Time seemed to freeze, or maybe it was just moving so slowly that it felt like it had come to a halt. It was the strangest thing, bizarre and unreal. I did this, and this was me. My head tilted forward to meet the bear's round and black eyes. I could feel my confidence still boosting, pulsating in my chest. I felt no regret, no shock, and not a hint of hesitation could be detected. My flesh and blood. My mind, the very essence of my being. It was all there, and still, a part of me broke free.
I felt like a ghost- my own ghost, in my own body. I leaned forward, out of my body, and saw the dreadful scene right in front of me. I saw what I had just done with different eyes. This ghost felt shocked and in horror and wanted to scream. I had no words for this. I had no words for either this or what I just did. Inside my warm body, slow and steady heartbeats pumped me full of confidence, a sensation of victory, and even pride. But here, the ghost, my heart raged like a rabbit running for its life.
I couldn't breathe, understand, or accept any of it. Because I, the ghost version of me, felt so scared. I could taste my own fear, utter disbelief, and shock. This isn't real, this sudden
change of events, it is not real. It didn't happen. It just couldn't. There was no logical explanation for this, for this reaction at all, or this out-of-body type of reflection.
My reflection mirrored in the beast's eyes, his wide open, shocked, and endlessly deep, black eyes. And there was no denying the wet, warm sensation dripping off my hand and down to my elbow. The fading thump in the palm of my hand. The moment was over, and I was thrown back as my hand pulled out of his chest, with his heart still beating in my clutched fist.
"So strange, isn't it?"
I tilted my head to the side, checking the weight in my hand just the slightest before tightening my grip.
"Death, I mean. We are told we see our life in preview, our regrets, our greatest achievements, and all that. But in reality, we blank out; we simply die."
His perplexed expression didn't change; not a single muscle moved. His eyes didn't even stray from mine to look at his own heart, like watching your own beating heart dripping with blood outside your own body was a normal day-to-day thing.
"Don't worry, there is no more pain now. There is no climax or extreme revelation. The adrenaline was cut off, so shock and muscle reactions are forcing you on the right side of the brink of death. But slowly, your body understands what your body already knows,"
My fingers gently brush through the thick and incredibly soft fur from his jaw and cheek.
"You are already gone. Learn to listen; remember your ego is worthless in the next life, sweetheart, in the next life!"
Then I let him go. I stared into the dark abyss of his eyes as he fell. His warm fur, slipping out of my hand, brushed through my fingers. The touch of death, a last goodbye, beauty in an ugly world. Carefree, without a sound. Closing my eyes, I faced the sky before I let his heart go, and I didn't have to wait. He didn't even hit the ground before wailing roars filled the sky.
Their bond broke, and one by one, they let their pain out the only way these primitive creatures knew how; roar and the sound of their beast. Animals display of anger and strength to hide the crippling pain, loss, and utter despair. So predictable, so simple. I smiled as the power filled every inch of me. The carnal cry filled the sky, the space between each tree, and lifted bushes and flowers, but for me, it was power. Strength and energy. Their pain and misery filled me with hope and satisfaction.
The dull thump was my cue to leave. Despite how I relished in this sweet and beautiful moment, I knew they would rip me apart in this state. With a smirk, I glanced below, only to see the other bear's shoulders slump forward as he leaned down to smell his fallen comrade. I took a deep breath, and then I leaped. Like a freaking ninja, I jumped from one tree to the other with such ease even I was surprised. Of course, the joy only lasted so long, and my luck crashed into three number four. But I clung to it like a koala bear. But it was enough, and the sulking bear still didn't realize I had left.
It's strange when you think of it. These hunters and killers had excellent instincts and heightened senses; they lost it all in a moment so unexpected as this. How short-sighted of them? Who would not expect a counterattack in a situation like this? Maybe they are adapting more to the animals' primitive line of thought, are unskilled hunters and warriors, or they just become prey for their own cocky ego. It was like sneaking away from a pile of rocks.
I took off as soon as my feet touched the soft, mossy ground. The rumbling sound of roars slowly died, and the ground started shaking instead. Tons of bears moved through the jungle, massive paws slammed to the ground from all corners, all seeking to find their fallen pack member. Another strange thing with these animals is that they knew the moment he died, and instinct told them where and even who he was.
The trees around me changed. The massive, thick jungle´s trees became leaner, and branches and leaves spread wider. Long, fine branches stretched out from the tree trunk, filled with greenery; they hung towards the ground, making the woods darker and denser. In some places, the sun's beaming light didn't even reach the ground.
Grunts and rumbling thunderbolts traveled through the ground. For a second, I am almost impressed by the numbers in this pack and how they spread across such distances in this jungle. The telepathic gift the moon goddess gifted these animals might be a valuable skill. I have to look into that little ability after all; it might be fun! But for the moment, I am in no immediate danger. They are moving away from me, behind me, all devoured by the need to find their dead member.
Eventually, the snow-covered mountains appeared, and I could slow down. I was almost there; I only needed to walk through the slim passage between the two peaks. Dark, long, so narrow that the cold mountain rocks scratch and reach out like claws to draw blood from everyone trying to pass this way. So many mysteries, stories, and nightmares had been born in these shadows. So simple and fluid the human mind can be. I smiled and shook my head as the entrance opened before me.
But quickly, my smile turned to a displeased frown. My face twitched into a grimace like I just bit into a juicy lemon.
"What are you doing here?"