《Tales of a Variant》


 Chapter One

    The small wooden cart rocked gently as it made its way down the paved road towards the brilliant looking city in the distance. At the front sat an older man in typical farmer overalls and a straw hat. The oppressive summer heat didn¡¯t seem to faze the aging farmer or his three horned ox pulling the cart.


    Speaking of the heat the farmer looked over his shoulder at his silent companion in the back of the cart. The man (at least he assumed it was a man) was completely covered by his worn brown traveling cloak the aging farmer wanted to offer his large companion some water but so far he hadn¡¯t said a single thing not even when he¡¯d asked for a ride.


    He simply held out a handful of coppers and pointed at the back of the cart. Sighing the farmer returned his attention to the road again his thoughts turning to his crops and the latest gossip. He almost didn¡¯t see the gleam of sun on metal before the arrow embedded itself into the bench just an inch away from his leg.


    With surprising speed the farmer pulled the cart to a stop from its already ponderous pace while grabbing a crossbow from under his bench. Before it had stopped moving he was already on the ground and taking cover.


    Cursing the man began loading his crossbow with the only one of ten crossbow bolts he owned. Internally mourning at how expensive even these ten were to get he began going over everything he¡¯d learned in the militia back in his younger days. None of that would really help him now he was certain but he at least knew how to hold and fire the weapon even if he wasn¡¯t as young as he used to be.


    Slowly the man poked his head around the corner of the cart only to yank it back as a loud thud echoed where his head had been. As the farmer began contemplating his dilemma he suddenly realized that something was wrong.


    With a start he began whipping his head from side to side looking for his silent passenger he hadn¡¯t heard any arrows landing behind him in the cart, did that mean they hit him silently or was his passenger perhaps one of them?


    As the farmers face began growing more and more grim he noticed a dirty brown cloak swaying in the wind just in front of his ox. In the strangers hand was a crossbow bolt held upside down. It¡¯s tip was facing the surprisingly docile ox.This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    ¡±There¡¯s no way...¡±


    The mans focus wasn¡¯t on the fact that the stranger had just grabbed a crossbow bolt from mid air or the fact that he never even saw the stranger move. No all of that made perfect sense when he saw the strangers exposed arm.


    Black as ebony and thick with corded muscle flowing along the midnight skin of his arm was an intricate white tattoo that disappeared somewhere past his shoulder.


    Slowly the man let his ratty brown cloak drift to the ground. With a sound like fire works the man stretched letting the bones in his back pop with great satisfaction. Finally raising up to his full height of seven feet tall, hair as white as moonlight fell to his shoulders as he began working out the kinks in his neck.


    Slowly the Variant let out a deep breath seemingly basking in the hot summer sun. Idly, almost like he didn¡¯t even notice it he snapped the thick crossbow bolt between his fingers like a dry twig.


    All the while the forest remained eerily calm no attacks coming as the Variant revealed himself to the world, the farmer didn¡¯t blame them if they had already run away. You don¡¯t mess with one of their kind, only the greedy the desperate, or the stupid would try to take one of them on without some serious firepower.


    Apparently these bandits qualified for at least one if not all of those categories as three more crossbow bolts shot towards the Variant. Without hesitation he took a quick, short step to his right as all three impacted the ground roughly where he stood a moment ago. The farmer almost didn¡¯t notice how one of those bolts he dodged landed close to the docile beast.


    Slowly the Variant looked over his shoulder to stare right into the aging farmers warm brown eyes with his own predetorial red ones. Now that he could see his face the farmer noticed that the intricate white tattoo continued up his shoulder and stopped around his right temple.


    ¡±Just sit tight old man there¡¯s only four of the idiots and I can see them all from here.¡±


    The farmer wished to form some sort of response but his mouth wouldn¡¯t move. Here stood one of the bedtime stories his Pap told him to scare him straight. He had to admit that those scary stories weren¡¯t very fair to the real deal. This man was far more terrifying than anything those silly books could match.


    Without even waiting for his response the Variant was already walking forward toward where the bandits were no doubt hiding. Suddenly the farmer almost felt a little sorry for those bandits. Almost.


    ¡±I¡¯m getting too old for this shit.¡±

 Chapter 2

    Steadily the Variant marched closer to the tree line, his eyes never straying from his destination, his intention clear as day. In the trees the target of that gaze gulped loudly as cold sweat ran down his back and chilled his spine. The forest had seemingly gone quiet try as he might he couldn¡¯t hear the bugs or the birds. It was like everything had fled the instant the Variant revealed himself.


    Nervously the young bandit tried to bring his crossbow to bear but for the life of him he just couldn¡¯t seem to aim it straight. Suddenly the Variant stops and crouches down into an odd pose the bandit had never seen before. One leg was positioned straight behind him while the other was bent with the knee almost touching his chest with his butt in the air. Both hands were on the ground in front of him to balance his weight.


    The bandit had only a second to notice his legs tense up before he blurred forward, directly towards him. With a loud thunk two bolts impacted the ground where he was standing just a moment ago. With dawning horror the bandit tries to line up his crossbow but unlimately abandons it as he realizes he¡¯ll never hit such a fast target.


    He chucks the crossbow as hard as he can at the approaching blur and draws the sword at his waist. He¡¯s unsurprised when his crossbow fails to stop its target but he is surprised when the Variant catches the weapon out of midair by the grip, his finger already around the trigger. With dread the bandit realizes that it¡¯s pointed directly at him.With a lunge born from pure desperation he narrowly escapes the crossbow bolt sailing over his head but fails to account for the rock waiting to cushion his fall.


    The world turns into a blurry mess as he feels his life¡¯s blood pool around him. Dimly he¡¯s aware of the red eyed demon standing over him holding his sword. No, as his life neared it¡¯s end it occurs to him that it isn¡¯t his sword, not really. It was his grandfathers the man who took him in and raised him after that scumbag of a father finally drunk himself to death.


    And he¡¯d stolen it and left after Robin the suave bandit leader strolled through town and filled his head with stories of riches, women, and brotherhood. It had all been a lie of course, soon the young man found himself scrubbing the floors and doing all the menial tasks for the bandit group. As for the woman...the less said about that the better. In fact this was his first ever run with a squad.


    He¡¯d been so excited until he saw the kindly looking farmer with flecks of white in his beard. Suddenly he wasn¡¯t so sure anymore. Unfortunately it was too late to turn back so he could only raise his crossbow and fire at the lesser Dulbino pulling the cart.


    He never even saw the figure until his bolt was in its hand. Now that same figure stood over him with his grandfathers sword in its hand. He couldn¡¯t get a good look at the Variants face through the wetness pooling in his eyes and spilling down his face.


    ¡±I¡¯m sorry Gramps I shoulda listened to ya when you told me to stay home I don¡¯t wanna kill nobody.¡±


    It might have been his imagination but he thought he saw the mighty figure hesitate before glancing at the sword in his hand.


    Darkness began to fill the regretful young bandits vision but just before unconsciousness took him he thought he heard the Variant mutter something.


    ¡±Stupid twenty first century morals.¡±


    With a sigh Corvo let the sword drop next to the young man laying unconcious on the ground. Slowly he turned his head from side to side but he already knew the other bandits were long gone those last two shots had simply been for show. Depressed Corvo sullenly places the young mans sword back in its sheathe and straps is to his hip. With a heave he tears a part of the punks shirt and wraps it around his head.


    ¡±Honestly what kinda dumbass goes out to rob people without even wearing any armor.¡±


    With a grace and gentleness that bellied his impressive size Corvo lifted the young man into his arms and began waking back towards the cart. Before he had even cleared the tree line however he noticed something was very wrong.


    The bizzare ox was laying dead in a pool of its own blood and the farmer was nowhere to be seen. With narrowed eyes Corvo gently set the young man down and took the sword from him.


    ¡°I¡¯ll have to borrow this for a little bit.¡±


    Quickly he began circling round the clearing just out of sight of the road as he inched closer to where three armored heads poked out from behind cover. Corvo is tempted to take a shot with his stolen (or perhaps relinquished?) crossbow but ultimately decides not to for fear of the kindly farmers safety.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    Instead he circles around the tree line as quickly as he possibly can. He knew he needed to hurry these men were on the open road and a patrol or another group of travelers could come upon them and scare them into doing something desperate.


    Corvo knew he was out of time to when one of the men stood up in a rage fueled panic and dragged the bleeding old farmer up with him.


    ¡°Alright you freak listen up! We¡¯re leaving and taking this old fart and all his shit with us you try to stop us and he gets to meet the business end of my mace!¡±


    Said mace was positioned right under the farmers chin it¡¯s pointed tips digging into the skin of his neck. Corvo felt his fingers tighten on the grip of his crossbow, he¡¯d been careless.


    As the Variant was busy debating over what to do he caught sight of the subtle glint of sun on metal and realized he only had a second to react.


    Blood dripped to the ground as he fired. With a howl the bandit clutches his hand where the knife had pierced it. One of the three stooges had noticed the glint as well luckily he was the farthest and could only raise his crossbow instead of his sword.


    He never got the chance to fire as a crossbow bolt slammed into his crossbow and tore the ruined weapon out of his hand with enough force to tear the skin of his hand.


    With a savage grin Corvo draws his borrowed blade and pulls upon the well of Mana deep within him. He exalts in the feel of it¡¯s liquid coolness singing through his veins as he activates the only spell he knows.


    ¡±Haste¡±


    The wind whips around his body causing the grass to wave in the breeze for a moment before he shoots off far faster than is humanly possible. In a moment he has cleared the ten meters between the tree line and the road his already superhuman speed doubled by the magic.


    The bandit who¡¯s crossbow was ripped from his hand only had a moment to react before Corvos blade tasted its first kill. With a sharp tug he pulled the steel from his neck ignoring the splash of blood on his shirt. The man sank to the ground eyes wide as his hands futilely try to keep his life¡¯s blood from pouring out.


    With a shudder the bandit died as Corvo steps over his corpse. His blade is held out to the side blood dripping off the blades tip and onto the ground. He allows himself to shudder a little in pleasure as the bandits Experience floodes into him, vague memories of how to tan leather flitted through his head as he stalks closer to the only two bandits left. The one with the injured hand grips his mace in a clearly uncomfortable manner in his off hand.


    The bandit standing between Corvo and the injured one looks about ready to wet himself as his knees literally knocked together.


    ¡°Oh wait you actually did wet yourself¡±


    Corvo tried not to breathe through his nose as his sensitive sense of smell picked up on the middle bandits ¡°accident.¡±


    With a whimper the bandit falls to his knees in his own puddle and brings his hands up in a sign of begging. He opens his mouth to likely plead for mercy. He doesnt get the chance as a spiked mace tears though the back of his skull spilling blood and brain matter onto the road.


    With a sigh the large bandit rolls his shoulders feeling the bandits Experience flood through him. He switches his mace back to his healed right hand and grins in satisfaction.


    ¡±Took me a while to get to the next Level but it was worth it to save that last kill until now.¡±


    The bandit raises his head to stare and Corvo who is staring at the headless bandits body his face as unfeelingly stoic as it had been from the beginning.


    ¡±Man I never thought I¡¯d actually meet one of you ruthless bastards in person. Course I knew you was real, I saw a corpse of one of you¡¯s inside a cave full of dead monsters when I was just a lad.¡±


    The bandit smiles amiably as he approaches talking like nothing was strange about their conversation.


    ¡°That day I learned what it meant to be strong so I took the blue bastards mace and killed my parents with it, pushovers never shoulda cut my allowance.¡±


    The bandit was now right in Corvo¡¯s personal space his eyes even with the Variants.


    ¡±But ever since that day I¡¯ve always wondered what it¡¯d be like to kill one of you in person.¡±


    The large bandit swings his mace without warning aiming for the Variants left arm. A yellow glow surrounds his weapon as he activates his Martial Art. The grin was still plastered on his face when the hand firmly gripped his forearm completely halting its momentum.


    With horror the bandit stares at his arm gripped steadily in the Variants left hand. Slowly he raises his eyes to stare into those two red orbs.


    ¡±Bringing him in alive would have earned me a bonus on the bandit bounty.¡±


    Slowly the Variant twists his right arm until he couldn¡¯t hold his mace anymore. With a thud the heavy weapon hits the ground its yellow glow long gone.


    With dawning fear the bandit considers pleading for his life, arguing that he could still earn him a bonus. One look in those empty red eyes was all it took for him to throw that notion out the window.


    Strength born of desperation fueled him as he raised his knee to strike the Variant in the crotch. No matter how strong someone was a sharp blow to the right place could bring any man down.


    The bandit found himself grinning in pride as blood suddenly covered the Variant in a spray. Confusion filled his face however when he met those apathetic eyes and saw what he thought was a little pity.


    ¡°Oh¡±


    Lowering his gaze the mountain of a bandit realized his left leg was missing at the knee. He wanted to scream, to curse, to do something, anything. He never got the chance as his vision suddenly started spinning, one moment he saw the endless blue sky the next he saw the Variant standing over a decapitated body. The bandits final thoughts filled his head a moment before his head it the ground.


    ¡±So that¡¯s want a demon looks like.¡±

 Chapter 3

    Ronnie had been guarding the gates to Riverwatch for fifteen years in that time he¡¯d seen a lot of eccentric types walk through these gates, courtesy of the adventurers guild he was certain. Still, to this day he didn¡¯t think anything came even close to the sight waiting for him as his shift was coming to an end that day. In the distance was a figure of ebony skin drenched in red, pulling a cart with what looked like an old man and a bound form riding inside.


    ¡°Hey Sadie am I mistaken or is that guy a Minotaur cuz I¡¯ve never seen one so small before, in fact I don¡¯t think he has a bulls head now that I¡¯m looking at him.¡±


    Shading his eyes Ronnie tried to get a better look at the bizarre figure in the distance. Out of the corner of his eye he watched his fellow gate guard, a grizzled old woman who retired from adventuring when she lost her eye in a battle she has never talked about. She could still take him with both arms behind her back and one eye closed he had no doubt about that. Which was why he nearly wet himself when he caught the look of genuine fear on her face.


    ¡°Get all the guards on duty ready for battle but keep ¡®em on the walls and out of sight, if that idiot Thomas tries to pull rank and undermine my orders then give him a good one upside the head, now move!¡±


    Blank faced Ronnie felt the almost instinctual urge to ignore he and ask what the hell was going on but reined it in and sprinted into the small door next to the gate that lead into the guardsmans barracks. After Ronnie ran inside the gate hollering orders Sadie took a deep breath of the hot summer air, allowing the tension she once felt before a big hunt from her years of adventuring seep back into her bones. Only once had she seen a Variant in person which is more than most can say.


    It was the also the day she lost her left eye, her entire party, and half a village. A dull throb from the empty socket threatened to drag her back to that dark day but with an effort of will she shook away the memories. Reaching deep she called upon the signature Skill of all adventurers, instantly her inventory filled her awareness full of all her old adventurer gear, the armor and spear as pristine as the day she¡¯d sworn to put them away for good.


    Looking back on it she was glad she hadn¡¯t simply sold the gear, it may be the only thing that saved her life today. With a mental flex she activated the second ability of the inventory Skill and watched as the guardsman attire broke off into flakes of light, disintegrating on a nonexistent wind. When the flakes had fully peeled away she found herself clutching her old spear, its staff carved from the wood of a Treant and etched with strange markings, the spear head shone in the afternoon sun, its base fused into the wood itself.


    Sadie took comfort in the power that filled her as her old armor embraced her like a lost lover, the pelt made from the fur of a Direwolf somehow didn¡¯t make her feel any warmer despite the oppressive summer sun. Rolling her neck Sadie felt a bit like the rumored Wolfslayer she had once so proudly called herself.


    Cutting a rather striking figure the retired adventurer struck the ground with her spear, silently activating one of her signature Skills from her monster hunting days. Mentally preparing herself for the battle to come Sadie finally let her eyes drift upwards to the top of the cart where she could now make out the features of the two forms inside.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    Surprisingly one seemed rather relaxed which was completely at odds with what she had expected. In fact the man seemed to be smoking casually out of a pipe. The other passenger was tied up and seemed to have a cloth wrapped firmly around his head. Silently Sadie found herself praying that this wouldn¡¯t end in bloodshed after all.


    ¡±Hey, so you look badass and all but I¡¯m kinda covered in blood and tired of pulling a damn cart for ten miles so if we could hurry whatever the hell this is along...¡±


    Without her even realizing it the Variant had stopped right where the stone bridge met the dirt road. What¡¯s worth mentioning is that it also stopped just outside of the range of her Skill. Warily she eyed the blood soaked figure taking in its biazarre hair and eyes was well as the oddly bulging sack sitting on the drivers bench behind its head.


    ¡±Look if this is about me being covered in blood then I¡¯m sorry about that but we had a bit of a bandit issue on the way here and things got a little messy...¡±


    Looking closer Sadie noticed that there was blood pooling at the bottom of the sack. Mentally she berated herself for not noticing such an eye catching detail.


    Giving the appearance that she¡¯d relaxed her guard a bit Sadie pulled up her old ¡°business smile¡± she used to wear when dealing with clients and even still used now when dealing with idiot superiors...


    ¡±Sorry about that friend, we were a bit concerned by the blood soaked giant dragging a cart with what looks like a dead kid in it, in fact my partner Ronnie almost took you for a damn Minotaur.¡±


    Laughing lightly Sadie kept one hand behind her back, a vial of paralytic poison clenched between her fingers. Silently she readied any number of skills she had for keeping the Variant in place, if only for a moment so that the guards could fill it with arrows.


    ¡°Nah it¡¯s cool I get it, not to often you see a person pulling a cart but the bandits killed the old mans Dolbino and since it¡¯s my fault they got to it...¡±


    Surprisingly the Variant had a small, subdued smirk on its face to her memory she¡¯d never heard of a Variant smiling, well unless they were engaging in acts of brutal slaughter. Lost in her own rumination for a moment she almost didn¡¯t see the subtle change come over it.


    Its hair had fallen forward obscuring the top of its expression from view.


    ¡±...of course if my being a Variant is the issue then it would certainly explain all those shiny arrows pointed at me.¡±


    Eyes widening Sadie took a stance with her spear held out, seconds away from leaping forward and piercing the Variants heart and if that wasn¡¯t enough the poison in her off hand would slow it down enough for the guards to finish it if not wound it. Her weight transitioned forward, power building in her legs from her back foot to her front foot to boost her forward. Almost in slow motion she saw the Variant let go of the cart as its arms came up to attack.


    Her spear leapt forward, hungrily closing the distance between them in moments. Distantly she noticed the long forgotten farmer standing up, shouting something. It didn¡¯t matter, she¡¯d question why he was there in the cart with it when this was over.


    Quickly the Variant dove to the ground, would it try to roll under her spear? No it...


    Without even realizing it Sadie had come to a stop, the silver glow of her Martial Art fading from the spearhead. Her spear had met empty air where the Variants heart used to be, instead she found herself gazing down at the kneeling Variant with both arms behind its head.


    ¡±Please miss stop, Corvo here saved my life, he¡¯s trying to surrender to you there¡¯s no need to fight!¡±


    With a start Sadie finally realized what the aging farmer was trying to tell her. Hesitantly she lowered the spear inch by inch finally the spear head rested against the stone of the bridge. What was this? Variants were mindless killing machines, Sadie had personal experience with that fact, she should kill it how while she had the chance.


    It¡¯s eyes were closed and it¡¯s face was filled with stoic resignation, it was a menace that needed to be out down. If that really were the case then why didn¡¯t it¡¯s face look so menacing anymore. Since when did he start looking like just another person.

 Chapter 4

    ¡°So let me get this straight, you were banished from your tribe for not sharing their isolationist views and were turned away by the other nearby towns due to your inherent nature as Variant?¡±


    ¡±Well I wouldn¡¯t say ¡®inherent nature¡¯ so much as my simply being a Variant¡±


    Presently Corvo found himself in a stone room just a short walk from the gate itself. After being seated in the only furniture in the room-a wooden seat-he was joined by an effeminate looking man with way to many highlights in his gaudy captains armor. Behind him stood the one eyed woman in her armor although she seemed far more relaxed when she looked at him compared to before.


    ¡¯although that might have to do with the fact I¡¯m not covered in blood anymore.¡¯


    When he¡¯d given himself up Corvo had expected the woman to stab him right then and there.


    ¡¯It might have been a mercy if she had.¡¯


    Shaking off the dark thoughts Corvo recalled how the aged woman stared at him with her single eye. The murderous intention in those eyes had made even his spine shiver a little. After a long moment however, she seemed to come to some sort of decision and had hauled him in through a thick wooden door next to the gate. At the same time she casted a spell under her breath and all the blood and dirt simply slid off of him and onto the stones at his feet.


    Now he found himself face to face with some gaudy peacock who was somehow the gaurd captain. The man was spared none of Corvos attention, instead he eyed the woman standing in the corner of the room by the bars that made up the door.


    A fact which the gaudy fool did not seem to take kindly. Puffing himself up like a genuine peacock he opened his mouth no doubt about to give Corvo a piece of his mind and a reminder of his imagined power. He was quickly disillusioned when Corvo locked eyes with him, a pressure like being stared down by a predator overwhelmed his conscious mind. Almost immediately Thommins felt his mouth dry up as words left him, he would not be speaking again for the duration of this conversation.


    ¡±Now that the jester is done with his routine may I enter your city or will I have to keep walking?¡±


    Posing his question to the woman in the corner Corvo folded his hands in his lap and waited patiently. Holding the Variants eyes Sadie mulled over her response for a long time. After several silent minutes punctuated by the forgotten captains fidgeting Sadie finally opened her mouth.


    ¡±Frankly a large part of me doesn¡¯t trust you in the slightest, it tells me that letting you run free is a mistake and I should gut you right here and now.¡±


    The silence in the room returned, this time it was deafening. Thommins fidgeting finally stopped but sheer terror filled his face when he realized he was right in the middle of these two monsters, one figuratively the other literally.


    ¡°However against my better judgement I¡¯m going to let you enter the city, be warned though that I don¡¯t trust you and the guards will most likely not take your side if trouble breaks out.¡±


    Looking her dead in the eye Corvo slowly nodded his head in understanding. Just like that the tension in the room began to fade like it was never there. Pale faced Thommins jumped to his feet with shaking knees and opened the door to the cell before trying to walk away with as much dignity as a coward can muster while fleeing.If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    ¡±Please tell me this was just an elaborate joke and he¡¯s not really the captain of the guard?¡±


    Sadie¡¯s sigh expressed more than a paragraph of words could ever hope to express. Nodding in sympathy Corvo held up his hands to reveal thick chains binding his wrists and ankles together. Recognizing the gesture for what it was Sadie removed a scroll from her waistband and tore it in half breaking the spell written on it.


    Quickly the chains unwind themselves and retreat into the shadows at the back of the cell. Rubbing his slightly sore wrists Corvo stood up and walked behind Sadie who gestures for him to follow.


    Without turning around Sadie grabs a bag of coins of her belt puch and tosses it to Corvo over her shoulder.


    ¡±That¡¯s for taking care of those bandits plus the bonus for bringing one in alive, also...¡±


    Corvo stares for a second when a familiar iron sword appears in the gaurdsmans hand. The blade had been cleaned of any blood and given a less worn sheathe.


    ¡±The young man asked us to give this to you as thanks for sparing his life, the sheathe is from the farmer as well as a few extra coins, he said it was for protecting him and hauling the cart to the city.¡±


    Corvo stares at the two items for a long time before slowly nodding his head. Try as she might Sadie couldn¡¯t even begin to guess what he was thinking so she stopped trying and just kept walking.


    ¡±Ya know it¡¯s kinda ironic but if those two-especially the bandit wannabe-hadn¡¯t spoken up for you I never would have let you in.¡±


    Or walk away.


    That was the unspoken message that passed between the two of them. Corvo didn¡¯t ask why she seemed even more distrusting of him than most others he¡¯d met. He didn¡¯t need to, she agreed to let him enter the cot despite her own personal reservations. He knew it wouldn¡¯t make her happy to hear it so he didn¡¯t say it. But the one-eyed former adventurer definitely had his respect.


    Eventually they had made their way out into the city. From here Corvo could see a long line of street vendors hawking their wares. All along the street people from various races were going about their day. He was the only one of his kind on the street and most likely for several miles.


    Not dwelling on the thought Corvo turned to the female guardsmen to ask for directions only to see her back as she began walking away. Shrugging he began making his way down the crowded street conscious of the wide birth and sideways stares he was getting. Corvo ignored it with the ease of a man used to having many eyes on him.


    Instead he began debating on whether or not it was worth getting ripped off his few coins just to buy himself a sword belt. As it stands he was just carrying it by the sheathe in one hand while his coin pouch sat tucked away in his shirt. Well out of sight of any would be thieves. Although he seriously doubted any would be willing to get close to him especially considering the five foot gap people were giving him as he walked.


    Lost in his ruminations as he was, Corvo still noticed the small figure darting toward his back like an arrow to its target. Sighing to himself Corvo pivoted on his heel ready to scare the little pickpocket off with a menacing stare. Or at least that was how things should have played out, instead all that greeted the confused Variant was the same Davis foot gap of space and a lot more stares.


    Blinking Corvo slowly turns around to continue on his way when something very soft and furry brushes in between his shoulder blades. Instantly he becomes aware of a small presence sitting on his shoulders and rubbing its face in his hair.


    ¡°Wow mister your hair is soooooo soft~ I wish I had hair this pretty and silky.¡±


    Gently reaching over his head Corvo¡¯s fingers register a softness similar to the one brushing his back. Exploring further he confirms to himself that this is indeed someone¡¯s head. He reaches a little higher and finds even softer pointy things on top of his little passengers head.


    ¡°Ah, you¡¯re a beastkin child, my your kind really does have the softest fur along your ears I don¡¯t know why you would want my hair.¡±


    ¡°Oh really, you think so? I disagree yours is like a silky curtain made of clouds.¡±


    That day the citizens of Riverhold were treated to the unique spectacle of a Variant and Beastkin child touching each other¡¯s hair and complementing it. In the distance a certain keen eyed female guardsman watched this happening from her post at the gate.


    ¡±Just what the hell is that wierdo even doing?¡±

 Chapter 5

    Eventually the staring audience grew to be annoying so after an appropriate amount of head patting went on did Corvo continue on his way. With his new guest in tow.


    ¡°Take a left up ahead.¡±


    Still riding on his shoulders the young beastkin pointed to a dark, shady looking alley that was barely wide enough to drive a cart through, he also noticed how the shoppers gave the entrance a wide berth. Despite this Corvo followed the young girls instructions and entered the alley. Frankly he was just glad to get away from all the annoying staring.


    Filth sat at the bottom of the alley but it looked like someone had taken the time to clean up the worst of it. The rest of the trash was just shoved against the far wall so that it was off the walkway. After walking for a few feet Corvo caught sight of something he never expected to see. Sitting behind a rundown looking stall filing its sharp claws with a knife was an old goblin.


    Corvo found himself staring at the non hostile goblin so long the creature looked up to meet his red eyes with its brown ones. The goblin blinked once, looked him over from head to toe and dismissed him with a grunt. Corvo continued to stare at the goblin for a moment but eventually just shrugged and continued on his way.


    As they made their way deeper into the alley Corvo saw more monsters selling things from behind stalls. He saw a harpy selling jewelry, a Gnoll fortune teller, he even saw what he thought was a sprite racing over the rooftops with a bag full of tightly bound scrolls.


    ¡±This is the monster district, it¡¯s where the intelligent monsters make their living and where they sleep.¡±


    Without noticing it Corvo had come to a stop next to a grizzled old orc sitting under a tent. Spread out around the orc were various weapons and armors of noticeably superior quality. Internally Corvo couldn¡¯t help but admire the craftsmanship the orc had on display, noticing the Variants appreciative gaze the battle scarred ore puffed his muscular chest out with pride.


    ¡±These are all my own creations, any smith worth their weight in salt knows that you put time and care into your weapons¡±


    Nodding silently Corvo continues to study a pair of steel greaves seemingly disinterested in the orcs words. Surprisingly the old orc doesn¡¯t react at all in response to the subtle slight. Instead he turns his attention to Corvo¡¯s passenger with a fond look in his eye.


    ¡±Ya brought me a pretty strange one this time around little Muiri he even stuck around longer than ten seconds!¡±


    Boisterous laughter filled the enclosed alley and seemed to spread to the other monster shopkeepers making one or two smile as they went about their business, although the Gnoll version of a smile looked more like it wanted to bite your face off. Seemingly unaffected by the orcs good mood Corvo finally met the friendly monsters green-brown eyes with his red ones.


    ¡±I apologize if my conduct has been unkind I simply wished to see if you have your brethren¡¯s temper.¡±


    Performing a small bow as he spoke Corvo almost didn¡¯t see the giant green hand reaching for him. Imperceptibly Corvo¡¯s hands twitched, it was only a small hand pulling on his hair that stopped him. A strong but firm hand patted him on the shoulder with enough force to break most normal humans bones. Somehow Corvo doubted the grizzled orc even noticed.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, frankly I can¡¯t blame ya, my kin ain¡¯t exactly know for their patience.¡±


    Grinning with a mouth full of very sharp teeth the orc sits back down on his chair in he center of his stall and picks up a dagger from a table nearby and begins cleaning it with a rag tucked into his shirt.


    ¡°It¡¯s not often a monster gives up their more bestial selves and accepts the light, although I gotta say this Leveling thing you guys do isn¡¯t half bad.¡±


    Indeed, all monsters possess the ability to Level just like the intelligent races. However, in doing so they sacrifice a great deal of their former monstrous power. Not to mention the ever present risk that they could revert back to their old selves. Which is most likely the reason why all the monsters were segregated away from the main market place.


    ¡°So what can a tired old orc do for you today?¡±


    Suddenly remembering why they came here in the first place Corvo held up his sword silently and pointed to his belt.


    ¡°Ah I gotcha just gimme a sec I think I have a belt that¡¯ll work for ya.¡±


    So saying the orc rose to his impressive full height, almost as tall as the seven foot Corvo, and began rummaging through his supplies in the back of the tent.


    ¡±Here we are, I actually made this sword belt with a fellow orc in mind but you¡¯re close enough that I can adjust it a little to fit comfortably.¡±The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    Keeping to his word the orc fitted Corvo for his new belt in only a few minutes. However when Corvo heard the price his hand that was reaching for his pouch froze. Noticing the reaction the old orc frowned slightly, this wasn¡¯t the first time someone had ¡°forgotten¡± their money at home. Holding the Variants eye the old orc waited patiently, the knife somehow found its way back into his hands as he idly cleaned the pristine blade.


    Not acknowledging the knife at all Corvo reached into the pouch in his shirt and pulled out six coppers. Handing them to the orc with a closed fist he set them into the scarred, green palm held out. The orcs eyes widened when he opened his hand and saw the money. One or two shopkeepers noticed the exchange and began edging into the path of the already leaving Variant.


    Instead of outrage however, all the monsters saw was orcs surprised face. Without turning back Corvo stopped, Muiri still silently sitting on his shoulders.


    ¡±You¡¯re charging too little for excellent service, this belt is worth a lot more than three measly coppers.¡±


    For a moment the battle scarred, old orc just stares at the back of the Variant, just as he¡¯s about to respond however, the Variant speaks up again.


    ¡±I never did catch your name, it has kinda gotten really annoying just referring to you as ¡®the orc¡¯ in my mind.¡±


    Blinking stupidly it takes a moment for the Variants words to register, when they do however the old orc smiles with all his sharp, pointy teeth on display.


    ¡±My name is Atulg of clan nightclaw young Variant.¡±


    Nodding his head Corvo commits the name to memory as he begins walking away again, his path noticeably less obstructed than a few moments ago.


    ¡±The name is Corvo the clanless, I¡¯ll be sure to stop by here again.¡±


    Without another word Corvo kept walking as his companion waved goodbye to Atulg.


    They only made it a short distance before a growl that could rival a dragon filled the ears of every shopkeeper present.


    All eyes were suddenly trained on the Variant who ws doing an excellent job of pretending not to notice. Feeling his guide shift until she was standing on his shoulders Corvo suddenly found his sight obstructed by a pair of beautiful golden eyes set into an adorable dusky skinned face.


    ¡±If you¡¯re hungry then I know exactly where to go next, take that first left right there.¡±


    Sitting back down on his shoulders Corvo found himself following his taciturn guides directions, internally he remarked how that was probably the longest sentence he¡¯d ever heard her say.


    Before long Corvo found himself staring at another beautiful woman with the traits of a fox. Slowly the bored looking woman raised her head to lock eyes with Corvo. After a moment of not saying anything the woman moved her gaze higher to Corvo¡¯s passenger.


    ¡±Oh Muiri, did you bring me a new customer?¡±


    Suddenly the woman¡¯s demeanor does a complete 360. She suddenly exudes seductive charm. Not even noticing Corvo takes a seat at one of the stools set up in front of her stall and places a few coppers onto the counter he waits patiently for his food to be served.


    Apparently the seductive woman hadn¡¯t expected she¡¯d be ignored completely. Almost unwillingly she handed Corvo a skewer with meat on it, in doing so she leaned forward to give him a pleasant view but the Variant didn¡¯t even flinch. At some point Muiri had moved behind the counter and was staring at her sister with amusement plain on her normally placid expression.


    Now she was getting annoyed! Men were always trying to chat her up so she eventually started using her charms to help pay the bills but here she met some annoying human-thing that pretended not to be interested. Well two can play at that game, pouting the woman idly counted out the coppers Corvo had placed on the counter and realized he¡¯d actually given her a little extra.


    Pocketing all but one coin she turned around and rummaged in her stall for a second, unintentionally she gave Corvo quite the view but doubted he¡¯d react. Which was why she almost hit her head when her sensitive hearing picked up on his next words.


    ¡±Meh it¡¯s not the best, I¡¯ve seen better.¡±


    ¡±WHAT?!¡±


    THUMP


    After rubbing the new bump she got on the back of her head the woman rounded on her customer with all the fury of a pissed off tigress.


    ¡±Uh that sounded like it hurt are you okay?¡±


    Completely ignoring the Variants question she began to lean forward with more menace than seduction, although she somehow still managed to exude both.


    ¡±What did you just say about my ass, I¡¯ll have you know men are always trying to cop a feel, you human men are all the same so don¡¯t pretend otherwise!¡±


    For a long time Corvo just blinked stupidly at her, then without taking eye contact he lifted his hand and pointed at the amateurish sign of a fox eating a skewer of meat she¡¯d carved for her stall. Blinking owlishly the woman suddenly lost all hope of looking menacing as she blinked owlishly at her sign


    ¡±Oh¡±


    Suddenly the ground became very interesting to look at. Muiri off in the corner was laughing her head off behind her hands and Corvo was giving the young woman a considering look, finally he nodded his hands and put his fist in his palm like he just solved a mystery.


    ¡°You¡¯re an idiot aren¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡±WHO¡¯RE YOU CALLING AN IDIOT?!¡±


    The young woman didn¡¯t look menacing so much as pitiful now that she had little tears in the corners of her eyes and red tinging her cheeks.


    ¡±In what way do I look like a human?¡±


    Once again blinking owlishly the woman meekly turned her gaze to the ground again.


    ¡±You¡¯re not?¡±


    ¡±Nope I¡¯m a Variant, the big, bad boogeyman.¡±


    ¡°Never heard of you.¡±


    ¡±Seriously Celene even I knew he wasn¡¯t human and you¡¯ve been among the humans longer.¡±


    Bowing her head in the face of her own embarrassment Celene had nothing to say.


    Corvo, however, suddenly realized something.


    ¡±You¡¯re not beastkin, you¡¯re kitsune.¡±


    Both Muiri and Celene craze a little at his words. Slowly Muiri met his gaze, a vulnerable expression on her face. It didn¡¯t escape his notice how Celene subtly put herself between the Variant and Muiri.


    ¡±Is that going to be a problem for you?¡±


    Celene¡¯s tone and body language were neutral but Corvo could see the monster hiding just behind those beautiful golden eyes of hers. Slowly Corvo stood up, as he did Muiri¡¯s expression turned downcast.


    ¡±Not really, just didn¡¯t know that some monsters could become more human looking if they accepted Leveling over their monster halves.¡±


    Muiri¡¯s head dipped so her bangs covered her eyes, Corvo pretended not to hear the quiet sniffles. After a moment Corvo began walking away, before he made it a few feet he felt something light settle on his shoulders and touch his hair.


    ¡±Now let¡¯s go find an inn.¡±

 Chapter 6

    ¡°It¡¯s right this way dearie, oh do be careful, the basement roof is a little low for such a strapping young lad like yourself.¡±


    Following behind the little old woman Corvo silently acknowledged her statement by ducking his head a little as the walked down the groaning steps into the old woman¡¯s basement. It had taken surprisingly little time for Corvo to find a job, after Muiri had led him to an inn in the monster district Corvo had sent her off at the entrance, after her insistence that she could get home safely on her own.


    When Corvo had sat down for dinner an old human woman of all things walked right through the door. She was so small no one, not even the goblins, took notice of her. Almost instantly her eyes had landed on him and she made a beeline straight for him.


    And that was how he found himself in the old woman¡¯s house the next day following her into her dark, dusty basement to deal with some giant rats that snuck in.


    ¡±Oh I¡¯m so glad I didn¡¯t have to ask those people at the guild, the receptionist is always trying to flirt with me you see, and I keep trying to tell him I¡¯m married...¡±


    Frankly Corvo might have tried asking her a few more questions about the job or her why she had walked into an inn full of monsters to see her request complete. Except that so far she had talked enough to hold three different conversations with herself and Corvo really wasn¡¯t good at handling these talkative, cheery types. Also she was senile and he suspected she was secretly a witch and would turn him into a frog if he said the wrong thing.


    It¡¯s not paranoia if he¡¯s right.


    ¡°Well anywho I¡¯ll just let you get to it dearie, do knock when you are done and I¡¯ll let you out.¡±


    Before Corvo even realized it, the old woman was back at the top of the stairs and the door was closing behind her.


    ¡°Well that¡¯s just great...¡±


    Ignoring his unease Corvo begins looking around the dark basement and tried not to think about how his socks were starting to get soaked from the ankle high water.


    ¡°I swear if a little boy in a raincoat and a creep ass clown come out of this water I am gone.¡±Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    Drip


    Drip


    Drip


    The air whistled as sharpened steel passed through the spot Corvo¡¯s head vacated. Overextending, the mysterious figure was caught off balance when Corvo¡¯s leg swept his feet from under him. A blade swung through the air again only this time it found its target in the downed mans neck.


    However, unlike what Corvo expected, the assailant simply grasped the blade buried in his neck with his free hand and held it there. Corvo was forced to let go of the blade and jump back as the silhouette swung at him from its awkward position on the ground.


    Now without his weapon Corvo watched in the dim lighting as his opponent unsteadily worked its way to its feet, the blade still buried deep in half its neck. Corvo rose his hands into a boxers stance and resigned himself to a difficult fight in the dark.


    So it comes as no surprise that he was caught off guard when a sconce that he was sure hadn¡¯t been there before suddenly lit on fire. As if this were some kind of signal two more sconces to the left and right of the first one lit up. This process repeated itself until the whole room was lit up and Corvo finally got his first good look at what he was fighting.


    On second thought, he wished it had stayed dark. The half rotten thing before him was still wet from where it had been laying in the water for who knows how long before he¡¯d walked into that ¡°basement¡± its intestines spilled out of a cut in its abdomen and the incredibly stale air only helped to accentuate its pungent undead stench.


    ¡±Giant rat my black ass.¡±


    The zombie shuffled forward with surprising grace, for an undead. It¡¯s sword whistled through the air with the barest hint of genuine skill. Now that he could see his foe Corvo effortlessly ducked inside the sloppy swing and grabbed his sword still half buried in the putrid gray flesh of its neck. With a powerful yank the blade cleaved the rest of the way through the undeads neck and firmly ended its unlife.


    Panting a little bit from the short fight Corvo glances around the room and decided that whatever had happened he was not in some weird old witch lady¡¯s basement anymore.


    ¡±On second though who can say, maybe all weird elderly witches have partially flooded tombs for basements.¡±


    The walls had turned into worn stone covered in ancient depictions and faded words. There was no sight of the stairs that had led him down here, not that he had really expected to see it in the first place. Pulled from his musings, a loud creak echoed from behind him, water splashed as Corvo spun in place with his sword pointed in front of him as two wide doors that definitely hadn¡¯t been there before either opened slowly for him.


    Light filled the tunnel as more sconces started to catch fire in pairs mysteriously. Idly Corvo found himself wondering why he wasn¡¯t choking to death on smoke as he began walking forward, deeper into the mysterious, flooded tomb.


    ¡±At least there are no clowns here...¡±


    The words echoed off the ancient walls as the wide doors slammed closed behind the Variant with a resounding thud. Distantly, Corvo would swear he heard an old woman¡¯s tittering laughter behind those doors.

 Chapter 7

    The forest echoed with the boars dying squeal as its body slammed into the earth with enough force to shake small stones nearby. Standing triumphantly over the mighty boars body with bloody hands...


    was Muiri


    ¡±This should be enough for big to make food for the week.¡±


    Hopping off the almost building sizes boars body Muiri grabbed it by the tusk and began dragging the Greater Forest Boar in the direction of the town. The small Kitsune girls body glowed subtly as she channeled her mana into a spell to increase her strength. Distantly, Muiri felt the familiar pang of displeasure at her own weakness, in the past she could have carried prey like this without needing magic.


    And just like every other time before now she shook off those emotions and reminded herself that she was more now than she ever was before. Monsters, the gods first children, and their first mistake if the stories are to be believed. The races that are now known as monsters are said to have been the still newly born gods attempt at imitating their own creator. The mysterious being that had split itself into various parts of itself.


    Unfortunately the gods first attempt ended in utter disaster. They attempted to create beings comparable to themselves, the leaders of every species of monster was imbued with a spark of their creators mana. Sadly the monsters were...imperfect, the leaders of the monsters slowly went mad and their subjects were quick to follow.


    It is often said that in the aftermath of those days the gods eliminated any surviving leaders, but stories still remain that hint at the survival of a few of these mythical god-like beings. Of course Muiri was far to busy to care about any of that, that¡¯s just what old Atulg said when he got a little to deep into his drinks one night.


    Apparently it was only after many hundreds of years later that the gods created the first truly intelligent species. In that time war had broken out among them as the gods began to argue amongst each other in petty squabbles that future scholars would point out reflects their first creations. Eventually the war ended and the new high gods created their chosen races. In the process they gave these limited beings the capacity to grow, they gave the world Potential. And with Potential came Levels and Classes.


    All things that monsters didn¡¯t have, until one day a young goblin woke up weaker than he was the night before, but in exchange his mind was more free than ever before. He had awakened to his Potential, apparently he was quite famous but Muiri didn¡¯t really know his story, she was told it wasn¡¯t very happy one.


    Nonetheless that unnamed goblin and his many titles went down in history even among the non monsters, once a year some cultures of awakened monster kind would celebrate his legend and thank him for taking that first step. Muiri didn¡¯t really care about any of this, she had more important things to focus on. Like lugging a building sized boar back home so her sister could make food for their stall.


    Maybe she could even get a sample...drool began to gather in her mouth when her ears suddenly perked up. Unceremoniously dumping the boars corpse on the ground Muiri dropped to all fours as the smell of iron, magic, and blood tickled her nose.


    Slowly and silently Muiri inched forward, following the smell, she wasn¡¯t worried about stragglers trying to take her prey. The Greater Forest Boar was the top of the local food chain and its hide was as tough as steel. Muiri wouldn¡¯t stand a chance if she didn¡¯t already know how to exploit its weakness.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    Leaving her catch behind Muiri slowly came upon the remains of a battle field. On the ground were the corpses of several local wolves and even an alpha. Standing over the corpses were students from the local military training school the young nobles and occasionally talented peasant attended.


    None of this held the Kitsunes attention for long, no, all of the young Kitsunes attention was focused on the creature standing in the trees above the students. A three eyed crow flared at the shivering students contemptuously, the magic in its gaze freezing the unprepared children with crippling fear. Even Muiri was frozen in place.


    But not with fear, on no, fear would probably be better than what she was feeling right now. Bloodlust, pure, over whelming, unadulterated bloodlust sang in her veins as the monster within begged for release.


    The three eyed crow was a dangerous foe to be certain. It¡¯s ability to create fear was only one of its abilities. It could also wield dark attribute magic and possessed a fiendish cunning. This was just another example, it had let the children tire themselves out in the wolf and, perhaps, even gain a Level in a Class, fatteningthem up for the feast. However, what many don¡¯t know about the three eyed crow is another interesting trait it possesses.


    It smelled absolutely divine to the kitsune. It was their ideal prey and widely considered a delicacy. Now that Muiri was face to face with one she began to feel the monster she once was taking over again. No, she couldn¡¯t allow that, if she did she¡¯d never be allowed into the town again. Even if she managed to change back the guards had a way to find out and they didn¡¯t trust the monsters as it was. There was no way they¡¯d trust one who had reverted back to the old ways.


    She needed to leave now, while she had a chance. Muiri spun around ready to sprint back to town, her original prey completely forgotten. Only she couldn¡¯t, sitting in the trees above her was another three eyed crow, and it was staring right at her.


    <hr>


    Corvo was not in the best of moods right now. His only pair of shoes were now very soggy, he had no idea where he even was, and he¡¯d been walking in this hallway for ages now, but most of all...


    ¡±I¡¯m so not getting paid for this am I?¡±


    With a deep sigh that only the destitute could understand Corvo continued his long, soggy March down the lit hallway. At some point the water had risen up to mid-calf level before he¡¯d even realized it. Corvo estimated he¡¯d been walking for almost an hour and a half by now and the silence of the place was wearing away at even him.


    If Corvo had been paying attention he might have noticed the silhouette creeping up on him from the water. He certainly felt it when a cold, squishy hand suddenly clamped down on his ankle like iron. Suddenly, the water exploded on all sides as five zombies in varying stages of decay burst from the water.


    Without hesitation Corvo whipped his sword out just in time to stop a sloppy thrust aimed at his throat. His return stroke took the fingers from the hand holding that sword. With a splash the rotting sword it was holding disappeared beneath the water. Unfortunately this did nothing to deter the other four attackers that closed in on him much the same way as the first.


    A second hand clamped down on Corvo¡¯s other leg, completely halting his mobility.


    ¡°Tsk,Haste¡±


    Mana sang in his veins and extended his already impressive speed and reflexes beyond their limits. Like a tornado of steel Corvo twisted in place, severing both the arms holding his legs and knocking two of the four blades away from him. the last two managed to score small cuts along his chest and left arm but the damage was superficial. Utilizing his enhanced speed Corvo backed up two steps and suddenly stepped right. just as he does this the armless zombie lurking in the water lunges forward only to meet a face full of stone wall.


    At first the zombies face sticks to the wall before slowly sliding down the wall untilvit was once again submerged among the water. With his back now against the wall to prevent being surrounded Corvo raises his word as the five zombies shambled closer through the now knee high water.


    "I need a vacation."