The Payment

Umbra's ears buzzed as he struggled to take a breath.

What had transpired could barely have been considered a fight. It was one against five. Umbra may have been the top of the combat classes, but he was still barely one hundred pounds. He didn't stand a chance.

Weakly, he rolled onto his back, feeling several bones crunch. Through his blurred vision, he could see the jungle canopy looming above him, a sanctuary that escaped his grip. They had pushed him off the balcony, sending him tumbling down branches and finally slamming into the ground.

He had never touched the forest floor before this moment. Few fae ever did. Just beyond the safety of their tree-top fortresses lurked the merciless ground-dwelling predators. Umbra was exposed. It was doubtful anyone would go looking for him. That was Apastron’s responsibility, a responsibility he had chosen to reject.

Umbra's consciousness began to slip. The colors of the jungle melted into a red-tinged, green and brown blur. His head throbbed hot, sticky blood traveled down his forehead. He didn't bother to assess his health- he knew it wasn't good.

Maybe his father was right. He was useless, good for nothing. He was going to die here, and perhaps it was for the better.

To his side, the bushes rustled. He didn't flinch, too weak to move.

A figure approached him. Umbra's heart raced. He wasn't ready.

He whimpered, a miserable cry he hadn't uttered since he was a child. It was the fae signal for help.

A rough hand touched his head, patting down his bloody, matted hair with surprisingly gentleness. Umbra couldn't focus on the form above him, but he could smell him: rotting, decay. The smell of a demon. Two yellow eyes gazed down without malice.

“It's okay, Astral,” he murmured, his voice a dark baritone, “You're safe now.”

----

As Coatl called the meeting to an end, the crowd spilled around him, anxious to talk to their new leader. Tails touched Umbra on the arm, pulling him aside.

“Yes?” Umbra said, raising his eyebrows.

Tails reached to his belt, withdrawing a small silk bag. Umbra's memory clicked- it was the bag of gems, his payment. Tails quickly pushed it into his hands, blushing.

“I know Coatl already said it, but, uh, thank you so much for helping me. I couldn't have done any of this without you. I, uh-”

Umbra took Tails’s hand and kissed it. “It was an honor to meet such a fine young Serpentine.”

Tails pulled his hand back, staring at it in shock. His face was grower redder by the second. “I'm never gonna wash this again. Is that creepy?”

Umbra smiled gently. “Somewhat, yes.” He winked, “Perhaps, if you want, we could go shopping some time? I know a very nice tailor in Alcorith.”

“Is that a date?” Tails breathed, mystified.

“I'm twenty five,” Umbra softly corrected him.

“Can I at least tell everyone it's a date?”

Umbra sighed, shaking his head. He leaned towards Tails, lowering his voice. “One more thing...A low-power magic sealing curse will reduce the sickness from being a hybrid mage. It will make you less powerful than you were, but you won't have seizures. Do you want me to show you how to do it?”

Tails nodded stiffly.

Umbra’s fingers traveled to Tails’s arm, tracing a rune onto his skin with ease. Blue magic flooded through the rune, and Tails took a sharp breath.

“It feels like a weight’s been lifted off me,” he whispered, awkwardly meeting eyes with Umbra, “How did you know to do that?”

Umbra shrugged. “I have some experience.”

Tails shuffled, catching Coatl in the corner of his eye. “Hey, uh, Coatl!”

Coatl moved to Tails’s side, grabbing his shoulders. “What's going on?”

‘I, um, I kinda wanna talk. About some important stuff,” Tails mumbled, meeting Umbra's eye. Umbra nodded.

“Oh! Of course, Tails, I'm always willing to listen to you,” Coatl said frantically, squeezing his shoulders.

Coatl smiled at Umbra, waving at him. “Goodbye, Umbra Mortis. It was a pleasure meeting you.”

“Bye, Umbra!” Tails said, throwing his arms around Umbra. Umbra allowed him to linger. His skin still tingled with anxiety at the touch, but he fought through it.

“Goodbye!” Umbra called as Tails and Coatl walked towards the temple, leaving him alone.

He reclined on his heels, crossing his arms. He knew what he had to do.

Author's Note- hey everyone! as we're about to wrap this arc up, let's have a little question:

whats your nfh 'wishlist'? is there any theory or certain plot thingy you really wanna see in a future arc?

and dont forget to vote and comment :)