The Lord had been beset upon. At first there had only been his quiet wanderings. His eyes fixed on all curious things while his nose sniffed the air and his ears folded and spun at every sound. Nothing bothered him of course, for he was the Lord of All Cats and couldn’t be intimidated. But then, then there came a new sound, a new smell. The Lord jumped, reorienting himself to brave this new foe but what he found only left him confused. A strange creature floated before him, its features odd. Like a pale giant but not quite. Most terrifying were the eyes, for the Lord knew it was looking at him but the golden orbs were uncanny. He could hear the resonance of its voice and this too, was alarming. But the Lord could not run in the face of such a thing, despite it all, he was curious.
The world seemed to tilt towards this stranger, as the foliage danced on unseen winds. The Lord’s eyes narrowed as the plants of the undergrowth stretched to be closer to the stranger and the trees above leaned in. There was a thrill in the air he could not explain but his muscles felt loose, almost relaxed. Without a doubt, the Lord knew instinctually, this was something akin to the very land itself in its assuredness underfoot. Then the not-pale giant flicked its fingers and something came forth like a falling leaf. It curled in the air and so mesmerized was the Lord, that he did not move as it fell upon him. A strange feeling overcame the Lord then. He could not quite describe it but once again, he knew something had changed and this time it had been him.
He blinked and then crept back into the underbrush. He did not run nor even jog away, as he felt the stranger would not harm him when his back was turned to it but the Lord was quite done with all that. Indeed, after a short time, the odd presence was gone and the plants returned to their rigid stances. The thrill in the air was gone and now he knew, a certain vibrancy with it. The Lord stretched and felt his hunger gnaw. It was time to hunt, to expel this energy while he had it. He heard a faint trickle from a nearby tree and investigated the sound. What he found was a liquid trickling into a basin. It did not smell like water so he avoided it and kept on his way. But it was curious all the same.
As the Lord walked under root and leaf, he began to search for prey. He knew not what he would find but one could not be stopped by uncertainty. His instincts were primed and it did not take long to find what he sought. A mouse nibbled upon a fallen nut, stopping to scan its surroundings every few seconds as it stuffed its face. The Lord’s eyes focused, his body flexed as the stalk began. Carefully he moved like the silent wind, stepping in the most advantageous spots where his paws would not make noise. He shrank in on himself, getting low, almost on his belly as he advanced. He stopped when the mouse stopped eating, he moved only when it wasn’t searching for predators.
When he was nearly there, so tantalizingly close, a distant crash echoed throughout the forest and the Lord of All Cats, chiefest among his kind, startled. He jumped out of reflex and the mouse bolted into a small nook. But the Lord had only eyes for escape. More booming echoes followed and he ran. So panicked had he become it took a great will of effort to cease his flight, to gather his racing mind. What on earth had that been? It had ruined his hunt! More appalling, he had run. He who had claimed the night, he who had seen the pale giants and had survived the floating stranger. Aghast, the Lord let out a low roar (It was really just an angry meow) and went on his way. More loud echoes followed and he decided to pick up his pace. Sometimes one didn’t need to be curious.
Eventually the Lord settled down as night began to fall. He found a nice crook inside a low tree, spacious and out of the wind. Though his belly was hungry and he felt more at home in the dark, he could not help but feel tired after the day's events. So he shut his eyes and fell asleep.
He was awoken in the pitch of night by a terrible smell. It clogged his nose and clung to his fur as it drifted through the forest. He found it hard to breathe and the once quiet forest alive with sound. Prey and foes alike were running but from what? He had his answer a moment later when a terrible roar, louder than anything he had heard, ripped through the night. The Lord, for once in his life, was terrified. It was time to go. He scampered down his tree and once on the forest floor, he was able to breathe again to his relief. But that relief was shattered when the lumbering giants of the forest, those with crowns, those with large paws and those whose girth obscured the trees, thundered past. He was almost crushed underfoot but by some chance he managed to evade them as he joined in the flight. Another roar sounded behind them with such brief intensity it made all quicken their pace. If it was a foe, it was something he had no desire to witness.
The smaller prey were also running, in some cases as thick as the forest floor. Many were crushed in the stampede but a few times did mice and lizards come right before him or beside him, and the Lord was tempted but he knew it could be his demise if he stopped. A red glow was beginning to illuminate his surroundings. Larger creatures ran past him still but now a few were coated with orange and red wisps that blackened their fur and sent them into pain. Where those creatures ran the red wisps spread upon the ground and the wood. It was horrifying. He had to escape!
A crowned beast, its hooven legs bounded by as it screeched from the hot wisps upon its fur. So frantic was the beast, that The Lord had to pause as it cut him off. Only then did he see that the creature had run itself into a low hanging branch and in its struggle to free itself from the tree’s grip, fell to his side, right into the wet tree. Why was it- The tree caught fire and a great woosh bellowed forth before a roar so loud it shook the earth followed, erupting the tree into an effigy of the hot wisps. But the Lord did not see this. Instead, the blast had catapulted him into the most unlikely of places; a hole in the ground. And there in the darkness, the Lord lost consciousness.
The Lord meets a stranger, tries to hunt but fails and then his entire world is caught ablaze. It’s rough being a cat.
His tail flicked in a slow back and forth. The Lord of All Cats sniffed the air, taking in unfamiliar scents. His gleaming eyes then surveyed the area before him. In the din of the hollow tree, the Lord could see a great deal. Much prey was abundant, hopping, slithering, crawling and walking in all shapes and forms. Yet there were also greater foes. Such things lumbered, stalked and flew. Many times he crouched, out of anticipation, out of reflex but none dared approach him on his perch. And what a perch it was. His own patch of the night, glowing and shimmering. The Lord had been so enthralled, so captivated, he could not help but grab a closer look. The climb was long and had many struggles but the Lord could not resist. Thus, he now sat upon the very tip that jutted out from the mass, like a giant snout of the greater foes he saw.
The Lord was content to rest there for a time. As the day had been taxing, full of much excitement and stress. There had been many smells and many sounds, not all were pleasant. Eventually he wandered into the forest and came upon this patch of night amidst the hollow tree. He had been there ever since.
A sudden sound piqued his interest. The Lord scanned the entrance and saw the strangest foe yet. Pale of fur and standing upon two legs. He could not make sense of it. Another joined it and they stared into that hollow tree. The Lord looked away from them as a bolt of movement caught his attention. A fat flying prey with molted coloring landed just inside the tree. It pecked at the ground before ruffling its feathers. Before the Lord could ponder this strange thing, one of the pale giants, because they were giants to the Lord, grabbed the prey with its strong paws. The prey squawked and kicked but could not escape the grasp of the pale giant. The two then exchanged looks before they set off at a rush.
To the Lord, this did not bode well. The scent of the pale giants was the least pleasant he had encountered so far. And they had grabbed the flying prey with such ease. Could they do the same to him? The Lord did not wish to find out and he was growing hungry.
So it was decided, reluctant as he was to leave such a fine perch, the Lord made his way to the soft earthen floor and with great caution, he made his way through a small gap of bark next to the entrance of the hollow tree. He poked his head out to make sure the way was clear and, satisfied, bolted into some leaf litter and began his grand trek into the unknown.
The Lord of All Cats finds a nice perch on the tip of Saries sleeping nose. He sees some human grab a proto chicken and decides that isn’t the life for him, so he bolts off into the forest.
Appearance - Standing at an impressive twenty centimeters tall (eight inches) and around sixty centimeters (twenty-four inches) from nose to tail tip, the Lord of All Cats is a magnificent specimen. His soft fur is a luxurious light tan, dotted black upon his pelt and striped upon his lighter underbelly. His nose is a light shade of brown and his short ears are rounded. The Lord's whisker's are sturdy and long, while his teeth are sharp. His eyes are a dazzling shade of light green. His musculature is calculated and he is at all times poised, for he is the Lord of All Cats.
Personality - A curious fellow, prone to flights of fancy. Indignant to his foes. Playful with friends. Wise to his subjects. Enamored by what he cannot fathom. But often, the Lord craves sleep and a belly full after a fine hunt. He is, after all, a cat.
Goals - The Lord's goals are simple things; survival and exploration. He is new to the world and seeks to find a place in it.
@Vec Sounds good. I can see myself playing everything from a straight up animal to actual sapient people. Many ideas and much shenanigans will be abound.
@Vec I was wondering what the protocol is for playing a mortal. I know you've said it's allowed but I was curious, when the time came, if one could just jump in? Or would I need permission or some other acceptance?
”She sees us as children and children cannot make their own choices.”
Sylann’s Conquests and Moss VIII
Part III
Rahdayo felt his chest constrict and he grunted as the blinding flash of white hot pain hit his core. It was the only thing keeping him conscious, strange as that was. In that past, he had always fainted at any sort of overwhelming pain. Like the time he had dislocated his arm and father put it back into place. He had blacked out. Or that time Teefee had gotten into a brawl with children and someone had thrown a rock right between his eyes. Rah smirked at that memory before the pain hollowed out any emotion but despair. No, he didn’t faint anymore. He just suffered. He looked at his arm, veins bulging and glowing red as the flesh blackened, turning his skin into something monstrous. Each pulse, each heartbeat, was pushing the infection further throughout his body. Day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute.
What had started as a whispered promise had slowly morphed into a graceless lie. The creature had spoken to him with such honeyed words, feeding on Rahdayo’s own insecurities as it promised and promised. He had been such a stupid fool. Jealous and afraid of being left behind. Zafrina, he understood why the elemental power had suffused itself with her. But Teefee? The one he had confessed to love? How it had made him feel when she emerged changed. It only became worse when the spirits had denied him. His wife… His precious wife. He had resented Teefee and in that resentment… he let himself be seduced by a foul thing. He had no name to call it but corruption.
So he fled his friends, his lover, his family- in shame.
Now the corruption lived inside him. Changing him. It stole his time. It fed on his emotions. It churned and rooted itself deep in his soul, bit by bit. It had said that pain was now the gateway to true bliss. That all else was a lie.
He was beginning to believe it.
Rah stumbled on a tendril of fleshy vine and fell face first into the red and black bramble. Thorns scraped and cut his cheek and forehead. He wiped the trickle of blood, smearing it on his torn cloak. The blood was a dark red, flecked with black. Would it soon be black entirely? He sat up with his thoughts hammering his head into an ache. The cold shadow of the place bit into his remaining flesh, the places where his clothes were naught but tatters. He looked up at the tall expanse of black wall. Monumental. All encompassing.
And Rahdayo could not remember how he had gotten there.
He had simply woke up on a blackened beach with a bloody ocean at his back and he knew, deep down, this was most likely hell. Where all Talyrians went. But as he walked, the whispers in his mind, the voice of the corruption, had given him knowledge. He had been imprisoned, sent behind the great black wall where the misjudged lay. So he began to walk.
Salt and iron filled his noise as the sea breeze came. It was nauseating as always. But as he went to plug his nose with his fingers, his eyes caught a flicker of light in that dark landscape. A fire.
Rahdayo began to walk some more.
Moss grumbled as rain fell in thick wet drops. Splatterings of mud and other unsavory ground detritus had soaked her boots and lower pant legs. She knew Teefee hated the rain, so the girl must be somewhere dry at least. The problem was finding her. Which meant Moss had to wander aimlessly, at night, in the rain. Guided only by lantern lights and the warm glow of taverns and inns as she trekked. Water ran past her, down into grates that hid a world Moss shivered just thinking about. Still, she was amazed at the technology. Sylann truly was the largest and most advanced city she had come across, besides home of course. But she couldn't really compare the two.
A man walked past Moss, staggering slightly as his foot came down in a puddle, splashing Moss’s already soaked coat further. He didn't seem to pay attention to her and Moss grumbled under her breath. Why was she really out in this godsforsaken weather? If it had been Zafrina who had run off, Moss would have just found an inn and waited for her to return. But of course, it was Teefee. Why did Teefee never listen to her? Moss had given her explicit instructions and then, of course, she slipped away. Becoming imbued with wind hadn't made Teefee any less of a nuisance. If anything, it had emboldened her. Especially now that she could seamlessly use Rose. Still, if there was trouble to be found, Teefee would find it.
They all wanted to find Rahdayo but going off on one's own in a strange place, aloof as she was… Moss needed to find her. But she was beginning to think it would be quite impossible in a city this large, in the rain, without any leads.
And then the sword, turned medallion, began to whisper. The voices were jumbled, excited, frightened, angry and insane. Moss couldn’t make out what they were saying with the rain roaring. She reached for it and the moment she touched it, even through her clothes, one word became clear- DANGER!
The goblin tensed, backing up to a building as she scanned the dim street before her. There was a dirge of sound coming from inside the building, singing and roaring laughter that Moss had to make herself ignore. But the steady patter of rain muffled anything in the wet world she stood in. She spotted it first. Emerging from a far alleyway, a tall person, shrouded in rain. Its head reached the second floor of the buildings it passed as it made a beeline for Moss, as if it knew she was there pressed against the wall. An instinct told her to run, to hide but as the shape loomed forth ever closer Moss could see that it held something underneath an arm and that the rivulets of water running down its metallic skin caught the light like a shimmering fire when it passed by any lit building.
It was now undeniable that it knew what it was looking for. It came right up to her and Moss felt her spine shiver as the Watcher stood over her like a dark mountain. She had seen it in the coliseum. She knew what it was dangerous and Moss really didn't feel like testing it to see just what it was capable of. She wrenched her eyes away from the blank face with its floral crown, to what it held. And now her heart began to beat faster as her eyes widened. It carried both an unconscious Zafrina and Nikan under its left arm. She at least hoped they were unconscious.
Moss gripped the hilt of her sword, knowing it would be useless but maybe…
It spoke and the voice startled Moss. It was feminine and soft, almost quiet. “The Maker requires your presence. Follow and you will be unmolested.”
“Wha…?” Moss’s voice faltered before she cleared her throat and asked, “What have you done to my friends?”
“They would not comply. Actions were undertaken to ensure their continued compliance. It would be inadvisable to react aggressively.” The Watcher said in return.
“And where are you going to take us?” Moss asked, “To this Maker?” The pendant around her neck hummed in excitement.
“That is correct. Follow now.” And the Watcher turned, walking away. It did not look at Moss again and she cursed under her breath as she jogged after the thing. It's stride easily ten of her own steps.
They took a very winding path, walking through alleyways and debris strewn roads until they reached an empty thoroughfare next to a high walled section of the city. In the darkness and rain, Moss could not see beyond the wall. It's imposing presence even dwarfed the Watcher. Zafrina and Nikan did not stir as the Watcher walked through a gate guarded by statues of metal even larger than it… Or she?
They entered an extensive area of actual plants and trees. Villages dotted the landscape as they took the winding path upwards, to another section of the structure. The rain finally let up and Moss cranes her neck to, pausing to see the structure that defied the very laws of gravity. Floating and twisting about it each other as a megalith of art.
“Where are we?” Moss asked, pulling her hood off. The fresh air ran coils through her tresses of hair. It felt good on her ears too.
“The Atelier.” The Watcher said in flat monotone.
“And what is the Atelier?”
“The Maker erected it before the city that grew up around it. It is a place of learning, craftsmanship and where novices become masters.”
Moss was surprised by how forthcoming the Watcher was being. But perhaps… Perhaps that was just common knowledge?
“And why are we here?”
“The Maker awaits you in the final tier.”
“I see.” Moss said after a time when nothing more was said.
They continued up through the tiers, coming across a few people out collecting water from rain barrels. When they saw the Watcher, they hurried inside their hovels and workshops. There was no more conversation to be had, despite the questions that were lingering inside of Moss. Try as she might, she only received one worded answers as they reached the third tier. Here they passed a gate guarded by stone Watchers. The likeness was deliberate, she realized, and Moss wondered who had come first. The statues of the Watcher or the Watcher itself?
When they arrived at the grand building, the Watcher did not pause as she walked through the doors and into the lit hallways. Moss hesitated to follow. Was she ready to meet this Maker? She clutched at the pendant upon her chest, the thrum was powerful now, the voices a mass of unintelligible whispers.
“Where are you Masy?” she whispered aloud, hoping her namesake, the poor foxgirl who had sacrificed herself for her parents, consumed by the sword, was still fighting for control or at least, keeping the other victims from control. Warmth blossomed in her hand, radiating into her chest. A warning or a welcoming? Moss closed her eyes and took a deep breath, then opened them and took a step inside the building.
The moment her foot touched the ground, Moss was in a new place. A moment of disorientation overwhelmed her and she almost collapsed to the floor as her head swam. She began to hear a faint buzzing, and the smell of something metallic overpowered her nose, like iron and… Blood. As her eyes adjusted, Moss saw something that made her heart stop.
Before her, not thirty paces away, was a creature she could not fathom. It’s body was…flowing? As if molten silver had taken shape into something humanoid, except, it was not like any being she had ever seen. Its chest had ripped open and what looked like a thousand arms were stretched out before it, working, moving, slithering… It’s head snapped up and Moss took a step back into the wall, expecting a monster- but no, it had a feminine face that swirled and wavy silver hair that seemed to be drifting on an unseen breeze. But her eyes, oh her eyes, they looked upon Moss with such scrutiny, Moss felt as if she was being stripped bare. Moss felt as if she was pinned there for an eternity. Then the woman brought up her hand, and Moss was free but she did not look away. The woman’s slim fingers became splayed in the air and Moss, suddenly mesmerized from the swirling light that glanced off the petite fingers, watched with increasing horror, as the same fingers split apart, writhing into a mass of liquid metal wires. Moss watched, unable to look away now, despite the scrutiny, despite the mass of appendages working in a blur, no, she watched as the wires snaked down, down, down until they reached a shape upon the table before the woman.
Had there always been a table there? What was… The wires connected to a skull.
A silvery skull. It was turned to look at Moss and the goblin woman realized it wasn’t really a skull, at least not from the front. No, from the front, it almost looked familiar? It had the same silver eyes like the woman standing over it, working on it, as Moss now realized. But the difference was, these eyes- There was no scrutiny there, just a sadness that made Moss blink. Moss began to take in the full picture and the shape of that face, so familiar… With triangular ears jutting from the sides, a petite, almost childlike face. A small button nose and lips that- Movement from the mouth caught her attention and Moss stared in confusion at first before realizing it was repeating two words.
‘Mistress run’.
Moss’s eyes went wide and now she truly saw what was before her. The familiar shape, the shredded clothing. The metallic smells. The blood. Oh gods, all the blood. On the floor, dripping off the table, being collected in suspended vats. That blood was then dripping into silvery liquid which was then being pumped back into the lithe body on the table. A body subdued and pinned, a long, now, silvery tail hung lifeless off to the side. The towering woman continuously stared at Moss as her appendages moved with inhuman speed as they worked upon the body below it, reshaping and and and violating! The figures eyes, eyes Moss had seen a thousand times before were not sad, but pleading.
And her mouth, ever repeating, over and over- ‘Mistress run’.
It was Teefee.
Moss was screaming and charging before she even knew it. The pendant at her chest burned through her clothing, becoming a mighty mercurial sword. The monster that worked upon her daughter’s body, at last showed a flicker of emotion- her eyes widened as Moss jumped. With the sword clutched tightly in her hands, everything slowed. She was bringing the sword down over the monster’s head but her appendages in her chest began to recoil, being absorbed into her body and she was tilting to the side so quickly, Moss knew she would miss. But the sword- the sword seemed to scream all at once and with a burst of speed, it fell forward and metallic sparks exploded over the area. Time seemed to return and Moss tumbled forward, losing her grip on the blade. She fell past the monster and when she scrambled to look back, Moss was shocked to see she had severed the wires connecting the monster to Teefee’s head. The monster seemed to be frozen as it stared at the severed appendages. The hand slowly fell, fingers reshaping, all save her pinky. The monster looked at her now deformed hand and after a prolonged second, she looked at Moss.
The creature now strode for her and in three quick steps, loomed over Moss. Her expression was one of disbelief and curiosity. Moss looked towards the Mercurial sword, only to find that it was pinned by an object of glowing white. A net of some sort, holding the struggling blade underneath. The monster reached out towards her and Moss scrambled back, angling herself towards where Teefee lay.
“Stay away from me and my daughter!” Moss shouted.
The door to the room swung open and the monster paused. The Watcher strode in and deposited Nikan and Zafrina onto the floor like sacks of grain. The Watcher immediately began to stride towards Moss but the beautiful monster held up a hand and the Watcher froze in place.
“You’re dying.” The woman suddenly said.
Moss didn’t understand at first. Her heart was pounding. Her blood was hot and angry. She looked down at her hands and saw the slow creep of silver veins. She had wielded the sword.
“Mortals were not meant to wield divine weapons.” The monster said softly, raising her damaged hand. “Still. I am impressed. My creations that can harm divinity all have a failsafe, they cannot touch me and yet, you managed to do so. In the end, the price is paid in your death. Go to her, if you must.”
Moss felt the pain then. Flaring up inside of her like a hot knife in waves starting at her hands.
“Teefee…!” Moss said, stumbling to her feet as she made her way to her daughter. When she reached Teefee, Moss felt like she was going to be sick. The only thing recognizable from what Teefee had been, was the general small shape of her body and her expressive eyes. Everything else was metallic. There was a cavity from just below her neck all the way past her stomach, pulsing with light and intricate wires. Moss could see no organs and as she watched, the cavity was slowly sealing itself shut. There was no visible scarring.
Teefee jerked her head towards Moss and shrugging past her own discomfort, Moss took one of Teefee’s hands and with her other, began to caress Teefee’s cold face. The texture was smooth and Teefee barely squeezed Moss’s hand back.
“M-Mistress…” Teefee said slowly. “Teefee hurts.”
Moss grimaced as a flash of pain ran down her core. “I-I know baby. I know. You’ll be alright. I promise.”
“Teefee… T-Teefee should have l-listened.” Teefee’s lips curled into a very soft smile.
“It’s okay darling. It’s okay. I should have found you sooner. I should have protected you. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” Moss felt tears run down her cheeks. The wetness in stark contrast to her burning skin.
“Mistress u-used the sword to help Teefee.” The cat girl said as a fact. “W-Why would Mistress do- do that?” the words caught in Teefee’s throat and her body began to shake as if sobbing.
“Because, a parent will do anything for their kids, Teefee.” Moss smiled through the pain. She could feel the silvery veins crawling up her neck now. “L-Listen to me now,” Moss said, her voice quickening. “Do not blame yourself for this. I chose this. You have to get out of here, Teefee. You have to find Rahdayo. You have to-” Moss winced as she felt her knees buckle but she leaned forward still, using her thumb to caress Teefee’s lower cheek. “You have to live despite this change. Do not become a puppet. Do not-” Moss slumped to the ground as she began to seize.
Teefee cried out as she pulled at the restraints binding her. One by one they snapped and she slid off the table to be next to Moss. Now it was Teefee who grimaced against pain as she held Moss in her lap.
Moss’s seizure stopped and she looked up into Teefee’s new but old face. She saw the kitten in that back alleyway, filthy as can be, so long ago. She smiled. “...Love you.” she murmured, before her body broke down into mercury. It slid through Teefee’s fingers, pooled and then streamed towards the sword.
“M-Mama…” Teefee cried.
Before it reached the sword. The God pulled it into a vial of crystalline glass. She loomed over Teefee now.
“Teefee hates you!” Teefee gritted, looking up at the God.
“Hate is irrelevant. I’ve a task for you.”
“Teefee won’t help you!” Teefee’s claws protracted and dug into the floor. “You made Teefee cold! You made Teefee hurt!”
“Do you not see the futility in denying me? Your companions,” She pointed to the still slumped Zafrina and Nikan, “Are now at my mercy. You will perform a task for me and I will let them go.”
Teefee hissed but it was tinged with a metallic ringing.
“There is another Pantherasapien in Sylann. I need you to go find this person and bring them back to me. This serves a dual purpose. You must also familiarize yourself with your improved state. Surely you would not wish to see your companions come to harm or further improvements?” The God asked in a no nonsense tone, as if totally unaware of the threat implied and only saw it as a matter of fact.
Teefee slammed her fist into the ground, shattering the stone. Her anger was total. She had just lost the one person who had loved her unconditionally. Rahdayo was gone. Zafrina and Nikan could be next. All Teefee had to do was this task and they could all be free? But another one of her kind, could she allow what happened to her, to happen to another? At that moment, Teefee realized she didn’t have a choice.
Teefee dipped her head.
“We’ll be free? You’ll tell us where Rahdayo is?”
“I promise to let your companions be at peace and to tell you where Rahdayo has gone in exchange for the completion of this task.” The god responded.
“Fine. Teefee will do this.”
“Affirmative. The Pantherasapien was last seen at the Northbound docks. I want them alive.”
Teefee stood, a flash of disgust running across her face as she looked down at her metallic body. She turned and strode on uneasy feet towards the door, tail swaying to and fro. Teefee paused briefly as she looked at Zafrina and Nikan. She wanted to tell them about Moss but Teefee doubted they’d be able to understand what had happened and why she looked like… a monster. So she left.
Sylia held up the liquid of the one who had once been Moss, mind computing ideas and simulations before she looked over at Gift, the sword who had harmed her.
“What will I do with you?” Sylia asked herself. “A tool that harms its master… Is no tool.”
Wherein we briefly see what has happened to Rahdayo since last we saw him, how Moss has been looking for Teefee and what happens when she finally does find her wayward pupil. Teefee is then given a task.
Teefee was the wind. Teefee had always been part of the wind. It had carried Teefee when Teefee and Teefee’s siblings played. Teefee was the fastest hider. The quickest seeker. Teefee was like flowing liquid in a sprint. Teefee had always nearly won but big sis Shah was stronger. Braver. Where was big sis Shah now?
Now, Teefee danced across rooftops. Teefee realized Teefee had not been fast at all back then, despite Teefee’s blustering. Teefee had just been a child and kittens were slow. Teefee had never dreamed Teefee would have been able to run as Teefee did now. What would big sis Shah think?
Teefee had changed, after all.
The once-catgirl climbed up the side of a building, silent as ever. The change that had been wrought upon Teefee had frightened her at first but when Teefee had seen Zafrina, that fear had ebbed. What had surprised Teefee most was what Rahdayo had said, “Nikan said you’re part of the skies now. I’m happy for you. But please… Don’t drift away.” Teefee stumbled as the memory blindsided Teefee. Tears welled in Teefee’s eyes, tears that quickly floated away.
Rahdayo had been the one who had drifted away. It was a thought Teefee had trouble fully grasping. But it was only later did Teefee reflect on the change Rah had gone through after that day. Teefee had noticed his sad eyes but Teefee had been a fool to believe him when he had said he was okay. It was anger that bubbled up inside Teefee when Teefee’s mind thought of Teefee’s stupidity.
Teefee let out a puff of air and collected Teefee’s self. Teefee crouched upon a perch that overlooked a wide empty street. On the other side there were no buildings, just a long winding path behind a fence and loose foliage. Teefee had heard of this place, though Teefee could only make out the twinkling lights above, as the land curved upwards. It was called the Atelier, perhaps the oldest part of the city of Sylann. The Hand’s light twinkled above, reflecting off of the massive structure moving and spinning above the place. Teefee could feel that it held some sort of power. But what Teefee really wanted to do was perch from it, as infeasible as that was. No, Teefee had really come here for one reason, to search for Rah.
For the Atelier was where people went to learn and Rah had always wanted to learn more. There were no guards to be seen, just the giant statues of metal men. Teefee couldn’t help but feel Teefee had seen their faces before, or something very similar as Teefee began her ascent.
The path was long and winding, dotted with small stone villages off the road. Some of those villages had lights on, others were dark. Teefee could occasionally make out voices or singing or even the sound of an axe striking wood or a pick smacking into rock. Teefee had wanted to go and look but Teefee thought better of it. The plan was to make it to the top and see whoever was in charge to ask about Rahdayo. Moss and Zafrina could be as sneaky as they wanted in a city this large, Teefee would do Teefee’s own thing, despite Teefee promise from earlier. Moss would probably have a few choice words for Teefee but oh well.
When Teefee had almost reached the third tier of the Atelier, someone came into view coming down the path. Teefee straightened Teefee’s back and looked casual, like Teefee belonged. Teefee didn’t look that abnormal, not like Zafrina. Sure, maybe Teefee’s fur was more cloudlike now and maybe Teefee didn’t weigh as much anymore and when Teefee walked the wind walked with Teefee but that was probably normal for a city this large.
Right?
As the person approached, Teefee made out how tall he or she was. They carried themself straight as an arrow and under the light of the Hand, Teefee could make out they wore a dark robe. Teefee neared them and the stranger said, “A good night for a walk.” His voice was smooth, nonchalant. Teefee couldn’t make out what he was but not wanting to seem rude, Teefee said, “Yes, Teefee thinks so.”
The man took a few steps and then his footfalls stopped. Teefee kept walking until he said, “Ah, Teefee… Now that’s a new one but I’d know that dialect anywhere. You’re early for once but that’s fine, she’s been expecting one of you to show up for sometime now. Go on up.”
Teefee had frozen at his words but evidently, the man couldn’t be bothered with her answer and had already begun to walk away. He had left more questions than answers for Teefee and part of Teefee thought perhaps it would be best to leave but a part of Teefee was also very curious. Someone was expecting Teefee? One of Teefee’s kind? Could it be… Big sis Shah? Teefee couldn’t remember who Teefee’s sister was going to marry or where but…
What if…
Teefee continued on at a brisk pace.
After another uneventful trip, Teefee reached the top of the third tier and passed underneath the gates, guarded by the statues of the Watcher. An ominous feeling crept inside Teefee as Teefee neared the large, dimly lit building before Teefee. At Teefee’s approach the large ornate doors swung open to reveal a chamber lit by a strange glowing orb in the center of the ceiling. It cast a pale yellow light upon the statues and other artworks of various things that Teefee did not really grasp.
There was no one waiting for Teefee and Teefee did not hear any voices or other sounds. The fur on the back of Teefee’s neck began to stand up but Teefee would not be afraid. Teefee had been afraid before and Teefee would not let it rule Teefee. Still, Teefee placed a hand on the warm hilt of Rose as Teefee took the first steps inside.
And then Teefee was suddenly on the ground, head spinning and feeling as if Teefee might throw up. A burning smell filtered into Teefee’s nose and Teefee had to suppress the bile at the back of Teefee's throat. Teefee quickly stood, legs wobbling as Teefee took in the surroundings. The room was large with many devices Teefee could not entirely decipher. The white walls glittered while suspended in the air and contained in glass orbs… were rocks? A simple dark anvil sat next to a glowing pool of silver that didn't quite look right.
Teefee took a step back, as Teefee had a bad feeling about this place, but found Teefee’s back against a cold door.
“You are not of Maha's spawn.” A cold feminine voice said. Teefee scanned the room again but saw no one. Teefee’s fur began to rise even more.
“No… You aren't quite what you were born as. Your body has been altered by… Her currents? Fascinating.” The voice held no emotion. That emptiness sent a shiver down Teefee’s spine.
“W-Who speaks to Teefee?” Teefee asked in a shaky voice, grip tightening on Rose.
“Despite this alteration to your base genome, you are still susceptible to the consumption protocol. As are all organic lifeforms, in the end.”
Teefee did not understand half of those words but Teefee had a bad feeling regardless.
“Teefee would like to go now. Please.” Teefee said, trying for the door handle. Once Teefee found the handle, Teefee turned to pull it but it wouldn’t budge.
“Teefee.” The voice said, far closer than it had been.
Teefee turned around and froze. A woman looked down upon Teefee with cold, dead eyes. Silver eyes, with a silver face and silver hair. So exotic, so mesmerizing. It was as if the woman’s skin was alive and moving. It was at that moment Teefee realized two things; one being that Teefee wanted to touch the woman and two, Teefee was going to be in big trouble.
“You came here with two others who have been altered.” She said, incredibly still as she looked down at Teefee. Teefee felt like squirming, Teefee felt like Teefee needed to look anywhere but the silver woman but Teefee could not. Teefee was just as frozen. “And something that was once thought lost. You came here searching for someone. Who is it?” The woman tilted her head in question.
Teefee opened Teefee’s mouth to answer but no words came out. Her silver eyes continued to bore into Teefee. Teefee began to panic, unsure of what to do, what to say. How did this woman know all of this?
“Your response is invalid. Try again.”
“T-T-Teefee’s husband!” Teefee at last blurted out in terror and as if some sort of spell had been broken, Teefee was able to look away.
Teefee instantly felt a frozen hand grasp her chin, tilting Teefee’s head to look up at the woman. The cat girl instinctively tried to bat away the hand, but the grip was like steel. Unmoving.
“Maintain eye contact.” The woman let go of her and Teefee had to stop from looking away again. Anger began to flare inside of Teefee and Teefee glared up at the woman, who seemed unbothered.
“You think your husband is in Sylann? Many wander through these streets How can you be certain?” Her words somehow felt colder than normal to Teefee and it took Teefee a moment to realize what she had asked.
“Teefee knows Rah went this way!” Teefee hissed. “Teefee has been tracking Rah for weeks. Rah has to be here.” Teefee’s hand grasped the hilt of Rose but Teefee did not unholster the weapon. It was more of a reassurance than it should have been.
“I could help you find him.” The woman caressed Teefee’s cheek and the cat girl froze at the touch. It was cold and somehow unnatural. The woman's eyes were emotionless, her words hollow, there was no warmth in such a gesture. It was almost as if the woman didn't know what she was doing. Or was imitating something she had once seen.
“That is, if you helped me.” She continued, petting the side of Teefee’s head now. Teefee flattened Teefee’s ears and pulled away. The woman's hand hovered there as if she herself had frozen.
“Help you?” Teefee finally asked after a long, uncomfortable silence.
The woman's hand fell in a deliberately slow manner. “I have long watched this world. I helped breathe life into it, yet, such life is… Fallible. The great enemy will return and their hunger will blight the land and consume it. The others failed to see this truth.” She paused briefly, as if in contemplation. Then she said, “I am, in the end, the only one that cares for your wellbeing. You wish for your husband, I can find him but first, I require your body.”
Teefee blinked at the woman, unsure of how to reply at first. But the instinct to run had never left Teefee and now was more apparent than ever. Teefee’s fear was palpable. Teefee’s cloudy hair was standing up. Teefee’s back was all rigid. Teefee felt the door at Teefee’s back and paled.
Teefee was still trapped.
“You must be wondering why I require it.” She said, her tone flat as always. Except, Teefee caught a hint of something else but it was quickly gone before Teefee could put a meaning behind it.
“Bodies are made of organic materials. Water. Carbon. Iron. Sodium. Potassium… Many other words that have no meaning to you. Intricacies upon intricacies, working in tandem to perform the functions of life. You and all like you, are miracles. How could you not be? They created you this way. To inhabit this world. To procreate. To live. But I always ask myself, for what purpose? Why give your soul so much composition when it’s fallible?” The woman put her hand next to Teefee’s head on the wall and leaned in, silver eyes gleaming. “Yes. You are an ultimate irony. A contradiction. Your lives end. You die. By disease. Hunger. Murder. Infection… Consumption… It’s an uncountable number but an error all the same. The great enemy infects all organic life by merely existing. They consume life. They reshape it, mold it into insidious devices. All in an insatiable orgy of greed. You were not yet born to see the invasion those many cycles ago. Whole countries swallowed whole. Families ripped apart. Limb from limb. Despite those horrors, life continued to exist. Why? Because we fought them. I was not so alone then. Now… They will return to a godless world.”
The woman put her other hand next to Teefee’s head, leaning in even farther. Teefee could see the ornate patterns of the woman’s swirling skin and hair. She smelled faintly of metal and something rich but Teefee could not place it in that moment. Teefee was too busy trying to remain composed in the face of madness, knowing one wrong move could end poorly for Teefee. Teefee felt like a kitten before a great werebeast. Small and terrified.
“Your body,” The woman said, “Will be altered. I can no longer hold back my great compulsion. They have failed you, they have abandoned you, thus, I must improve you. There can be no denying it anymore. Your flesh will be replaced with metal. Your muscles and organs with servos. Your brain will no longer be limited by its prison. And you, Teefee, we will see if Her gift can be transferred.” Once more, the woman caressed Teefee’s cheek. “You're scared and afraid. There's no need to be. If you love your husband and you want to find him, it will be done. I've given this gift to your species before, they are all thankful, in the end.”
“B-But-” Teefee began in a small voice, “Teefee likes Teefee’s body. Teefee doesn’t want to be altered.”
The woman stared at Teefee for a long time and when Teefee was beginning to think the woman hadn’t heard Teefee, the caressing of Teefee’s face stopped.
“You do not understand. You no longer have a choice.” The woman said, as Teefee felt a sudden inescapable doom. It was if Teefee’s heart had decided to give out by beating as fast as a hummingbird. Teefee’s mouth felt dry and Teefee’s knees began to wobble. Teefee did love Rahdayo but… This seemed like too steep a price. The woman was too crazed and speaking about subjects Teefee could hardly grasp. The fur on the back of Teefee’s neck began to stand up as a palpable fear overcame Teefee’s senses.
Teefee tried to duck and run but the woman grabbed Teefee by her arms before Teefee could even blink in surprise.
“N-No. P-Please. Let T-Teefee go.” Teefee squirmed in the iron grip.
“Pantherasapiens are unique in one regard.” The woman said, ignoring Teefee as they walked over to the center of the room. Teefee craned her neck and gulped as she saw a long white table with metallic claws. Teefee began to kick the woman in desperation.Then Teefee remembered Rose! Teefee felt the handle, fingers curling around the warmth of Teefee’s salvation. Teefee managed to yank Rose out of it’s holster and gripping it as best Teefee could, Teefee placed the barrel in the side of the woman and pulled the trigger without hesitating.
There was a blinding flash of light and a crack of thunder, making Teefee’s ears ring as Teefee felt the heat wash over Teefee. Teefee gasped in pain as Teefee’s arm was singed. Yet, despite that, the woman still held Teefee and within a few blinks, Teefee could see that the woman was unharmed.
She then said, oblivious to what had just transpired. “I cannot find any trace of who created you. Your genetic makeup lacks the characteristic markers of a divine touch. Do you know what else lacks those same characteristics?” They came to the table with its metal claws, Teefee’s kicking utterly useless as Teefee was lifted and placed upon it in one swoop. Teefee lost Teefee’s grip on Rose and Teefee’s salvation fell to the floor with a dull thud. The claws shut around Teefee’s arms and legs, the metal terribly cold.
The woman now stood at the foot of the table, looking down at her. “The Outer Spawn, of course. We did not create them. Though their makeup is polluted with this world's… Touch.”
A glowing rod slowly fell from the air before the woman. It was a pale light, humming with beauty that momentarily banished Teefee’s horror. But when the woman grabbed the rod and it changed shape into a very small knife, did Teefee really begin to panic. Teefee screamed for help, Teefee fought against the metal claws, Teefee hissed and spat but it was useless. Unbidden tears of fear and frustration fell down Teefee’s cheeks. She was beginning to feel congested.
“M-Mistress…!” Teefee cried out, “Zafrina! Ni-Nikan! Help Teefee! Please!”
Desperate now, Teefee called forth Teefee’s true power. There had been no wind in the room but now a gust began to buffet the woman, sending anything that wasn’t heavy whipping about in a frenzy. Teefee concentrated, letting the air weave around the claws. Teefee grunted in frustration but despite it all, the woman stared down at Teefee with unwavering blankness. Teefee’s winds, the new existence Teefee had been so enamoured by, hadn’t even scratched the woman.
The woman tilted her own head. “I never did tell you my name. I apologize. I am Sylia, Teefee. The only God that cares. Sleep now.”
This revelation was then snuffed out by an inevitable lulling, Teefee’s senses growing heavy, sleepy. The last thing Teefee saw was the woman and her knife, coming ever closer.
Teefee ends up not listening to Moss and goes out on her own to find Rahdayo. She really misses her big sis Shah (cough Frettzo cough). She decides to enter the Atelier and after a very odd encounter where it was implied her kind had been there before, she winds up all the way at the top, where she meets, dun dun dunnnn- Sylia! Teefee is then pretty much told, she’s broken but not to worry, as Sylia can fix her. Sylia goes on a very long sermon about a lot of things that Teefee doesn’t really understand but can’t escape from. In the end, Sylia decided to ‘fix’ Teefee and Teefee decides she doesn’t want that, so fights back against a God. it goes about as expected and in the end, Teefee ends up on the operating table.
”There are no records of what occurred that night. Inference indicates this is the likely point of divergence.”
Sylann’s Conquests and Moss VIII
Part I
When last we left our intrepid adventurers they had been accosted by some outerbeast spawn. But no one probably remembers that, so here’s a more in depth recap. Moss (goblin gal), Teefee (cat girl), Zafrina (goat girl), Rahdayo(goat boy) were on a quest to return the divine artifact, The mercurial sword, back to its creator in Sylann. After wandering through the wilderness and having some interpersonal relationships blossom, they came across some humans who had been evicted from Sylann by some pigs. These humans were upset and got their hands on the sword, which killed the guy who held it and triggered an outerbeast spawn, that had been silently waiting in a human host, to trigger an alarm. Thus our fellow four ran for their lives in the rain. Moss, being a goblin, had smaller feet and was quickly outpaced but she eventually caught up to the other three, stumbling upon them with the corpse of an outerbeast spawn. Then they are beset upon by halfhuman/half outbeast spawn and fought hard. Teefee froze up and was useless. Rahdayo got a wound on his leg and decided to protect Teefee. (They are a couple). Moss and Zafrina manage to deal with the first wave but more come and the sword comes to life, killing the spawn by itself but accidently cutting Zafrina’s arm. In order to save her, they have to cut Zafrina’s arm off.
The sword, since it's able to create things it consumes the knowledge of, creates a goblin buggy and they get out of there. Zafrina is depressed and angry she’s lost an arm. Rahdayo is just depressed and Teefee feels like a coward. They stumble upon Nikan (human elementalist) and he ends up helping Zafrina’s wound. He does not want to take them to his village, as they guard one of Mae-Alari’s element beacons or whatever they’re called. He is eventually persuaded to after a gift materializes in the form of a gun, which Moss gives to Teefee.
I decided to do a bit of a timeskip for these next writings. During that skip, Zafrina and Teefee become elementalists and Rahdayo is rejected, spiraling into an even further depression. Not much else happens during this time, besides Rahdayo disappearing or running away. The other four finally manage to show up in Sylann, praying that Rahdayo is also somewhere within. This is where the story picks up again.
Crowds cheered as blood hit the sands. The great coliseum had a way of amplifying the sound of the masses until it was deafening. She looked around, amazed at it all. Syllianth in their trim robes, goblins and humans in their working garbs and others wearing drab and rags sat in the stands all around. All were combined, for once, in common entertainment. They didn't mingle of course, they sat in their own groups but just the fact those groups could coexist in this setting. She took a deep breath and almost gagged. The sweat and odors, combined with the spices of foods and the rich smell of iron provided a very unique aroma that the wind had trouble blowing entirely away. And yet the masses still roared with satisfaction and delight. Despite the long hours of work, despite the troubles of a growing militaristic society, despite the ever increasing gap between the poor and wealthy- All of them cheered at the sight of carnage.
Moss did not understand that. Brutality and killing were not things to cheer over and yet… In this strange city, that’s all people did. Teefee was enraptured of course, the albino pantherakin had a wide eyed stare to her as she looked all around, unable to focus on one thing. Perhaps that was best. A scream made the crowd burst into ever growing noise. Moss looked down at the arena.
In the white, stained red sand, a battle took place. Gladiators wearing mismatched armor and wielding an assortment of weapons versus a pack of beastmen. It was a mixed pack of hyenas and jackals by the looks of it. Moss couldn’t tell just how ‘savage’ they were but it was becoming an ever increasing plight among the wild beastman tribes north of the great river. Being ripped from villages and home, just because others deemed you savage. She couldn't help but think Sylann’s definition of savage was just an excuse, since Thysia existed.
One of the gladiators, a burly bald man who had lost his sword, was lanced through his stomach by a rusty spear from one of the jackal beastfolk. The crowd roared as his corpse fell back and blood began to soak the sands.
A general melee ensued. There were no tactics here. It was kill or be killed and it was becoming apparent that the beastfolk were going to win. That was most likely by design. They had cornered the last three gladiators. Two were in bad shape while the third stood in front of them. He was young, even from a distance she could see that. It reminded her of Rahdayo and Moss looked away as the crowd cheered their deaths. It was only then did Teefee lean up against Moss. She said something but Moss couldn't make it out as a thunderous voice boomed out, “THE GLADIATORS HAVE FALLEN TO THE VICIOUS SAVAGES! A CRUEL REMINDER THAT THESE BEASTFOLK ARE WITHOUT REASON. BUT SHOULD WE LET THIS STAND?”
The crowd roared with a resounding no.
“NO! OF COURSE NOT!” The booming voice declared. “IN FACT, THEY SHOULD BE PUNISHED!”
The crowds began to stand and shout in approval.
“WE HAVE, WITH US NOW, THE LATEST INNOVATION FROM THE ATELIER! A BEING CRAFTED FROM OUR HISTORY MADE MANIFEST, IN NEW GLORY! WE GIVE YOU… THE WATCHER!”
A gate opened on the far wall, slow and creaky. Moss was taken aback at just how silent it had fallen. As if everyone had collectively taken a breath and were holding it in anticipation. Even the beastmen had paused their mutilations to look at what strode through those wrought iron gates.
A being of flowing silver, wreathed with adornments like a flowery crown. That oval shaped head held no face. Just smooth, swirling silver. And it was tall, so very tall. Vaguely human shaped but too angular and too tall.
The medallion around her neck quivered. Moss clutched it instinctively and a dozen voices flooded her head, screaming one word- Danger! This was followed by a vivid image. She was clutching a glowing metal in her hand, somewhere dark and deep. Her home? The image flashed again and she saw the same silvery being, the Watcher, skewer another goblin before thick vines pulled it beyond her sight. The last thing she saw was a being not unlike the Watcher looking down at her with annoyance. Then Moss was back in the coliseum.
The Watcher had taken powerful strides towards the beastfolk, who had fanned out to encircle the thing. There were at least a dozen left but Moss already knew how it would end. She grabbed Teefee by her arm and stood up, the catgirl was now focused on the Watcher. Moss began to pull at her as the battle commenced. The crowds began to scream with a fervor she had not yet heard. Moss couldn't even hear her own thoughts. Teefee was being cooperative but she wasn't paying attention to where she was going, content to be led as she watched the Watcher pick up a screaming hyena, throw it up into the air and then skewer it with its now bladed arm. Moss felt herself grow sick at the sight and turned away, now pushing through the crowd until they at last reached an exit tunnel.
The two emerged through the crowds and outside onto the bustling streets of Sylann. Moss took a minute to just breathe, while Teefee crossed her arms and pouted.
“Mistressssss, Teefee wanted to see how that thing fought. Why did Moss bring Teefee if they left at the best part? Teefee does not understand.”
“Teefee, I told you before we left this morning. It was just reconnaissance.”
“Teefee does not know the meaning of that word!” Teefee protested.
“We were just checking it out, that's all. Just to see…” Moss trailed off as Teefee’s eyes widened.
“Rahdayo…?”
“It was foolish, Teefee. He wasn't out there. I doubted he would be.”
Teefee put her hands on her hips and walked closer to Moss, peering down at her. “There could be hundreds of people beneath the arena. Teefee will go and look.” she turned but Moss caught her arm.
“Zafrina and Nikan are already doing so.” Moss said quietly.
Teefee pulled away. “Then Teefee will go and look elsewhere!”
“Teefee please. We've only just got here, we need to be careful. We can't go and look where we want without a plan.” Moss hissed.
Teefee narrowed her eyes. “Mistress isn't telling Teefee any plans it seems. Why should Teefee care?”
Moss sighed. “Because I didn't want to get your hopes up, Teefee. You've been a nervous wreck even before we entered this damn city. We will find him, I'll make sure of it but we can't have you wandering off on your own right now.”
Teefee’s once determined face crumpled into a tired, deflated mess. “Teefee misses him…” she whispered.
Moss pulled her into a tight embrace, which was more akin to a toddler hugging their parent but Teefee leaned into it all the same. “We will find him.” Moss said again. “For all our sake.”
The search had been unsuccessful. They had found many things underneath the coliseum. Horrors of inhumanity, beholden by nothing but cruelty. But not her brother. Zafrina’s heart had broken at the sight of all the slaves and broken beasts. It was intolerable for a place that toted itself as being so civilized. Only Nikan had soothed her rage. That core of her being so transformed, it was difficult to not feel angry, anymore. She had lost so much, even what she had gained was beginning to slip away.
Nikan placed a hand on her shoulder. His touch a cool relief as always. “You are dwelling again.”
“I know.” She said quietly as the two walked down the dimly lit streets. Night was falling as only night could in that place full of lights and life, so oblivious…
“Zafrina. Think of something else, love.” He wound his hand with hers, the touch producing steam where they met. She looked up at him with his chiseled features and crystal blue eyes. The heat in her body cooled off ever so slightly.
“I have never been to such a place before.” Nikan said as they began to walk again. People passing tried not to stare at the odd pair, but one glance from Zafrina sent them looking elsewhere.
“I find it strange. That so many could dwell within. I can only come to the conclusion that they are akin to ants. All with some purpose I have not determined yet.”
“Hmmm.” Zafrina said thoughtfully, I can't say I see it that way at all. They aren't ants. Ants have purpose. You can't determine what their's are because they don't have any grand purpose besides living day to day. An ants's drive is for their queen, for their family. All these folk care about are themselves and their close relatives. They have no sense of duty to the greater whole.”
“Surely there would be exceptions?” Nikan asked as they crossed a street. The smell of garlic and herbs wafted from an open door as they passed.
“There’s always exceptions. In a place like this, those who get paid most have loyalty. But only to the coin, not the one who pays. I'm sure there are a few who truly care about the wellbeing of the city but they are few and their voices meek.” She said, tasting the bitterness in her own words.
Nikan squeezed her hand. “You hate this place, I know.” he said matter of factly. “You would have melted that butcher's arena if your brother had been there, too. You must calm yourself, Zafrina.” his voice had turned into a whisper.
She did not answer. For it was true. Then a sigh escaped her lips. “I am trying.”
“And for that, I am glad.”
It had grown dark enough now that she was beginning to glow orange. Or at least the parts of her that had been suffused with magma. She, Rahdayo and Teefee had decided to enter that hallowed place of Nikan’s tribe. That Grotto of Spirits. Hallowed and sacred. Zafrina had thought that only she and Teefee had changed but her heart was beginning to think Rah had been the most affected and her brother had been rejected. At the time, she had only cared about getting her arm back. There had been no guarantee that it would work but… She flexed her appendage of black rock, coursing with veins of lava. It had worked but she hadn't realized what she had lost in the process.
Rahdayo was gone and her body was now something else entirely. She hadn't completely become rock like her arm, but her flesh was no longer soft but hard, veins of lava visibly flowing throughout. Even her hair was now tinged with orange and red, glowing yellow. Luckily she could still wear clothes, well, she couldn't cover her one arm anymore and if she grew too upset, they'd burn off her.
“I hope he's alright.” Zafrina whispered, looking out over the river as they walked past it.
Nikan had no comment, save for squeezing her hand tighter. She felt herself smile. Perhaps she had gained more than she had lost after all.
Moss and Teefee watch a wicked coliseum battle, with an ancient face making a startling reappearance. Zafrina and Nikan wander the streets of Sylann, musing and smoldering.
Member
Scrawl Banditta
SouffleGirl123
JFK
ImagineTheStars
Iwannabeyours
Simply Not Real
SilverPaw
Rekkuza
