Disclaimer: I hereby disclaim all rights to all characters (save for those of my own creation) during this revealing scene... especially for the ones who know some of what is to come.

~悪意~

REVIEW REPLIES:

Hello, MelGamingPlays! Yeah, I agree. Going down fighting is far better than dying in fear without having done anything at all.

Hello, Blazing Winds! I KNOOOW. ;_;

~悪意~

"Shadows Within"

~悪意~

Kethro was floating in a cavern of sorts, eyes closed and body in a cross-legged sitting position as he let his thoughts wander from place to place with no real direction. It was dark here, quiet, and though water dripped and flowed in endless noisy streams around him, he was rather content... almost sort of peaceful even… until he sensed her. Now suddenly irritated, he frowned and muttered without opening his eyes, "What do you want, Witch?" This was the name he and all the rest of his clan had nearly always referred to her by, and he had no intention of using any other name.

"Well, wasn't that uncalled for?" Astra posed her question rhetorically, smirking as she walked in. "I only came to converse some details of the future." She didn't seem keen on leaving until whatever she wanted was fulfilled, having already sat herself down in the air near him.

Dark eyes cracked open. His usual sardonic grin and wicked humor lacking, he simply muttered, "Leave and bother some other unfortunate soul."

The cat shrugged faintly, her magic giving off a faint glow simply to break the darkness in the area. "You are the unfortunate soul, and will be once again in the future nearer than you may think."

Those eyes closed again. "I am aware of that, Witch," he muttered.

"Oh?" Her gaze fell on him, curious as to how he knew. "Then you know of her? The one behind the little hero massacre?"

"Given that she is the one who granted Malevolence the ability to wipe out those three… there is no way I could not." With this simple answer out of the way, Kethro started to try to tune her out… for all the good that did.

Astra licked her lips. "Mm… That had to be one of the most wondrous displays I've seen in my lifetime." The cat purred, shivering contently.

"Do not get too lost in fantasies of bloodshed," Kethro huffed. "They will not serve you here." This was a clear warning to her not to try anything against him should she allow her bloodlust to get too strong.

"I have no intention of trying to enact this against you, friend." Her tone dripped with sarcasm, a smirk playing onto her face. "I have no need of doing something another will do for me. I must simply wait, and you will no longer be a problem for me."

In a very rare act that was true to his former hedgehog lineage (from back before he and his clan had corrupted themselves irreparably), Kethro bared his fangs and growled lowly. "Silence yourself before I end you."

Astra took her chances, managing a smile. "How about I play the game here and begin anew a battle of hatred? I'm sure he'd love a shot at killing you."

Finally, Kethro opened his eyes again. "What are you on about, Witch?"

"Our common enemy," she answered, giggling a tad to herself. "You know, the only one currently alive with enough potential to ascend."

He scoffed. "So it was you who placed the seed," he observed moodily.

The cat shrugged. "It was a trivial matter, really."

"You are an irritation," Kethro muttered, though his words came out as more of a sigh than anything else.

"As you have always insisted, although you must admit that I oft bring information that some may find… useful. Such as the recent fates of a rather select few." Astra seemed pleased with herself, settling down rather comfortably. "Such as the disciple of the warrior woman who once helped stop your beloved clan. They have grown rather strong."

A dark eyebrow twitched noticeably, but Kethro didn't take the bait… this time. "And I have reason to care?" he questioned her, irritated anew.

She pondered this for a long moment, pursing her lips together. "I would say yes, however…" Astra snickered faintly in amusement. "I doubt it'll come to fruition before your eyes." Another scoff, and Kethro looked away. "Now, onto the matter of someone that is concerningly similar to you."

Kethro openly frowned at her. Now who is she talking about?

"The God of Death, a being far more concerning now than ever." Astra answered, her black and white tail swishing about in the air. "I could truthfully say that the three of us do have one trait in common now."

True though that statement was, Kethro chose not to acknowledge it aloud. "What about him?" he demanded lowly. "Why are you bringing him up, of all beings?"

She smiled in a wicked and rather disturbing manner that in no way fazed Kethro. "He has been turned. I expect him to become the new... Night."

His eyebrows drew downward a degree. "Oh?" he returned softly.

"He is already dangerously powerful, Kethro. You know this. I just can't wait to see if he'll be the one to bring the ones who watch over existence out from their long slumber. If not him, I want it to be me."

"If all goes according to her plan," Kethro told her grimly, "it will be he, alongside several others, who brings the fabled End upon us all."

The cat nodded. "I don't foresee her plan being fulfilled, if only because our enemy won't let it. He's… far too stubborn."

"...That he is," Kethro conceded quietly. That is just one of many reasons why he is so amusing to fight.

"Now… to the one who brings life. They live even now." She said vaguely, glancing away from Kethro finally.

"That she does," Kethro acknowledged quietly.

Astra took a moment of silence to herself to think. "Should we act? Surely her removal would bring…" She paused for a moment. "That's a plan I do not wish to carry out, now that I ponder it further."

"I do not believe he would appreciate the interference," Kethro told her darkly. "He may very well slaughter you for removing his… entertainment."

"That's why I plan to not act. I would rather… not." In response to her statement, Kethro merely murmured a vague agreement. "Anyway, I presume that this is all we have to speak of."

"That you have to speak of," Kethro corrected testily. "I was perfectly fine sitting here not talking before you sauntered in."

Astra smirked, standing on a platform she created and stretching. "That's why I showed myself here. If you're too comfortable, then I grow restless and agitated." The telltale black marks that stained her fur grew as she began moving to leave. "I will take my leave, if only to go cause more grief for more people. Perhaps shed and taste blood once more." Kethro simply closed his eyes, dismissing her. She teleported away, leaving him to his own devices.

~悪意~

1,147 words this time. Hope you guys enjoyed this bit of foreshadowing. Many thanks to Blazing Winds for writing this with me. He, of course, wrote Astra's parts. Posted (at about 6:30 a.m.) 10-10-18.