For shadowisalivepeople, I think you'll like this! :)
(Teaser for new story)

Shadow had remembered how an evil tentacle shot out from Zerif's body. It wrapped around her, lifting her from the ground as her life was sucked away. Her brown skin had turned grey, and her long dark hair lost its colour. She watched herself die, like an out of body experience as her body was thrown into the chasm. Lava bubbled all around the battle between the Greencloaks, Redcloaks and the Wyrm. She remembered running around the battlefield, trying to defend those she cared about. But whenever she had tried to drag someone away from danger, her hand disappeared into their body. She had been a ghost, unable to help her friends. No one could see her, even when she tried to yell that she was there, her voice wasn't heard.

Memories flooded over Shadow as she slowly began to remember everything that had happened to her. She remembered herself as a Conqueror, then joining Shane's side as a Redcloak after the Second Devourer War. She remembered everything, except one thing.

Her real name.

Shadow's eyes opened. She was looking straight up at the sky, her body comfortably laid on the ground with her arms placed close to her sides. White fluffy clouds slowly moved above her, protecting her eyes from staring into the sun. Shadow slowly sat up, and gasped as she could see what had happened.

For the first time in a long time, her body was no longer transparent like a ghost's. Around her was a beautiful, crystal clear pond surrounded by colourful flowers and tall trees. A light breeze drifted across the land. Shadow truly thought that this was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen in her life. She studied herself again, taking in her brown skin and clothing.

She was wearing the same clothing that she had died in. She removed her gloved hands, and dreadfully saw how her nails were still the claws of her Bile bonded spirit animal. Shadow had not changed, she was still Shadow, even in this place that looked like it could be the afterlife. But why had it taken so long to get here? She had died months ago.

"Shadow," a familiar voice said from the trees.

Shadow sprung to her feet, positioning herself in a fighting crouch. "Who's there? Show yourself!"

If this was the afterlife, who else could be with her? She couldn't remember anyone dying in her family, meaning that no one could see her. A small branch fell from a nearby tree and landed in the pond behind her. Turning her head, she couldn't see anyone in the area. She spun around slowly, scanning her surroundings. But there was nothing.

Perhaps she hadn't actually heard the voice. It was probably all in her head. She relaxed and walked closer to the pond. Small fish swam freely below her, coloured in different shades of reds, greens and oranges.

"Shadow," the same voice said again, but this time from behind her. "I finally found you."

Shadow turned around, and almost screamed when she saw King approaching her. His red cloak swirled around behind him and he had removed his white mask so that he was easily identified. He still had the same reptile-like eyes, and he also wore the same clothes he died in.

"King! Is that really you?" Shadow asked, almost not believing what she was seeing.

King nodded and broke a small smile. "Of course it's me, but we're not alone."

King stood in front of Shadow as many Redcloaks and Conquerors stepped into the area. Shadow looked around, seeing familiar faces of those who had fallen in battle before and after her. She caught sight of a Redcloak named Flip who had been killed by Zerif the same day she had been.

"We've been waiting for you to join us," King said.

"King," Shadow began. "Is this the afterlife? Why has it taken so long for me to come here?"

King raised an eyebrow. "This is not the afterlife. Somehow we've all been brought back to life from an unknown force or person. This is Erdas, Shadow. You are alive again, even though you aren't supposed to be."

Shadow stared at King in shock. Once again, she studied the faces around her. There were so many soldiers that not everyone could fit into the small clearing that she had woken up in. She noticed the Redcloaks first, then the Conquerors. She saw Zerif standing on a tall rock not too far away with Tahlia by his side. He locked eyes with her, but made no hostile movement. She glared right back at Zerif.

"Why is he here?" Shadow growled.

King placed a hand on her shoulder. "I hate him as much as you do, but it wasn't him who killed you, it was the Wyrm."

Zerif looked away from Shadow's glare.

She could tell that he was ashamed, especially after she saw how he had tried to get the Wyrm out of his head, having no choice but to kill himself in front of everyone. She noticed that Zerif had burn wounds on his body from the lava he died in. Looking around, she saw that everyone was still wounded, but they were alive nonetheless. She assumed that King's wounds were under his clothes.

"We need to find the fallen Greencloaks," King said, raising his voice slightly so that everyone could hear. "As you can see, not everyone is here. There are still some Conquerors missing, including my sister and uncle."

"I still feel like I'm dreaming," Shadow said, but then frowned. "Your uncle?"

King paused for a moment before continuing. "I'm afraid you're not dreaming. We've been brought back to life for a reason, we just need to find out what that reason is, which is why we need to find the Greencloaks to help us."

"Your uncle?" Shadow repeated.

King glanced over at Zerif before returning his eyes back on her. "Yes, General Gar is missing. Zerif has an idea of where he died which includes traveling to the Niloan oasis where Cabaro used to live. I believe that he had died with a Greencloak, so we need to be careful and make sure that we find Gar first."

"Aren't we looking for Greencloaks too?" Shadow's eyes narrowed.

"Yes, but it's likely that not all Greencloaks will greet us with hugs and kisses," King admitted. "I wasn't exactly considered a friend of the Greencloaks after I stole their talismans and got away with it. Zerif isn't considered a friend either after everything that happened with the Wyrm. We just have to try to convince them to join us because I have a feeling that we all need to work together from now on."

Flip stepped forward. "Isn't Worthy a friend of the Greencloaks?"

King turned to face Flip. "Yes he is. What about it? He's only friends with the Greencloaks who survived the wars. Stead sent him to help the Four Heroes of Erdas to fight with the Oathbound after we all died."

"Wouldn't the fallen Greencloaks find their way back to Greenhaven Castle?" Flip asked.

"You want us to walk up to their front door?" Shadow snorted.

"No," Flip replied. "Are we able to find Worthy and talk to him?"

King shook his head. "We can't be seen. We need to find General Gar and Drina in Nilo as soon as possible, then find the Greencloak in the oasis."

"There's a Greencloak who died not far from here," Zerif spoke up. "I remember killing him when we were fighting for Arax's talisman."

No one said a word for a few minutes. Shadow studied King's face, she knew he was thinking. She had no idea who Zerif was talking about, but it looked like Shane remembered who it was.

"Barlow will be hard to get on our side," King finally spoke. "And so will the Greencloak in the oasis. We should split up so that we don't get noticed as easily. Travelling in large groups will only raise suspicion, especially because we are in Amaya." King pointed to a group of Redcloaks and Conquerors. "You should search for the Greencloak named Barlow. He died where Arax the Ram lived. Take your cloaks off to avoid being noticed, including your masks if you wear one. I would suggest changing into different clothes as well, the Conqueror uniform is very recognisable."

The group nodded as the few Redcloaks removed their masks and cloaks, revealing animal-like faces. The Conquerors slid into the bushes.

"We will meet you in Nilo," King nodded to the Redcloaks.

To be continued...

Note: This story won't be published for a while, but after around 3 years of not publishing any other Spirit Animals stories I think it's time for a new one to be introduced with a completely new storyline. It's been in my head for a while, so here is a preview of what's about to come in the future.

Part 45 coming soon!