(Sani's POV) Omen of Death

[Sani]

[A week later]

In this neck of the woods, he was Coyote. He despised coming here and wouldn't voluntarily do it unless Fenrir asked. It was also where Haruma was found. The territory belonged to the most wretched animal demons. Some could be difficult to fight if challenged even though he was extremely powerful. So far, his high status scared away the demons he came across on this trip.

*After all, I AM one of the original animal gods to help form Creation,* he thought highly of himself.

Regardless, Coyote would abandon his human persona when traveling to this area. That included designer suits. Rarely did he feel on-edge, but when he was, wearing his traditional hunting clothes helped.

His chest was bare. A white loincloth covered his lower half. The belt was made of many strings with colorful beads. Knee-length deerskin stockings protected his shins. Soft mocassin shoes padded his feet. His chic hair grew until it waved over his chest. White paint zigzagged down his arms. The getup was very plain compared to Coyote's ceremonial dress.

Because of the thick canopy, the forest underneath was almost pitch black. Toxic fog coated the floor. Since the vapor was so heavy, it felt like breathing in water. He quietly treaded over greasy tree roots and crouched behind dead bushes during breaks.

This trip was taking longer than expected, mainly because Fenrir couldn't distinguish the demon's appearance. Usually, that guy could at least identify the type of demon or animal, but not this time. He was doing this mission blindly.

The only thing Fenrir could say was, "I sense many forms," whatever that means. There were no signs so far of his target.

Coyote's rust-colored coyote ears swerved around to listen. His shoulders tensed up. He immediately incanted a defensive spell. Spinning around, he lifted his arms to release the dark magic from his hands…

Only to come face-to-face with a black, derpy cat at his feet.

The Navajo deity retracted the glittering spell into his palms. "Shash líyáadi? (What the hell?)," he cursed in his native tongue. "Jólakötturinn? How did…? Did you follow me here?"

She stared up at him with her saucer eyes.

Coyote looked around with worry. "Hyeon's not here with you, is he?"

Her calmness said, *No.*

"Hmm."

The Yule Cat's presence should make other demons warier, but not all of them. He remembered how Hyeon's soul bond found the centipede spirit before.

"Perhaps you'll have better luck finding this demon."

Jólakötturinn went ahead of Coyote. She veered off the trail and weaved through a maze of crooked ghost trees. He followed her, curious if she could actually find it.

Hours passed. He wanted to ask where they were going, but the feline was confident. Cats are guides in the afterlife. Hopefully, she could lead him.

The forest gave way to a small meadow. The dead wildflowers were void of any colors, but their stalks still had sharp thorns. In the center of the meadow was an ancient church. It was small and couldn't hold more than a dozen humans. The walls were made of mold-encrusted grey bricks. Its steeple and archways crumbled long ago. Based on the ruin's style, it was at least a few hundred years old.

It wasn't uncommon for objects from the human world to disappear. If something was close enough to a door, it could be transported to different realms. Coyote has seen a few cars, carriages, World War tanks, and smaller items just in the southern lights itself. Heck, there have been cases of planes disappearing as well. Amelia Earhart was one of them, who accidentally found herself in Pulotu, the Polynesian afterlife. It was a hassle since the humans' entire memories needed to be erased before being returned to Earth.

But, seeing an actual building here was a first. The church has obviously been here for a long time.

There was movement inside of the church. Coyote saw a black mass through the cracked window. He squatted down to be eye-level with the meadow's long grass to not be seen.

*That's the target.*

He watched the figure. It was best not to go in blindly. Eventually, the demon came out from the ruins.

Coyote groaned.

*So this is what Fenrir meant by 'many forms.'*

The figure shifted its appearance. It would walk around the premises as a ghostly black dog with red glowing eyes. The demon would transition into a naked, male human body with a goat head.

Then, it became a black dog again.

Next, was the human form but with a pig head.

A dog.

A human with a lamb's head.

It was a church grim. In the Medieval period, the English would bury dogs alive under a church so its spirit can guard the property against thieves and spell casters. The Swedish and Danish had a similar custom but with other farm animals. If a robber was caught, their hearts were cut out and placed inside the animal sacrifice's carcass. The humans believed if they touched the heart, it would give them the ability to see the secret of all Creation.

It was a gruesome practice.

Usually, facing these omens of death would not be an issue for Coyote. The keyword was USUALLY. Except, this church grim had consumed other grims' hearts over time, hence it could alter its features. Since the demon preferred changing into the black dog, that was most likely its original form.

Coyote counted its different heads: lamb, pig, cow, goat, and horse. That means it has eaten at least five church grim hearts. It was a monster. He could feel its negative aura from where he was.

Coyote glanced at Hyeon's cat. "Here goes nothing."

When he looked back at the church, the grim was gone. He frowned.

"Falken," a voice whispered behind his ear. Coyote jumped forward to avoid the snapping jaws of a rabid black dog. Jólakötturinn hissed. Her size doubled to intimidate the attacking demon.

He was ready to fight back with his witchcraft until he realized what it had just said. "What did you say?"

"Falken," it murmured again. The dog form shifted into a human with a pig head. It paced back and forth.

Coyote wasn't in the mood for games, so he played dumb. "I'm not sure who you mean."

"Erik Falken. Jiyoung Falken. In loving memory. January 1, 2001. Erik Falken. Jiyoung Falken. In loving memory. January 1, 2001. Erik Falken. Jiyoung Falken. In loving memory. January 1, 2001," it repeated over and over. The demon switched to the dog.

*Interesting. I believe Erik and Jiyoung are Hyeon's deceased parents.*

"How do you know those names?" he asked. Coyote wanted to keep the conversation going to distract the church grim so he could secretly incant a stronger spell. The canine stopped moving and stared at the god with its glowing red eyes.

"Gone but not forgotten," the church grim screamed.

It went for Coyote's heart.

_______________

In the background hiding between the white trees, other animal demons watched the deadly fight between Coyote and the church grim. Blood was spilled which attracted many to the church. They wanted to see the outcome.

If the grim won, the strongest of the observing demons would attack it and eat its soul.

If the god won, they'd follow him. They could smell strong souls on him. The demons whispered to each other, *black wolf of death, phoenix, kitsune fox, dragon...* The list went on.

They'd get their chance to get those souls. Soon.