Phantasm's Demontia: Corruption

“We’re losing her!” The doctor in a white lab coat cried.

“No… not yet…” An engineer also in a white lab coat said with a furrowed brow. He was tinkering with a strange machine that had many wires connected to a woman, she was convulsing. Dying, from the looks of it.

“What else can we do!?”

“We… will have to wait until he comes back…”

“But…”

“I know…”

“What about Kee?”

They looked at him.

“Winiray… gone?”

They both shrugged to each other. Then focused back on the small woman. “So what do we do with her?”

“Let’s just put her in cryogenics. Not like there can be anymore harm done… I wouldn’t want to dispose of the body at this point. Cuz if he does come back and she’s gone… I wouldn’t want to be on that end…”

“Nope! Okay. I’ll get to work right away on the chamber. Can you hand me that screwdriver there?”

Something suddenly shifted. A memory? A vision?

It was dark and weightless. He felt himself suspended in a strange environment. He opened his eyes for the first time. A strange figure stood before him. Dark, imposing armor, big black wings. Then—

“Kee…” a wispy voice surrounded him.

“Uh…” he groaned under his breath.

“Come find me…” the voice volumized and beckoned him awake.

“What?” The young man woke up with a start. He looked around the loft, expecting someone to be there. But the room was empty. A yawn escaped his lips as he stretched his arms high above his head, feeling the familiar stiffness in his muscles from a night of rest.

Then he realized something was amiss…

“I’m late!” He shouted, leaping out of bed and throwing on some clothes. He stepped outside, taking in the vast fields that stretched before him. The land seemed endless, a patchwork of crops being tended by farmers of different races. Men, women, and the animal people known as the Chimerans. They were young and old. Most were focused on their work, the rhythmic movements of their labor easing the day into a steady pace. Yet there was a lingering tension in the air, something Kee could always feel at the back of his mind.

Shaking it off, he spotted the lead farmer, a rough Vilazun with a pronounced limp. He scowled at everyone he saw.

“I’m so sorry, sir. I slept in! I’m coming to help!”

“Kee, my boy,” the farmer said, the weight of his voice hanging in the air, “You know it’s best if you find something else to do. The others... they’re not comfortable with you being around. Not since that incident a few years ago.”

“What?” Kee’s stomach twisted at the mention of it. The memory of the accident, the misunderstanding that had led to the rift between him and the others, still stung. But it wasn’t his fault. He wasn’t the one who did it.“That was Raco! He’s the one who burned the hay bales!” He pleaded.

The Vilazun glanced at him, his expression unreadable. “Doesn’t matter none. The others don’t want you around. Go run along now.” The head farmer turned abruptly, bellowing at one of the workers, “HEY! You missed a spot!”

“But… that wasn’t me!” Kee protested, stepping forward, his frustration rising. But his protest fell on deaf ears.

Kee stood there, watching them, his heart heavy. He looked like any other young man that was out there working the fields.

“Bastards,” he muttered under his breath as he walked away, fists clenched at his sides. “I can help. I can be a farmer too!”

As he wandered aimlessly through the fields, the whispers of his frustration began to fade into something else—something more subtle. A faint breeze brushed past his ear, almost too soft to catch. But it was there.

“Come find me…” it went.

The air around him felt charged, alive in a way that made his senses sharpen, heightening the stillness of the world around him.

“What was that?” Kee murmured to himself, pausing in his steps. He looked around, trying to pinpoint the source of the strange feeling, the soft whisper that had tugged at his awareness.

His eyes and ears fell at a point of origin.

“Well… not much I can do here. Not with these jerks…” he said to himself, making his way to the strange sound. It beckoned him. Tugged at an internal need.

He never truly understood himself. His memories were a muddled mess. But he does seem to recall…. A man with black wings. He shook his head.

Onward, it led him. Outside the village, Through the tall grasses and swaying trees. Toward a cave.

He had been there countless times before. It had always been a place of comfort—a cool refuge from the burning sun, a sanctuary of solitude where he could think and let his mind wander. But now, something was different.

The entrance, once sealed tight by a thick, rusted metal door, was wide open—gaping, like a hungry maw, swallowing the sunlight. Kee felt a chill run through him. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. He wasn’t sure what was pulling him closer, but he couldn’t turn away.

“You scared, furless wimp?” A voice was taunting, cutting through the silence behind him.

Kee turned to find three Vilazun youths of various feline descents laughing, their snickers sharp and mocking.

“Yeah! Furless wimp!” A Lynx Vilazun chimed in.

Kee clenched his jaw and took a step forward. “I’m not afraid of you.”

The largest of them took a step closer, his sharp teeth bared in a grin. “What was that, punk? You think we want anything to do with your kind!?” The Puma Vilazun’s fur began to bristle, he was ready to fight.

Kee swallowed his frustration, his heart thundering in his chest. He recalled many encounters with Raco, the Puma leader of the trio. He recalled the memory of Raco chasing him, and then resulting in the burning of a mass hay pile. To which he was blamed for ever since.

Kee bunkered down into a defensive stance. “I’m not running away this time.”

Just as he moved forward, a sudden roar echoed from within the cave—a deep, powerful sound that reverberated through the ground beneath his feet.

“The heck was that?” The Panther Vilazun trembled. They looked at Raco, whom was already stepping backwards.

“I ain’t stayin’ here to find out!” He cried as he darted away. The other two followed, their steps echoed as they faded.

But Kee didn’t move. He stood his ground, unwavering.

“I’m a stone. I’m not afraid. Not this time.” His words echoed in his mind as his resolve solidified. With a steady breath, he turned back toward the cave, its dark maw drawing him in. He didn’t know what was inside. unbeknownst to what awaited him in the shadows. But for the first time, it didn’t matter.

He wasn’t afraid.

He walked through the open door and into the cave.

His heart raced as he stepped forward. Something beyond that door beckoned to him. As if it invited him inside, to fulfill his destiny that he had no idea about. The roar echoed again, this time more like a deep, resonating pulse. he knew he shouldn’t go in, but the compulsion was stronger than his fear.

The air inside the tunnel was heavy and metallic, as he took his first steps beyond the ancient door. The ground beneath his boots shifted from loose dirt to a smooth, cold surface. He knelt to feel it—a seamless, polished metal. As he walked deeper, soft lights embedded in the walls came to life, casting a faint blue glow along the path. It was quiet, unnaturally so, except for the occasional rumble, low and deep, like something massive stirring far beneath the surface. It sounded like it was purring. He hesitated, his heart hammering in his chest, but the same strange pull urged him onward.

“What… is this place? It feels familiar. But… why?” He asked himself, following the path. “Such a strange thing to be here. It’s like it’s always been here but… so much newer than that door… hmm…”

The tunnel opened up into a wide chamber, and at its center, curled in a pool of dim light, lay a figure. He slowed his steps, squinting as the shadows gave way to reveal a female Tiger Vilazun, more humanly featured than other Chimerans. She was sleek and vulnerable as she lay in a curled-up position. Her tiger striped fur was damp, clinging to her body as if she’d been submerged in water. She also had long flaming red hair, soaked to the core. He approached cautiously, his breath shallow.

“What… is a Vilazun doing in here? Taking a nap?” He whispered softly, trying not to disturb her.

The vilazun seemed fragile despite her tiger-like form. He knelt, his hand hovering near her fur. A rather unpleasant odor assaulted his nostrils but then faded to a dull musk. No other sense to give him further information of this person’s existence. He did notice that she purred loudly like a rumbling engine. He also wasn’t sure if the girl was hurt or not.

“Are you... okay?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Her eyes fluttered open—crystal-clear, glowing softly in the low light. Kee’s heart skipped a beat. Those eyes... they held something in them, something familiar. She blinked slowly, and before Kee could react, she lunged forward, but not to attack. Her large paws wrapped around him, almost protectively, pulling him into an wet and slimy embrace.

“Kee,” she whispered, her voice shaking. “You’re really here. You came and found me!”

he froze. How does she know my name? His mind raced, but no answers came. “Who... who are you? How do you know me?”

She pulled back just enough to look him in the eyes, a faint sadness darkening her expression. “It’s me! Winiray! I’ve been waiting here... for you.”

He felt a shiver run down his spine. “Waiting? For me? I... I don’t understand. I’ve never been here before. I don’t… know… who you are.” The name Winiray Did sound strangely familiar like he has heard it before.

Winiray’s eyes dimmed slightly, and she let out a soft sigh. “You don’t remember, do you?”

“Remember what?”

“Me? Us? That scary event? With the monster things? It was you and I and… the winged monsters?”

Kee thought more about a time before he arrived at the farming plantation. “Uh… no? I’m terribly sorry that I don’t remember you. You don’t happen to know why or how you’re here do you?”

“I don’t know why I’m here,” Winiray admitted, her voice trembling. “I don’t remember anything before... before the darkness. I just remember the winged creatures and then everything went dark… I’ve been down here for so long, but I know you. I... know I was waiting for you.”

Kee swallowed hard, his mind clouded with confusion. “I’ve been at the farm outside this cave with Kaiden for years, I don’t... I don’t remember anything else though… I’m really sorry.”

Winiray’s ears twitched at the mention of Kaiden, and she sat back slightly, her tail curling around her legs. “Kaiden... that name. It feels familiar, but I don’t know why.” She looked very confused as if the mere mention of anything else had no bearing whatsoever on her mind.

Kee shifted, his gaze distant as memories from another time floated to the surface. “Kaiden sounds familiar?”

“I think I do have a memory of him. Just a glimpse… he wears white and has a sword of a strange color, right?”

“Yeah. That’s right. Maybe Kaiden knows you? He’s been around a long time and knows a lot of things! He hasn’t mentioned you though…”

“Well, Like I said… just a glimpse….” she thought for a moment, “then of course the winged monsters. They were terrifying.”

“Winged monsters… that does sound vaguely familiar… were they fighting?

“Oh! yes!” Winiray got very excited. “I also remember… being stabbed by something. And then a man with black wings came and put his hands on me. I felt… so much better after. But then I lost consciousness…”

“Oh wow… yeah the black wing guy…he does sound familiar!” He tried to remember more but it was blank. “I’m sorry winiray for forgetting you. Look… why don’t I get you to my house. You can get cleaned up?”

“Winiray purred loudly, “that sounds great! Oh… sorry for getting you sticky.”

Kee looked at himself. “Eh, no big deal.” He took her paw and led her out of the big room. Still struggling to piece together fragments of memories that didn’t quite fit. “Then we can talk to Kaiden. He might know more. He’s been looking into a bunch of things lately. Maybe he can help us understand this?”

Winiray looked at him, a faint glimmer of hope in her eyes. “You think he’ll have answers?”

“I don’t know,” Kee admitted, “but it’s the only thing I can think of. C’mon, let’s go back to the village. Kaiden might know what to do.”

She happily allowed him to lead her, her trust was 100 percent. But then she hesitated, glancing toward the dark tunnel in front of them. “I don’t even know how long I’ve been here... everything’s blurry. I don’t know who I was before this place.”

Kee looked at her, feeling sorry for her. He didn’t know why, but he felt a connection to her—a deep, inexplicable sense of familiarity that he couldn’t shake. “We’ll figure it out together,” he said softly. “Let’s just get you out of here first. Then You could use some dry clothes and a bath, and then we’ll find Kaiden.” He said as he shook his hands from the slime. “Myself included…”

Winiray offered a small, grateful nod. “Thank you, Kee. And I’m sorry for the mess, I just woke up in this strange tube filled with some kind of liquid and then bam, I was here.”

“Strange tube…” he said to himself. Kee shrugged, smiled, and instantly shared his forgiveness. Why she was in a tube of liquid was beyond him. But he recalled memories of seeing some kind of tube. As though he too had been inside such an object but he didn’t recall any kind of liquid.

“What is it?” She asked, ears twitching of curiosity.

“I just… remember being inside a tube too. But… I don’t know. My memory stops before recalling anything other than being at the village. I don’t remember anything from childhood like the others at the village.”

“Do you know how long you lived there?”

“It’s been a few years… apparently Chimerans and humans had a rocky history but they’re making do coexisting at least.”

“Chimerans?”

“You… don’t know if them? Huh… well anyway. They look like you. But you are definitely much more human in appearance. Like me.”

“So… what am I?”

“I mean … besides the massive paws, tail, and fur, you could pass for a human if you had clothing.”

“Clothing…”

“Yeah. What I’m wearing…”

She looked down at herself. She was covered in striped fur, from her neck down. “I’m… naked?”

“Well… not exactly… you have all that fur. I don’t have fur like you.”

“I’m… so lost…”

“It’s ok. Take it little by little. I’ll help as much as I can… I don’t know a lot either. But hey you can talk just fine so that’s a great start! You know a lot of words!”

“They just… come to me. I don’t get from where… like they’re just there…”

“Strange… that’s how it was for me a few years ago… Kaiden said it might be due to some kind of amnesia…”

“Did he say where you came from?”

“Kaiden said it was difficult to explain. But that he would have some kind of answer some day. That’s part of the reason why he’s been doing so many other things. Partly to learn about me.”

“That’s nice of him…”

“Yeah. I suppose.”

As they made their way through the metal-lined tunnel, the lights dimmed and flashed faintly in response to their steps, Kee’s thoughts drifted back to that black-winged figure from various visions. Blips of time he couldn’t fully comprehend. He could vaguely recall a huge battle that happened and he was somehow involved but it just felt like a dream.

As he held her paw, he felt some kind of wave flowing through him. It was peaceful and warm. He put it out of his mind. Right now, all he could do was focus on getting her back to the loft so she could get cleaned up. The rest of the answers would have to wait.

When they finally returned to the village, the usual side glances followed them. The farmer’s eyes lingered on Winiray, their gazes filled with wariness and suspicion, but no one dared approach or ask questions. Kee, accustomed to their mistrust, kept his eyes forward. Winiray, still dripping with the remnants of the strange liquid, seemed entirely unfazed by the attention, her focus set on the path ahead.

Kee opened the door to his home and let her in first, the familiar creak echoing through the entrance. “Kaiden?” he called, but the house remained silent, its usual warmth absent.

“Hmm… He’s probably still out on that mission,” he muttered.

“Mission?” She asked.

“Yeah… awhile back apparently there’s been these forests and caves that have some kind of death in them. So he and his friends have been investigating them. They’re very dangerous and he leaves me here thinking it’s safe…” he hung his head in thought.

“What’s wrong Kee?”

“Nothing… just… the other people that live here. They’re not very nice to me. So…”

“Those jerks! Shall I scratch them for you!?”

“Haha! No no, it’s fine.” He said as he led her to the bathroom. she stepped inside hesitantly, her ears twitching as if listening for something. He noticed her unease but said nothing. He guided her toward the tub. “You should get cleaned up,” he said gently, starting to fill the basin with warm water. “I’ll, uh, give you some privacy.”

But before he could turn away, Winiray bounded into the bath with a childlike glee, splashing water everywhere. Kee blinked, startled by the sudden change in her demeanor. There was something so innocent and playful about her, like a real cat but one that loves water. Her tail flicked back and forth, sending waves rippling across the water.

She looked up at him, her face bright with a soft smile. “Thank you, Kee.”

For a moment, Kee couldn’t help but smile back. She seemed so much like a big sister. With a nod, he left her to bathe and settled in the living room, his mind racing. Who is she… Winiray… Why does she seem so familiar, yet I can’t remember who she is? His thoughts kept circling back to the dark figure with wings and how he, Winiray, Kaiden and himself are so strangely connected.

A short while later, Winiray emerged from the washroom, her fur clean and dry. She was completely transformed, her previously damp and matted appearance replaced with the fluffiness of a kitten. She smelled better too. Her hair was massive and furry like a big red flaming fireball. She was very cute… for a cat like humanoid.

“All done!” she chirped, her toothy grin bright as ever.

Kee gave her an approving nod before taking his turn. The bath was a total mess, with fluids and fur everywhere, the bath being completely plugged with fur! It was unusable as is, “sorry Kaiden,” he said softly. Kee ran the shower instead, The warm water felt soothing against his skin, but it did little to calm his racing mind. The events of the day replayed over and over. And always, that same nagging feeling that he was missing something critical.

After his quick wash, Kee threw on a towel and scoured his room looking for his gear. The forest was a pretty dangerous place from what he was told. Plus he didn’t know what kind of anomalies would jump out on the way. No one really ever left the village outside the guards that patrolled. The world outside was unsafe, fortunately for him, he was taught much by Kaiden and his friends. He regarded each member as family, the closest thing he had even without any relation.

Eventually he found his gear and dressed in the light armor—practical, though not designed for heavy combat. He strapped on the worn bracers Kaiden had gifted him back when they sparred together. It was prudent for him to protect himself due to the worlds ongoing dangers that loomed nearby.

He grabbed his pack. By the time he returned to the main room, Winiray was sitting at an alcove by the window, staring ahead, like she was deep in thought. He approached her, she turned with a confused look.

“Where are we going?” she asked softly, her tail swaying.

“Well… we’re going to find Kaiden… he’s probably in the dark forest nearby checking it out to see if they can fix the problem…”

“What’s the problem?”

“there’s some kind of energy in it that’s causing it to go mad… as it was explained to me. I have no idea otherwise.” He said grimly. “It’s very dangerous though and… well Kaiden isn’t usually gone for this long.”

“How long has he been gone?”

“Not sure… a few days…” he said, checking through a bin next to the door. “Let’s see…. I might have something that will fit you. I mean I know you are covered in fur but… Chimerans are usually wearing something…”

“Oh… I didn’t realize I’m sorry Kee.”

“It’s quite alright. Cmon, let’s see what we can find.” He said, digging in a closet. He pulled out a box. “Hmm… this looks like it would fit.” He said handing her bracers, a chest plate, and armored leggings.

She put on the gear, like a glove. “How do I look?” She stood in front of him, displaying her gear like a model.

“You look great! Really ferocious!”

“Rawr,” she said, motioning her claws. “Suppose I’ll need it for this forest trip right? Since it’s a dangerous place.” She then stared out the window again, that same deep thought look spread across her face. She quickly realized that she spaced off and jolted, “Eh! Do you feel like it’s calling for us? I don’t know why, I just sense something every time I glance over at it… something is there.”

Kee frowned. He’d never heard anyone talk about the forest like that, but somehow, it didn’t surprise him that she would sense it. He slung his pack over his shoulder and tightened the straps of his armor. “Yeah… I’m sure something’s going on. It’s not like him to be this late. We’ll head there now.”

Together, they stepped out into the cool afternoon air. The farmers stopped to stare for a moment. But then looked uninterested once they realized it was just Kee.

“See? That’s how my life is here…”

She turned to the uninterested farmers, “hey you!!” She growled at one of them. Kaiden turned beat red. “Yeah you with the funny looking face! Be nice to my friend! He’s a real stand up guy!”

The farmers just kept on with their work. Paying no attention to the outcry of the equivalent of a maddened you woman.

“Wow.. what a life…” she said grinning back to Kee. “Lead on Mr.leader!”

Kee took her paw and led her out of the village.

“What a dreary place…” she said.

“Oh yeah it’s been like this forever. Hamar is just one place. I hear there are many but it’s really dangerous to just go out there. It’s best to travel by vehicles but Kaiden has it so… that’s a no go. Don’t worry though. I’m sure we can get there without incident! Just… gotta be careful. Not everyone wants to be part of society…”

“Oh… I see.” Her eyes darted around trying to figure out what it all meant.

“You’re confused… aren’t ya.”

“Yeah,” she said sheepishly. “I feel like I’ve missed out on so much being stuck in that tube.”

“Well don’t worry, you can ask me anything and everything! I’ll do what I can and I’m sure Kaiden and the others can help too!”

Winiray beamed and bounced on her toes, tail flicking excitedly. “Sounds great! Thanks for bringing me out here to see this world! It’s gonna be amazing going to that forest!”

Kee rubbed the back of his neck. “Uh… yeah… about that. I did mention it’s basically a death trap, right?”

“Oh… well.” She shrugged. “That just makes it more of an adventure!”

Kee sighed. “Glad to see you’re so cheery about walking straight into danger.”

“Feels like we should probably pick up the pace, though…”

Kee grinned. “Yeah, let’s get going! Race ya there!”

In an instant, the two bolted across the open field, their laughter ringing through the air like a couple of carefree youths.

Winiray was fast. Much faster than Kee. She leapt over craters and cleared fallen trees with effortless grace, her striped tail swishing behind her. Kee was fast too, but could not match a Chimeran’s natural speed. Still, he kept up as best he could, determined not to fall too far behind.

“I win! I win!” She said, jumping up and down.

He came to a stop. “Yeah… you’re fast! I think the fastest Chimeran I’ve ever known!”

She giggled and then bolted away. Kee took off after her. She was giggling with glee. Then, the entrance to the dark forest came into view. Both of them skidded to a stop. With the sun now gone, the forest was pitch black. Fortunately, Winiray has her cat eyes and can see in the dark well. Kee could see well in the dark too.

“Well… here it is.” Kee swallowed hard. “Has a cheery name too. Forest of Gallows.”

“Seems cheery,” Winiray quipped.

“Oh yeah, real cheery. I hear they throw fantastic parties here.”

They chuckled—just for a second. Then the air around them became sour by the smell of the plants within.

Deep within the twisted mass of gnarled roots and vines, something moved. The forest groaned, its branches slithering against each other like living things. The ground had something moving within it, like the roots were maneuvering around each other.

Then—

A blast. An explosion tore through the silence, followed by a scream—an agonized human female scream.

Kee’s breath caught in his throat. “That… didn’t sound like Kaiden…”

Winiray’s ears flicked, her pupils narrowing. Then she grabbed Kee’s wrist. “Let’s go help!”

She didn’t wait for an answer. She just ran, dragging Kee with her, straight into the dark.