Werren's House, Jia Precinct - 22/02 9:19 pm 51EE
Ring Ring~
...
Ring Ring~
...
"This is Werren speaking, I'm not available at the moment so just leave a message after the tone. Oh, if you are one of the people that live in my house, never call me again. I won't pick up for you."
A beep rang through the kitchen.
The Necrostrand put its nose to the phone, sniffing it as its saliva oozed down its jaw and dripped onto the phone's screen. It tapped the phone with one of its paws, its claws scrapping along the screen. In the beast's attempt to use the phone, it pressed the speaker button as Petra's voice boomed over the phone.
"HEY! Mutt, over here!"
Petra grinned as the Necrobeast snarled at the phone.
"Yeah come and get some dumbass!"
Petra made a heap of mocking noises as the beast snatched the phone between its mandibles.
"Oh no! Don't eat little ol' me!"
Petra burst out laughing as the beast gnawed on the phone.
Yuro peaked his head out of the pet door, peering down the hall he heard the distant growls of the Necrobeast. He pushed his baby body through the flap and waddled to the end of the hall. He quickly ducked into the living room and went to the corner of the room. Pulling a lamp out of the way, he found the small rathole, darkness creeping out from the opening. His determined smile soon faded when he realized a fatal error in his thinking. The hole was only big enough for a rat to fit.
"Damnit... I'm not in a rat body. All the rats are probably asleep as well..."
Yuro hit his head, irritated that his flawless plan could fail this quickly. As he tried to think of a solution he heard the distant snapping of glass as the growling from the kitchen stopped. He watched the entrance to the kitchen closely, unable to tear his eyes away or close them for a second.
Soon one green paw stamped out of the kitchen as the beast's snout followed, its nose twitching. Yuro's skin shriveled as he ducked behind the couch. Looking around the corner he saw the beast's eyes dart around the living room, occasionally looking down the hall but soon its attention turned to the living room. It pushed its nose to the carpet and sniffed, following Yuro's scent. Yuro quietly waddled around to the front of the couch as the beast inspected the rathole behind the couch.
Yuro looked up to the corner of the room where a small security camera surveyed the area. He waved his hands hoping Petra would see his situation. In reality, Petra was using Yuro's tablet to watch videos, her attention fully immersed in the videos. Yuro saw his attempts weren't working and soon the beast was back, following Yuro's scent. He waddled to the other side of the couch. Since the living room was open to the hallway he looked down the hall. He gathered his courage to prepare for running back into his room.
"Straight run... don't make any noise."
He psyched himself up before making a slow escape to his room. As the floor changed from carpet to wood, the ground creaked as he stepped on the wood. He shrieked as the beast's head shot up and its eyes locked onto Yuro.
Yuro kept his pace and ran down the hall, his baby body growing tired as he barely took a few steps. He looked back up and down the hall when Rina's room came into view. His vision was blurry and his body sluggish but his mind kept sharp and a plan formulated. His target wasn't his room anymore, even though Rina's room was four times the journey he needed to reach it. The beast leaped onto the ceiling, its spider legs letting it scurry along above Yuro.
Yuro didn't give up. He pushed himself forward as the beast leaped down. Yuro ran in a zig-zag as the beast hit its chin on the hardwood, Yuro pushed hard, sweat drenching his face as his legs wobbled. The beast briskly got back to its feet and lunged forward, holding its jaws wide open. Yuro's zig-zag pattern came in handy however as he was able to avoid it. The beast clamped its jaws shut expecting to have Yuro stuck between its teeth but instead slammed back down on the floor. It winced and got back up.
Yuro threw his arms back and forth, he had passed the bathroom meaning he was halfway there. The beast lunged towards him again, it predicted the sudden turn Yuro was gonna make and aimed to where Yuro would be. Yuro however stopped and took a short rest causing the beast to overshoot Yuro and slide across the floor. Yuro caught his breath before gritting his tooth. He looked up to see the beast now guarding Rina's room. Yuro stood before the beast, it bared its fang. Drooling green sludge falling to its feet, it crept closer as Yuro's scent excited the beast's stomach. A loud growl erupted from the beast's gut causing it to lick its lips.
"Come on then..."
Yuro stood tall as the beast let out a low growl.
Yuro pushed forward first and dashed toward the beast, it lunged and raised one of its claws high, its sharp pincers glinting beneath the hanging lights pouring down from the heavens. Yuro threw himself to the side, the claw crashing down on the ground. The beast ripped its claw out and sent forth three of its limbs, each sporting claws just as sharp. Yuro got up quickly and ran head-first towards the beast's jaws. As he got close he leaped and clung to its snout, holding its bottom jaw shut. The beast shook Yuro around before flinging him up. Yuro landed on the beast's back and kept running toward Rina's room. The beast couldn't reach Yuro so it climbed up the walls as Yuro fell, with quick reflexes he managed to grasp onto a tuff of hair and keep himself on.
The beast was now on the ceiling, Yuro dangling. The beast then slowly let each of its legs detach from the ceiling. It was trying to squish Yuro beneath it by falling. Yuro's expression converted to panic as he let go, falling to the ground. He landed unpleasantly as his legs gave out, unable to withstand the fall. The beast then fell and landed behind him. Yuro got to his feet, home stretch. With the final ounce of strength, he ran forward, the beast standing once more and lunging at him. He reached out to the door as it flung open wide. Yuro was shocked by the darkness of Rina's room sprouting the barrel of a canon.
"DUCK!"
A high-pitched voice called out. Yuro ducked as the canon fired a net, the beast was caught in the net and thrashed around, wincing as its limbs were knotted in the gaps of the net.
Yuro looked at the beast as it threw itself around on the floor. When Yuro turned back to the door he saw Rina's babies holding miniature rifles, all their guns trained on him. Yuro threw his hands up.
"Hey, it's me! Uncle Yuro! You know me!"
"Put your guns down girls!"
The high-pitched voice from before called out as one of the baby bats stepped forward, she wore a military beret and had medals strung across her chest. Decorations from her efforts.
"Yuro..."
"Bomb 14..."
Yuro scowled.
"That's Nina to you."
Nina punched Yuro in the ankle.
"Colonel Nina."
Yuro fell to one knee.
"Colonel... Nina..."
"Much better. Girls! Drag this sorry sack inside. Seal the entrance and reload the canon in case of another attack."
Nina kept a stern look as she ordered the baby bats around.
Yuro was dragged inside their headquarters in Rina's closet. The sliding door opened as Yuro was dragged in, the cupboard was filled with dresses and clothes. From books, barracks were made. A toolbox was cut up and used as a hanger for their airplanes. Hanging above, hammocks for sleeping or injured bats were made from bras. Tourniquets constructed from torn pieces of Rina's clothes and hundreds of weapons lay against the wall, by a firing range, with dolls as the targets. Baby bats flew past and around Yuro as he was escorted to their communication base, a large satellite dish made from a plate and straightened metal coat hangers.
Platoons of baby bats jogged past as Yuro came face to face with Nina once more. She stood atop an opened drawer to be at eye level as Yuro stood.
"Bold of you to return here Yuro."
Nina paced back and forth.
"I wouldn't have if I didn't have a good reason."
Yuro looked serious.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
"Oh I don't doubt you aren't here for a good reason, that beast outside proved that."
"So you understand I need your help."
"Hm."
Nina thought long and hard.
"You know what else that beast proved to me Yuro..."
Nina turned to Yuro with a serious expression.
"It proved you can't defend the home anymore."
"What!? Ludicracy! I've been this home's defense from all invaders for the whole time it existed! I made alliances with the rat queen so that her people wouldn't steal and eat our food! I prevented the crows from stealing our bins and flying away with them! I also aided you in exterminating the termite infestation! I've done so much to protect this house without worrying the others."
"Yet you've allowed our biggest nemesis to invade our home. If it weren't for us you would have died out there, now we have the beast captured and ready to kill."
Yuro grits his tooth and looks vexed, despite her harsh words she was right. A Necrobeast was their natural predator and now one was inside the house where a bunch of its prey were living.
"Listen Yuro, it's time for this home's real defenders to step in."
Nina smiled and held her head high.
Just then, Bomb 17 flew up to Nina.
"Colonel Nina! We have bad news, before we could reload the canon, the beast tore through its restraints and fled into the kitchen."
Nina's lip curled up as she sighed heavily. Yuro smirked.
"How about this, we both know you don't yet have the firepower nor the manpower to take down the beast, you can only delay it so much but soon it'll sprout its true form. I'm the most knowledgeable on Necrobeasts so unless you want to run blindly into this battle... you better consider my plan."
Nina thought long and hard, although she had a lot better chances at dealing with the Necrostrand she didn't have a lot of information on them.
"If I do agree to aid you, what is your plan exactly?"
Yuro grinned as he looked determined.
Meanwhile...
Century stood in front of the altar with a small grin. Blues kept his eyes closed and his head low, nails floating around him. He shifted his stance to be thinner as he opened his eyes wide, the wood was torn from the aisles of benches which he used to construct a box around him and Century. Century mockingly laughed.
"That all you got gramps?"
Century cracked her knuckles.
"Let's see what breaks you then!"
Century lunged towards him as nails shot towards her. She crouched down dodging a large bombardment of nails before leaping up and ripping out a hair tie. She tossed it down causing a large explosion, sawdust spread through the box as Blues coughed. His cough gave his location away as Century pierced through the dust, a silver dagger in hand as she stabbed toward Blues. He threw up a wooden plank to catch the dagger, it worked and Century got the dagger lodged in the plank giving Blues an opening to evade behind her, a nail focussed on the back of Century's head.
Century ditched the blade and ducked, the nail's strength so great that it hit the plank with the dagger stuck in it and shattered it, freeing the blade. Century grabbed it with her teeth and pushed it off the ground, launching at Blues. He was unable to counterattack fast enough so Century zipped past him, slicing his hip. Blues let out a groan and clutched his hip, blood staining his white robes. With him staggered Century took the blade from her mouth and wrapped a hair tie around the hilt. As Blues got his surroundings he saw the silver dagger coming his way. It was inches from his face but he summoned a wooden plank to catch it, what he didn't notice however was the hair tie attached to the dagger.
It exploded throwing more dust in the enclosed box. Blues stumbled back as the box was completely filled with dust. His eyes twitched as the dust irritated his eyes. From the dust Century came forward, slicing through the dust with another silver dagger.
"You kept it quite obvious gramps. It only took a few attacks but it seems the source of your power comes from your eyelashes. Opening and closing your eyes is how you control your powers so all I had to do was take away your ability to keep your eyes open."
Blues panicked as Century walked in circles around him.
"To think such a strong opponent could be so easily outsmarted."
Blues coughed as the dust was gathering in his lungs. He couldn't keep this box around them for long or else he would die in here.
"I could care less but indulge me... why do you fight...?"
Century looked confused as she stood in front of him.
"Obvious, I... I wanna become the world's greatest villain."
"Then why do you hesitate..."
"What...?"
Century looked offended.
"I'm not... what gave you that impression?"
"You're a horrible liar... and an idiot."
Blues opened his eyes, his sparkling blue iris' surrounded by his now crimson sclera. Despite how irritated his eyes were, and how blocked his throat was he stood tall, endless stream of tears flowing down his face.
"You see... I fight for my son... as simple and mundane as it may seem... that will... the thought that he will one day grow into an amazing boy... makes me want to cast away my religious robes and kill anyone to let him thrive. I am sorry oh great clock but I have a family I have to save..."
Blues ripped apart his robes, using them as a bandage for the wound on his hip. Beneath his robes, he wore tight white pants with his chest bare. His pulsing heart brought life to him once more.
Century licked her blades and waltzed forward.
"Finally... a challenge."
Outside of the box, Eliowen and Nayjhren face each other. Nayjhren does not make eye contact with Eliowen as Eliowen stares deep into Nayjhren's eyes.
"Are... you okay?"
Eliowen looked concerned.
Nayjhren turned to Eliowen, keeping a blank expression.
"Why?"
Eliowen giggled.
"There you go... always with your questions."
"What's wrong with questions?"
"Nothing of course. I'm just glad you haven't changed."
"Neither have you."
"Maybe so... can't speak for her though."
"Where is she?"
"She left a few years ago... I haven't seen her. Her parents said she is traveling the northern islands..."
Nayjhren's eyes widened.
"That's..."
"What we wanted to do... yeah, she's one lucky girl."
Nayjhren looked down, his cold facade cracking.
"H-how are you?"
"Terrible."
Nayjhren smiled for a second.
"Do you remember what we said?"
Eliowen's brow raised, he looked surprised at the question.
"Of course... the one... we made that day."
Jia Precinct - 42EE
It was damp, sunlight peaking through the leaves. Distant pecks of woodpeckers echoed through the forest as birds flew high in the blue sky. Laying in the mud, Nayjhren's chest was heaving as he was sprawled out. He slowly got up, his muscles aching and his body in pain all over. As he got to his feet he looked around, forest on every side. From the greenery, red beady eyes crept forward. Nayjhren's eyes widened before a Necrobeast leaped forward and tackled Nayjhren to the ground. It licked his face, green goo getting all over his ragged clothes.
Nayjhren giggled as he rolled around the mud with the Necrobeast. It looked like a cougar but had wings like a fly. It purred as he ruffled its fur.
"C'mon girl... get off me!"
The Necrobeast laid on Nayjhren, trapping him as she licked herself.
"Fine! You win."
The Necrobeast didn't get up, however.
Suddenly, from the ground, the root of a tree sprouted up.
"Tekleha. Hop off Nayjhren."
The root spoke in a soft old voice, it croaked as it spoke.
The Necrobeast named Tekleha got off Nayjhren as he stood up.
"Hey, Father Oak. Do we need to come back?"
"Yes, my dear Nayjhren. Be quick now!"
The root soon dug back into the ground, disappearing.
Nayjhren pat Tekleha on the head.
"Let's go."
They both ran deep into the forest. After a few minutes of running, they reached Father Oak. A grand tree that towered over the forest, around the tree were hundreds of Necrobeasts, all gathering around the tree. Neyjhren sat by Tekleha as roots appeared all around the gathering.
"Good morning my children, I'm glad to see you all well."
Father Oak spoke through the roots. Many of the Necrobeasts howled and called out in unison. Nayjhren followed their example and howled.
"That is good to hear my children. We are gathered to assign this week's jobs."
Every week the nest of Necrobeasts would gather by Father Oak and be given jobs to help the nest survive. The jobs were split into two categories, nest cleaning and hunting. Father Oak assigned each Necrobeast a job personally. Neyjhren stepped forward excited.
"Neyjhren... this week, you will be assigned to... nest cleaning."
Neyjhren's expression shifted to disappointment.
"Nest cleaning!? But... Father Oak, I want to go hunting at least ONCE! I've been here for 7 years and all I ever do is clean!"
Father Oak sighed and spoke softly.
"Nayjhren, I know how much you wish to go and hunt but you are not ready... Come close, my boy."
Nayjhren climbed up the giant tree and sat on one of the branches, overlooking the nest below. A root followed him up.
"Nayjhren, we found you as a baby in these woods. When my children brought you in I did not think a human could live among us animals. They proved me wrong, they took care of you like one of their own. I was ashamed of myself for casting the thought of you existing alongside us aside. You are one of my children as much as any other which means like any of my other children you need to grow before you can hunt. Humans grow up a lot slower than animals so it will take you a little longer but don't worry, one day you will explore this world. Go on a grand hunt! I promise."
Nayjhren still looked sad as he pouted.
"Okay, Father Oak..."
"Be safe, my boy."
Nayjhren hopped down from the tree. For the rest of the day, he went around the nest cleaning and taking care of the baby Necrobeasts. As the sun began to set he finished up for the day so he decided to go on a walk. Trekking through the forest he waved around a large stick he had found.
"When I grow up... I am grown! Tekleha and I are the same age! She gets to go hunt but I have to stay here!"
Nayjhren swung the stick around, whacking bushes aside as he walked through.
"I don't even know what it's like to hunt! No one ever tells me... I hate it! I am strong! I am grown! I CAN HUNT!"
Neyjhren chucked the stick far in the distance.
"Ow!"
Neyjhren's attention darted to the sound of someone getting hurt. It came from where his stick landed.
"H-hello? Father Oak?"
Neyjhren went closer as he heard shuffling behind a bush. He crept closer as he heard people shushing. He reached his hand out and made a split in the bush, there he saw a boy with black hair and shining blue eyes, beside him was a girl, her arms covered in bracelets, and she had sparkly eyes that blinded Neyjhren. Neyjhren's eyes widened as he stared at the two. Bewildered.
The beginning of a new friendship!