Chapter 2: Chapter 2

Shane scrambled to his feet as the gate settled behind him. The Summons wouldn’t leave their masters behind, so he had time to get away. But where did he go? Where could he hide?

Scanning the remains of what was once the highway, Shane shook his head. “Too obvious.” Glancing at the forest around him, he bit his lower lip. “Is that really my best option?”

His stomach growled again, reminding him that he didn’t stop for a bite to eat while he was in the market.

Fat chance of finding something decent out here, he grumbled to himself. Delving into his thoughts, he looked to the sun. It’s going to be setting in the west before long. The Marked will expect me to take the road, but I wouldn’t put it past them to search for me to the west. It’s obvious I should stay with the sun as long as possible.

Turning east, Shane started jogging. The highway dropped down into a ditch filled with murky water that he had to wade through. His feet slipped on the mud, nearly bringing him to the ground. Mosquitoes buzzed around him, hungry for his blood and hatching from the stagnant water.

Gritting his teeth, he pushed on. The forest was thin at first, only a few pine and birch trees along the road. Sticky needles and brown leaves littered the ground. Ferns and tall grass covered the rest. Not a single animal path was present.

Grabbing onto a tree, he felt his fingers dig into the lichen on the bark before he pulled himself up a small incline. The fresh scent of the forest was refreshing. The summer grass, open air, flowering bushes, and the settling of the forest floor. It was all perfect.

“Well, it would be,” Shane muttered. “If I wasn’t running for my life.”

Picking up his pace, he ventured further into the forest. Shadows played tricks on him as branches draped into his path. Leaves fell around him, while the lack of insects chirping drove him onto a knife’s edge.

In the distance, he heard a roar pierce the air. The Summons were loose again, and they would be searching for him.

“Son of a…” Shane growled as he dug his feet into the soft dirt. He was leaving a trail, but he didn’t have a choice.

Sprinting, Shane dodged trees and leapt over logs as the sounds of birds flapping overhead drew closer. Further behind him, he could hear wolves growling, and other animals trailing after them.

“Why is there no place to hide!”

His heart was pounding in his chest. Breathing was hard as his energy wore so thin that he thought he would faint. Still, he pushed on.

A flicker of movement out of the corner of his eye drew his attention. A fox the size of a moving van watched him with crinkled eyes. Fire danced through its red fur and its tail waved with pleasure behind it.

“Fuck me…” Shane groaned as he slid to a stop.

He had found his first Descendant.

“If you’re going to kill me, get it over with,” Shane snapped.

It wasn’t that he wanted to die, but he knew he couldn’t keep running. The summons were right behind him, and what they would do to him was far worse than dying quickly to a Descendant.

The fox tilted its head and approached him. Each step sent heat towards Shane, making him sweat.

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Licking his lips, he felt how dry his mouth was, and even if he wanted to scream, he didn’t think any sound would come out.

The grass smoldered underfoot as sparks, and ash jumped into the air. Still, the fox came closer.

Shane stood his ground, and when the fox bumped its nose against his chest, he quaked. Closing his eyes, he prepared for memories of his life to start flashing past. It was a crappy life, but it was mine. There are some things I would do differently if reincarnation is real.

A yip whispered in his ear making him snap his eyes open. The fox’s mouth was next to his head, its teeth on display as sweltering heat rolled over him.

“Just eat me!” Shane growled.

The fox whispered a yip again. Then it tilted its head and bit down on his waist. The sharp teeth punched through his clothes and flesh, and he screamed in pain.

Eyes wide, he watched the world start to blur. This is the end…

The scenery around him faded in and out before he realized that he was being carried away. I’m going to be fed to its young. The thought made him chuckle, sending blood spilling over his lip as pain wracked his body.

The sounds of the summons faded into the distance, giving him one bright spot on the day.

Closing his eyes, he felt a coolness wash over him. He was starting to slip from the world. It would all be over soon.

He was just getting ready to embrace the light when something extremely wet ran across his face.

Coming back to reality, his eyes snapped open. The creeping wetness came back, forcing him to shut his eyes again.

“What the hell is that?” Shane cried.

Mouth still open, he realized he didn’t feel any pain. He didn’t even taste blood in his mouth anymore.

Opening one eye, he glanced around. Dirt walls were the first thing he noticed. Roots from trees and plants were pushing their way through the soil, and the ground below him was packed and smelled earthy.

He was underground. Yet a soft, orange glow allowed him to see.

Opening his other eye, he found the source. The giant fox that had bitten into his body had carried him away to its den.

Swallowing hard, Shane tried sitting up only for his body to give out. His stomach growled, making him curl in on himself.

Closing his eyes, he prayed for death. At least he wouldn’t be hungry anymore.

A small yip pulled him back to attention.

Looking up, he watched the fox lower its head towards him and drop a basket of apples onto the ground.

Shane didn’t need to be told twice that this was an offering.

Grabbing an apple in each hand, he started alternating which one to take a bite out of. Juice drippled down his chin and into his vest. The holes from the teeth were still present, but the blood was gone.

Coming up for air, Shane gasped. His stomach ached from a new pain. One of putting too much food into it too quickly.

Lowering his hands, he looked up at the fox. “Are you fattening me up? Am I just a meal for later?”

The fox yipped.

Waiting for his stomach to settle, Shane scanned the den with interest. In the back was a small pool of water that was being dripped into from a root system above it. A second room branched off from the one they were in, and the smell of roasted meat drifted in. The fox was still on fire, but the flames were no longer overbearing. In fact, Shane didn’t feel any heat coming off them at all.

Setting down one of the apples, he rubbed his eyes. “What the hell is going on here?”

The fox poked him with its nose.

“Stop that!” Shane growled. “I’m trying to have a moment.” Glaring at the fox, Shane huffed. “If you aren’t going to kill me, what am I doing here?”

The fox lay down on its side, showing a ragged gash along its stomach. Dried blood coated its fur, and when it shifted, fresh blood oozed to the surface.

“At least I’m not the only one that’s going to die,” Shane snorted. Shaking his head, he set down the other apple. “Why did you bring me here? Even if you die and I leave, I’m going to be hunted down. My life is over.”

A whimper escaped the fox, pulling at his heart.

“You’re a Descendant,” Shane said. “Your kind destroyed my world. Why should I care that you die?”

Inching closer, the fox rested its head on his leg.

“Don’t do this.” Shane sighed. “Pleading with me isn’t going to make me feel bad for you.”

Another whimper escaped the fox as fresh blood escaped the wound.

“Even if I wanted to save you, I don’t know how!” Shane snapped.

The fox opened its mouth and dropped a fiery red orb onto his lap. It was no bigger than his thumbnail. Shane immediately knew what it was.

These cores were what gave the Marked their powers. This was how they bonded to their Summons.

“This won’t work,” Shane stated. “You’re a Descendant.”

The fox didn’t respond. It only continued to stare at the core as Shane picked it up.

"What the hell do I have to lose? I’m a dead man either way.”

Opening his mouth, he swallowed the core.