Shortly after I sent Allec off, I sent the others to run interference. Earthquakes, storms, stuff like that. I had to buy time for Alec to get his bearings. If I rushed it like they did, he''d be dead in no time. Thats why I sent him to one of my old temples. Of course Gia didn''t like the idea of an apocolyptic virus being intrusted with the fate of the world. But if they''d done their job right the first dozen times, she would''nt have to. The others were informing their people of a new ''hero'', though I made sure that they told them he was MY champion. Gotta get credit when credits due, right?
Though if he infects the world in order to stop all the fighting , I''ll have to wipe it clean. Man, I hate this job.
Alec pov
I notice a large stone platform. Upon closer inspection I assume it to have once been a statue at one time. Taking the fact that it was elevated from the regular floor, this place must be one of Amatsus'' temple. A looong time ago. I find the doors, but they were jammed from the other side. I try to plow through it, that didn''t work. I just bounced of it, with a headache to show for it. They didn''t just reset my powers. They took my enhancements too. I worked very hard for those, damn it.
I start charging my jump, when I feel I can''t charge it any further I jump like a spring. I grabbed the ledge,and began pulling myself up. Good thing that charging up isn''t an actual power. I found that if I charge my actions they become stronger, jumping, punching, and all of my abilities. I walk towards where the doors was. I take in my sorroundings as I walk. Nothing but forest for as long as I can see. I''ve never been to anything other than concrete and steel. Its more beautiful than the pictures I''ve seen. I reach the ledge , looking down, I see the outer columns have been collapsed towards the door. I won''t be able to move those, for awhile, but I can still use this as a base, if I find anything of use.
It''s not like I need sleep, but having somewhere to hide stuff isn''t a bad idea. I think I''ll start hunting after I check the sorrounding area. All clear, there''s nothing here. Oh well, lets hunt. I''m actualy not hungry, nor have I ever been. I eat to absorb genetic material for self-mutating improvments. I take to the woods queitly stalking around. I don''t attack anything right off, just seeing who the neighbors are. Who is prey, and who is a predator. I spend a few days and nights observing the residents of the woods. Turns out at night, there are more predators out. I only see a few that would be a problem to me right now, and only if I act stupid. This place has some weird creatures.
I''ve seen a two-headed dear like animal, a pack of armored looking wolfs. Jackrabbits, horned jackrabbits. I saw them hanging around some normal rabbits, and I thought they gotta be prey. Then I saw some feral dogs make a try at the bunnies. I was shocked to see the dogs get impailed ,and rather quickly too. After they got ran of, the jackrabbits started eating the dogs! Seems not everything is as it seems. Man eating rabbits, who''d a thought. Saw a snake gliding from one tree to another, a frog exploded when a bird tried to pick it up. Not kinding, it just boom. The bird didn''t die right off though. It seems the frog covered it with a scent attack, ''cause it was suddenly attack by a swarm of bees, about the size of a dollar coin. That was one dead bird. Note to self stay away from the frogs.
Returning to the temple I lay down, and start to think of what to do. As I think I remember home, I kinda miss it. Can''t help it really, this place reminds me of it so much. There are so many weird thing that can or want to kill you just because your there. Ah, home. I remember when I first started hunting, running through the streets, jumping over walls. Best time was when I was hunting a pack leader, man they know how to give chase. Lunge, swipe, dodge, grab an infected, consume, and heal when they hit. Rinse and repeat. Until they called they''re friends, then it got better. Yep, good times. Wonder if those wolfs'' be like that. I''ll start with the jackrabbits first, build up my reflex and speed. Probably won''t get much, if anything, from them though. Unless there is a king rabbit like boss around.
Returning to the rabbits'' meadow, I notice a few nibbled remain than last time. Feral dogs, and a few rabbits. I notice they had fun last night cause the place is filled with them. The hell man. They must of had a serious population boom, or I''ve interupted a furry convention. As I decide between staying or going, I notice more coming out of the borrows. Must be like cochroaches, preg for life. Well, not gonna risk it today, when I can be smarter tomorrow. As I turn to leave I hear a high squeal. I turn around to see one of the jacks'' has stabbed a bunny.
Why are they doing this? I have no idea. Food? Space? Some really phsyco mating ritual? Don''t know, don''t care, all I know is ''When two sides fight, the third one wins''. Can''t remember who wrote that, but the meaning was clear. Take advantage of any opportunity you can. I try thinking of the best way to approach this. All the''re doing is jumping into each other, which seems effective, half are dead or dying. Wait a minute.... Thats it! Why try to chase them when they''ll jump to me anyway? You don''t! I''m a genius! I''ll cunsume them as they stab me, may hurt, but I should be able to handle it. Walking into the meadow I cant help but think. Who wants to play catch''em all?
They don''t notice me at first, so I decided to change that. I grab two furballs that had landed near me, with that I crush their necks as tendrils move from my arms into them. I love this fealing, like you become more than you were everytime. As the last bits are being pulled into me some of the others notice me, and begin moving. What you can murder eachother, but not me? How mean of you. I start moving towards them, when I feel one of the peirce me from the sides. Ouch, that hurts more than I thought. Then another hits me, and another, they start piling on.
"Fuck, that hurts too much. The hell with you guys. Since your so attached, why don''t you become me instead!" I shout. I start consuming the ones attached, even as I grab more. Yeah, this is the feeling.
If anyone were to look into this meadow, they''d see rabbits fighting some sort of monster with tendrils, and a changing body. I looked like this because my body was compressing the mass I was acquiring. Grab them, consume, get stabbed, consume, this continued for a while before I decided I had enough. It was clear I wasn''t getting anything from this. A meagre increase in reflex wasn''t worth this time or pain. So I left them. I decided to walk back to the temple, I needed to think some more. I hadn''t thought this much even on earth. Not that I was an idiot or anything, but on earth I moved on hunters instinct most of the time. Here I had time to slow down and think, there I did not.
I want to hunt everything here, but it might be faster to hunt the apex predators around here. Hmm, decisions, decisions.... I don''t have to rush it I quess. My dad used to tell me about some of his toughest fights, most when he rushed things. Okay, here''s what I''ll do, I''ll hunt the predators here. The bunnies weren''t much of a problem, just a pain in my ass, literally when one stabbed me there. Gotta hunt something worth it, cause hunting the weak is boring. Reaching a decision, I trying my hunters sense( genetic sensor that can find any material, but highlights important specimens for consumption).... Looks like my range isn''t what it used to be. Got nerfed on everything I guess, stupid gods. I''ll just go around using it, I''ll find them eventually.
Yeah, eventually I found them. Four hours man! Four hours of walking aimlessly around the woods. Killed a few of those frogs along the way, though. Trick was to not startle them, or just throw something really fast and smash them. Back to the wolves I found. There were two of them, one adult and one pup. They had brown fur, with streaks of black and grey. Some kind of armor patches on their backs, sides and legs. With a large plate of it on their chest, only a small bit on the tops of their heads. Not sure if its bone or some kind of organic metal, but I''m salivating at the thought of it. Oh, my goodness, that pup is too cute! Looks like a fuzz ball from heaven, especially when it''s snoozing like that. Okay I''ve decided I''m not gonna kill it, he''ll be my companion. Every boy wants a puppy at one point or another. Manhattan wasn''t a place for it though. Wonder what he''d turn it to with the Mercer virus?
The adult doesn''t look good. Its covered with slash wounds, and a few arrows. The wound on it are recent, whoever did this may be back to finsh it. So, I''ll consume it so I can protect the pup. I walk towards the two, being as open and non threatening as I can, considering I''m a parasitic being. The mother notices me, alerted she snarls and tries to get up, but she doesn''t make it far. I approach her at arms length, and begin to speak to her.
Female wolf pov
It looks me in the eyes and speaks, not that I can understand two legs. The look in its eyes though, I understand it. It wants my pup. NO, I won''t let you, I snarl at it. It says it knows my pup will die without me. I know this two legs. Theres nothing I can do, and that feeling alone is worse than all the wounds I''ve ever have. Two legs speaks again, it says it can make my pup strong, like alpha. No stronger it says. Stronger than an alpha? How is that possible. And it swore it to the free spirit( most animals with enough intelligence know of the gods in some way, usually the feel them, so she knows Alec just swore his intention to Amatsu. Who wild beasts call the free spirit.). I sniff it curiosly, cause what two legs would want to make a predator stronger. We eat two legs you know. What is this, its not a two legs, but it is one? It smells like life, and death but more than it is. Hm....what a strange creature. I look at my pup, and I''m filled with sorrow. I failed to protect it. I know if another pack finds him, he''ll likely be killed. Even if they bring him into their group, it''ll be as filth. I''ve seen it in my fathers pack, its better just to kill them young.
I won''t condem him to that. If this creature is capable of making him strong enough that nothing will ever bother his pack, I''ll take that over his current fate every time. Even if this creature can''t, he''ll have a chance at least. I know this creature intends to kill me, I see it in his eyes, sense it in his body. Like a hunger of the wild, unquenchable, and ferocious. I don''t feel angry at it, this is the law of life. The weak are food and the strong are hungry. I feel sad that I won''t be able to teach my pup to hunt, to howl at the moon, or be filled with pride as he takes a pack for his own. I turn to the strange two legs creature. Looking in its eyes I convey my feelings as best I can, and I nod my approval. Its nods back, reaching for me with its hands. As they touch my head, I feel a pulling sensation, then nothing....
Thats why Mecca, the city that sprawled around it, was the current seat of power for the Allaince. It was here, that the three rulers and their staff, where waiting for the three popes'' to appear. They had been informed by the gods that new heroes would appear. But the summons circle was never activated. So a special meeting was called while the headpreists prayed for answers.
Mecca, Empire of Helena, Star Fall Fortress
"We have prayed to the gods, and have recieved an answer." said the pope of Leon. Everyone was filled with hope as they heard the news. Except, those close enough to see the priests face''s. They were filled with confusion. What had the godssaid?
"So, did the demons perform a summons, or was it the Empire?" asked the Empress Badu. Everyone was suddenly very afraid of the answer, because either way they were doomed.
"No. We asked about that, and they said that both the Empire and the demons can''t use the summoning ritual." said the pope of Gia.
" Then, who is the hero''s patron deity?" asked King Von. The priests looked towards the floor before the priestess spoke.
" The patron is Amatsu-Mikaboshi, god of chaos." said the pope of Theo
"WHAT!?" screamed everyone.
"Amatsu-Mikaboshi!? What''s he doing, he''s never had a champion before. Search the chaos temples, every one of them! Bring the hero to us!" yelled the two kings. Soon riders were being sent out to the cities with chaos temples. The hero was wanted for questioning. The Empressstayed silent, deep in thought.
Empress Badu Aala was the ruler of the Empire of Helena. A empire built on fair rights for all, and the pursuit of peace. Worship of all five gods were permitted, but religious fanatisism was not tolerated. Laws held all of the racesequal, from common born to the highest noble. This has always made for more than enough enemies, both in and outside of the kingdom. Its neighbors have learned to accept these differences though, willing or not. Early in its founding a hero redrew its military traditions, to better combat the demon invasion.
At 10 she controlled the strongest kingdom in the world, with an army of powerful soldiers, each capable of fighting a low demon on their own, and empoweredby the most loyal people a ruler could ask for. This made her a target to some, and a prize for others. At 13 she had survived a dozen attempts on her life, which she answered by conquering the twelve southern kingdoms, who were responsable for the attempts. Becoming an Empress in the process. She killed any who wouldn''t accept her rightful place, nobles, commoners, even her own. If they threatened what her family had built, and the peace they strived for, they died, no exeptions.
She also possessed the Star Fall Fortress by birthright. The previous lord had been in love with her mother for awhile, and after proving his worth, they married. This caused alot of southern kingdoms to be upset, as they had been trying to marry off their daughters to him. They said her mother tricked him out of his kingdom, but she knew her mother loved him very much. Its said that she got her fathers strength and her mothers beauty and grace. Couldn''t agree more, at 5'' 7'''' with long black hair, chocolate eyes, dark brown skin, and a fine figure. Many considered her to be very blessed by thegoddess herself. She pushed her people towards academic, cultural, and financial prosperity. This and other social policies earned her the ferverant loyaty of her people, and caused others to volutarily cede their territories.
Then at 16, the demons attacked, once more throwing the world in chaos. The northern kingdoms, who were recieving a large amount of aid in the form of men and supplies, were supposed to be a sheild for the rest of the world. In a years time they had broken apart, with only a few cities and keeps holding out. So once again the mighty armies of Helena prepared to march to war. As the southern kingdoms prepared, and the wall maned, the heroes were summoned to lead them again. Not the armies of Helena though, her great grandmother had caved to the presure of the other kingdoms once, and let heroes led her army in the war. It was the worst defeat they had ever suffered. It was decreed as law that no hero will lead an army of Helena again. Still a law today.
This war was going better than the ones before it. The demons were pushed back to the mountains, withless than expectedloses of southern armies. Our casualties were also minimal. The leader of the new hero group, a teen called Attius Clausus, was a capable tactician and competent commander. After pushing the demons back to the mountains, the kingdoms celebrated for weeks. The returning armies paraded through the southern kingdoms.
This led to a period of war within the remaining kingdoms. Out of options and unable to mount a defense on their own many kingdoms united with their neighbors. This brought conflict when two or more groups fought over another kingdom. War spread quickly, no one was immune.
It became apparent that most kingdoms were content to fight for pety reason and pride, instead of uniting against the Empire, and the demons. At this time Badu was 19, when she realized something about her fellow rulers. They''re all idiots and fools, she thought. So she brought her trusted ministers together to tell them her plan to end the fighting. They agreed her plan was the right one, cruel, simple, but necessary. If they won''t lead they''re people correctly, then they don''t need to lead anyone.
Launching a coordinated offensive, the other kingdoms fell within a year. This massive mobalization by the Allaincecaused the Golden Empire to negotiate a cease fire. Both sides now watch eachother carefully. Which leads us to the present. Badu now 20, was in the grand hall of the Star Fall Fortress, trying to process what she''d just been told. The gods chose a hero, and we didn''t request a summoning? Whats more the ever quiet god of chaos, chose him? Is this good or bad? Aargh, these idiots are to loud. Gotta get somewhere else to think.
" You can''t stop her, Von, and you know it! " retorted King Donald.
"Of course you can. I''ll inform my people to make preparations. Don''t forget to inform the other races about this, King Donald. We may need their help this time." I say, before passing the door. Now lets go get some icecream.
After the mother wolf accepted my proposal, I absorbed her. Though I didn''t receive any special upgrades, I did receive a rough map of the area and the first step in my armor mutation. It was more like really thick skin, but it was something. I took the pup back to the temple where it would be safe. I fetched some food for it along the way, poor rabbits were petrified when I approached them. Back at the temple,it ate them happily. I also started a fire for it. As the pup sleeps, I too lay down, staring at the stars, I began to think. I should find some worth while specimens soon, all these normal animals are about as worthless as an infected human. Hmm?...
Maybe there isn''t any in these woods? Amatsu did say it was in the frontier, so maybe the demon lands have more badass monsters. I should probably find a settlement soon, they''re likely to have information on dangerous locations. I''ll stay one maybe two weeks here, then I''ll leave once the pups stronger.
Looking at my new friend, I can''t help but feel excitment. What will he look like? How far is its potential? He should get infected telepathy right? Should I wait, and if so how long? No. I''ll infect him tomorrow, then we''ll start hunting as a pack. Even with no upgrades for us , the experience of hunting as a pack and consuming should make him stronger anyway. The strongest thing I''ve seen was a six armed bear. Sighing, I look to the stars once more.....
I''m brought out of my slumber, when the pup jumps on me and starts licking my face. You may be confused, as I stated previously that I didn''t require sleep. I don''t, but I find it give me a sense of peace and comfort. So yeah I was sleeping, till I got slobered on. I push it off ,wiping my face I glare at it, it smiles and yipes at me. Can''t be mad at it as it runs around me barking, its too cute. I spend some time with it outside the temple playing fetch, or watching it chase butterflies and songbirds. After a time I take him hunting, finally checked its gender, he''s weak right know but he doesn''t realize it. I''ll have to teach him what happens when you''re weak. I don''t like the idea of doing this, but like a parent telling their kid why its pet died, I know its a lesson best learned early. Painful, but necessary for its survival.
I know this all sounds cruel, but its not like I''m gonna let him die. I may be a monster, but I have a heart you know. I take him around the woods, letting him hunt small things on its own, till we come across a feral dog.
I step back queitly, this isn''t my prey, nor is it my lesson. The feral takes this as a sign I''m scared. Snarling it charges the pup. My pup meets him in the air, colliding in a mess of fur and flesh. They claw, bite and kick each other. Both struggle for the killing blow. The pup bite the leg of the feral, who in turn grabs the nape of the pups neck. It starts to thrash the pup, before throw it against a nearby tree. The pup let out a cry of pain as its thrased and thrown. It hits the tree hard, yips, and tries to stand again. He falls back down, unable to continue. The feral lets out a happy bark, seeing this it moves for the kill. It''s forgotten about me completly. As it gets near the pup, the pup looks like it knows it going to die, but there is deviance in it eyes. ''Good, boy.'' I thought.
Before the feral can get close enough for the kill, I spring towards him. I kick it at full speed, launching it into a tree, it strikes the tree ten feet up and come crashing down. I can sense it''s still alive, but just barely. Turning to the pup, I kneel down to it. His will still shines in his eyes, but it won''t last long with the wounds he''s got. Taking my hand I stab him, injecting the virus into him. He cries, as it invades his body, consuming and rewriting his DNA. I hold him as it gets to work, I can feel his pain as the virus infects more of him. I cry with him, it hurts to have to harm something in order to protect it. As the minutes past, he loses consciousness, and the forest is quiet. Silence, no birds, insects, not even the trees make a sound. As if the whole forest just witnessed the birth of a terrible beast, nothing dared disturb it.....
In a village bordering the woods, there was an old man lazily sitting in a chair. If you were from the village you''d know he was a veteran hunter, hardened warrior, and the current village cheif. You''d also recognize the look on his face as he looked to the woods, the look that said something was bothering him. ''What is this uneasy feeling coming from the woods?'' thought the Cheif. For the old woods to be this quiet, something must be scarying it pretty good, and thats not good for us. It''s not like the woods were home to mythical monsters or anything like that. Though it did at some time, they all migrated to the Forbidden Forest long ago. Now the woods was acting like the old legends, the ones that saw rise to great beasts. As he contemplated this, he was interupted.
''Why can''t people ever stop fighting?'' he asked himself. Thinking for a bit, he turns to his daughter.
Pup pov.
''What do we do now, Brother?'' I ask.
''Most of the time yeah. But a stronger opponent is always more satisfying to consume. Which is what I want you to do for the next few days. Hunt, consume, adapt, and hunt again. When I want you to return I''ll signal you. If you do require help, signal me with your mind, we''re connected. I''ll be hunting as well.'' said Alpha. Nodding my understanding, I take off. The hunts begun.
Alec pov
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As I''m thinking my hunters sense goes off. It only does that when something I haven''t encountered is in range. Focusing on the sense, I feel a small group of humans, three to be exact. They''re heading towards the temple. To pray maybe? Hope its not one of those virgin sacrifice things.
NOT!
The child became a man of accomplishment, and eventually he too had a child, a beautiful daughter. This child was Nix Verto, accomplished adventurer, brave beauty, and unfortunatley, the only daughter of the cheif. It was the last part that had lead to an irratating past few days. She had grown up on the Frontier, proving herself capable of handling the monsters, bandits and any man foolish enough to attempt to woo her. Her skill in combat, brave spirit , and feirce loyalty, had earned her many friends. Such as the ones that warned her of the Empires'' men marching on her home. Simply because they wouldn''t roll over for them or pay them not to. Hate wouldn''t be a word she would use to describe her feelings of the Empire. It wasn''t strong enough, she loathed the hero emperor.
They finally made it here. Humans so damn slow. It looks like they found a way up here. Oh, a rope , guess they should be dropping in. Wow, she''s pretty. Fiery red hair, like a sea of flames, with the face of an angel, around 5''9'''' I think, 32B-23-34 from the looks of it. Oh, yeah, she''s beautiful. The lady looks around for a bit, noticing the signs of my camp, she calls out. I can''t understand her, but for some reason, when one of the men she came with spoke, I wanted to kill him. Have you ever meet someone and immediatly hated them the moment the spoke? We''ll, I have now.
I know she''s probably scared, so I give a moment to steady herself.
Nix pov.
I can''t see it! Where is it? What is it? Where is the wolf from earlier? This thing thought it could trick me with polite speech. Not gonna happen! I turn around and I see it, but I''m kind of confused. I see a teen, about 6''2'''', with white skin, and pale blue eyes. His build says he can handle a fight, but the strange clothes he has on are preventing an accurate call.