THE MOMENT
Buddy stared at the waves. Something about watching the endless cycle put him at ease. The sun touched the surface of the ocean about to dip further and the sky was filled with oranges and reds. Buddy normally enjoyed the beach but not this time. He was sure something was missing; but, he wasn't sure what. Or more likely, who.
"Hello, Buddy," a woman's voice surprised him. He turned to see black cat sitting on the sand next to him. The cat had a skull-shaped patch of white fur atop its head.
"Hello, kitty," Buddy replied. He was surprised the cat knew his name; but, Buddy was skilled in the art of playing dumb. The fact that he was a golden retriever with silky, shiny fur helped strangers underestimate him. "What can I do for you?"
"I'd like to negotiate for your services," the cat said. "I have employed a powerful team that currently lacks direction. I require a powerful Sol to guide them."
"A team?" Buddy tilted his head at the cat. "Roller Derby?" he asked. Then, he hesitated again when she nodded at him. "I don't think I can do roller derby; I've never played it."
"You don't have to," the cat replied. "The Conquistadors are devoted to Ballisea," Buddy flinched slightly at the mention of her name; but, no one appeared. "And, she has agreed to, 'sit this one out' so to speak. That being said, her team is still likely to exert her will unless I arrange another Sol to influence them. You'd be little more than a mascot," she said.
"Oh," Buddy nodded in understanding; and, to hide his disappointment. The truth was he'd always wanted to try out roller derby. Though, he always thought it would be more fun to try with someone else, so he kept putting it off. "What are you offering?" Buddy asked.
"First, I should explain what the goal is. I want you to understand what you'll be agreeing to."
"Sure," Buddy nodded. He was surprised, and a little worried about her confidence. The fact that she mentioned Ballisea so casually meant she was someone he could not take lightly.
"The wager is simple: If Oren dies, Ballisea wins. Ballisea agreed not to interfere directly and I hoped that would leave the Conquistadors disorganized. However, they are gathering and are still planning to try and kill Oren on their own. Instead, I would like you to influence them to protect Oren and help me win the wager."
It sounded simple. But, Buddy knew better than to take things at face value. He could tell she was still keeping secrets.
"Ballisea wins if Oren dies... what does it take for you to win?" he asked. The cat nodded.
"That's an astute question," she said. Buddy sighed internally; he'd already given away his only trick.
"I win if Aurelio Luna dies," she said. "You would be turning the Conquistador's aggression on him instead of Oren."
"Oren or Aury?" Buddy's tail kicked up a cloud of sand as it suddenly wagged to life. "Either way, the multiverse wins," he said with a broad smile.
"Yes, I quite agree with you," the cat replied. But, Buddy's tail lost energy quickly; his happy pants slowed and he pulled his tongue back into his mouth. "But, I'm not sure that's me...," he said. "Neither one of them is worth carrying on my conscience."
"Oh, I understand," the cat nodded. "You're a very good boy, Buddy," she said. "Though, I am hoping my offer can change your mind." At her words, a black portal appeared in the air between them and a young woman stepped out. She looked around the beach in confusion.
"Where am I?" she asked aloud before she noticed the cat and dog. Buddy immediately sprang to all four legs with his tail wagging furiously.
"Clara??" he asked. A dozen different memories of meeting her a dozen different times hit him all at once. He remembered everything he'd forgotten and everything that hadn't happened yet. Once again, he found his best friend. The woman stopped and looked down at him.
"A talking dog..??" she asked. Her eyes rolled back in her head and she flopped onto the sand.
"Yes," Buddy spoke as he rushed to the woman's side. He focused on the cat. "Whatever it takes, whatever you need, if I can do it, I'm in," he said. Then, he began licking Clara's face to try and wake her.
"Of course you can do it," the cat replied. "There's no rule that says a dog can't be the harbinger of death."