The Tiger Within

The darkness seemed to surround her, everything was black as night . She felt as though she was laying on a bed of feathers… points p.r.i.c.king her skin here and there . Otherwise, there was nothing here, a empty feeling in her heart, as she lay still . She raised a hand slowly, caressing her side . There was a hot stickiness there . Damage done, and the darkness told a tale she had not expected .

"I am in limbo…" she whispered slowly sitting up . This was good . From Limbo she could enter the realm of shadows . She could save Clovis and send him home .

Advertis.e.m.e.nt"Yes, little sister . That is exactly where you have found yourself . " a soft voice purred back . It was neither male nor female, familiar nor foreign . It simply was . Kyera sat up, letting her body sense her surroundings . She was not alone .

"Kain?" she asked gently, her mind muddled with so many thoughts . It was a shot in the dark . . . though a sensible one . The voice laughed .

"Of all our brothers, you think me to be Kain . Why is that?" the voice asked, all but telling her she was wrong .

"He… he was the least likely to embrace death . " Kyera replied, honestly not sure what else to say . As she stood she expected more pain, but there was nothing . As she stood the feather sensation disappeared and was left with nothing to take its place . Like air, there was no texture to the ground .

"Least likely to embrace Father, you mean? Yes . You are correct there, Little Sister . " The voice replied with a soft chuckle . "That is why I remain Prince of Limbo… I suppose I should be surprised you knew it was me . Then again you always knew me best . " the voice chuckled as a gentle hand touched Kyera"s shoulder, the owner standing close behind her . She turned a familiar scent filled her mind with relaxing thoughts as Kain morphed the environment around them both to be more comfortable than the dark whole that limbo tended to resemble for most people .

Black feather"s morphed into wood bark, and the areas of the darkness turned to deep emerald leaves surrounding them . The illusion of the forest floor far beneath them, as though they sat perched perfectly in a large tree . It was so familiar to her that she couldn"t help but smile, caressing the tree trunk behind her, looking up at the warm green leaves above her head . "The tree from the garden . " Kyera spoke with a soft voice, as though she didn"t want to break the perfection of the moment .

"Yea… our special place… the last place we spent time together . " Kain agreed as Kyera turned around slowly . Her eyes watered as she laid eyes on the boy behind her . He was still the sweet fifteen year old she had known from so long ago . His hair was cut short, and fell in a bit of a wild spiked style that dusted into his eyes . Those warm golden pools had a hint of red to them, a fire that she always though looked like molten lava . He wore the clothes she buried him in, a simple tunic she had spent hours embroidering with the clumsy hands of a loving little sister . The simple pattern of leaves and curling vines still stood out against the warm grey fabric . He gave her the same c.o.c.ky smile as he had when they were kids, but his eyes were sad . He opened his arms and Kyeara hugged him close .

She was completely unaware of the tears that welled in her eyes as she hugged her brother close . "Kain, I love you . I know we fought and I"m so sorry… I love you so much . " Kyera whispered the words she wished she had got to say before he died . Kain couldn"t help but laugh softly as he held his sister swaying just a bit .

"No need, little Sissy . Testing boundaries is part of growing up . I still love you, I knew you didn"t mean it . " He rea.s.sured her letting her go, he gently tapped his fist to her chin making her chuckle .

"At least now we can be a family again . " Kyera wiped her eyes gently, making sure they were both clear . He frowned .

"Wait… what do you mean? Your in limbo… your not dead . " Kain replied, his face showed a touch of alarm in his eyes . Kyera offered a very soft, and very sad smile .