energy from it. His powers were slowly coming back too.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the sword pull out of Ralza and begin to head towards him. He quickly dodged it, just as nimbly as before, and drew his arm in an arc to send a wave of energy at it. The sword was too quick, however; it was several yards past him by the time he even emitted the wave. Even then, the wave came out weakly; his powers have not been completely restored yet.

I'll have to rely on my own skills, he thought to himself. The sword turned in place, flew into the air, and sliced down at him. He watched in anticipation, and at the last second leaped to the side as the blade slashed into the ground.

It's simply too fast for me! How am I supposed to fight something that I can't even get near? he thought between dodges. The sword continued to stab at him as he feinted to the left, then dropped down and shot past it to the right, almost crashing into a nearby boulder. As he caught himself at the landing, he noticed that his hands were completely changed back.

Lynx slowly stood up and turned to face the sword once again. He was prepared this time. The sword charged directly at him once again. Lynx widened his eyes, and right before the sword reached him, he disappeared. The sword hovered momentarily, unsure of where he went. But Lynx suddenly appeared behind it and immediately reached out and grabbed the handle with both hands.

Before the sword could jerk free from his grasp, he quickly focused the energy in his hands while running towards the boulder. He let the energy flow into the sword, turning it transparent before thrusting it into the boulder. The blade passed through halfway before Lynx let go, letting it materialize once again. Only the handle and about three inches of the blade stuck out of the boulder. It tried to jerk free, but the sheer mass of the boulder was too heavy to let it move.

Lynx heaved a great sigh. It was finally over. And yet...not over. He turned around and began walking to Ralza.

He had finally changed completely back into his normal form. As he slowly approached Ralza, the shadows emerged and enveloped him, then departed, leaving him fully dressed in his old clothes. He took slow, paced steps. The clouds overhead gathered and it began to drizzle.

He knelt down beside her. There was a gaping wound in her back, leaving her internal organs visible from a certain point of view. The sword had cut through her entire body, leaving a small hole on the other side. Her warm blood had created a small pool under her, staining the grass and dirt. She stirred.

Lynx quickly moved so that he could see her face. Ralza's eyes were closed, but she opened them halfway and began moaning in pain. She peeked up at him, smiled, and stopped moaning.

I'm...so glad to see you're unharmed, she greeted warmly. She let out a gasp of pain as she moved her foreleg.

"Don't move," he instructed in panic. "You'll just bleed out faster...I need to--"

Ralza shook her head sagely. It's no use, Lynx. I know...I know that my time is up. It has been...quite the experience, meeting you.

Lynx couldn't do anything but open his mouth in total confusion of what to do. Drops of rain rolled down his mouth as thunder crashed overhead. "Why...you knew...did you know--?"

She nodded. I knew the whole time. You do not belong in the Kou'rin world, and you never planned to be. I knew this the whole time, Lynx. And yet, I decided to follow you.

"But WHY?!" he shouted in frustration. He shifted away from her. "Why would you do something so dangerous as to be involved with me? When I clearly WARNED you of the perilous path you would be taking?!"

Ralza closed her eyes slowly. Let me tell you something, Lynx. For as long as I can remember, my family has urged me to find a suitable mate. They told me to select any male I wanted. "It would be nice if you picked a strong one," they would say. "They're able to protect and comfort you easily." Seemed to me like they were encouraging me to use my royal blood to find a mate. Ralza chuckled. But I was uninterested. I wanted someone who...who truly wanted me for me, and not my position in the royal family. I became dissatisfied with my clan and snuck out to explore the outer world to take my mind off the subject. And that's how I met you.

I must admit, I took an instant liking to you. I couldn't help but feel a bit infatuated because you were a very strong and handsome creature. But upon close contact and inspection, I knew you were not a Kou'rin. Don't ask me how I knew, I...I just did. Regardless, I chose to follow and get to know you. I was rather surprised, and yet pleased, that you didn't immediately try to court me. You did hurt my feelings soon after our initial meeting, but you apologized afterwards, which flattered me. It was the next day that I truly fell in love with you. You allowed me to eat with you, something that has never happened among the Kou'rin clans. You showed me what a kind, respectful, and considerate person you are, just by these simple actions. It was right then and there that I had decided to follow you, no matter how dangerous the journey. She opened her eyes again to look at him.

Lynx stammered before replying. "But...look what has become of it. I am not one of your kind, and you are fatally wounded. It couldn't have possibly been worth it, Ralza." He slowly placed a hand over her wound, trembling in sorrow.

Lynx, I do not care that my life has been made premature by this incident. The short time I have spent with you has been the best of my life. I will say it again, Lynx; I am in love with you. I most certainly would have chosen you to be my mate. But alas, some things in life are too good to be true. But for me, Lynx...you have the heart of a true Kou'rin. She heaved a sigh and pressed a foreleg against Lynx. Do us both a favor, Lynx, and wash your hands free of the blood-stained guilt you feel. I do not wish to die with you mourning over me.

Lynx finally nodded. The rain poured down heavily on them.

Lynx? Ralza called out again.

"Yes, Ralza?"

Ralza closed her eyes. The first thing I came in contact with from you was your beautiful howl. Please...howl once again for me.

Lynx nodded. He let go of her and placed all fours on the ground, staring at her motionless body. He swallowed; it was hard to do this. He finally mustered up the courage to find his voice and he had prepared to let it out, until he realized...

Ralza was dead.

Even through the blurry rain, he knew there was no longer any life in Ralza's body. Even if he howled now, she will never be able to hear him.

He stood up. The rain continued to pour down on him, soaking his entire body. He lifted his hand and looked at it. All the blood had been washed off of him, but there remained a red stain on his hand. He looked down at Ralza once again.

Even though she was dead, she looked so peaceful...so serene and tranquil...

Lynx shut his eyes and turned away. "I'm sorry, Ralza," he muttered. "I'm so, so sorry..."

He walked away, the rain continuing in a downpour on the grassy field.