"Wait. Are you implying that these feelings you're getting are the product of repressed memories?"
The stegoceratops shook her head.
"No, Karen, it's not that simple. These memories aren't being held back because of a subliminal defense: I purposefully blocked them."
"How? Why?"
"That's what I'm trying to find out. I know I had great magic before this, or I wouldn't have been able to cast the spell in the first place. If my hunch is correct, the very existence of this world has something to do with this conspiracy."
Lowery dropped one of the oranges he had been juggling and kicked it under a bush with embarrassment.
"I, uh- I don't suppose you could lend me some of that magic? . . ."
She shook her head.
"The magic is lost to me, and what little remains must be used against the Red Entelodon."
Lowery gave an aggravated hum.
"Of course. But look here: how do you even know that this animal exists? It could be a fairy tale, and if it's not, the beast might very well be long-dead."
"Everyone here is dead."
No sooner had the stegoceratops uttered these words than a crimson glow appeared on the horizon. A burning object rose from the plains. Although fire danced across the surface of the sphere, it could not be mistaken for the sun. No celestial body would radiate the exact hue of blood. As the flaming mass drew near, a boarlike creature became visible in its depths. The stegoceratops recognized her mortal enemy. She ran.
As the fearful hybrid charged through the forest, weaving between crooked trees, she began to hear voices. Well, not hear, exactly, but remember. Her fear was enough to overcome the barrier set by magic, it seemed.
Are you sure you can do this?
I have to. It's my fault they're gone.
The monster snapped at her heels.
What if you're killed?
Lily will take my place.
His breath burned her ankles.
I can't live without you, Claire.
And I can't live in a world without stegoceratopses.
He was almost upon her.
I'm coming with you.
I'll allow it. I wouldn't be able to change your mind, anyway. You realize that once I merge Elliesium and the Beneath, we could be separated by miles . . .
We'll find each other. We always do.
And once we're together, we'll free the stegoceratopses.
Or die trying.
She lowed in fear. The beast was driving her towards a sinister castle. All hope seemed lost, but when she leapt over a fallen log, something amazing happened. She changed shape in midair, and when she hit the ground, she was human. The monster paused, no longer recognizing her. He sniffed her unconscious shape. Karen dashed over and knelt beside her, forgetting the fiery boar.
"Oh, no! . . . Oh, no! . . ."
She turned to Lowery with tears in her eyes.
"What have you done?" she spat.
He lifted his hands defensively.
"Hey, it wasn't me. Magic isn't my strong suit."
The human who had formerly been a stegoceratops moaned and rolled over. She held her hands out in front of her with a dazed expression.
"What am I? . . ."
No one could find the strength to answer. She tried to get up, but stumbled.
"No . . ."
"I'm sorry," Karen whispered.
"I can feel this body dying around me . . ."
The entelodon gave a snort of defeat and marched towards the castle, dissolving into bloody flames. Karen helped her friend to her feet. They stared down the road with empty eyes.
"We have to keep going," the non-stegoceratops whispered, "It's the only way, but . . . I wish we didn't have to."
Karen began to weep.
***TLS***
Far across the world, the earth began to shake. Penumbra, who had narrowly escaped the Mozaraharpy thrice more after the stegoceratops left, raised her head and watched as a fissure crossed the sky. Something had happened. The worlds were splitting apart. Perhaps this cataclysmic event would present her with an opportunity. In any case, she would have to face the imposter once more, preferably before she was dragged into the dark recesses of hell.
With a little luck, she might even escape this realm completely, and if she succeeded, she would make sure that her counterpart did not.