I claim no ownership over the Shamanic Princess characters.
Chapter 3 – The Hunger
Help me! I scream into the infinite blackness.
And he answers.
In a swirl of light in my mind, he comes forward, taking hold of my mentally flailing hands and holding on tightly. The hold on my conscious is soft, gentle, and comforting. I regain my composure, and lead the spirit to the barrier separating his world from mine. He starts to come through, only to reel back in pain
The barrier is rejecting him.
It burns us.
I am stunned. In shock. Mother told me the barrier would not hurt. Bringing the soul through would be like pulling it through a curtain of thick syrup. It should not fill us with pain.
And yet, he cannot come to me without braving the fiery wall.
I feel his resolve to follow fade, and his grip on my mind loosen.
No! I plead. Please… help me…
He hesitates, then re-news his hold, steeling for the torture to come.
A silent signal, and I pull. He charges through. In my mind, I hear us scream.
And thump is heard on the edge of my awareness.
I had not realized my eyes were closed. Now open, they see the fruits of my ordeal. The sound I had heard, like a body falling from a long way up, had been just that. My partner lays in the center of the circle, panting, weak. My own back and neck are covered with sweat. I am not sure what just happened with the barrier, or why, but momentarily I do not care. I have a partner. I am filled with a joy I cannot describe. I have brought forth a life to cherish and hold, to defend from the world as well as be shown it. My happiness is overwhelming, and I rush forward into the circle to help him stand. I want to see his face.
"It's alright," I murmur. With trembling hands I grasp the bloody and bandaged arm, slowly helping him to his feet. He stands with his back to me, breathing. He seems to recognize where he is… but that is impossible… and yet, the feeling of déjà vu emanates from him.
I become worried. What is wrong with my partner?
"Are you ok?" I ask, unsure. His head begins to turn, and I am suddenly filled with dread.
He faces me, and I instantly know why.
"Oh… no…"
My partner has long, flowing white hair. Both arms are bandaged, and through the one I am holding I feel metal. His face is half hidden by a mask. The eye on the mask is wide and open. The real eye is gently, peacefully closed.
What have I done…
I find my voice with difficulty.
"Graham…"
