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Chapter 20 - Deception, SC

Sunday stepped into the swarm of ghouls pushing at one another in attempts to reach the hound. He weaved through them, making sure to keep away from their attacks. Jishu screamed something behind him but the sounds of battle drowned out the words.

The hound's eyes turned to look at Sunday despite the ghouls clinging to its mane and tearing at its flesh. Its snarl was like laughter in Sunday’s ears and for a second, the darkness shifted. The clambering ghouls fell to the ground confuse...

Chapter 19 - The Hound Comes, SC

Sunday, Jishu, the ghouls, and even the restless and bound Arten froze. The howl had come from afar and echoed for a few seconds longer than it was necessary. A ghostly sound that seemed to chill the soul, rather than assault the ears. As it stopped echoing the night became darker, more oppressive. More dangerous. The swamp was generally a warm place, however the temperature seemed to drop just enough to make it uncomfortable. And an uncomfortable cold for an undead didn’t bode well.

...

Chapter 18 - Sleep, SC

Each breath filled Sunday with essence, which slowly transformed under the guidance of the Black Breath. It was a sharp and cold thing, like the bite of winter’s frost or a knife of ice. Oddly enough, the sensation didn’t feel bad.

He had felt it before alongside something else in the moment of his single heartbeat and once again, when he took in the two moths into his soul space – the cold touch of death and the comforting warmth of life. One was much stronger and familiar than t...

Chapter 17 - Rank One, SC

“I wanted you to see it. To use such a spell even for a short while is an honor that undoubtedly will make you yearn to explore the world and acquire spells of your own. Now, let’s find you a quiet place.”

They left the moths behind and exited the mound. Like loyal dogs, the ghouls followed, and even more were waiting outside. Jishu was taking precautions ahead of time.

“My question might be stupid,” Sunday said turning toward the undead, “but can a ghoul use a spell?�...

Chapter 16 - Life and Death, SC

Jishu led him down another path cutting through the swamp and the trees. The two walked slowly flanked by the many ghouls creeping in the darkness. The creatures’ yellow eyes were like unblinking lanterns that followed Jishu’s every move.

Sunday had time to examine this side of the swamp further now. It was gloomy and silent and smelled of wet rot that reminded him of the large horned alligator’s breath. The warmth didn’t help at all and he did his best to stop himself from brea...

Chapter 15 - Questions, SC

There was no answer as the prodding feeling intensified. The warmness moved in Sunday’s body. The sensation was a bit unsettling but not unpleasant.

“Alright, entertain the silly notion that I’m not from around here. Imagine that I’ve lived in a world with no magic, spells, or any sort of bullshit swamps. An exercise for the mind,” Sunday said. He then laughed shaking his head. “Explain things to me like you’d to little Pearl.”

“Alright…” Arten’s voice came...

Chapter 14 - Prisoner, SC

Jishu waved a bony hand, “I had guessed that much. It’s the smell of your flesh and skin. After a few centuries of undeath, we begin to reek of dust and old books. You smell of fresh dirt and morning dew as if you had just crawled out from a newly dug grave. However, there are no burials ground around.”

The strange turn of the conversation almost made Sunday break his composure. He’d done just that. He was not sure when it happened as the time in the city might as well have been...

Chapter 13 - Strange Meeting, SC

Fuming on the inside Sunday kept running. He didn’t want to know what would happen if he stopped and how they would try to make him move. He decided to bite the bullet and slowed down just a little. The creatures were slow in their reaction and he felt the foul breath of a few of them on his calves just before he jumped over a fallen trunk. Yet, seconds later, they adjusted their speed and kept their distance. Good little actors for creepy monsters.

He dreaded to think what count thei...

Chapter 12 - Gators and Cardio, SC

The second lunge was much easier to dodge since Sunday knew it was coming. However, the slippery ground made moving a challenge. Still, his undead body was a thing of wonder. It helped that the alligator was also struggling with finding proper support. Its massive mouth could probably fit half of Sunday in one gulp, but its body weighed it down.

Each short movement was followed by a few wheezes from the crooked horn. Sunday’s adrenaline, or whatever the equivalent for the undead was, ...

Chapter 11 - Fireflies, SC

The last rays of light disappeared and night descended upon the swamp. The noises became more prominent with each passing minute as if the critters of the marshes were preparing a concert for him alone.

Sunday smiled at the thought. Despite it all, he was happy to be surrounded by nature. Maybe it was not how he had dreamed it would be, but it was certainly a very interesting experience. There was something special about it all.

He watched the tall grass sway and the normal frogs ...

Chapter 10 - Into the Swamp, SC

“Do you think he was telling the truth?” Vela asked.

Hark stood still, staring in the direction where the strange undead had disappeared. It had been over an hour now, but something was seriously wrong with the situation. No one was supposed to know they were here. Maybe killing the strange undead would’ve been for the best, consequences be damned. Something had stopped him though. He trusted strange feelings the most of all. The rest could be fabricated easily by those with the a...

Chapter 9 - Golden Page, SC

Sunday listened carefully, soaking in all the information he could. Talents, spells, worshippers and betrayers. Little Pearl had also asked him if he was a ‘believer’, so he assumed all of those were words that referred to the same thing. But worshippers of what? The village people did not seem concerned with the fact that the children had tried to summon a demon at all. It was barely mentioned.

However, the single suggestion by the skinny man had sent the villagers into maddening f...

Chapter 8 - Village People, SC

“When I… appeared here, I was naked. Your son was helpful enough to spare me of embarrassment.”

The man threw a glance at his son and the child shrunk further back.

“Who are you and how did you come here? What do you want?

Wish I knew, man. A reasonable reaction. I’d already be lying dead and cold on the ground if this was back in my city. Now, do I lie some more? The safest is sticking with what I told the kids, I guess. I can’t believe being honest is my be...