Natii awoke with a start and shook her head to try to dislodge the memories that seemed to have accumulated there. What a nightmare, she thought, I'm glad that's over. The tigress still felt uneasy for some reason though, and she quickly realised that she was in a place she'd never been, a dark plain under a dark sky. A dark silent plain what was more, she could hear not a sound around her, not the whisper of the breeze, not the insects chirruping in the non-existent grass, not the distant call of the night-flying birds and bats, nothing. Even more disturbing perhaps was the lack of light from the pitch-black sky, no stars, no moon, nor the fluffy texture of low-hanging cloud that would normally shield them from her.
Shivering with uncertainty, Natii stepped forward, and felt odd, there was ground beneath her feet, but it was smooth, solid, hard, like rock, though when she tested it with her claws it didn't score like stone normally would have, nor make a sound. Thouroughly disconcerted, the tigress was unable to contain her alarm any longer, and asked "is anyone there?"
Yes, I am, said a voice that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere, and seemed to be as much a thought in her head as a sound.
"Wh-who are you," Natii asked, turning her head to try to find who had spoken, "Where are you?"
My name is Banka-Mundi, came the voice again, As for where I am, in this realm that question has no meaning, I am everywhere.
"This realm," Natii asked, "this place is different from the normal world?"
It is, Banka-Mundi replied, That realm you call the 'normal world' we refer to as the Mortal Realm, and this is the Shadow Realm, it is where we higher powers can best touch the minds of you lower creatures.
"Lower creatures," Natii asked, obviously disdaining the term, "and what are you? Gods?"
That definition will suffice, Banka-Mundi said, Though it is better to refer to us as higher beings, we disdain the term gods for the childish, petulant connotations humans give it.
"So what are you doing here," Natii asked, "and for that matter, what am I doing here?"
I am here because I am always here, now, Banka-Mundi replied, and you are here because you are asleep within the bounds of my temple.
"So this is all a dream then," Natii said, sounding relieved.
No, this is the Shadow Realm, Banka-Mundi said, You may describe it as a dream, but this is more real, as real as anything you've ever experienced; more real in fact, since your own mortal senses are fewer and more limited than they need be.
"It doesn't feel any more real," Natii said, "it does feel odd though."
You are not yet experienced enough here to understand, Banka-Mundisaid, with time and exposure you will learn, eventually.
"And in the meantime," Natii asked.
And in the meantime I must limit my expression to terms you can understand, Banka-Mundi replied, as demeaning and crude as such measures are.
"Demeaning," Natii asked sharply.
Had you known Spiritsong we could have concluded this 'conversation' in much less than a moment, Banka-Mundi replied, that you don't is only to be expected, but this 'language' is slow and crude.
"So you're here to lord it over us mortals," Natii asked not even trying to keep the irritation out of her voice.
No, Banka-Mundi said, You are wounded and weak, and will eventually starve without help.
"And you're offering me help are you," Natii asked, trying to hide her eagerness beneath her irritation.
In a manner of speaking, yes Banka-Mundi said, although it is more of a deal, for I too am weak, and crippled.
"So what's the deal," Natii asked.
I cannot heal your wounds, Banka-Mundi said, But I can provide for you so that it does not matter.
"And in exchange," Natii asked.
And in exchange you must take me to the humans Banka-Mundi said.
"No chance," Natii said, "Not in a million years am I going near those monsters again."
Then we are both of us doomed Banka-Mundi said, I beg you to reconsider, if only for your own gain.
"Why the humans," Natii asked, "why d'you need them?"
Once, when they worshipped me, I was powerful, the voice said, I could draw in whole herds, big herds that would be then penned and watered, or slaughtered and preserved, but no more, now I would struggle to draw in a single beast.
"Wait, worshipped you," Natii asked, "I thought you said you weren't gods."
We are not, Banka-Mundi replied, but worship does make us more powerful, in a way you are too ignorant yet to understand.
"So what, you want me to take you back to the humans so you can get big again," Natii said, "what's in it for me?"
Survival, Banka-Mundi replied, or the chance of survival anyway, against the certainty of death
"And how much of a chance are you giving me?" Natii asked, "You've already told me even one beast's a struggle."
To draw a beast in is hard, Banka-Mundi said, to make a beast, blind to your presence is easier, easier still if it's alone.
"I think I'm going to need a bit more help than that," Natii said, "I wouldn't have a clue where to start looking for prey out here."
I can help with that also, Banka-Mundi said, now, the deal?
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