Fractured Soul Pt.3

The cabin in the woods had been abandoned for years, but one night, a candle burned in the window and then as the screams of the doomed hiker died so did the candle.

“You’re not really going are you, Jake?” Steph asked

“Why wouldn’t I?” He replied.

“People who get too deep in that forest, well they seem never to return,” She responded.

Jake would have been taken aback if he hadn’t been expecting the statement.

“I’ve never been one to shy away from a challenge lol," he replied.

He was the kind of person who said lol instead of laughing but she didn’t hold that against him.

“How can I turn away when I found this map in the antique store,” Jake smirked.

Steph looked at the map intrigued. It depicted a cabin in the woods accompanied by the inscription “Keep out!”. Steph flipped the map over and asked the logical question.

“Who’s Chris?” She asked curiously.

“Dunno.” Jake shrugged.

“Well it gives me a bad feeling,” Steph satiated hoping to end the conversation.

“Too bad I’m going lol,” Jake said getting up.

That was not the end she hoped for as he walked towards the door leaving the map.

“Aren’t you taking this?” she called out.

“How else will you find me if there is something sinister in there?” he stated looking back with a smile.

That smile haunted Steph for weeks after his disappearance.

***

Months after Jake's disappearance Steph geared up once more to venture into the woods.

“I will find him today,” she thought as she set off on the dirt trail she had chosen as a starting point a few weeks ago. She had been spending as much time searching the forest as she could afford but her savings were almost depleted now and this would be the last week her boss would allow her to not show up for work. And so she intended to submit her resignation unless she found him, or at least some trace of him.

She had quickly become an adept hiker and was now fit enough to make it to some of the deepest parts of the forest before dark. So as she approached the area she had designated to search on this weekend she looked around as the midday sun lit up her surroundings. In the small clearing, she heard cicadas chirp, frogs in the nearby river croaked and the nearby boar squealed.

“Shit!” She exclaimed as she whipped out and raised her rifle to her shoulder.

There was a crack and the charging boar hit the ground in front of Steph. Meters away she walked up and stabbed the boar between the ribs. It was unnecessary from where the bullet had lodged in the boar's skull but she was not taking any risks.

She stood up and wiped the blood off her knife onto her pants. She said a short prayer to the spirits of the outback for her kill and apologised for not eating it there and then. She turned and walked off, her mind razor-sharp from the focus she had gained from her weeks in the forest.

***

Steph finally entered the clearing where the cabin had been tucked away for countless years, only seen by the doomed and damned. She was surprised by the candle in the window that kept it Illuminated as everything went dark on her approach. She looked up as the moon eclipsed the sun overhead. At that moment all was quiet. The birds that had been singing fell silent. There was only the sound of the leaves beneath Steph’s feet and her heartbeat in her ears.

“Run,” came the child’s voice from between the silence.

Steph halted and spun around trying to find the source of the voice that had seemed to emanate from everywhere and nowhere.

“I’ve been out here too long,” Steph muttered as she got closer to the cabin.

“Please stay away!” the child cried as she took hold of the handle.

This time she only glanced back over her shoulder. She turned the knob and entered the cabin.

As soon as Steph entered the cabin it was like something out of wonderland. Where she had expected to find a pokey little living room there was a brightly lit castle hall leading to a set of large wooden doors. She looked outside and the forest had turned pink and purple. She spent a moment gazing at the fanciful forest beyond the large windows. She glanced back to the entrance. The entrance that used to be. Now the hall was all there was. Stretching for a hundred yards in either direction.

“Shit!” she exclaimed as she whipped out her rifle.

Spinning around she remained wary of the fantastical nightmare she found herself in even after establishing no one was there. She looked at the wooden doors and ambled up to them. She slung readied her rifle as she took a deep breath and unlatched the massive door. With a kick, she opened the door and burst in.

Steph looked around the hall a mountain of gold before her. Her weapon ready she walked toward the gold and laughed.

“What’s so funny?” came an ominous voice from behind it.

“I was just thinking, who would fall for such a tired cliche.” She responded as the being shrouded in dark smoke drifted around the pile and glared at her through its red eyes.

“That makes you immediately more respectable and interesting than the last fool who entered my castle,” The smokey horror smeared.

Steph glared back her rifle still trained on the creature. “I was going to ask what you were until that but now I’m too angry. So thanks for that and where is he? Where’s Jake?” she blurted.

“Well, I’m a shinigami.” The dark god sneered, its eyes narrowing. “As for your second question, he is sustaining me.”

Steph’s eyes also narrowed. “What does that mean?” She shouted.

The god of death reached into what one might call its pocket and pulled out a glowing blue spherical crystal. The crystal was cracked and leaking a mist that the shinigami inhaled joyfully.

Steph’s eyes widened as she gleamed at what was transpiring. She was about to fire when she smelt something and spun around. She fired as a huge beast lunged at her. Like the boar, it hit the ground, hard and mere feet away from her.

“Well that was unfortunate.” said the shinigami as it glided past her.

“You’re pet is just the beginning!” She stated as she aimed her rifle at the shinigami’s head.

“Unlike my predecessor, I might have been able to restore him, for a price,” it said.

“Him?” Steph exclaimed with worry the creature contorting and shrinking.

A moment later the deformed corpse of Jake lay before her.

“You bastard!” she shouted as she opened fire.

Her bullets missed as the shinigami phased out of sight but alerted the rest of the castle. In a moment she was running as monstrous howls erupted throughout the castle. Pursued by hideous creatures of all the world's worst nightmares Steph raced through the castle. At first, she hoped to lose them by drawing in one of the more enormous monsters and using it to block a smaller doorway. However, it quickly pulled back and allowed smaller monsters to pass. In a moment she emptied her clip and was running again, reloading as she raced down the hall.

“Of course, they have fucking pack tactics!” she spat almost out of breath.

She burst into a large room and quickly got the door closed. She had to cut the throat of one of the monsters and push it back but that allowed her to barricade the door. She was successful and soon focused on catching her breath.

Then the world became like ripples in a pond and then she was in the forest. Of course, from beyond the pink and purple trees, the monsters and the shinigami loomed forward surrounding her. She sighed and closed her eyes, hoping for a quick death.

When she opened her eyes she was in a child's bedroom high up in the castle. She looked around in confusion.

“I tried to warn you,” came the little boy's voice.

She spun around and saw him shimmer into view.

“You could have warned me better,” she told the boy. “Don’t come in there’s a shinigami in here.”

“Oh, yeah! Why didn’t I think of that, I must be dumber than this foolish mortal who must know all about quantum prisons.” the child said sarcastically. “I mean there's no way she was at all surprised when she entered.”

“Alright, sorry. I suppose I should be grateful for you saving me.” Steph relented. “So how do we get out of here?”

“We don’t,” said the child coldly.

“What?” Steph shrieked.

“We don’t you two do,” he continued.

Steph looked around as Trish phased into the room.

“Who are you?” Steph asked.

“I’m Trish, nice to meet you, Steph,” Trish replied.

“How do you know my name?” Steph queried.

“I know many things after meeting that things son,” Trish said sadly.

“It’s son?” Steph asked bewildered.

“Story for another time. Close your eyes.” Trish said.

“Why?” Steph asked sceptically.

“Time to ascend, we might even escape if you do,” Trish said hopefully.

“Might?” Steph asked feeling afraid for the first time since the day with Jake in the cafe.

“Well, Chris isn’t here this time to help me escape. Speaking of--”

“-- Yes he escaped.” the child interjected.

“I’m glad, I know the darkness in him, but I did love him,” Trish said sadly. “Anyway, back to you.”

Trish held her hand over Steph’s eyes and touched back near her heart. At that moment Steph understood. Life, the universe and everything. She inhaled sharply.

“So we’re--” Steph began.

“--Yes. So you better learn fast.” Trish said with a smile.

Steph exhaled deeply as if she was at the end of Tai-chi.

Steph looks at the child with compassion for the first time.

“See you later, we’ll be right back,” she said.

“You know that’s not true,” he said with a sad smile.

“What’s he mean?” Trish asks.

“Not important,” she said, looking to the door, eyes burning with rage.

***

Outside the castle, deep in the forest, the two heroines found their adversary surrounded by its minions. The shinigami’s eyes narrowed as they approached. It readied itself as they summoned weapons. Trish and Steph each had a sword in one hand and a machine pistol in their off-hand.

“Go ahead, ask!” The shinigami hissed.

“What did you do with Jake’s soul?” Steph bellowed.

“It’s safe, for now. Like a late-night snack,” It responded gleefully

“I thought you had been trapped here for centuries?” Trish blurted.

“I have. But I’ve been feasting on souls for longer. Surely that’s enough for you to understand? Look how much you fathomed after just having your souls touched.” It preached as it hovered about the forest.

Trish and Steph both looked uncomfortable. That soon passed as they squeezed the handles of their swords, rage burning in their eyes. In an instant, the action began. They warped to either side and swung their swords at the God of Death. Naturally, it blocked and vanished. The two were left to fight the monsters.

The monsters pounced all together but were slaughtered quickly by the two heroines. When only a few remained the shinigami returned, laughing.

“Fantastic! I’ve not been so entertained in such a long time,” It jested.

One tried to attack from Trish’s blindside while she was distracted. Steph intercepted and instead of killing it, plunged her hand deep into its chest and pulled out its soul. She squeezed it, cracked it, and inhaled its essence. Her eyes turned scarlet and her aura swelled and became visible. Trish looked at her in amazement and fear.

“What have you done?” She uttered.

“Jake would have preferred it this way,” she replied, waving her hand revealing the monster's true forms. Jake’s body lying next to her. Both the shinigami and Trish’s eyes widened. At that moment Steph teleported behind the shinigami and touched its back. She disappeared as it summoned a sword and swung at her.

Trish looked back as Steph inhaled the black mist in her hand. She exploded with energy for a moment but it dissipated as she waved her hand resurrecting the fallen. They got up, teleported to Trish and Steph’s side and summoned weapons. Trish looked over at Robbo who winked at her. Elated she looked around at their comrades before burring he feelings and focusing on the task at hand.

“I want to ask how but I know this isn’t the time,” She stated.

“You’ll know soon enough,” Steph replied as she vanished.

The others followed and soon the ancient shinigami was on its proverbial back foot. The attack was relentless and without mercy. Trish could hardly keep up with the way the others moved. One attacking, the next feinting, and another striking at its blindside. It wasn’t long before Robbo stepped back and joined Trish.

“It’s ‘cus you were the one to awaken her,” Robbo stated.

Trish ignored the question momentarily and threw her arms around him.

“That doesn’t matter now, you’re back,” Trish said with her face pressed into his shoulders.

“I think it’s very important! You did this, you gave her so much when you touched her soul,” He replied, stroking her hair.

“But?” She asked.

“I don’t know, there’s something she kept hidden from us when she brought us back.” He stated as he freed himself from her tight grasp.

“I don’t care,” Trish began as she wiped away the tears she was trying to hide. “As I said, you’re back. That’s all that matters.”

Robbo put his hand on her shoulder and warped them out of the way of a spear the shinigami hurled at them.

“Not exactly a good time to blur your vision,” He stated.

“True,” Trish replied focusing again. “But how do I help? You guys are so in tune.”

“Summon our soldiers,” Robbo replied with a smile.

Trish looked perplexed. Robbo placed his hand on her back and closed his eyes and she closed hers. With a click of her fingers, Robbo’s army appeared. The soldiers charged as Chris stepped forward from the darkness.

“Well done getting back--” He began but Trish slapped him.

“You could have told me you were a soulless bastard!” Trish shouted as the battle raged beyond them.

“Would it really have changed anything?” Chris asked.

“Yes, I would have understood why you acted the way you did and might not have been so angry at myself when you sent me to that other world!” She bellowed.

“Sorry, all the best parts of myself were lost when the other half of my soul was sealed away,” Chris said sadly.

He was about to apologise when she kissed him. When she stepped back he was completely shocked.

“What was that for?” He asked dumbfounded.

“Saving me, twice by my count,” she replied. “Anyway, we have a fight at hand.”

They looked over, the shinigami had made several copies of itself and was fighting back.

“How do we win I wonder,” Robbo asked.

“Shouldn’t you know? You were touched by the chosen one,” Chris asked.

“The chosen one?” Trish laughed.

“I don’t even know how to describe the anomaly that is that woman,” He stated before looking at Robbo seriously.

“I don’t know the how just the whens, like now! Barrier!” He shouted, erecting a barrier made of his aura.

The barrier blocked several fireballs that exploded on impact. The other two looked at him. Dumbfounded.

“So what’s next?” Chris asked puzzled.

“Dunno, it’s all kinda hazy,” Robbo explained.

“Well, I have an idea!” Trish stated as she grabbed Chris’ hand and placed it on Robbo’s chest.

“Do you mind?” Crish asked Robbo.

“It might kill me but it’s worth a try,” Robbo said with a smile.

“Then I’ll be gentle,” Chris smirked.

Chris touched the essence of Robbo’s soul once again and was able to see all that it was intertwined with. Past, present and future.

“Well?” Trish asked.

“You’re not going to like it,” Chris replied.

“Why?” She quired.

“You’re going to lose.” He replied.

“Then we need to run!” She exclaimed.

“No, we win, but you lose.” He stated.

“That doesn’t make--” She began but caught the sadness in Robbo’s eyes. “What? What don’t I know?”

“One can win the battle but lose the war,” Robbo stated.

“I never expected you to be so wise, young Eshay,” Chris stated.

“Fuck you, I’ve always been wise! Just ill-informed.” Robbo spat before laughing.

“There’s a difference?” Chris prodded.

“Enough, let’s win this battle,” Robbo stated before joining the fray.

Trish looked worried as she prepared to dive in.

“Try not to think about it,” Chris stated.

Trish smiled weakly and a moment later the two were in the thick of it. Everyone was fighting hard and every time they took out on shinigami another would manifest from its shroud.

What do we do?” Dave shouted.

“Dave’s not here!” Tom shouted.

The Shinigami was in hysterics for a moment until it realised it was alone. Its magic had lapsed and all its clones had been defeated in an instant.

“Shit,” I muttered.

“Now!” Robbo shouted.

Several of the soldiers, including Steph, pulled out their souls and warped over to Trish before shattering them. The essences merged and were absorbed by Trish. They went willingly to their deaths, with pride and honour. Trish didn’t understand what had happened until the white mist engulfed her. She was just beginning to understand why her friends were lying lifelessly on the ground when the shinigami attacked, throwing its largest fireball yet. Robbo intercepted and was blasted from behind but shielded Trish. He collapsed, teetering on the edge of death. Trish and Chris looked down sadly.

“Sorry old friend,” Trish began. “That had to hurt.”

She waved her hand over him healing him before clicking her fingers and making him disappear along with all the fighters except her and Chris. Chris allowed himself to be engulfed in his black smoke.

“So what’s the plan?” Chris asked.

“We win!” Trish said enraged by the death that surrounded her.

“How? You are mortals and have maybe a few souls between yourselves, I am immense and have thousands.” The shinigami bellowed.

“You are tiny! And made of pain, suffering and sorrow!” Trish said in a voice that emanated with such magnitude and majesty it hurt the shinigami to hear. “You only exist because you were a plaything of one that was touched by The Creator’s Shadow!”

The shinigami began to cower as it realised by her words and voice she had ascended beyond him. Its strength was being sapped each second she glared at him.

“What are you?” It asked in desperation as she inhaled its mist.

“The Creator's friend, at least I will be,” Trish replied coldly as the shinigami’s true form was revealed.

The withered old man fell to his knees before the might of the two.

“She was right to trap you here, Father,” Chris stated as he drifted towards the old man.

“She was a fool, we could have ruled but she sought death.” The old man shouted in desperation as Chris raised his sword.

“Wait,” Trish began, “One shouldn’t have their own father's blood on their hands.”

Chris ignored her and swung down with enough might to claim his father's head.

“And you shouldn’t have any blood on yours,” Chris replied.

“You clearly don’t know where I’m going after this.” She said as her mist vanished and she was left smiling.

“I know we’ll see each other again, at least I hope.” Chris stated as they returned to the ‘real’ world outside the cabin, his own smoke fading.

“So you knew?” She asked in a sad but caring voice.

“He took the core of our soul and merged it with his own,” The boy said walking out of the cabin.

“Good to see you again kid,” Chris said to his younger self.

“Nice to see you too, phantom.” Young Chris replied.

Both began fading. Trish rushed to Chris.

“Not like this!” She blurted throwing her arms around him.

“All you need to do is petition him for our resurrection.” Young Chris stated.

“Still, how long will I have to wait?” Trish asked.

“Well, from what I understand, you wouldn’t be the first to escape on your own.” The child stated.

“Well I’m taking this anyway,” Trish said stepping back, a glowing orb in her hand.

She pressed the orb into her abdomen and smiled. Chris was shocked for a moment but smiled as he and the boy began to fade.

“At least my son lives on,” Chris said as he disappeared.

Trish caught the child waving goodbye out of the corner of her eye as he vanished.

Trish stabbed her sword into the ground, sat down and prayed.

***

When Trish opened her eyes she was in a library surrounded by a sea of people.

“So this is OmniWar? Not so bad,” she uttered under her breath.

***

Thank you for reading a ThisIsOmniWar.com story

Feel free to read the prequel to this series: The Dark Things