The world seemed quiet as the winds howled over an isolated section of the forest. The lone figure floating in the center of it lazily held a hand out, its wind-covered gauntlet pointed at an individual with a darker set. "What are you waiting for, kid?"

Erigor had never felt better in his life.

"We're just getting started!"

He would be damned if he stopped riding this high.

"Wind Cutter"

Erigor grinned as a ball of wind formed in his palm, watching the kid's eyes widen before the ball burst and a storm of small wind blades rained down like hail. Their impacts were buried into the dirt and carved through the trees as the boy dashed away, speeding under the cover of falling leaves. The brat was so quick that most would have lost track.

Oh no, you don't...

Most, but not Erigor.

Not this time.

Erigor grinned as he tensed his legs, the wind roaring beneath his feet as he bounced off the air and shot forward like a falcon. He glided above the treetops before he spotted the kid and used his wind grieves to swoop beneath the leaves, startling the kid as he cut him off in a burst of windy speed.

"What are you going to do, kid..."

The boy was swift.

"You won't be able to run this time."

Too bad Erigor was faster.

"You're too slow," Erigor grinned, rearing back his wind-laced fist as the kid immediately abandoned his stunned mental state and did the same. The two's knuckles clashed as the nearby trees shook from the force, and a burst of air imploded from the contact as both combatants were blown away into the green surroundings, with one, in particular, flying a little farther into the woods than the other.

Huh...

Erigor may have gotten a little greedy.

Strength-wise, he's a little bit ahead of me.

A minor setback launched him through the woods before he vaulted to his feet. The wind carried him above the treetops like a leaf caught in a stream of air. A pleasant grin crawled across his gaze as he looked at his wind gauntlet and noticed that it hadn't broken, not even dented.

Defensively, I'm a little superior.

Erigor was enjoying his new spell.

I wonder...

Yet there was still a hunger in his gut, grumbling with the thought of something more.

How far can I take this spell?

The wind whistled with a tune of opportunity.

Just a little more...

Erigor felt he could take this spell a little further. In a fight for his life, he thought he could exceed the limit of this power. All he needed was an excellent opponent to drag it out of him.

Show me a little more kid.

It's good that he had a well of inspiration waiting for him back on the ground.

Vera hadn't expected Erigor to be faster than him.

That was close...

Thankfully, Erigor hadn't expected him to be a little stronger either.

Looks like stalling isn't an option.

Vera clicked his tongue as he pried his back out of the tree he had landed in from the clash. His breath came out heavily as he tilted his head to the sky, already knowing that the assassin couldn't resist coming back for him. Since Erigor was faster, trying to buy time was pointless.

He's quicker than me...

Vera might as well catch his breath.

But I'm a little stronger.

Catch his breath and plan a future course of action.

Defensively, we might be equal, or he's a little ahead.

It wasn't looking good so far.

The rest are pretty much a coin toss.

Vera's inky limbs boosted him in many attributes, but Erigor's did the same and exceeded them. Speed was the most obvious one, but the rest were close—close enough that it could go either way, close enough that all it would take was one lousy move or one stellar move that exceeded the other's expectations to determine the outcome.

The first one to slow down will lose.

Vera could tell he was dealing with someone who would improve as the fight continued; if he didn't do the same, he would get left in the dust.

A little more...

Vera was tired, but adrenaline numbed the pain, and his odds weren't great. One wrong move, and it was over. Yet something was crawling around in his gut that made him feel light.

Just a little more...

It was like he was looking at a new path to improve.

If I can take this a little further...

The dread that most people would feel in such a scenario had vanished from his mind, and all that was left was a sight that looked past this hurdle.

Then I'll leave him in the dust.

A gaze that looked towards the horizon.

"Dammit," Vera murmured as he looked up at the sky with an excited grin on his face. His eyes glinted with anticipation as he saw the assassin flying out of the distance, descending toward him with a matching grin plastered on his face. The sight made Vera pissed because he didn't want to admit it.

"I hate that we have something in common."

Erigor may have been right during one of his tirades from earlier exchanges.

"What are you waiting for, Erigor!" Vera roared as he bounced on the balls of his feet, his smile viciously pointed towards the assassin flying towards him like a falcon. The words left Vera's lips were as much of a taunt as they were a confession since he couldn't deny it anymore. He was too excited to care.

"I'm right here!"

Vera was enjoying this battle, too.

"I thought you'd never ask!" Erigor yelled gleefully in response, his eyes manically excited as he fell from the sky and flickered in front of the boy.

"This'll be the last time we ever fight, kid!"

Erigor raised a fist, and the boy did the same.

"So let's enjoy it!"

They clashed again, and the final battle to see which side would prevail began earnestly.

Rampant blows echoed in the distance as two children curled beside each other in a hidden corner of the woods. Their bodies latched onto each other for comfort as they hid in the tree their older sister left them in before she left. To fight the scary people that threatened them.

Don't panic...

Elfman was scared.

Don't show it...

He was scared of a lot of things.

You'll startle Lisanna.

Nothing compared to now. Being cramped in the tree Mira had left them in, with Lisanna huddled close to him as they waited in torturous silence, was downright terrifying. It was like every lousy possibility was playing through his mind repeatedly.

I can't startle her...

Mira could be dead.

I can't...

She could be dead, and those people could be chasing them again—the people the villagers sent.

I can't do anything.

All those thoughts circled his head, and he struggled to keep them away. Even as he tried, tears of terror and worry prickled the corners of his eyes. His body trembled in fear, and his stomach sank in dread at the thought of what could happen.

Why am I...

What may have already happened.

So pathetic-

"Elfman?" Lisanna whispered, startling Elfman out of his thoughts. He turned to Lisanna and saw her clenched fists around his shirt. Her eyes closed as she buried her head in his shirt and spoke with a trembling whisper, "I think I heard something."

Elfman blinked in surprise, his eyes going wide as he heard a branch snap from somewhere around their tree. Elfman gulped as he patted Lisanna on the back and whispered, "I'll go check it out."

It had to be Mira.

"Stay right here."

Mira would never leave them alone forever.

"I'll be right back," Elfman whispered as he pried Lisanna's fingers from his shirt, moving them away as he carefully crawled towards the entrance to their hiding spot. His eyes glanced at Lisanna, and her expression froze in worry.

It's okay...

Elfman tried to smile, but he was pretty sure it was shaky. His entire body was shaking with fear, but he couldn't stop. If he didn't check it out, Lisanna would have to do it.

It's Mira.

Mira would be so disappointed with him if she learned he broke his promise to watch out for her.

It has to be.

Elfman took a shaky breath as he crawled towards the entrance, placing a hand on its side, peeking his head out, and glancing outside.

She's come back to protect-

A few meters away, he saw a monster with a large nose sniffing the air.

Ah...

It was a dog-like creature with an impish body compared to its comically large head. Its maw was filled with razor-sharp teeth, and its fur was coated with yellow spots on brown fur. Its eyes were emerald green, and it seemed to be hungry.

That isn't good.

It seemed to be starving.

It'll smell us.

Elfman could see its mouth practically watering. With each breath passing, the saliva dripping from its mouth grew. Its growl became more powerful, and its fur started to bristle before it finally seemed to catch a scent and turned to it.

'Don't worry, sis...'

It turned straight towards Elfman.

'I'll protect Lisanna.'

Elfman had always been scared of a lot of things.

'Elfman?'

He had never been more scared in that moment.

"Hey," Elfman murmured with a terrified laugh and tears streaming down his face. His eyes closed as he gripped the side of the tree with so much force it felt like his fingers would shatter, "I'm here."

Elfman was terrified at those giant predatory eyes.

"If you want to eat me..."

He was terrified they would see his sister, still watching his back from inside the tree.

"Come and catch me!"

Elfman watched the dog growl, and before he could back out of it, he bolted out of their hiding place. His panicked breath came out in waves as he watched the monster turn a razor-sharp eye toward him and growl with hunger. He idly heard Lisanna call out in confusion, but he was thankful the dog didn't notice; it was only focused on catching its predetermined prey.

It's scary...

Elfman gulped as he turned to sprint away, hoping he'd be able to distract the monster long enough for Lisanna to get away or at least be a good enough meal that it wouldn't be hungry enough for seconds.

I'm scared.

Elfman stumbled on the first couple of steps, not even making it a few feet, as he heard the creature charge toward him. Its maw was wide as Elfman closed his eyes and listened to its starving breath hit his neck from a mere inches away—a noise that sounded much more staticky than he thought it would be. It was crackling.

Almost like lightning.

Thunder boomed in the distance as two figures clashed through the forest. Their path was littered with debris and shattered vegetation. The two flickered between nearby trees before one held a wind-laced palm and began the exchange.

"Wind Tunnel"

The wind rotated from Erigror's palm and burst in a sudden and devastating cyclone. Its rampant winds released blades of wind that carved a trail of carnage through the forest as his opponent dodged nightly out of the way, a new gash on his cheek courtesy of the attack before he ricocheted off a nearby tree. He was already back in Erigor's face as if he'd never left it.

How relentless...

Erigor chuckled as he dodged a straight that scraped past his cheek, his eyes laced with adrenaline as he threw an elbow that the kid slipped. The two trading glancing blows as the wind blew through the area, their exchange scaring off the nearby animals.

You're the best kid!

Erigor cackled as he used a burst of wind speed to sidestep a fist that would have torn a hole in his gut, spinning around as he snapped his foot into the kid's head, sending the kid flying into next week as Erigor immediately shot forwards to keep up.

I'm finally free because of you.

The kid tumbled onto his feet as he dug his heels into the ground and slammed a fist into the dirt. The dust cloud created by the blow blinded Erigor as he flew straight into a smokescreen of dirt and debris. The wind from his spell punched a hole into it as he flew out the other end and saw the brat waiting with a fist cocked back and immediately aimed straight at Erigor's jaw. The assassin went limp in the air as he moved like a leaf in the wind, dodging the blow by mere inches as his momentum carried his free-falling body past the boy before he regained his balance.

A little more...

Erigor tumbled to his feet as he reached a large stone left by nature in the middle of the woods. His back nearly touched it as he vaulted over the stone and landed on the other side. His grin widened as he heard the kid from across the rocky barrier.

Show me a little more!

The tension boiled to an all-time high as the two, fueled by adrenaline as much as instinct, rained punches on the wall that separated them. Their fists echoed like jackhammers that chipped away at the stone until it crumbled from the strain, leaving nothing between the two combatants as they leveled matching rights into each other's jaws. The force sent the two flying in opposite directions, where they recovered nearly instantly.

"Wind magic"

Erigor's palms flooded with a powerful force; his eyes tilted in excitement as he reared them back, their howling gales strung across his palms like a blanket as he watched the boy charge. A challenge that left no room for error, it was perfect.

"Magic Wind Palm"

Erigor clapped his hands together, releasing a powerful twisting vortex of compressed wind that flew towards the boy. Carving through the woods, the boy realized he had a second to dodge and didn't have a second to think. A game over.

Except the boy didn't die; his feet sunk into the ground with an almost instinctual ease. The boy's shocked gaze flicked to his feet, and the shadow pooled beneath it before he grinned and dropped into the shadow world of his own design.

Erigor's attack burst in an explosion that shook the ground and made the air tremble. Erigor barely even paid attention to it as he watched a shadow shoot out from the smoky debris on the ground. The boy popped out of it as he relished in extra air and jumped towards Erigor, his eyes alight as he dropped towards the earth like a falling meteor. Missing Erigor by a hair as the assassin danced backward, his eyes wide as the brat dug his fingers into the ground, trembling from the force of his landing, and yanked it upwards. Ripping out a wall of rock that covered Erigor's vision. Erigor cackled as he dashed towards the stone slab, breaking through it in dust and debris.

Only to be greeted with empty space.

Where did he-

Erigor's thoughts came to a screeching halt as he felt his neck prickle in warning, his instincts telling him to turn back a second too late as a shadowed fist clocked him in the jaw. Erigor was barely able to catch the boy hopping out of one of the shadow on the wall that Erigor had just destroyed. Clever, Erigor thought as he ignored the ringing in his head and flipped to his feet, digging his heels into the ground before coming to a labored stop. His head whipped up, blood trickling from his nose as he watched the kid latch onto a larger rock that had splintered off from the wall.

Cracks spread along the stone as the brat's claws dug into it before the kid heaved it toward Erigor with the force of a cannon. The rock sped towards Erigor, who reacted on a dime and caught it in his windy palm against it. The force of his winds killed the momentum as the rock ground to a halt, and he crunched it in his fist.

This is fun...

An excited smile graced Erigor's lips as he took a steady breath and let the projectile's remains fall to the ground. A momentary lull encircled the battlefield, and he took the slight reprieve to think about what else he could do. What could he do next to beat the kid in front of him? How far could he push until the kid was too far behind to catch up? Erigor had to know. Erigor wasn't worried for a second that this momentary lapse in judgment would come to bite him in the ass. He knew the kid wouldn't attack during this natural lull in the action.

Keep improving, kid... don't stop now.

After all...

Not until I fly far past your reach.

He knew the kid was doing the same.

Vera's body was aching.

How can I get past him...

Yet his mind was crystal clear, the adrenaline clouding his inflamed nerves as he focused his eyes on his opponent. His mind traversed the ideas constantly running through his head, hoping to pick the best one.

I can do anything Sho can do at this moment.

Vera realized it when his foot sunk into the ground, responding to his instinctive reaction to escape the incoming attack. He had control of Sho at that moment, so it made sense that he could use Sho's abilities. He just had to order Sho to use them, and it would be done.

What else...

There had to be more, though...

What else can I do with this?

Vera wanted more—so much so that he could practically taste it. It felt like if he could get a little more output and control over it, he could push himself further. He could have what he needed to end the fight and improve by leaps and bounds, all in the exact moment.

A little more...

All Vera needed was a little more.

Just a little more.

Vera took a deep breath as he leveled his gaze and ordered the shadow on his arm to extend. He wanted it to crawl towards his chest and then up his neck. To extend the incomplete armor set into a more uniform one. The beginning of a slow process that resulted in the first trickle of his inky gauntlet extending an inch up his shoulder, barely anything before something got in the way.

'Tug' 'Tug'

Or someone.

Why not Sho!

Vera growled as he felt his shadow stubbornly resist, the adrenaline flowing through his veins making him feel a swell of anger at his shadow trying to stop him.

This is how we win!

Try but not able to succeed.

This is how we beat him!

Not without the control, Sho had given up. Vera's shadow tugged and tugged, but no force was behind it. All it could be considered was a vague reminder—a way to let Vera know its thoughts and nothing else, simply a way to communicate.

'TUG' 'TUG'

To communicate Sho's adamant desire not to go further than they'd already done, to stay at this and nothing more, as if they could win without going further than the spell they were already using. Sho was asking; no, he was telling Vera to find another way, to make a lot out of a little, no matter the outcome.

I can't Sho...

Vera didn't see that as an option. Erigor was improving, too. It was only a matter of time before he reached the next level, and Vera had to beat him there. He had to leap ahead before he fell a leap behind. It was the only way. His vision was already getting blurry. The blood loss would spell his doom if he let this go on any longer.

I can't stop now.

If Vera fell, the Strausses would fall next.

I'm right there...

Vera refused to let that happen.

Just a little more...

Vera felt Sho strain against him, his shadow's attempts curio as Vera took a shaky breath and forced his gauntlets to extend. He would cover his body in his shadow, inch by inch, centimeter by centimeter until he was strong enough to win.

All I need is a little more.

Vera felt his right gauntlet respond, and the shadow crawled towards his shoulders in a protective dark cyclone, inching its way upwards until his shoulder was covered, just as his arms were. The sight reaffirmed to Vera that it was possible.

'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG'

All Vera needed was a little more.

'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG'

Vera felt Sho's tugs become more frantic. Sho's utter desperation to regain control was laced in his every action. His every frantic tug. Sho even went as far as to try and escape the spell physically, bulging from Vera's back as Sho tried to separate before the spell went further, but Vera wouldn't let him. Sho had given up control; now, Vera chose when to give it back.

Sorry Sho...

For the first time since he asked Sho to protect him all those years ago in that shitty white lab.

I just need a little more.

Vera ignored the warnings his shadow sent his way.

'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG'
'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG' 'TUG'
Tug' 'Tug'' 'Tug'' 'Tug'
Tug' 'Tug' 'Tug'
Tug' 'Tug'
tug'

Until those frantic warnings dwindled and vanished.

'SNAP'

Along with his connection to Sho.

"Huh?" Vera's voice wobbled as he felt the connection between him and Sho sever. His eyes were wide as the shadows swirling up his left arm to cover the next shoulder dissipated instantly, along with the ones on his legs and Sho's half-formed body sticking out of his back and trying to escape. Vera was left alone in less than a second, with no connection to Sho at all, not in the slightest.

Sho?

Nothing except the beating of his heart and a new feeling washed over him. Something nostalgic.

What's going on?

Vera's eyes trailed to the shadow beneath his feet, watching it stay dead still without a hint of movement. It was weird. He felt like magic; his magic was still being used. He was still connected to something, but Sho wasn't moving. Nothing was happening. Everything was dead silent.

'Badump' 'Badump' 'Badump' 'Badump'

Except his heartbeat, which had begun beating like a drum.

Where's Sho?

Vera's thoughts came to a screeching halt as he felt something prickle his neck. His eyes were wide as he looked down and felt the veins in his forearms bulge to their limits. Vera's panic rose as he felt a new sensation in his arms.

Shit...

It was like his blood was boiling.

"FUCK!" Vera screamed as he used his shaking arms to grab his bandages and rip them off. His breath stuttered as he felt his heartbeat get faster and faster while his arms burned hotter and hotter. Vera's cries of pain echoed through the forest as he finally got his sleeves off and got a good look at his arms and the scars that littered them.

What's going on...

All of them were tinged with a glowing, vibrant crimson red underneath.

Something feels wrong.

Vera racked his brain for the answer even as his arms burned incessantly. It felt like they were on fire, but for some reason, that wasn't the worst part.

'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP'

This feeling felt familiar.

Why does it feel like this has happened before?

Vera gnashed his teeth as he tried to muffle a scream, his fingers clutching to his left arm as he stumbled to the ground and curled up into a ball to try and brace. The pain, his eyes watering as he tried to figure out what was wrong, yet came up flat every fucking time because his memories were shot. The fog was too thick and covered it. Vera couldn't remember it, he couldn't understand, but what really struck him wasn't that. Nor was it that his heart was beating so loudly he thought it would explode at any second, at any moment.

'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' BADUMP' BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP' 'BADUMP'

What surprised him was that he felt his magic activate a second later.

What the fuck is going on...

A magic circle formed above and lowered, stopping below his feet as it turned clockwise. All Vera could do was watch in utter silence.

Why...

Silence and confusion.

Why is it red?

Since it wasn't Sho's magic circle.

Sho, what's going on?

Vera reached out to Sho in fearful trepidation, only to receive nothing back. His eyes were wide as he felt the pain double in his arms and saw the crimson-red magic circle finish spinning and fade. Whatever magic spell had been used came to completion with the toll of a gong.

No, wait...

Vera could only grit his teeth as pain burned through his veins. His forearms trembling as if lava was churning beneath them, all the while crimson red light flashed from the blood beneath his scars and burned through his veins until they burst.

This isn't Sho... is it?

One of Vera's countless old scars ripped open from the inside, and blood sprayed out, but instead of falling to the ground, some of it floated around Vera. His eyes were wide as he watched the blood multiply and coagulate into a torso with a head, thick hair of blood that flowed against gravity, and a featureless face. It vaguely resembled Sho in physique, but when the crimson monster hovered inches from Vera's nose, it did something Vera had never seen Sho do.

What are you...

A mouth of razor-sharp teeth split open across its face.

Who are you...

And it smiled.

What do you want...

Later, after the events of that day had transpired, Vera attempted to recall the details of the incident.

What did you do with Sho?

He wouldn't be able to remember the monster's answer.