《The Great Nok Ma》


 Chapter 1: Chicken came before the egg

    ¡®Is this the end?, its only been a week but I guess this is what I get for overestimating my capabilities. My left arm is broken and I think a few ribs as well. I have wounds all around my body. My vision is fading . It is a shame though, to be killed by a mother effin chicken. but if I survive this predicament I promise on all of the gods in this world that I wouldn¡¯t steal another egg again.¡¯ Nok Ma murmured with a bitter smile while trying to get up. The beast stared at him with the intent to finish him in its eyes.


    Its all because of that crazy scientist. He made this effin mess if he hadn¡¯t made that device then the world would still be the same but blaming him will not change my situation. It''s already been done and all of the humans on earth became minuscule .


    ¡°You big ass chicken, it seems that luck is on your side. Come on and show me what you got!!.¡± I roared at the beast giving my final blow on its head before almost passing out.


    ¡®Is he dead?¡¯ A girl with an angelic voice asked someone. I heard her with my consciousness hanging on a thread.


    ¡®nah ,still breathing.¡¯ Answered someone whose voice should belong to a man in his 40s.


    ¡®I think we should take him back with us to the village. He will die in a day or two if we don¡¯t help him.¡¯ The girl said with a slight worry on her tone.


    ¡®yes , I think we should, besides he can be of some use. To take on a mature chicken all by himself he''s pretty strong and maybe he might know why the giant humans disappeared .¡¯ That was the last thing I heard before I passed out.


    *swoooshhh swooooshh*


    The winds are howling and I regained my consciousness. Ku ku ku ku. So its no more eggs for me huh. Was that a dream? I asked my self but the pain told me otherwise. So someone really saved me , I was hit by urge to get up but I can''t. I''m excited and sad at the same time,I can''t understand myself. Maybe it¡¯s the longing to talk to another person and the feeling that I¡¯m not alone. To keep me sane .This might be the first encounter that I''ll be going to have with another human being after the world got effed.This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    I tried opening my eyes but it seems that only my right eye works. I guess my left eye is either gone or still swelling. I hope its only swelling. I still can¡¯t use anything other than my right eye and my whole body is numb from pain.


    ¡®A storm is coming, the wind god is angry'' I heard her again so I really was saved by them. I looked around and saw a beautiful girl with long ears and black skin covered in tribal tattoo sitting by the window smiling at me.


    Is she an elf ? I asked myself if this really is a dream.


    ¡®Whe-re a-m I? Ar-e you re-al?¡¯ I asked, struggling to open my mouth.


    ¡®You shouldn¡¯t talk. You''re safe here, we saw you on the hunting grounds near the giant human farm. Where did you came from?¡¯ the dark elf girl asked with an interested look on her face.


    I tried to answer back but to no avail. I''m still too weak to talk. All I can do is to stare at her.


    ¡®Just rest and heal for now. We will talk again when you regain your strength.¡¯ She said before leaving.


    I had a lot of questions running through my mind but she¡¯s right all I can do now is to just rest and regain my strength. I still can''t believe everything. While pondering for answers if mythical creatures do exist I drifted back to sleep again.


    I was awaken by the fragrant smell of something near me . My body feels lighter when I inhale it. The pain on my body are all gone. I open my eyes to check my body, the wounds are covered in leaves and to my surprise I¡¯m already on my way to full recovery. Even though I still feel weak, according to my calculations with this recovery rate I will be on my peak in three days.


    A leaf the size of a door is burning near me in a very unusual way. It burns really slow and emits three different flame color.


    While I was admiring the leaf someone came in. It was a male dark elf with white hair and a cane.


    So they really do exist. I thought I was just hallucinating before.


    He looked at me with curiosity then left without saying anything.


    After he left I fell asleep yet again. I guess my fast recovery takes its toll.

 Chapter 2: Alderdyfi

    It was late in the evening when i got back again from dreamland , The mystical leaf is already half-burnt.


    After some time the dark elf girl barge into the room.


    ¡®Wow you really are a monster'' she said while staring at me.


    I got a bit surprised by her sudden intrusion. But I immediately calm myself, and asked her curiously.


    ¡®Who are you? And whose the monster?¡¯


    I wondered if got disfigured. But from what i can see, everything seems normal.


    ¡®I''m your savior. My name is rashka ¡® she said with a smile on her beautiful face.


    ¡®Someone with a fast recovery like yours is definitely a monster. You¡¯re on the brink of death when we found you yesterday and now look at you! ¡® she exclaimed with astonishment in her eyes.


    '' So, who are you and which human clan did you came from?¡¯ Rashka asked.


    ¡®I am nok ma , and what human clan?¡¯ I replied. It might be the nationality I thought to myself.


    ¡®There are hundreds if not thousands of human clans on this continent alone, where did you came from for you not to know that ?¡¯ rashka asked again while taking a huge leather from her pouch.


    ¡®Wait what is that?!¡¯ I shouted pointing on her pouch that was hanging on her waist. I was really surprised to see something that small to produce something that big.


    ¡®hmm, so the oracle''s prophecy is true.¡¯ She said smiling.


    ¡®this really is interesting '' she said while grinning .


    ''This is a pouch embedded with magic stones it can hold a hundred times of its size. See that?¡¯ while pointing at the ten diamond like tiny stones on the pouch.


    ¡®The more magic stones it has the more space it can have.¡¯ She added.


    ¡®Now tell me what happened to your clan and your people?¡¯


    ''And what are your motives on our land?'' I can sense some hostility from her. Maybe because I''m suspicious I mean she still don''t know if I''m a friend or foe.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    With her suspicion, telling a lie wouldn''t do me good.


    There¡¯s no point in hiding the things that I know . So I told her my story.


    About how some scientist made a device to shrink us all. And how that scientist is generous enough to give us a ten minutes heads up before activating the device. Then I told her why I almost died because of that chicken and its eggs. And that I was the previous farm owner of the that giant human farm where they found me. I was amazed to know that they already anticipated me . It was their oracle who warn them about the giants coming. I guess it¡¯s a little off but at least I still came. After I told her all of those.


    She taught me about their world. Basically they already existed long before our civilization was born . About how they used some kind of magic to hide from us and that they are just living all around us. She also told me that there are more creatures and demi-human species out there. But there are also local tiny humans. They are the tiny humans that inhabits this world that I didn¡¯t know before and they are seperated by their respective clans and hostile at each other. There are some alliances but its rare.


    Rashka also taught me about the geography of their territory and the neighboring territories with the leather map that she took out before. It is very detailed showing whose territories and a list of which creatures are living there.


    The sun was beginning to rise when she left me, that she needs to convene the information that she learned to her elders, and told me that she would be back right after.


    She strictly warned me that i can''t leave this room no matter what . I agreed but in return asked her to leave the map so that I can study it more and she promised that she would bring more books of this world for me.


    Moments after she left. The old dark elf with a cane and entered the room.


    He brought me some water and medicinal porridge . That tasted like effed. And left without saying anything again.


    After forcing myself to finish the porridge. I looked around the room.


    It only have a single window and from the view outside, I''m certain that its on a high place .


    I''m guessing that its a tree because the ceiling,walls,flooring on the room is made of wood. There''s a table and a chair near the window.


    There''s also a bucket on the corner of the room.


    After checking everything i tried to stand up and walk towards the chair.


    The map was on the table, which I began to study further. After sometime passed. I got back on the bed for I started to become dizzy again.


    To sum everything that I learned. This village is called Alderdyfi and occupies everything from my farm on the east of the village till the river forty something kilometers away from it on the west. The village is located in between the two.


    There are three more villages of demi-humans in the vicinity. The two goblin village on the north and northeast of alderdyfi. And the last one is the troll village near the river in the west. It seems that they are enemies because their village is painted with red on the map. Those three villages are the only ones that look like a threat to alderdyfi.


    There are also several hamlets of other demi-humans in the south. Their names are highlighted with yellow. The legend says that those are under alderdyfi.


    I''m fired up to roam and explore this new world.


    After lying down. I drifted off to sleep.

 Chapter 3: Lucky?

    '' Kid, wake up.''


    '' Oy Kid, wake up already. Don''t waste my time''


    Someone called to me.


    I open my eyes to see who it is. And saw someone standing next to my bed holding a bowl.


    It was the old dark elf staring at me looking irritated.


    '' Eat this '' handing me another bowl of medicinal porridge.


    Its another effing porridge.


    '' Hey , kid your very lucky that you''re allowed to eat that.'' he snorted before storming out of the room.


    Lucky? Who the eff is willing to eat this? It taste like cow shit. I rebuke in my mind.


    I peeked through the window and stared at the setting sun.


    I was taken back to the reality by the sudden bang on the door.


    I redirect my attention there and saw rashka entering the room with a dejected look on her face.Whats with that look? I curiously looked at her


    ''I apologize for the sudden intrusion but there''s something that you need to know.'' she said with an apologetic smile.


    ''What is it?'' i asked her. While forcing myself to eat the porridge.Oh damm Am I in trouble ? I thought.


    ''The elders decided that you are required to join the upcoming trial three months from now'' she said dejectedly.


    So they want to see what I can do huh. I guess have no choice other than to cooperate with them, I still need more information about this new world that didn''t exist before and besides I don''t need to worry about dying while I''m here.No matter what it takes I need to pass this trial.


    ''Oh no worries its only a trial'' I sighed.In my heart,I thought their going to dissect me or something so that they can study me. I mean its only a trial, I can even take on a big ass chicken all by myself so whats to worry about. How hard can it be right.


    ''So what is this trial all about?'' i asked her while smiling.


    ''Your pretty calm about it.I admire your confidence .''she said and I notice that her mood lighten up.


    She told me every detail there is on this trial.


    The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.Every young man on this village needs to partake this trial as part of their coming of age ceremony. Once they passed this trial then they would be considered as a man and have a voice on the world of adults.


    This trial is pretty easy to understand.


    First of all there are three stages on this trial. The first and second stage lasts a month each. And the final stage only lasts for a day.


    The reason was because you need to complete a certain mission to pass the first two stages. Where the final stage would be a battle between the remaining participants.


    And a participant only need to get to the final stage to pass this trial. They would be given a choice to either withdraw or join the battle with no repercussions . The final stage of the trial is mainly used to determine the rankings and abilities of the participants.


    '' Hmm, it look easy to me.'' I said while grinning at her.


    ''Its not.'' she rebuked.


    ''Except the final stage, the first two stage is where most of the participants fail.'' she said with a serious air around her.


    ''The mission depends on one''s luck. The missions are given randomly by the trial stone. That were placed by the elders beforehand. '' rashka added.


    '' Can you give some example of the missions given on the last trial?'' I asked while looking straight on her eyes.


    I guess no matter what it is, I still have an edge on everyone that''s participating in this trial. When I got shrunk an eight of the strenght that I had when I was a normal human remained and after the life or death battle with that chicken I feel a lot stronger than before.


    ''Well to put it simply, it can range from mediocre missions which are mostly gathering and other easy jobs. To hard ones like scouting, tracking , and assasinations on the first stage.'' she said with a helpless smile.


    ''Assasinations? Isn''t that a little overboard? ''


    I asked her nervously.


    ''It depends on who''s the target. Besides you shouldn''t worry too much because every year there''s only one assanition mission on the first stage.'' rashka answered with a you-can-do-it expression.


    ''You''re right. Well it''s not like I''m afraid or anything. Then what about the stage two missions?'' I replied.


    ''Hmmm, there''s only one mission on stage two, and that''s to tame a beast companion.'' she explained while turning around.


    ''See that?'' she asked raising her hair pointing at the sparrow looking tattoo on her upper back.


    ''Thats my companion, Ish''mere. This mark is the proof of our contract. With this I can communicate and call her anytime I want'' rashka faced me again.


    ''The amount of the companions you can have will depend on your abilities. They are seperated by ranks and Ish''mere is only at the lower-mid tier. '' then she took the gauntlets off from her right hand and showed me another tattoo, its a tattoo of a mouse.


    ''This one is Kha, Also a lower-mid tier beast.''


    Hmmmmm .So basically I can tame as many as I can. Kukukuku a lot of strong animals that I know run through my head. I think a tiger or a bear would suit me.I grinned with that thought in mind.


    ''Well to tame them you just need to make them submit to you through force, and make them give their essence to you.'' she said with a cheerful smile, bursting my bubble.


    Make them submit by force? I don''t even know if I can make a chicken submit to me much less a bear.

 Chapter 4: Essence

    ''Their essence,what''s that?'' I asked rashka .


    Is it something like a crystall ball that they have on their bodies.


    '' hmmm, Some say that essence is a part of the spirit. Every living soul have one. That''s why a beast can only make a contract once in their life.''while looking straight at me.


    ''Well to be honest, I don''t know if this would work with you because your different. But since you can see us and even understand us now. Maybe you can give a try.''


    ''Essence can be found all around us. It determine who we are, but if you can''t sense it. Then we''ll just think of another way for you to pass the second stage.'' she said while taking two thick books from her pouch.


    ''These are the life work of Alderdyfis'' two great elders.''


    ''This one here is the work of elder miirphys, one of the ten great alchemists on this continent who excels in the field of plants and vegetations.'' while holding a book covered by leaves.


    ''And this one is the work of elder elluin , she is known for her assasination skills, that even the goblin king fear. This is first of the three manuals that she wrote.'' while showing me another book with black leather cover stained with blood.


    ''For now you should carefully study these two manuals to strengthen your knowledge and foundations.'' Putting them neatly at the table.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    ''So I guess my job here is done. I need to go and do a mission that will take me atleast a month to complete. For the time being you can just ask Uncle Kril. He''s the one that''s been taking care of you in the last few days.''


    ''The grumply old man?'' I asked.


    '' yep , he''s the one'' she said with a playful smile.


    ''I need to go now. Just don''t leave this room until the elders give you a permission to. Understood? ''


    I nodded at her before she took her leave.


    ''Hey , rashka thank you and be safe!!'' I told her. She smiled at me one last time before getting out of the room.


    I put the bowl down after finishing the porridge on it. Then check my body still covered with leaves.


    I took off the dry ones just to be surprised to see whats underneath. The wounds under the dry leaves have already healed and the only thing that you will is the pink scar on where the wound was before.


    I tried taking the leaves that still haven''t dried but no matter what i did it just won''t bulge.


    After checking my condition one last time. I became happy about my recovery. If this was before, when everyone was still normal.Then it will take atleast two weeks while confined in a hospital to achieve these results.


    While wondering if I''m the only one with this superhuman capabilities or if all the humans who got shrinked do. Dizziness suddenly hit me.


    Maybe its the side effects of my superhuman recovery but it is most likely from the aroma in the air and the medicinal porridge. I guess I have to postpone on studying those books.


    Thinking that it''s benificial to me.


    I decided not to fight it and fell asleep immediately.

 Chapter 5: Its the porridge

    It''s noon already. Oh shit I overslept this kimd sleeping habit should be stopped I told myself. I usually wake up before the sun rises before when i was normal. May be it''s because of the healing process that my body is undergoing but I need to fix this before I get used to it.


    I look around and saw another bowl of porridge on the table beside the books. I tried to stand up and was satisfied with my body. It''s easier to move around now.


    I walk to the table and sat down.


    ''This books are really thick it will take me forever to study these books.'' I murmured while examining the two books that rashka gave me.


    I took the book that was covered in leaves. I''ll eat the porridge later,afraid to sleep again before doing anything productive.


    I open the book and read the title '' Plants and vegetation of the Pyshoa continent.''


    Maybe thats what they call this country that I know of before, because with our size now even a small island can be called a country.


    I flip the title page and took a peek at the contents of the book, I jump to the page of '' plants and vegatation of the Lymore Kingdom ''. Thats the kingdom where alderdyfi is located. I started on reading the chapter immidiately.


    *knock knock knock*


    I was awaken from my trance on reading by the hard knocks on the door after which the grumpy kril entered with a bowl and a cup on his hand.Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.


    ''You haven''t eaten your food, don''t be a wastrel others would kill for that stuff you know.'' he said with contempt.


    ''It''s already dark outside,eat this while being nice or else.''


    After he said that I took a peek at the window just to see that it really is dark outside already.


    ''I''m sorry I didn''t know.'' I told him with an apologetic smile.


    ''Of course you don''t.'' he said while shoving me the bowl of new porridge and the cup of water.


    ''Finish both of them immediately if I come back and see even a tiny grain still left on those bowls. Then you will leave me no choice but to show you what you don''t know.'' kril said with a threat, but seeing his old face and the fact that he can''t even walk properly without a crane made me smile inside.


    He''s pretty sweet for a grumpy old man i thought.


    ''Yes sir. I''ll finish them both immediately'' while taking a spoonful of porridge into my mouth.


    ''That''s more like it boy'' he said with a grin before leaving.


    I ate both bowls as fast as I can to go back on studying. I only read a third of the chapter and still can''t remember some of the plants that I''ve read.


    After checking both bowls,if there is anything left, I chug the cup of water. Then came back on studying again.


    After sometime the dizziness that I hate kicked in.


    ''So it really is the porridge'' I told myself. Well it''s better to hit the sack before I fall asleep on the table.


    I returned to my bed and try to recall the plants that I''ve learned so far from the book. And out of the 107 plants that I''ve read I can recall atleast 43, together with their medicinal properties, structural details, species and variations , and their habitats. I was astonished with my memory because I''m pretty sure that I can''t do that before.


    ''Becoming smaller came with great benefits'' I thought. Now I wonder even more how the others are doing , did they improved like me after shrinking or am I a special case. I''ll know that sooner or later but for now I need to focus on the upcoming trials.


    Before I can try to recall some more I fell asleep.

 Chapter 6: Irregulars (part 1)

    I woke up earlier than usual today, I stretch my body and tidy my bed.


    It''s only been half a month, but I had already memorized the first half of the chapter that I was studying. Though it''s a little slower than my calculations, it is faster compared to when I was normal.


    The old man is treating me more nicely in the past few days. I can say that we are on a more friendly relationship now. He was also generous enough to change the menu of the food that he is bringing. Now its either leaf stew or grass stew with some meat and fruits with it when he''s happy.


    I have also reached full recovery four days ago, I thought it will only take three days, It seems that I''m really bad at calculations. Maybe it''s because I feel better than before. The saying ''what doesn''t kill you makes you stronger'' really is true. I can feel that my body is a lot stronger in comparison before almost dying, and even though I still can''t leave the room, I still do some exercises while in here, other than studying I spend mostly of my time on body conditioning like push-ups and other stationary exercises.


    After tidying the bed I did some exercises waiting for old man Kril to come with my breakfast.


    *knock knock*Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    ''Come in'' I said.


    ''You''re up early today.'' he replied while entering the room with a bowl and some fruits. Wow he''s in a pretty good mood today. I smile and help him carry my breakfast.


    ''Still no news about another irregular?'' I asked. By the way that''s what elder Yvos the elder who handles the village security, call me when he visited last week to see me in person because I''m different from the local humans.


    I''ve also asked him a favor to gather news about the other irregulars.


    From our conversations I also learned that Alderdyfi is more like a city rather than a village. They just call it a village because only 10% of the inhabitants are dark elves the rest are dwarves and mostly animal kin folks who are animals that can talk and have intellect. You can distinguish them from the beast companions by the way they look. They look just like normal humans only with a tail or some other animal feature in their body.


    ''Elder Yvos have some, he told me that there are some reports of humans who are being sold as slaves with exorbitant prices than the norm because of their special abilities but he also said that they can also just be local humans,on the towns beyond the great riverGenes.'' he replied.


    If I can remember correctly, across the river is the Kingdom of Kinos ruled by theKinos clan of the local humans. They have multiple towns and several cities. Their territory is four times bigger than Alderdyfi''s or half of the kingdom of Lymore which is drawn on the map that Rashka gave me.


    Suddenly it hit me.


    ''Twelve kilometers beyond the river is Riverside town with atleast several hundred residents. So there is a high probability that those humans being sold as slaves are irregulars.'' I told Kril with excitement.

 Chapter 6: Irregulars (part 2)

    ''We all know that, the elders already sent a team to investigate discreetly in the kingdom of kinos.''


    ''But let me ask you. What will you do if they really are irregulars?'' Kril asked while looking at me straight in the eyes.


    ''I.... I don''t know. But if there''s a list on the things that I should do, saving them is definitely somewhere on the top of it.'' I said with conviction.


    The first would be to have a proper bath. I know some of the residents of Riverside town. I can''t let them live in slavery. Slaves are treated like animals, that''s what I always see in the movies. And the reason why I need to save some if not all of them no matter what. My conscience won''t allow me to abandon them.


    ''Hahaha, you? Save them? Don''t bite off more than you can chew kid. You can''t even save yourself.'' he laughed at me mockingly.


    ''You can''t even get out of this room. Haha''


    ''But kid if you''re serious on saving them then pass the trials so that the other elders wouldn''t have a choice other than to accept you.'' kril to me while still laughing.


    ''What if I.... don''t want to participate. That trial have nothing to do with me anyway. I can live just fine even if they don''t want to accept me.'' I told kril angrily.


    Kril''s mood suddenly darkened


    ''Kid there are only two ways for you to leave Alderdify. It''s either you''re one of us or in a casket. Those are the rules that we all abide since ancient times and you are required to.'' he warned.


    ''Why? Can''t I just forget about everything that I learned here and leave?'' I said dejectedly.


    ''No,you can''t. You won''t even make it outside this tree. Do you want to know the reason ,why you''re not allowed to go out of this room?''.


    ''No I don''t, will you tell me why? I asked.


    This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.To be honest, I''m curious as to why they won''t let me leave the room. It''s been more than two weeks already and they still haven''t given me the permission. While wondering Kril answered.


    ''It''s because humans and demi-humans hate each other. Specially between the Lymore Kingdom and the Kingdom of Kinos. Their residents hate each other to the point of killing the other race without reasons,like some kind of an unwritten rule.''


    ''This undying hatred began even before your kind came to being. Many wars had been waged and more are still coming. You were given this chance because you''re special. Even though the elders have divided opinion about you. They are still willing to let you live but in exchange you''ll have to pass this trial and become one of us.''


    He then explained it to me more as to how I can be part of them. It is the ritual which was held after the trials that would do the job on becoming one of them. That ritual is where their goddess bless the participants who passed the trial with her will and would be acknowledged by all of the demi-humans around the world.


    He also told me that there are different gods and goddesses that the demi-humans worship. In the case of the local humans, they worship their clan patriarch or their mightiest warrior like deities. After being blessed by their God or Goddess the demi-humans would have a special mark on their forehead which other demi-humans who had been blessed can only see.


    The blessing of a God or a Goddess also give the demi-humans a unique ability in comparison with the one which gave the blessing. In the Kingdom of Lymore they worship the Goddess of Velocity Tay''Tiya ,she gives a boost in agility on the ones that she blessed.


    Kril even brag that Elder Elluin, Alderdyfi''s greatest assasin can match the goblin king of the north who boasts his speed to be the greatest two thousand years ago during the Lymore civil war.


    ''From what I can hear from you, only demi-humans can be blessed.''


    ''O don''t worry, there are some records where humans are blessed by the Gods. Don''t think too much about it, just pass the trial then we''ll see if those records are true. I have to go now so study diligently.'' after saying that he smiled and left the room with me staring at him blankly.


    Wait,what.... they are not 100 percent sure that I will be blessed?.


    This only made things worse. I shouldn''t have asked, now I will have a hard time focusing on the upcoming trial with that in mind.


    After staring lifeless at the window for sometime, I get back into studying plants and vegetations again. Nothings gonna change if I just slack all day. I won''t know If I don''t pass.


    If Tay''Tiya give me her blessing then all is well. If not, then I''ll just find a way to escape without dying.