The cold numbed Anna's body, causing her to lose consciousness. As her senses faded, she felt a tingling sensation rushing down her body. When she finally opened her eyes, a vast grassland stretched out before her, bathed in an ethereal light. Standing in the distance was a figure, tall, imposing, and somewhat terrifying.

Confusion filled Anna's mind as she wondered where she was. Sensing her uncertainty, the figure spoke, its voice filled with a deep soreness. "I am the Baku of Aria," it said, its words resonating in Anna's ears.

"Baku?" Anna's voice trembled as she asked, "What is a Baku?"

The creature's presence grew closer, revealing its true form. It had the skull of a bull as a head, the body and legs of a wolf, a cat’s tail that flickered like its eagle's wings, and thousands of skulls clinging to its body like fleas. Its fur was dark as the night sky and its feathers were as white as the snow.

“Do not panic,” the creature pleaded, ducking his head. However, its spectral voice and the balls of fire serving as its eyes sent shivers down Anna's spine.

"We are creatures that feed on dreams," the Baku explained. "Every living being has its own Baku. When these beings die, we are freed from the chains that bind us. We can then appear to others, like now."

Anna's fear began to subside as the Baku sat like a dog. Curiosity took hold as she asked, "Who is Aria?"

The Baku's fireball eyes dimmed into a blue flame as it spoke of Aria, “It was my master... and a deceased friend of Alice. Her soul lives within me. I've come to ask you for one last favor before I perish.”

"What do you need from me?" Anna stuttered.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

“Take Aria's soul to Alice to help her regain consciousness. As you have regained it now.”

The Baku's form began to fade, as a smile remained on its face. A new figure appeared before Anna, a teenager who bore a striking resemblance to her. With gray hair cascading down to her waist, eyes resembling a swirling galaxy, panther-like ears on her head, and a tail. An otherworldly golden aura floated around her like mist.

Approaching Anna, the teenager introduced herself with curtsy. Anna couldn't help but be captivated by the girl's appearance, her pale skin reminiscent of freshly fallen snow, and her sleek white sundress contrasted with her black gloves and black boots.

Anna's eyes were drawn to a necklace hanging from Aria's neck, a coin pendant adorned with the same symbol as Alice's. Before Anna could ask any question, darkness enveloped her once more. She began to fall, her body tumbling through an endless tunnel, but just as despair threatened to consume her, a hand reached out and caught her wrist. It was Aria.

Anna's heart was filled with gratitude as she realized Aria was guiding her through this obscured pit. Using knives provided by Aria, they climbed their way back to the top.

Anna couldn't help but marvel at the similarities between herself and Aria. They seemed like mirror images, like two halves of a whole. Aria's humming, soft and soothing, brought a sense of calmness to Anna's troubled mind.

As they stood on the surface, Aria turned to Anna and expressed her gratitude. "Thank you," she said, her voice carrying a spectral quality that resonated with Anna's soul.

Anna couldn't help but smile in return. "I'm the one who should thank you," she replied, her appreciation evident in her voice. The bond they had formed in these strange circumstances was something Anna would never forget. It was as if she had known Aria for a long time.

At that moment, their chuckles filled the air as the two girls looked at each other, their eyes sparkling with joy and wonder. Anna couldn't help it. She couldn’t believe she had found someone so similar to herself.

"Let's find Alice," she said, before disappearing, her words lingering in the air.

Anna couldn't contain her excitement as she whispered to herself, "Did she have kitten ears and a tail? How cute!" The thought of reuniting with Alice and the possibility of more magical encounters filled her with anticipation and renewed hope.