heartgear

Lost Pet

Added 2025-07-02 20:15:41 +0000 UTC

"It’s the alp-luachra!” Lloyd says, fighting back panic. “W-we can’t outrun that! Ian, the salt! Tell me you have the - "

“Wait.” Ian holds up a hand, looking in the direction of the sound. There’s a few more crashing steps, then another cry.

"ELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLE...!"

"Doesn’t that sound like…like someone callin’ for their lost cat?"

"...no way." Lloyd breathes. "Can't be." But how could it be anything else? He straightens up. “Should we just…?”

“You or Lyra.” Ian shrugs. Lyra draws in a gasp, realising what he’s suggesting.

Lloyd smiles, turns, and cups his hands around his mouth. "We're HERE! We - hmmmf!"

Neith claps a hand over his mouth, grabbing him by the jacket and spinning him around.

"Are you daft?" She hisses. But it’s too late. The creature’s pace quickens, crashing through branches and shouldering aside saplings, neon-gold currents of aether lighting the clearing almost as bright as day. It emerges from the trees, towering above them in a wild, seething mass. One amorphous limb grips a tree trunk, as hundreds of bright orange spots form a single eye that swivel down to stare at them.

"Ellllllllllllllle!" The voice is a delighted trill, the lower side of feminine. Two writhing hands reach down and scoop up Lloyd and Lyra. "You have chaaaaanged! I almooooost didn’t recognize youuuu!"

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Excerpt from Imago Ch30: Clockwork Kingdom

I am EXTREMELY GRATEFUL to say that I'm recovered enough to get back to illustrations. Thanks to everyone for the well wishes, to my partner for her endless support, to Keira for being my yoga buddy, and to my body for doing a great job of helping me get back on my feet 💖