The Umbra's Odyesey - Intervention

Instructions

Book 2, chapter 6: Intervention -- Umbra sat there, on the rock, for a long time. The sun was going down by the time he got up. He felt a little guilty, for exploding at Crypt and Phantasm like that, especaily in front of Vine. But they deserved it, didn't they? They should care. But honestly, no one else had mourned like Umbra did. Everyone went on with their lives, some a few days after the battle. They should have cared. At least, Phantasm and Crypt should have shown up to the little memorial Umbra made of Fortuna. They didn't. "Are we trying to soak up the sun, here?" a bored voice interrupted Umbra's thoughts. Umbra looked up and saw Serpent looming over him. Umbra gave a little jump. He didn't want to admit it, but Serpent freaked him out. The way they stood, with a presence, and the air of knowing something you didn't. It didn't help that they were a Snake-themed kit. Fortuna had been pretty freaked out when they first met him, but he got calmer around Serpent. Maybe he got to know them. Serpent cleared his throat. "It's getting dark. You shouldn't be out here alone." When they said it, they seemed genuine, but Umbra was unsure. "Why not?" he snapped at Serpent. "Why are YOU out here, then?" Serpent smiled. It was a little creepy. "I've heard about the death of the jester, Fortuna. He was one of your closest friends." "And?" Umbra didn't want a reminder. "You must be hurting. It's a shame that he passed. He was a good kit." Serpent told Umbra. "Like all the kits out here, we aren't mourned for not being used. We're just put away. It looks like the same way about Fortuna's passing." "What?" angerily, Umbra got up. "The kits mourned him! he deserved to be mourned." But as he said it, he didn't feel as confident it was true. Serpent was hitting some points. "Are you sure, Umbra? It looks like to me you're the only one who cared he was gone." they paused. "Along with me." "You cared? You?" Umbra got up. "Yeah, right." "I did! I really did. On my soul." Serpent made a gesture with his arm over his chest. "I don't believe you. You're just like the rest of them! Faking smypathy." Umbra turned around and started to walk away. He didn't want to listen to this kit any longer. "You know, your friend hides something from you. Something that could bring back the jester. He's just too scared to admit it." Serpent had moved behind Umbra, so he was just a finger's length away. Umbra stopped in his tracks. Sure, Serpent was creepy, sure, maybe he was weird. But maybe he was telling the truth. Just maybe. He did want Fortuna back more than anything. Umbra didn't know at a time, but that anything was going to cause a terrible choice later on. Umbra hadn't responded, but Serpent continued to speak. "The death one. Crypt, isn't it? He's hiding his power. He can bring back the dead. Not just those little skeletons, but actual kits." Umbra didn't respond. He spoke again. "He could bring back Fortuna, but he chooses not to tell you, or do it. For what? He's selfish and afraid. He doesn't want to. He doesn't believe he's worth bringing back." "That's..that's not true! He would..he's just..how do I even know if you're telling the truth!?" Umbra burst at Serpent, turning around and almost hitting Serpent, who was still a finger's length behind him. "You tell me, Umbra, you tell me." Serpent wasn't smiling now. "When you realize the truth, come and find me. You'll see soon that I am right." --