As the evening sun descended over the horizon the boy watched in silence, his uncanny ice blue eyes only averting from the sky when the sun’s red top edge aligned perfectly with the mountain that stood strong in front of it, now doing nothing but casting a shadow along the plains as the silver moon rose behind him and gave the land the usual silver hue that was hidden in due time till the sun was truly gone for the night. He let out a shaky breath and headed inside his house. The building was nothing special. On the outside it looked nothing more than a revolting decayed old hut that’s just waiting to collapse at any moment, but on the inside it was like a nice little cottage, with a ground floor and a basement. The disgusting darkened brown walls on the outside disguised the beige walls within, the crumbling walls on the outside hid the ceiling that didn’t have a single blemish to it, but the old cracked up windows revealed to the outside world the flaws of the hidden relaxing paradise - there was nothing the small home had to offer. There was no furniture, no interior design to be seen, not even a fridge stood in the small kitchen. Nothing. What little things he did have was stored down in the cold basement, his ragged clothes, the creaky old mattress and the hole-filled blanket he has for a bed that has his old, too small shirts in a pillow case to rest his head on at night, what scraps he has for food is stored in a small pale near his so-called bed, and his water source was the fresh water spring a little ways from his home that’s been recently affected by humans wanting to dump their waste. Though each day was a struggle and every morning he woke up with aching bones, he never complained, he never bothered trying to make his home or life better. It’s what he has and he’s happy with it. With a small grunt he twisted and turned his body to the basement, with the stairs nothing but a deathtrap he simply made a little hole leading downward to his so-called room in the kitchen, located within the hollow ground cupboard that is surprisingly big enough to hide a human, if the average human’s bones were as flexible as Tyler Octavius's, of course. People might view the hidden entrance to his basement idiotic, but to him, it was no more than a way to his advantage, an aid to his survival. Once he was down in the cage-like basement he simply tossed off his shirt and got changed into his thinner, more comfy clothes he labeled as his nightly outfit, grabbed a small bite to eat than laid down in his so-called creaky bed, lazily tossed the blanket over his cold body, though the blanket didn’t exactly aid in warming him. Instead of falling asleep he laid there awake, staring up at the ceiling, having the daily staring contest; trying to beat something that has no winners, something with no point. In unblinking trance his mind began to wander in lands unknown, the things he thought of started to dance within his vision, decorating the blank ceiling. Tyler did nothing to stop the silent show, but as he watched his eyes began to shut and his body relaxed, and before he knew it he was fast asleep…

He woke up with a start to the sudden sound of a thud upstairs, but no signs that it could possibly be another Raccoon or the usual vermin that found their way into his little home. It was never a problem, after all, all this dump only meant shelter for him as well, what would be different for a small rodent? Either way, he doesn't plan on sharing the little home he has with whatever vermin got in. With a small grunt he got up, ignoring the bad aching in his back as he grabbed the small blade he hid under the mattress, just within the bottom right corner in the hole a mouse dug a month ago in search of a warm shelter. It wasn’t a fancy, big blade, but it was sharp, easy to hide, pure silver, and got the job done as long as he can get a good close-range stab at the little vermin that’s rummaging for food that doesn’t exist. With a small, almost inaudible grunt he twisted and wrenched his way up the small hole and into the dark cupboard, with a faint nearly non-existent squeak it opened from his gentle push, only enough for him to peak around the deserted floor. Nothing. Did it leave? The cupboard door was suddenly swung wide open, the handle crashing hard again the neighboring wood and the deafening sound echoed throughout the home, with a small yelp Tyler was harshly from the cupboard, the thing having a tight grip on his messy caramel brown hair and feeling as if his skull was gonna be ripped off his body from the force. The thing almost instantly let go as soon as Tyler’s body was out from within the hole in the cupboard’s ground, the drop forcing him to lay on his side facing away from the thing, a shadow covering the light from his view,”Hey, Greed.~” a deep male voice cooed down to him, with a small grunt he turned his whole body and looked up at him, ocean blue eyes instantly met his ice blue ones. Without hesitation he held a tight grip on the blade and plunged it right into the boy’s ankle, making him shriek and fall to his knees, he yanked it out and easily got to his feet, within seconds Tyler was behind the boy and holding the small blood-soaked blade to the boy’s throat, giving his chocolate brown hair a harsh tug backward as payment for his own actions. “Hey.~” Tyler sarcastically returned the little taunting cooe. The boy simply laughed,”Not bad, pretty boy. But,” He paused, with the blink of his eyes the boy suddenly vanished, nothing but a little mouse remained in his place, with a small squeak the brown rodent scurried off and over to the other side of the small kitchen and settled near the exit to the main room. Suddenly, the mouse was the boy, sitting down and ripping off a piece of his silver sleeve and wrapped it around his wound to stop the bleeding,”I’m not here to fight you. So, I’m not just gonna let you jab at me while I’m trying to be civil, jerk.” he jokingly huffed at him, not even bothering to look up at the Sin. He scoffed,”Civil? You clearly showed you wanted to die by the way you forced me out of the cupboard!” Tyler snapped at him, the grip so tight on the blade’s handle his hand turned white. But the boy stayed calm and simply rose to his feet with a small shaky exhale,”How else was I supposed to get you out? Just stand by the door, ring the non-existing doorbell and wait for you to answer? Peer down that little rabbit hole and call out “housekeeping”? No matter what I would’ve done, you would attack me, that’s it, that’s all. I simply chose to lure, and slightly force, you out here so we can talk.” he explained, shoving his hands into his sweater pockets and gave Tyler a faint shrug. He did have a point. Tyler went years with the ‘attack first, ask questions later’ mindset, so why would he suddenly change in one night over some awful houseguest?

Tyler huffed, slowly putting the knife in his pocket as proof of his peacefulness but still in easy grasp encase he was wrong to do so. “Ok then, we’re here, now talk.” Tyler demanded, the boy rolled his eyes,”Well, I came to--” he began,”Your name first, bitch.” he interrupted,”Adam, Adam Creedy. And I bet your name is fucking ‘Rude’.” Adam scoffed, Tyler just rolled his eyes,”Now continue, Creedy” Tyler replied,”Your name now too, Rudey.” Adam huffed,”Ty.” Adam tilted his head to the side,”Ty? What kind of name is that?” he asked in confusion,”What kind of name is Creedy?” Tyler asked back,”Fair enough… Now, last name.” Adam demanded,”Like I’d tell you!” Tyler exclaimed, his hand resting on the blade out of instinct now, Adam’s eyes fell on it and backed off slightly,”Alright, alright, I won’t bug anymore!” he surrendered, his hands slightly out in front of him in submission. Tyler slowly rested, his arm falling back to his sides.

“Ok, now that the introductions are over, I want you to know I’m not here for some kind of ‘welcome to the neighborhood’ thing, I’m here because I need your help.” Adam briefly explained,”My help?” Tyler echoed,”Why the hell would you come to me for help? I mean, you obviously know what the fuck I am, so why come to me?” Tyler demanded his answers, stepping forward towards the boy, he stood his ground,”Because I know only you can actually help me in this situation.” Tyler stepped back a little, his tensed body relaxing ever so slightly but his arms folded across his chest in annoyance,”Help with what?” he questioned,”To help me find some charms. Before you even ask, no, they’re not silly jewelry charms! They’re special. Magical. There are three Warping charms, and we need to find them!” Adam exclaimed, he built up the courage to step forward and place his hands on the shorter man’s shoulders to show just how much he really meant this all,”Please, Ty!” he pleaded. Tyler stared in silence, watching Adam’s ocean blue eyes fill with worry and desperation, and even some fear. How can he even trust these things even exist though? What if he was just a traitor after him because of what he is? “How can I believe you?” Tyler simply asked, his expression and voice so emotionless to him it was scary,”Oh my god!” Adam shouted in defeat, throwing his head back and arms up in the air,”Listen, I know you’re the infamous Fox Sin of Greed, but I, Adam Creedy, am a Shapeshifter. See, neither of us are human, and humans think we’re best off six feet under! If anything, we need to work together in this damn human-infested world!” Adam cried out, his hands held tight into fists and his eyes were glued to Tyler’s ice blue ones,”What do you say, Greed? You in, or do you still wanna add to me being unable to walk ever again?”

Tyler’s eyes feel downward and up again, examining the boy that stood in front of him. No words were exchanged, just silence loomed around them for so long it felt suffocating. “Fine.” Tyler finally breathed out,”But,” Tyler added,”there’s a but?” Adam groaned, Tyler ignored and continued,”you must explain why these stones are oh so important to you. If it doesn’t peak my interest, I’ll skin you alive into a new blanket and your insides will be my next meal.” Tyler threatened, his eyes cold and unblinking, his voice quiet and demeaning, making Adam back off in a grimace. “A simple ‘please explain’ would’ve sufficed, but okay, that works too.” Adam whined,”So explain.” Tyler hissed, Adam cleared his throat a bit and began explaining the importance of the charms.

“There are three stones, a green one, a purple, and a blue. The blue is used for the “circle of life”, sounds dumb, I know, but it’s used to make sure life and death aren’t cheated or messed with, make sense? But, if used a certain way it can be used to bring anything to life, prevent the death of people of your choosing, and even bring people back to life! The purple one? Keeps the whole world, the universe, in line! With it, anyone can burn out the sun of we wish, make Mars and the Moon collide! Make the Milky Way expand! As for the Green one? Simply controls Mother Earth and the dumb animals on it, not as important but hey it’s needed. So, what do you say, Tyler? Interested?” Adam offered, a smug smirk not even attempted to be hidden, his hand rose up to Tyler, tempting his approval of companionship. Tyler did love the sound of those charms now, but now his head was simply swarming with more and more questions. Without a word he slowly took Adam’s hands, lightly shaking it,”Yes, very interested. But now, one more explanation is needed.” Tyler added, his voice fell quiet as he mentioned the need for more information before running off with some Shapeshifter,”Oh come on!” Adam whaled, pulling back from him,”What now? Need me to give you a certificate or something? Be your walking Encyclopedia on this crap?! I just need your help!” Adam snapped at him,”I know. And you can’t stop me from asking one last question over what you want from me. So, before I change my mind and shove a blade down your throat, tell me one final thing.”

Adam groaned and gave in,”Fine! What else is there, oh great curious one?” he scoffed, Tyler took out his silver blade, holding the very tip just under Adam’s chin, making the Shapeshifter tilt his head upward and keep his ocean blue eyes locked with his ice blue ones,”Why do you absolutely need these stones?” He asked in a low tone, his voice stale and grim. Adam couldn’t help but trail his vision down to the blade being held by his throat, he can just feel the silver burning his skin a bit, it wasn't doing damage but it still hurt, a lot. “B-because…” Adam managed to stutter out, his eyes snapped back upward and locked with the boy’s eyes once again,”There’s a man after them… And lets just say, that man isn’t after them to put them in safe keeping, he’s after them to rid of the human race completely.”

Tyler slowly lowered the blade,”You’re kidding, right? Moments ago you were saying how awful humans are and that we should work together to keep clear of humans, and now all of a sudden we have to save them from some guy after some colorful pebbles?” Tyler hissed, being far too tired to deal with nonsense and the thought of just shoving the silver blade into Adam’s chest and just go to bed was becoming more and more appealing by each passing second. “Hey now, Fox boy, you said that was your last question! Therefore, I have the right to disown every other thing you wanna ask! Interview over, no more! Now, get your things or I’m dragging you out of here now with what rubish little stick in your hand!”, “This ‘stick’ can end you in seconds, so watch it, Shifter…” Tyler retorted and went down to his room without a fight to grab what will be useful for all this.

The two boys left the monstrosity of a house by daybreak, not a word exchanged as the set out without a single bite to eat. By noon they have traveled miles from the house, nothing around them was familiar to either of them and not once have they taken a break till now. Adam lazily flopped his bag down next to a fallen over tree he chose to sit upon while Tyler took the time to take out a small weapon and prepare for some hunting for their meal. “Adam, tell me one thing.” Tyler finally broke the silence, Adam looked at him in silence and waited for him to continue,”Do you even know where we are going?” Tyler asked without looking at him, too focused on the lethal weapon in his possession to bother looking at the boy that was too busy being lazy to care about food. Adam stood up in defense,”Why, of course I do! Why wouldn’t I? I’m the one that came to get you after all! Why on earth would I do that if I didn’t know the way to the stones!” he exclaimed,”Just askin’, idiot…” Tyler huffed,”Now wait here, I’m getting us some food. Run off, I’ll hunt you down. If you’re vegetarian, just eat leaves….” And with that Tyler left, leaving Adam alone.

Adam watched as the Sin walked away, not even daring to breathe till he couldn’t see him anymore. With the sudden vibration in his pocket he slightly jumped in surprise, he sighed in annoyance and took out his phone. A text message. Adam glanced around him cautiously before reading the new text message he had received.

L: Be mindful of your location settings idiot, I know where you are. And I bet he will easily find you too. Anyway, at least the location is helpful for both of us, you won’t go off somewhere and I can guide you around like the idiotic child you are! Now, approx twenty five kilometers north shall be the Shining Cave, your first stop. Has the Fox realized you know absolutely nothing about where to go and you’re a hopeless lying guide?

Adam sighed in relief,”It’s you…” Adam muttered to himself, a small smile creeping on his face, he replied to the messenger,”Thanks for the heads up, L, I’ll be mindful of it from now on, but I’ll turn it on when I need your help, ok? And, thankfully, no, I mean he’s always on edge and doesn’t trust me perfectly, but he’s following me. That’s good enough, right?”

As soon as he sent it the person almost instantly replied.

L: Edgelord following the idiot, fun.

Adam chuckled, “I owe you, L.” with that he turned off his location and put away his phone, taking the time to check their map to find the Shining Cave’s location. Not that bad of a distance, for them at least. For Tyler it might as well just be another walk in the park! Soon enough Tyler came back, the weapon he brought drenched in blood and a freshly killed deer hung over his shoulders,”I’m back.” he called without emotion though he had already caught Adam’s attention,”You have that for us to eat for lunch? Really?” Adam asked in amazement,”Something wrong with that? If anything, be grateful. This kind of meat can last a whole month or two if wise about it, but I’m letting you have as much as you want in one day.” Tyler replied as he began to prepare their food. Adam couldn’t help but smile a little, letting the boy do his job.

Within the hour the deer was expertly prepared and their served portion of food was finished, the rest simply stored for later encase of hunger or can’t find any more by next rest. It was so well done Adam can just turn the deer fur into a new fur coat if he so chose. Adam picked up the fur and wrapped it around his shoulders, playfully strutting around like some kind of prince with a new fashionable fur cape piece, humming a tune as he strutted around the small clearing. Tyler smiled and held back a laugh,”What are you doing, idiot?” Tyler asked in amusement, Adam stopped and stared for a little, with a small smile he strutted over to the boy,”Tut, tut, young man! Is that anyway for a peasant to speak to your royally-gay prince?” Adam declared in a stupid royal wannabe tone, Tyler tried not to laugh,”Royally-gay?” he echoed. Adam looked down at him in a playful-hatred way, Tyler chuckled and decided to play along,”No, of course not my royally-gay prince. Forgive me.” he answered with a small playful bow to the boy with the fur lazily wrapped around his shoulders, Adam smiled,”Very good, peasant!” Adam exclaimed, he grabbed a nearby stick, with a gentle push on the shoulder Tyler knelt down onto the ground as if a Knight returning to a King from their travels, Adam gently placed the stick on Tyler’s shoulder and then the next as he spoke in the same stupid voice,”I, Adam Creedy, the prince of the gayest of the gays, hereby declare you, Ty, to be my squire!” Adam declared, both boys trying so hard not to laugh at this dumb scenario of theirs,”I am honored, my gay prince.” Tyler played along. Not even a moment later both boys burst into laughter, having to take a small breather to regain their composure,”That was fun!” Adam cheered,”I bet it was fun to be the gayest of the gays.” Tyler teased, Adam just laughed,”Oh, it was.” they both laughed again.

The two packed their things and traveled North till the Sun descended over the horizon and the stars began to decorate the darkened sky, the trees of the forest began to block out what light that remained. Adam yawned,”I’m tired, can we just camp here for tonight?” he pleaded,”And set things up where? There’s nowhere to set up a small tent, let alone two of them. And there’s too much plantation packed close together, if we make a small fire here we’ll do nothing but start a forest fire.” Tyler answered,”Oh come on! Please! I understand you’re you, you probably don’t need sleep. But me? I need at least six hours of sleep to not wanna murder anything and everything that makes a sound. So, please let me rest! The ankle you injured is killing me!” he whined, Tyler groaned and looked back at his companion,”Enough! No means no! Did you not listen to what I had just warned? Look, you’re a Shifter, so just turn into a small bird or something and just ride along on my shoulder, I’ll carry you and the things till we have a decent little clearing for the night, ok?” Adam stopped and looked at him, a smile appeared on his face,”Okay!” Adam ripped off his crimson bag and tossed it into Tyler’s arms and in the blink of an eye, he was suddenly a Jamaican horned owl. With a small hoot, he flew up and snuggled up on Tyler’s shoulder. “There, now stop your whining, Feathers.” Tyler huffed, Adam simply twisted his head in confusion at his little nickname as Tyler continued to hike through the thick forest to a small clearing. When he finally found a clearing for their little temporary camp for the night Adam let out a happy hoot, got off and turned normal,”About time! Any longer I would’ve passed out on your shoulder!” Adam stole his crimson bag back and began digging out his tent, happily setting it up with the help of Tyler… There was only enough room in the small clearing for the one. “Guess I was mistaken. I assumed there would be enough room here for both small tents.” Tyler muttered in acceptance to his miscalculation to the chosen spot. Adam frowned than he thought of something,”It’s cool! We can always share the tent for the night, it’s actually big enough if we try. And if you don’t like someone in bed with you, I can just shift into a puppy or something.” Adam smiled brightly, he turned to his friend only to be greeted by a blank stare,”What?” he asked. Tyler just shook his head and turned away,”I’m going to get some firewood.” was all he said and he walked away, disappearing into the depths of the night.

By the time the campsite was perfect and the fire was warm enough to satisfy the two it was midnight, the silver moon high above them giving their surroundings a faint glow where their fire couldn’t reach and the stars filled the night sky. The two were on opposite seats from each other, made of two decently sized logs Tyler had found that was too big for the fire and too small for any other use other than simple little campfire seats. Adam laid lazily on the ground with his log as an odd pillow, his arms wrapped behind his head as a comforter against the harsh bark. Tyler, on the other hand, was sitting upright on his little chair, a little stiff like normal with his head tilted to the sky. To pass the time and build up their bond the two asked questions for the two to answer and learn more about each other. Its Ty’s turn to ask a question, but he can’t think of one.

“Okay, okay. Here’s a question for you, Adam. If you had to be anything in the world, permanently one thing, what would it be and why?” Tyler asked in a hushed tone, his eyes too fixated on the star-filled sky that peaked through the thick trees that surrounded the two boys and their temporary campsite, too focused drawing designs and watching as his creations came and gone from his sight to bother looking at his so-called ‘friend’. Adam glanced at him, taking a moment to study the other boy’s stiff posture with his head tilted to the sky and his ice blue eyes shining in the fire’s light and decorated in the reflection of the stars,”Permanently one thing? Hmmm…” Adam hummed in thought, only the cracks from their small fire filled the silence between them, Tyler jumped a little in surprise when Adam finally spoke up again,”Believe it or not, I’d choose to be human.” Adam shrugged to himself. Tyler’s eyes finally fell from the sky, his ice blue eyes meeting the familiar ocean blue ones,”Human?” Tyler echoed in confusion. Adam smiled a little and sat up, his arms now lazily plopped to his side as he returned Tyler’s stare,”Yup. Human. Being a shifter is cool and all, and very helpful. But… Has its flaws too. Like… Sometimes, you begin to lose sight of what -no, who- you even are. You grow fond of someone in one form, all of a sudden they find out what you really are, they suddenly don’t care anymore, you’re instantly a monster they wanna kill any chance they have…” Adam’s head hung low, his voice slightly cracking the more he spoke, his vision blurred with tears and he quickly shook his head, instantly going back to normal. “Anyway, what about you, oh mighty Greed?” Adam asked him in return, Tyler simply gave him a questioning look, silently telling him that he doesn’t understand,”What would you be? I mean, you clearly hate being the Sin of Greed, so if you had the chance, what would you change it for?” Adam repeated, leaning close to him a bit.

“Me,” Tyler said bluntly and returned to watching the stars. Adam froze for a moment,”Seriously? You’d choose to stay the way you are? But… Isn’t your life miserable? You live in a revolting dump, have little to no food all the time, you fucking drink from a stream, and you’re as giving as a Girl Scout! Sorry, bud, but you don’t exactly fit the Sin of Greed profile, so why stay Greed?” Adam demanded, getting far more harsh about it than he meant it to be, instantly regretting it when Tyler instantly snapped his attention back to him. Adam backed off a bit, not daring to speak or even breathe. His lungs burned from lack of oxygen but with Greed’s eyes locked with his, he didn’t dare give in. “You mean, I don’t fit the stereotype. Like Lust, Greed can go in many ways. I simply fit “Greed for survival”, I don’t necessarily take what I wish, I have what I need. If you do have something of my interest I won’t take it, if it was to aid in my survival and need it, I would take it. I have what I need.” Tyler glared at him, he's passive-aggressive attitude and the monotone voice sent shivers down Adam’s spine. “Well… Look at you now! I took you away from everything you once had, very little things or not, and so far you gained nothing from it! All you have is me! So, Greed, how is that any help to you? Any need you have? How is that any sort of gain on your part?!” he hissed at him. Tyler’s eyes gazed up at the sky once again as if searching the stars for some kind of answer, anything to reason with Adam. “Well…” He trailed off. His eyes soon fell back to the red and gray dressed boy once again, a small smile on his face which was only visible by the glow of the fire.

“Maybe you are all I need, Adam.”