It’s All Gray

There was only me, the devastation, and the sound of a little girl crying. I took a step, and noted I wore no shoes, but had panther feet. I was in the deathshroud of a Boneburner. Black raven wings came from my back, and my hands were more talon than human. I wore my deathmask, but it was featureless.

To my surprise, I found a familiar cord tied around my waist. Hanging off the cord was Horatio’s skull trinket, and a pair of iron skeleton keys of different lengths. The cord was securely knotted. I wondered why those would show up when I was in Boneburner mode but was soon distracted from the musing.

I took another step. The crying stopped. I didn’t need the sound to find her. I could smell her. It took some digging, but I found the girl’s broken body. Her spirit was trapped within it. As I pulled her free and picked her up, she started crying again.

4,904 words. Reader discretion is advised.