Durst.
A harsh jungle planet in the inner goldilocks ring of the Seneca System. This tropical nightmare of a planet is home to all manner of creatures, from the Tendreon, a breed of six legged mountain tigers the size of Elephants, to the Snuffigus, sentient vine creatures who enjoy strangling their prey. Among these and many other horrors lurking in the jungle, are the Humits. A subspecies of humans who are taller and more slender than their Earth-bred brethren, but just as diverse. While not a united front, the multitude of villages scattered across the planet act as sovereign city states, governing themselves while maintaining peace and trade agreements between each other.
Merytes is the largest of all the villages. Spanning nearly 4 miles in total size, with a population of 900, it is the strongest and most well fortified of all the villages. Acting as the military might of the combined villages.
It is here that CAL returns, carrying a fuel tank quadruple his own size upon his right shoulder, he enters the village through its massive stone gates to the screams and excitement of well over a dozen children.
Swarmed by the hoard of little ones, CAL laughs, “Alright, alright everyone I’m glad I’m back too. Make some room so I can drop this tank.”
CAL sets the tank down with a thunderous thud, kicking a large cloud of dirt into the air. No sooner did he put it down than he is pulled to the ground by the swarm, all of them mesmerized by his mechanical body. One of the older boys walks up to him as the others poke and prod his body.
“Gerin!” CAL’s ecstasy at the sight of his young friend was expressed by the white lights within his frame glowing brighter for a moment. “Judging by the new tats, I’m looking at a guy who just passed his Honing trials.”
Gerin smiled, his meek frame and loose bulky robes hid away most of his body save for his wrists, both marked with a trio of red bands tattooed into his dark skin.
{“Thank you for noticing Warrior CAL. I earned them the eve of the slaughter, many others joined me as well.”}
CAL’s audio translator effortlessly translated both of their languages to each other instantaneously. Not a word was lost between them as they spoke.
“That’s great dude! Just a few more trials and you’ll be a full fledged warrior like me!”
“You honor me with gracious expectations, Warrior CAL. Though it is wishful thinking for me to ever be as great a warrior as you.”
“You’re just being modest, bud. Look at your sister, if she can go on hunts with me, you’ll be able to soon enough! Now, if you don’t mind, can you help me up?”
Offering his hand, Gerin pulled him to his feet and shooed away the children.
“Thanks buddy.”
“We should be thanking you, great one.” A deep voice said from behind him.
CAL turned to see a well built, brick wall of a man. Fair skinned and armored in patchworked and scavenged pirate armor plates, the man bowed before CAL.
“You hunt our enemies, protect our borders, and even bring back cleansed water. We are in your debt.”
“Protector Kubrow! You know as well as I do, I’m just doing my job. Nothing more, nothing less!”
Nodding his head in agreeance, Protector Kubrow signaled for a retinue of his men to carry the water tank away.
“Were you not the hero of the hour, and avenger of our fallen. I would offer another challenge, after all it would be a shame if I were to keep your arm above my mantle.”
The trio shared a laugh as CAL wrapped his arm around Kubrow’s neck.
“You know you got lucky in our last match! But I’ll tell you what, match me shot for shot at next week’s Heritage Celebration and you’ll get a Round Two!”
“I shall endeavor to hold you to that Warrior CAL.”
“By the way, I’d like to speak to the Elder, do you know where I can find him?”
Kubrow nodded, “In the sanctuary, you will find him praying.”
With a nod of acknowledgement to both Protector Kubrow and Gerin, CAL jumped across half the village in a single leap. Landing effortlessly upon the steps of the sanctuary. Walking up the wooden, leaf covered stairs to the entrance, he bowed courteously to the Holy maidens on either side of the door before entering.
The inside of the sanctuary was a distorted combination of technology and nature, even more intertwined than it is in the rest of the village. Coils the width of toddlers ran across the wooden walls, tangling themselves with the vines and support pillars of the building. The electric buzz of power ripples through the walls and into the elevated ceiling. The central skylight illuminates the darkness of the room, allowing the wood and bamboo floor to be seen as well as the grand altar in the center.
Seated on the left side of the Altar, a pallid skinned man. Larger in stature than most of the Humits, and rich in his girth. A crown of gnarled fangs lies on the altar in front of him, his regal golden armor lies still and motionless beside him. CAL approached the opposite end of the altar, taking a seat in silence.
The silence between the two hung in the air for several minutes before the Elder finally spoke. His voice, kind yet gruff, was thick with ageless wisdom.
“It has been many cycles since I came here personally, you know…” he paused, unmovingly still but emanating a palpable discomfort.
“The gods and I never saw eye to eye on many things. They curse my village with storms, my people with famine, and my countrymen with pirates, beasts and raiders. So I cared little to pray to them.”
A silent fury filled the room as he spoke.
“Trials and Tribulations, trials and tribulations. That is all they send my people. I have watch young men die to raiders, my best men fall to disease, the greatest of mothers and teachers forced into slavery. It has left me bitter towards the gods, I have cursed them and spat on their names in equal parts hatred and remorse.”
He shifted out of his seat, placing his armor back on his chest. The fury in his voice dissipated as if it was never there to begin with.
“Yet, at a time like this, with Elder Knowla gone… I feel it is only right to ask for safe passage for her.”
“Elder Tiwat, it was my–”
“Silence yourself, Warrior CAL.”
Though his words were sharp, a kindness lied gently behind them. One only a father would have toward his worried child.
“You could not have known about the attack. You have done much for my people, half owe their lives to you and the rest owe their blessings to you.”
Placing his crown, on his head he began walking over to CAL.
“Elder Knowla did as an Elder should, taking the heads of those who threaten her children. It was a good death, and as devout as she was in life, she would have asked for no other.”
Placing his hand on CAL’s shoulder he continued.
“The gods may have cursed my reign, but they blessed the people with your arrival. You have been a friend to us, a hero even. Never blame yourself for what you could not control. Now come, walk with this old man as he reminisces on the days long gone.”
Leaving the Sanctuary, they bow before the maidens. Slowly walking around the length of the Sanctuary and down the stairs behind the holy building.
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
“Do you remember the day we found you?”
CAL chuckled, rolling his eyes.
“You always ask that, and I always tell you I was deactivated. So I don’t remember a thing. Then you tell me the story all over again.”
“Then indulge me one more time, it is not without reason.”
CAL, still smiling, shrugged.
“Good! I remember it was a stormy day, one of the worst in years, when Guardian Hohun ran into my palace. Worry and concern I had not seen since Elder Knowla birthed beautiful Anaya, hung heavy on his face. He announced that Gerin, my witless little boy, had fallen into a chasm while out on the hunt. I moved the heavens to find him, hundreds of my finest hunters joined my search.”
The pair crossed over a large wooden bridge, overseeing a small park full of children. Nodding graciously at the children and their caretakers as they passed.
“We found him near the bottom of the chasm. Fearing he suffered grave injuries, I rushed to him. Surprised to find he we unharmed, but more than that, he was sleeping gently in your arms.”
“I still don’t have a clue how I saved him.”
“But saved him you did. We took your body and all the equipment around you my hunters could carry. We brought you into the village, fed and repaired you as best we could.”
“And the rest is history.”
CAL said with a smile as they approached the palace grounds.
Stopping just short of the palace stairs, Elder Tiwat turned to CAL, placing a hand on his shoulder.
“Not so my boy. What I never told you, is my hunters searched the area even further. Uncovering much of the tomb we found you in. A few trinkets and wires were the most we found, until they found this.”
Reaching into his cloak, the Elder pulled out a long octagon shaped object and placed it in CAL’s hand. Turning the hand sized device over, CAL could see his initials on the front of it, glowing with a mesmerizing blue hue. Feeling the indentation of the letters, he pressed the middle of the A. A brilliantly shining blue blade shot out of the top of the object, roughly a foot in length and nearly paper thin.
“Does it bring back any memories? Any sense of familiarity?”
“Memories? No. But it does feel… familiar. Like a missing part of me.”
Twisting and turning the blade in his hand, CAL felt a warmth and comfort gripping him. Closing the blade, the handle sunk perfectly into his hand like his mechanical flesh was merely water. Resurfacing as a long, hexagonal, blue light on the underside of his wrist.
“That’s never happened before…”
CAL stared at the new addition to his body with utter bewilderment.
“Truly it is yours my boy! Take it, the gratitude of the People comes along with it.”
“Thanks, Elder Tiwat. It’ll be a great–”
“Warrior CAL! You return!”
An energetic female voice yelled from the top of the palace stairs.
Still facing Elder Tiwat, CAL barely had enough time to see the aged warrior take a step back, before being tackled to the ground. Hugging him with the strength of a freight train and the love of a long lost sibling, the woman hoisted the Bio-Droid to his feet. Continuing to embrace him, with all of her might.
“You leaped down 50 stairs just to tackle me to the ground with a hug? Anaya, sometimes I really question your logic.”
“Warrior CAL, I worried for your safe return. Many days you were gone, many days I paced the palace waiting for you.”
“Trust me, Anaya. You’ll never need to worry about me. Besides, do you know anyone who can beat me in a fight?”
Releasing her vice grip of a hug, she wiped her watery eyes, smiling at CAL.
“Negas? He is strong.”
“Not stronger than me!” He said as he flexed.
The three of them laughed heartily, CAL’s visor carefully scanning Anaya as they did. She was an amazing example of her village. Standing at 6’8 to CAL’s 6’6, her entire body was perfectly toned in muscular symmetry. Though not bulky in any way, her slender build complimented her height beautifully. Similarly, her long jet black hair attenuated her dark almond skin tone. Perfectly smooth, covered in tribal honor marking where her leaf adorned waist skirt and bra fail to conceal. Even her newly infused arm and leg augments were barely noticeable.
CAL stopped, scanning her for a moment as he gazed upon her new augments. The black metallic sheen of the enhanced limbs had been molded perfectly into her skin. Her shins, calves, forearms, and biceps and triceps, all had the same metallic plating molded into the skin.
“Y-You got the augments?”
“Yes Warrior CAL. I am now the true hunter! Arms are augmented too!” She excitedly showed him the scars on the sides of her arms.
“She received them shortly after you left for the Pirate base.” The Elder carefully inspected the scars, nodding his head in approval as he did so. “I led the ritual myself. She should heal fully within the week.”
“Now I may hunt with vicious strength rivaling you, Warrior CAL!” She eagerly bounced around as she spoke. “The pirates and the Noko will fear me as they do you!”
CAL grabbed her by her arms, holding her still, “Woah, let’s cool it with the jumping. The Elder just said those augments haven’t set yet.”
She tilted her head to the side and looked at CAL confused.
“Is Warrior CAL not happy with augments? They make me strong and fast. Strong and fast enough to never get captured again.”
“No, no. I’m happy you are willing to upgrade and better yourself, but those augments were really unstable, and I’m abit worried about how they’ll affect you in the long run.”
“Warrior CAL worried about Anaya. I don’t like that.”
“Warrior CAL has the right to be concerned, my child. I have inspected them myself, but the augments remain alien to our archives. Ancient in design, yet perfect in craft.”
The Elder spoke with a cautious confidence, turning to CAL with a smile.
“If your concern runs truly deep, then perhaps a test is in order.”
“Did you have something in mind?”
“Great Mother Althea is in need of a new training video for the younglings. Would you be willing to take Anaya and Gerin on a hunt? It would settle your nerves, and provide new insights for our next generation.”
CAL thought about it for a moment, contemplating if he really wanted to take Anaya out so soon after her operation.
“What would we be hunting? Something small and fast right?”
The Elder’s smiled widened, “Fast? Yes, very fast. But small is not the word I would use. How does a Griticas sound?”
----------------------------------------
“A Griticas…” CAL sighed as he jumped through the trees, Anaya and Gerin in tow.
{“Do you have a particular disdain for the beast, Warrior CAL?”} Gerin asked as he carefully followed CAL’s movements. Making sure not to cause any extra shifts on the branches they leapt across.
“No, the beasts are difficult but not impossible to Kill. I just don’t like the idea of hunting one with Anaya so fresh from the operaton.”
“Worry is not good color for you Warrior CAL.” Anaya said smiling. “You look the color of mud and stench.”
“Y’know, I always forget about your 7th Sense.” CAL’s small smirk faded as he realized what she said, “Wait, you can see worry as brown?”
“Your emotions overwhelm you, Warrior CAL. I see your stinky aura clouding you, trailing worry across the forest.”
“Well what color do you see Gerin as.”
“Brother Gerin is calm as the sky, not radiant, not hidden. Not overwhelmed like Warrior CAL.”
“Calm yourself Warrior Cal, the Griticas would need to be slain regardless. It is far too close to the great walls, would you have preferred less experienced Hunters kill the beast?”
“Ugh… I see your point but that doesn’t mean I have to like it. Wait, What’s that up ahead?
“I sense ill winds Warrior CAL.” Anaya quickly pulled her spear from her back.
As the trio continued through the jungle, they spotted the remains of Outpost Thum. The small camp was left in pieces as the Watchtower was ablaze, the tents were left in ruins and the perimeter walls were shredded. Cautiously, they entered the Outpost, looking for even the smallest signs of life.
“Do you see anything, Warrior Cal?” Anaya asked as they slowly walked to the middle of the Camp.
“Nothing yet, but from the scorch marks and the fires, I’d say our prey just left.”
“Hunters!” A voice screamed from one of the ruined tents.
The trio turned to the far end of the Outpost. A bloodied guard sprinted towards them with wild abandoned screams for them.
“Run! You must run! The Beast is still here, It hides in the–”
As he ran towards the trio, he was torn apart as if the very wind turned to razors.
“Oh shit!”
{“Metzahtos!”}*
{“By the Skyfather!”}
They all took several steps back as his head rolled to their feet.
“I thought Griticas could only hide in the shadows?!” CAL said as he summoned a pair of twin long swords.
“This is true with a singular and extremely rare exception.” Gerin knocked three arrows in his bow.
“The Albino Griticas!” Anaya yelled, igniting the energized blade of her spear.
*A Humit word that roughly translates to “WTF”