//------------------------------// // Chapter Two: Stalking the Shadows // Story: Remilia's Scarlet Equestria // by Dragonborne Fox //------------------------------// After disposing of the cadaver in a fitting location—a nearby bush—I threw a gaze across my surroundings, scanning it for any possible witnesses lurking in their homes whilst waiting for their chance to strike. This feeling, understandably, shocked me into a state that was something very alert. Had I, the Scarlet Devil, felt fear for these equines? As implausible as it would seem, this grass-eating livestock had shoved me into a sensation I had only felt when I was still human, fearing that man which would feast upon my maiden flesh… So it seemed that the evil god wishing upon me this curse had given me a modicum of leniency; I faded into the shadows and lay in wait. I had not an inkling of what to expect, but I waited nonetheless, for I had no intention of facing those bearers who frightened me so within my inexplicable nightmare. I allowed my mind to drift away from the mortal plane. I knew for a fact that those equines were hostile, hence the possibility of a most unfitting end by the wooden stake. More importantly, I had not the slightest clue where in hell I was—which it would certainly be, given the nature of what is surely my banishment—and my ignorance could pose a substantial threat to my well-being. Worst of all, I could not bring myself to refrain from despising this humiliating form of which my unseen adversary had determined to be my retribution. I had to clear my head of such disturbing thoughts, for I was in no place to dillydally. Eventually, the corpse of the equine I had slain was discovered by what I assumed to have been a mare. She recoiled and screamed, and I knew I had no need to stay any longer. Fortunately, there was a nearby woodland for me to dwell in, its leafy branches providing me with a safe cover from the cruel sun. Behind me, I heard shouting describing the horrendous murder that had only occurred moments earlier. I found a large hole in a tree and flew up to it, my wings barely supporting my tired frame. I peered within and smirked. “The perfect hideaway,” I murmured to myself as I crawled within the tree. It was a bit cramped and not to mention painful to hide in, but it was otherwise the thing I had wished for in such an event of dire need. I heard soft beats of wretched hooves pounding the ground rather frantically. This was accompanied by more shouting, and another feeling of dread washed over me. What if I was caught? What would happen then? My body tensed up and I could not seize the muscles fast enough to prevent my face from shifting in horror. Something occurred to me: I was alone, a stranger in a foreign land. I was left to fend for myself, without China or Sakuya or Patchouli to help me. Not even my insane, destructive sister Flandre could’ve conjured something like this; she’d only kill for fun. I hated this feeling of dread; yet I couldn’t do anything to stop it. The shouting got closer, making me much more unbearably nervous. I began to shake a bit in fear, hoping I was still sane enough to not do anything life-risking. With their perspiration an acrid stench of anger was exuded off their irate bodies. As a vampire, I would sense such things a human couldn’t have been able to perceive— and this served only to further push my mind into distress as I hid myself like a child soon to be orphaned. “Kill the vampire!” cried one irate voice. “Burn it!” yelled another. A helpless victim, of circumstance no less. Were I more sound of mind I would scoff and feel shame over this pathetic display on my side. As I weren’t, I huddled within my impromptu hiding place, hoping that these creatures would not find me. “Dispose of the ashes!” wailed a third. Images of equines holding torches, pitchforks, and the like soon played in my mind. They did unspeakable things to me in those horrid images, things I cannot bear to discuss at all. Pain rattled my nerves once more, and panic resumed its chaotic course. I was wondering where my Gungnir had been all this time, for I so desperately needed it right now. Fangs and wings alone were not enough to fend off those beasts from me. I was hoping the tree could provide shelter and fully conceal me from the wretched horses at this point. If only I remembered my ability to control fate sooner. “I heard that the vampire was a mare!” called a fourth voice, and as if Yukari had stowed the owners of the mob away, all was quiet. Much too quiet for comfort. I dared to look out, keeping my head just low enough to hopefully avoid being spotted. Indeed, there were many horses carrying various makeshift weapons; pitchforks and torches being the prime choice. Unlike I, they lacked wings and horns. “The vampire was a mare?” one asked, its eyes wide in disbelief. “Yeah,” replied a second with a nod. “It’s getting late, boys. Let’s head home before the timberwolves show up,” said a third, and all looked at it with agreeing nods. They began walking away from my hiding tree and towards the yard where the murder took place. I silently thanked my lucky stars for having avoided such a horrid fate. I snuggled back into the treehole and took some much-needed deep breaths. I needed to calm myself in order to think rationally. The things I was about to do that night….