Sancha: A Spirit Animals Story

Chapter 18: Corrupted Bond

Later that night, Sancha had just finished a training session with Tarik and was walking across the courtyard towards the entry to stairs up to her room when Alec rushed over towards her, out of breath and wide-eyed. Sancha immediately knew what was going on.

"Finn?" she asked in a low whisper. Alec nodded. He grabbed her hand wordlessly and the pair ran towards Finn's chambers. Behind them, Siegfried cawed and darted about, appearing as anxious as his partner. When they entered Finn's room, she found Finn lying on the bed, eyes half opened and unfocused. Donn, his black wildcat, was tense, panting, and pacing the floor nearby.

"It's not like last time," Alec said. "He's just...out of it? It's like he's there but-."

"But not," Sancha finished. Drina had had episodes of this kind, and they sometimes proceeded more violent moods, though not always. 

"Usually it passes fairly quick, but sometimes it just gets worse. I'm sorry for dragging you here, but you're one of the few I trust to help me get him out of here if it gets bad."

Sancha was touched yet also increasingly worried for Finn, but sensing Alec's anxiety, she fought to stay composed. It wouldn't help to stress Alec out with her own stress. 

"We'll have to wait and see if he gets out of the woods soon," Alec said. 

The woods.

Sancha knew Alec was only speaking figuratively, but suddenly, Sancha remembered her newly found skill. She turned to face Alec.

"Alec, do you trust me?" Sancha asked. Alec looked a little confused at why she was asking this.

"Yeah, I said just now that I did," Alec said, brow furrowed in puzzlement.

"Good. If I tell you what to do will do it without questions."

"Ummm, I guess?" Alec said, more puzzled than before.

"Good. Now make sure the door is shut and try not to make any sound. And put Siegfried in passive form if you can."

Alec, though completely unaware as to what Sancha was about to do or why she was asking these things of him, nonetheless obeyed, calling his sparrowhawk into passive form, pushing against the already the closed door to ensure it was closed firm, and then sat down at the foot of the bed, near his brother's unmoving feet, which still had shoes on. Sancha released Spesamari, who ambled over to Finn's bedside, watching him and Donn with concern. Sancha then knelt down on her knees and took Finn by the hand, ignoring the sweatiness of his palms.

"What are you doing?" Alec asked.

Sancha shushed him. She felt bad for probably increasing Alec's anxiety, but if she delayed this, it might get worse. Alec didn't argue, thankfully, and Sancha focused her mind on Finn. Drawing from her bond with Spes she passed through the void and entered Finn's mind. His spirit animal bond, manifesting as the woodlands, appeared corrupted but for the few branches she'd managed to cleanse. The sky above was dark brown, cloudy, and ominous. The shadows cast seemed to further sicken the branches. 

Sancha moved into action, touching as many of the branches as she could. All around her, brambles erupted, trying to keep her away, and Sancha felt grazes, cuts, and scratches along her arms, shoulders, and legs, but she ignored them. Finn need her help. She called his name, but heard no reply. She'd managed to turn a few spots of branch white and she continued to cry out for Finn as she attempted to cleanse more. 

At length, she heard a faint sound in the distance. A yowl. Like a cat. Following it, avoiding the blockages, and trying to cover as many twigs, trunks, and shrubs as she could, she came upon an unexpected sight. Donn was there, clawing at vines that formed a cage around a clearing. Inside, a form was visible. A young man.