Having 155 Skill Credits burning a hole in my metaphorical pocket and three wolfhawks ready to be harvested, I sit back down immediately after practicing with Koa’s new skill a few times. I decide it’s probably a good idea to buy two more levels of both the size and number branches. At the cost of fifty SC total, leaving me with 105, I now have five inventories with a base size of a three foot cube each.

  I immediately change the dimensions so that I have one larger one to store all of my things that I need to keep secret from the Society, two of them that are the same size as they had been before the upgrades, one that’s perfectly sized for the two daggers, and the ring string. For the blades, I set the appearance of their inventory to be the ornate insulated box.

  The next thing on my list is to purchase the conservation of momentum selection. I can’t use it to catch enemy attacks quite yet, but I think I’ve figured out a way to get around that, so I go ahead and grab it.

  Another fifty credits go, leaving me with 55. I spend all of those on decreasing the summoning time, getting ten more seconds taken off of the waiting period. Now sitting at a whopping zero SC, I move my harvested hoglin parts to the biggest container, which I think ahead and use Inventory B for, so that I wouldn’t have to move the air berry bush materials. Following that logic, I also make the box that the Woeful Bloodsteel Blade had already been in into the ornate box, in order to save myself some suffering.

  Yeah… not sure what that cryptic message meant. ‘Let pain and blood be my guide?’ Yeah… not gonna happen. Not at this moment, at least. I’m well aware that now is not a good time to try to figure that out.

  With Delilah asleep on my lap, I decide it’s probably best to stay vigilant in her stead. So, I scan the now less dark night, my eyes passing over every little bump in the ground to check for approaching enemies. My head turns left and right as I observe everything around me. I’m trying to watch the entire horizon as I… stay… awake…

  …

  The white expanse lies before me, my umbral guide standing front and center. He offers a slight bow as I let out an audible groan of displeasure, as this can only mean one thing.

  “Fuuuuck… I fell asleep! Hey, you… you need a name. I’m going to call you… Shayde! That’s with a ‘y’ before the ‘d.’ How does that sound?”

  His slight nod is all I need for a response, so I continue my trail of thought.

  “Great! Shayde, is there a way to wake me up? I really shouldn’t be sleeping right now.”

  My tone is hopeful as I stare at him, hands clasped before me. He hesitates for a moment or two before slowly nodding once.

  I ignore his suspiciously slow response in favor of being satisfied with the meaning behind it.

  “Perfect! How do I do that?”

  I’m happy that I won’t be stuck here for days, or hours in the outside world, potentially putting both Delilah and I in danger. I smile brightly as I wait for his reply.

  I am so glad this guy is even here. If I didn’t have him, I might die while—

  Without warning, the immaterial man lunges forward. With quick steps and an even quicker arm, he expertly executes the move he’d had me practicing outside. The biggest difference this time, however, is that his dagger pierces through the right side of my skull.

  …

  I awake with a startled shout, sitting forward in a rush. My breaths come heavily as I bring my arms up around my head as if to shield myself from a blow that isn’t coming. This, of course, causes Delilah to leap up, her hackles raised even before she lands gracefully on the ground.

  “Fuck!”

  My surprise is so strong that I can’t help but to swear aloud, not immediately remembering the situation I’m in. Delilah’s response comes out in a panicked rush.

  “What?! What is it, Human?! Where is the attacker?!”

  I run my hand down her back in an attempt to calm her down, but my own heart is still beating at an incredible rate. I make gentle shushing noises, though I’m not sure if they’re more for me or for her.

  “Shhhh… It’s okay, Delilah. There’s no attack. Well, not a real one. Shayde killed me. It just took me by surprise, that’s all.”

  My explanation is no doubt left wanting for details, but it’s the first thing that comes to mind, so that’s what I’m stuck with.

  “Who or what is a… Shayde? What do you mean it killed you?”

  The puzzlement in the cat’s tone flows from her as she sits down, somehow looking simultaneously confused and as if she’s staring down on me, which is a feat in and of itself considering the size of the diminutive creature.

  “I named my shadow person ‘Shayde,’ with a ‘y,’ so that I have something to call him. I fell asleep and asked him how I could wake back up. He attacked me… and now I’m awake. Not the most pleasant surprise I’ve received, but not the worst one by a long shot. I guess I now understand what they mean when they say to be careful what you wish for.”

  After saying my piece, I try to relax against the wall, hoping to slow my still-racing heart. My furry friend isn’t quite done with me, yet, as the snickering starts.

  “You named him… Shayde… not very creative, are you, Human?”

  If I didn’t love the cat, I would probably be greatly offended by that comment. For some reason, though, the most I can muster is mild displeasure. Thus, my defense… we’ll just say it leaves much to be desired.

  “Ha ha, very funny. I added a ‘y!’ That’s creative!”

  Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

  Yeah, that was definitely nowhere near an award-winning response.

  “Uh huuuuh… I guess you can keep thinking that if you want to, Human.”

  Not swayed in the least, she continues her battery and belittlement, much to my chagrin. Once again, my rebuttal is not the wittiest.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?!”

  The question, while intended to sound like I am offended, has a hint of satisfaction. That’s due to my thoughts being focused more on coming up with an excuse for Delilah in case she doesn’t let me avoid the dragon in the room, which is to say my mistake.

  “I think it’s creative, Father!”

  Koa with the save! Yes!

  “Thank you, Koa! You see, you were wrong Delilah.”

  For once, I’m the one who sends a sense of smug satisfaction through our connection, though exhaustion clearly fogs my actions, and my comeback comes back to bite me, as it is immediately quashed by the cat’s reply.

  “Yes, because the opinion of a child filled with your memories is obviously what you should base that assumption on.”

  Damn, she’s out of line, but she’s right.

  Delilah’s mental eyeroll puts a scowl on my face as I return the gesture. Though I have to begrudgingly admit that she has a point. Not to her, mind you. Just internally, where comments like that belong.

  Wouldn’t want her head popping like a bubble because of how much it would swell if I ever told her that she’s right.

  “As if a cat is the prime candidate for knowing what creativity is or isn’t…”

  Having already internally acknowledged defeat, I can’t muster any energy for my response, leaving it with little to no gusto. Delilah’s reply comes with no shortage of pompous inflections, though.

  “Let’s just agree to disagree, Human. I don’t argue with fools. People may not be able to tell which of us is which.”

  “Meany meowy! Father isn’t a fool! You take that back!”

  Koa’s response makes me smile, bringing back a bit of my wit, but not much if I’m being honest. My reply comes out more as a pout, though.

  “Yeah! Don’t you quote the 23rd line of Marley’s Law at me!”

  “I refuse. Moving on. You couldn’t even keep an eye out for monsters for a measly hour? Really? This is why you never let a human do a cat’s job.”

  Etheri damned cat! She couldn’t leave it at just calling me human, now I’m being lectured! Misdirect! Misdirect!

  “You do know that I’m not a human, right? I believe I’ve said that before.”

  I manage to nimbly dodge the question as I latch on to the first thing that I think might distract her just enough to—-

  “Pointless semantics. Answer the question”

  I release a long, exasperated sigh as I shake my head at the cat’s response,

  Shit… didn’t work. I’ll have to fall back on my last resort.

  “Whatever. The most pointless part of this conversation is arguing with you. You’d think I’d have figured that out by now.”

  When in doubt, use insults! Works like a charm.

  “What is that supposed to mean?!”

  Delilah’s indignation is nearly so palpable that I could use Koa to cut it into equally sized chunks, but I can’t help a secret grin from flashing across my face. My inner thoughts reflect my briefly satisfied look as I begin hoping I’d won.

  That was easier than I thought it would be.

  “Father’s saying you’re a big bully that doesn’t listen!”

  With her statement, my faithful dagger sticks out her metaphorical tongue at the cat, causing me to chuckle under my breath.

  One point for Luck, and… well… we just won’t finish that line of thought. Better for everyone that way.

  “Ladies, please! There’s no need to fight over me.”

  Now sure that I’ve successfully gotten out of my scolding, I decide it’s time to end this argument.

  “Pfft. You wish, Human.”

  I love my cat. I love my cat. I love my cat. Why do I love my cat? Because she is the best cat. Alright, let’s get through this.

  “That’s not what I meant and you know it. Just stop bickering. Please.”

  “Okay, Father!”

  Koa’s constant support warms my heart as she is such a good girl. But the chill in Delilah’s tone dampens that, if only slightly.

  “As if you weren’t a part of it only a moment ago. Humans are so hypocritical.”

  With a sigh, I decide that this may be one moment where it’s safe to agree with her, so with great trepidation, I let slip the dreaded words.

  “You’re right. I’ll take my own advice into account. Let’s not worry about it too much.”

  I sense a distinct feeling of smugness, with a hint of satisfaction and a dash of mischief. The latter confuses me until I hear her next words.

  “You still haven’t addressed my question, Human.”

  The mischief and satisfaction intensify as I begin to sweat a bit, trying to think of a way out of this again. My mind has other plans as every chain of thought related to evasion and misdirection disappears, leaving me with no other options.

  Fuck! I thought I’d escaped that one…

  Knowing that now is not the time to be obstinate, I decide to come clean.

  “Look, I’m sorry that I fell asleep. I’ve been through a lot today. It’s no excuse, but I have no other explanation. I made an honest mistake. Let’s worry about that later. There may be monsters nearby.”

  As if my words are both a cue and a curse, Shayde appears in a ready stance. Looking at him, a wave of annoyance floods through me. I glare daggers at him as I take large, aggressive steps in his direction.

  This motherfucker! He fucking attacked me! Well, I did technically ask him to, but that was when I didn’t know what was even going to happen! He could have at least warned me!

  “Hey! I have a bone to pick with you!”