Deep down in a dark place that no one living, dead, mortal, or immortal ever goes something stirred. It snapped it's tentacles and whipped its clawed hand around as one of if its many blood red eyes slipped opened. It heaved and hauled its massive tentacled body up from the dark pit out between reality and the void where Rimnar and his accursed brothers had trapped him long before time and light was created. Xuthulu the hideous, horrendous lord of the nameless dark place where nothing lives but him and his horrifying hate for those that trapped him there in his private world of death. He through back his head and screamed the names of the gods, his own brothers that sentenced him to his eternal death so many eons ago for losing the battle between death, reality, torture and existence. Xuthulu the master of dark emotions and pain, the lord of insanity and chaos is awake. But what was it that woke him and caught his attention? Unknown to Rimnar or any of the other gods, Xuthlulu was not totally blind to things that went on in the world of reality. There was one eye that could still see the world of mortals and another that could spy on the Gods. Xuthulu knew about the death of his most hated enemy Rimnar. In fact, he was partly responsible for Rimnar's death. How do you think Extremus got the power to kill him? It was all due to nudges and the prodding of the darkest of lords. With Rimnar dead, Xuthlulu flexed his muscles and felt himself move just a tiny bit. His power to affect the surface world had grown just a little. Aramis, Nestor, Sazar and Karis had not checked on Xuthlulu's death dimension in over a thousand years. They didn't know that Rimnar's death had weakened his dark deathly prison. He wasn't strong enough yet to break free but with a little more evil and hate in the mortal world, he could at last be free. and as Xuthlulu watched what was going on in Aspana, he knew his time would come soon.
SOON. Xuthlulu breathed these silent words out to the darkness. VERY SOON! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA.
It was late in the afternoon as Mbutu Asami stepped out onto the balcony of the Kimburi's royal palace. The Panthera capital city was the second biggest city in all of Aspana. It housed more the twenty thousand Pantherans from the felidae family including lions, panthers, jaguars and cougar. Though carnivores, the Pantherans were one of the first species to organize from prides roaming the savanna to a society with tools that built themselves a city. They built magnificent three and four story buildings with indoor and outdoor plumbing. There was a communal bath house with hot and cold pools, stream rooms and showers. The Pantherans also had beautifully decorated architecture with mosaic tiled murals and fabulously painted scenes of some of there past history spread all over the city. Kimburi was one of Aspana's shining examples of growing progress. Now back to the story.
As Mbutu stepped through the glass doors of Duma palace, he took a deep breath inhaling the fragrant smell of the violets and the honeysuckle that grew in such abundance all through Duma palace. There was goats foot and blue squill. Morning glory and foxglove. All arranged in sections around the palace garden. As Mbtutu looked around,, he found Regent G'ania Gazzini going from section to section with his water can watering the flowers. Mbutu walking out to meet him.
Ahhh Mbutu." He said. "Are they not glorious? See how the violets are so vibrant? And the squill. So bell like I can almost hear them ring."
"The flowers are beautiful Regent." Mbutu said. "Your garden is lovely."
"Its Duma's flowers, they are not mine." The Regent puts down the water can. "I am only the gardener. Is everything ready?"
"Yes Regent. The Tigars will be marching from the west and the Rhinons will come from the south. If we come in from the north, we will meet near the Dominian jungle."
"We will surprise them." G'ania said with a smile. "And we will be a finishing blow. Have the troops ready to march this evening. We'll find Sakura, and we will get him back."
"YES REGENT!"
After Mbutu left, G'ania thought about how he had got in this predicament. More than twenty years ago, a wounded and exhausted Cougar had been found just outside of Kimburi in the sugar cane fields. He was loaded on to a cart and taken in to the best healer in the city who fed him, took care of his wounds and listened to his story. Knowing desperately his tribe needed help, they heal and had him taken immediately to the palace for an audience with the king. Once Msia heard about the cougar, he had him taken in to a private room where he could make his petition for help from the crown. Msia listen to his story very carefully than ordered his palace guard unit to arm themselves and be ready to march withing the hour. G'ania Gazini had been Msia's oldest and closest friend. They had grown up together like brothers even though their fathers had been rivals for the throne of Panthera. When Musa Duma was coronated as the king of Panthera, he kept Faraji Gazini as he most honored adviser. They were together for many years until Faraji was killed in defense on the crown To honor his friend, G'ania was taken in to the palace to be raise with the royal family. He was givin the best tutors and studied right at Msia's side.When it was time for Msia to take the crown, G'ania was picked to be the one to present it to Msia and place it on his head. For years they fought side by side to keep Panthera safe. They fought pirates and and slavers. They fought all trouble from within and from outside of their home nation. G'ania was the one that pushed Msia to make and keep the peace with the Tigarans and the Rhinons.
As Msia walked down the palace stairway, G'ania was waiting at the bottom with his troop of Pantheran warrior. Once Msia joined them, G'ania give the signal to head out. It was more then a day and a nights march to get to the lands the Cougars had made their homes. Msia sent scouts out to keep a watch on the Hyenen force that was holding the city while G'ania and Msia had a temporary camp set up so their troops could rest up from the long march. After a few hours, one of the scouts came back to report on the Hyenens. It would seem they were not really on watch for anyone that might come to the Cougars rescue. They had taken the Cougars, men women and children and put them in a large group of caged wagons which they gather on the south end of the village. With the Cougars safely locked away, the Hyenens went on with their pillaging. They tore into the Cougars yearly harvest and stored away all their food and livestock. A cheer went up when they found the Cougars stills and vineyards. Within a few hours the Hyenens were all drunk and running crazy through the village. Msia sent five warriors out to protect the caged Cougars until his men were all rested and ready to go.
Three hours before dawn, the Pantheran warriors creeped out of the jungle to the torn down gates of the Cougar village. Msia split his troops into five parts. He sent one to the north, east, south, and west sides of the village leave one behind just in case the Hyenens had a surprise somewhere waiting for them. When all his warriors were in place, G'ania gave the signal to attack.
Like avenging angels the Pantherans attacked. The Hyenens were caught asleep and drunk from a night of celebrating. The attack didn't last very long. After about an hour, the Hyenen forces were routed out and running from the village. Cheers went up from both the Pantherans and the Cougars as the caged wagons the torn apart they were set free. As the leaders of the village came out to give thanks to their saviors, they notice that something was wrong. Msia Duma was nowhere to be found. Somehow, the Hyenens had come up from behind and grabbed him during the fighting. All they found was his helmet and sword Oblivion laying there buried beneath eight dead Hyenens.
In immediate response, G'ania sent warriors out in all directions to find their king. He sent word to the Tigarans. the Rhinons and the Elephants for them to be on the look out for the Hyenens who captured the king. G'ania even had a spy in Mancoro alerted. They searched for months and waited for a response from their allies but no one know where Msia had been taken. After a years, all hope of recovering the king was lost and G'ania took over as Regent until Sakura was older and wise enough to take his place as the king of the Panthers.
That day was here, but Sakura was no where to be found. If Sakura was not found soon, Panthera might fall into a civil war that could tear the great nation apart. G'ania could hold it together for a little while but the people would not wait to long before they started to look for someone else that could keep the nation safe and prosperous.
[Astan?] Sakura sent out. [My love where are you?]
[Here.] Astan replied. [I escaped from Domina along with a group trying to free the Gorilla city.]
[Are you hurt?]
[No.] He said. [But there is someone here hurt very badly. We are looking for a shamen. A healer that can help us. Where are you?]
[We just left Domina.] Sakura sent. [We have agreed to find this Igoro Baba and put an end to his domination over the Gorillas.]
[Be careful Love. He is very skilled and very evil. He won't stop until all of Aspana is in his grasp.]
[And Mulu Amin?] Sakura asked. [What of the Hyenen?]
[He is more dangerous then Igoro. Beware of him.]
After the warning, Astan sent out a caressing thought that wrapped itself around Sakura's mind. It felt to Sakura as if Astan was there touching his body. Sakura closed his eyes and imagine he and Astan were there together. With a moan, Sakura reached out and pulled Astan's body close to him. He slide off the tunic he was wearing and felt for those oh so familiar nipples on his chest. Astan moaned and smiled with pleasure. He pulled closer to Sakura and gave his body over to his mate. Sakura purred in Astan's ear sending erotic vibrations into his brain. Astan let out a short groan as Sakura's hand slipped into his pants and wrapped around his member. His touch was like silk as he stroked slowly up then down. Astan's knees started to go weak so Sakura lowered him down to lay and pushed his pants down his legs. With his legs free, Astan spread them allowing Sakura access to the most intimate parts of his body.
[YES!] Astan moaned. [Please don't stop!]
With a smile Sakura's hand slid down between Astan's quivering legs. It stroked up and down between his cheeks as it searched for the magic spot on Astan's body. When he found it he slowly put pressure on it until his finger slipped in. As his finger pushed in, Astan let out a loud yell of orgasmic pleasure. Sakura grabbed his member and held it close to his stomach and flicked his prostate with his finger. Ropes of pleasure exploded from his body as Sakura buried his face in his neither region. While this went on, Sakura's organ started shooting out his pleasure. They lay together as their bodies slowly finished there mating.
As Astan came back to his senses, he sent Sakura sensations of satisfaction.
[Thank you my Love. Now hurry, I don't think we have very much time. We are in Starspeak. Out beyond the Ayss Mountains.]
[We will be there soon. Stay safe,]
As he got up, two of Goren's warriors were coming back into the camp. They seemed excited about something. Sakura wonder what it could be. Goren jumped up and called them all over. He seemed excited.
"Come." Goren waved at them. "There is news."
"What is it?" Palas asked while he brushed leaves from his feathers and hair.
"My warriors have found Omeron's cave." Goren explained. "Its ten miles west of here out beyond a swamp."
"Then we should get moving." Astan said. "Igoro is here somewhere searching for us. I can feel him out getting closer. We should hurry."
"I will take to the air and try and find him." Palas said with a nod. "If I can, I will try and move him off in another direction. Away from the cave more to the east."
"Be careful." Astan said. "If he see's you he won't think twice about blasting you out of the air."
"I won't let him get that close." Palas flexed his muscles and spread his wings. For a second his image blurred then he shifted to a blue, black and grey falcon. He hopped up in to a tree right at their side. [Igoro can look for me in the sky, but he won't recognize this form. He defeated all my people, but he doesn't know all our secrets.]
With that said, Palas launched himself off the branch and up into the sky. Sky and Quynn finished cleaning up the camp site while Goren, Moyo and Tamu got Beno ready to travel. Once all the packs were collected and was straightened, Goren took the lead and they started out and back on the trail.
There was very little talk as the moved through the jungle. Goren was busy trying to keep to the sparse trail while Quynn watched there back. At one point while they walked, a strange noise caught Quynn's attention. It was like thew hiss of a snake only soft at first, t was hardly audible, but to his Dragon hearing it was clear as a bell.
"What are you looking for?" Sky asked.
."Don't you hear it?" He said with his back to the group. "There's something back there."
"We're being followed?"
"Yes, but its not Igoro or Mulu. its something else."
"Come on." Sky pulled at his arm. "We don't want to let them get to far ahead."
Quynn nodded and together they ran to catch up with Goren and Beno.
Off in the shadows of the jungle, a eight foot long Dreadfoot came clawing through the trees. It had hungry and had a scent of something moving through its jungle. As saliva dripped from its huge mouth, it howls its silent call to the other Dreadfoots in this part of the jungle. Iy stopped for a minute and listened as the others answered his call. One, two, three howled back. They had heard him and were coming in to hunt with him. The Dreadfoot barked three short bursts of sound telling them to come in from the west and the south while he would attack from the east leaving them no where to go but to head north. Quickening his pace, the Dreadfoot hurried in to what he hope was going to be a easy catch.
Dreadfoot's are huge ten foot reptiles with a body more bear like then reptilian.They run just as fast as a house and they climbed like a monkey. They had tails that could grab and hold on to prey as they bite or squeezed the life out of them. Their jaws could snap shut with unbelievable strength. They saw better on the infrared level meaning they hunted by heat signatures. Their nose was used merely for breathing while their tongue lashed out to taste their preys scent in the air. Dreadfoot's stayed close to tropical regions of Aspana leaving the cold north and northern islands alone.
As Quynn and Sky caught up with Goren, they grabbed the stretched and yelled for them to run. The Gorillas had no idea why they were running, but if the two from the north thought they should run, they would trust them and get moving. As they ran, it wasn't long before Goren heard the howling of the following Dreadfoot's. He hurried to keep up with Quynn and Sky while his warriors were right behind him.
"Leave me." Beno said as he reached out and grabbed Goren's arm. "Carrying my stretcher is slowing you down. Those are Dreadfoots behind us. You know what will happen if they catch us."
"No Beno!" Goren yelled down to him. "I will not leave you here to be eaten by those things. We'll take our chances together."
From the barking and howling Beno could tell that the Dreadfoots were close. They were coming in from the south,east and the west leaving them no where to go but to the north. There was probably a trap waiting for them. Beno had to get them to change directions and they better do it soon. With a strong heave, Beno rolled out of the stretcher and crashed into the growth of the jungle. Sky and Quynn swtopped and reached down to grab him. Beno pushed them away.
"Go!" He yelled as he pulled his sword from its scabbard. "I will hold them off as long as I can. Take my cousin and get him away from here.
"No!!" Goren yelled as Sky and Quynn pulled him away. "I won't leave you!"
"Myumbo Cousin. May your jungles always be green." With that, Beno got to his feet and stumbled away into the jungle.
"NOOOO!!"
Grabbing Goren by his arms, Sky and Quynn ran off into the thick jungle leaving Beno there to fight the Dreadfoot's alone.
As Beno pushed his way through the jungle, he could hear the Dreadfoots getting closer and closer. He needed a place he could defend without worrying about getting attacked from behind. Pushing further in, he came to a great crevasse in the side of a cliff that ran up high over his head. This would do, the Dreadfoots could only attack from the front. Beno took a deep breath as the first Dreadfoot of many came howling out of the jungle going right for him
"Come on beastie." He yelled. "Let us see how fearsome you really are."
As the front Dreadfoot lunged at Beno, he struck out with his sword and cut a deep slice across its maw. The beast howled and for a second stepped back shaking its head. As it reared up on its hind legs, the Dreadfoot kicked out clipping Beno on his chin and slamming his head back. As he lost consciousness, Beno fall forward, easy prey for the beast and all of its pride. Howling its victory, the Dreadfoot stepped in to claim its prize. With a final roar, the beast reached down to grab him out of the crevasse and pull him out. Suddenly there was a big flash of light that blinded the Dreadfoot. It stepped back shaking its head to clear its vision. When it looked back, there was tall Satyr with huge rams horns on its head standing there in front of Beno holding a staff made of gnarled wood..
"Hold beast." It said. " I am Tyree. You will have to find something else for dinner. This one is under my protection."
The Dreadfoot's howling and pawed at the ground as they came in to surround the Satyr. The Satyr puffed out his chest and let out a tremendous roar that rocked the ground. Unafraid, the Dreadfoot's attacked. The first one came in snapping at Tyree's legs as another launched its front hooves in for a blow at his chest. Tyree kicked out hitting the first one on in its snort. They he reached out and grabbed the second one by its front hoove and threw it out beyond the ring of snarling reptiles. As the third and fourth beast attacked, Tyree took his staff and slammed it down on the ground causing a tremor the run out knocking the Dreadfoot's off their hooves.
"I am Tyree, god of the wild and I command you to STOP!!
Like scared puppies four of the Dreadfoot's slinked back with their tails between their legs leaving the biggest of them all standing there snarling. Holding out one hand, Tyree stepped forward with a grim look on his face.
"You will leave now or you will suffer my wrath. And it will be long and painful. Begone!!"
Tyree's voice had a thundering effect that scared the last of the reptilian beast off. As he turned back to Beno, he reached down and easily picked the Gorilla up.
"Sleep my son." He stroked the hair on Beno's head. "For when you wake up, there will be a new destiny for you. One filled with wonder and excitement."
With a wave of his staff they were going.
When Beno woke up it was late in the evening. He looked up to see stars twinkling in the night sky. He sat up and looked are, but he didn't recognize where he was. He was in the jungle, but all of his senses told him this wasn't the same he had battle the Dreadfoot's in. Then he remembered the Dreadfoot's. What had happened? The last thing he remembered was the Dreadfoot lashing out and kicking him in him chin. He reached up and put his hand to his chin. It was sore but not broken. That mean he really had face the great beasties. If that was true, why was he still alive? He should be dead and in the stomachs of the whole pride. As Beno tried to get up, pain lanced out from his chest and legs. He felt dizzy and a little nauseous. As he felt his chest, he started to bleed again. Astan's healing was wearing off. Beno looked around. He wanted somewhere he could rest and live out his last moments. He knew he was dying and he wanted it to be as peaceful as it could be and here, who knows what wild things were roaming here in this jungle. Off to the left he spotted what could be a cave.
"That will do." He said to himself. On his hands and knees he crawled into the cave. It was dark in there but that didn't matter. He wasn't expecting to be here for very long. He thought within an hour, Tyree would be taking him up to meet his ancestors for the final eternal rest.
As he made his way in, Beno could hear the chirping of bats rousting up in the cave ceiling. The cave smelled damp with a tiny touch of mold in the air. From the entrance, Beno pushed himself up on his feet and staggered deeper into the cave. Looking around, he noticed the patches of phosphorescent glow that ran all along the ceiling and walls lighting the cave with a eerie glow.
As Beno's pain got worst, he stumbled into a small chamber filled with strange glowing orbs. Beno flopped down after taking his last step. This was as far as he would go. This wound due for his final resting place. He sat back and thought about his life. The parents he loved so much that was killed by Igoro. His cousins Hodari, Goren and Mara and their hunting trips on the savanna. So many memories flashed through his minds. He wished he could have lived to see Igoro's bloody reign come to its end. He would have loved to been there to see him grovel in defeat. But it didn't look like that was going to be possible.
"Myumbo Cousin. I hope you reign in peace."
With that, Beno turned his head and made himself comfortable for the last moments of life. As he closed his eyes, Beno thought he saw something flicker with light. It was one of the orbs that were blinking through the room. Beno cocked his head and watched as it grew bright then flicker on and off. He sat up and reached out and picked up the orb.
"What is this?"
[I feel your pain.] A voice said in his head. [I can take it away.]
Startled. he dropped it in his lap.
[Have no fear.] The voice said. [I can feel your heart. Its getting slower and slower with every beat. Let me make it better.]
"Who are you?" Beno asked as he picked it up again.
[I am your future if that is what you want.] It said. [I can make us whole again. All you have to do is ask.]
As Beno's eyes began to closer and he took one final breath of air. He said yes to the voice.
Before his last breath escaped his body, the orb cracked open and a small Griffen cub popped out and buried itself in Beno's chest. As the cub entered, Beno's eyes opened and his body started to convulse. Hie eyes took on a golden glow as feathers grew and his body started to change. Wings grew as hands and feet turned to paws. His head took the shape of a grey eagle and he shrieked out his birth announcement to the world.
[We are Stormcrest and we are born to fly!!]
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