FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Swaying in time to the rocking boat Flinty peered through his binoculars at the smudge on the horizon. To the naked eye it was just a blur; seen through his lenses it was a tall island of rocky cliffs, lush green rainforest and a tall conical peak poking up through the dense tropical foliage. They were still an hour out and Marcos was taking their little sailing boat from side to side, quartering the wind to approach slowly. Lowering the binocular Flinty paused to examine the patterns covering his fur; the silver paint and gold numerals had been lovingly drawn into his blue fur. He didn't understand exactly how, it was as if the colour of each hair follicle had been changed, not just painted over and the power nestled inside these designs was a bit scary.

For starters he could feel the others, three distinct points of light spread out behind him, nestled in the back of his mind. There were other powers too, Quinten had walked them through some of them earlier but Flinty didn't want to dwell on them. Turning away from the prow the fox made his way after, ducking under the boom of their single sail, swaying in time to the ship's rocking motion. He paused at the base of the mast to check on Sefra. The cream and white rabbit was huddled up under a blanket making friends with a bucket.

Lifting his head the painted moon rabbit grunted softly, "Some quest this turned out to be, barely started and I'm already sick," he groaned and clutched his bucket tightly, "I hate sea travel."

"We'll be there soon," the fox promised with an encouraging smile, "You'll feel better once we're there and back on solid ground."

Sefra waved the fox away and groaned over his bucket as the ship lurched so Flinty walked the rest of the way aft. Marcos had their tiller, the little goat boy was almost as good as Quinten when it came to sailing. Joining the buck and billy on their bench the fox grinned at them both, "Our fearless leader is still out of it, do we have a plan for when we land?"

"I think so," Marcos said in his soft voice, the goat was dressed in long canvas shorts, a light T-shirt and a heavy jumper, "There is a clearing about two miles into the jungle. I thought we could make camp there and go to the temple in the morning?"

"Sounds sensible," Quinten murmured, the lanky bunny sat forward, the designs covering his fur gleaming. He only wore a pair of shorts and the light from the lantern made the pendulum across his chest seem to swing. The strange tattoo creatures he'd collected before they left also seemed to move; the fox like plant and purple and green dragon were now located across his stomach instead of around each arm.

"Are you sure the island is deserted?" the bunny asked Marcos as the goat peered forwards through the spray toward their destination.

"I was there for a month last time and didn't see anyone," the goat grinned shyly, "Was just me and those giraffe friends of mine, Dalis and Florin, we didn't see anyone."

"Then we camp then," Flinty said firmly, "Sefra needs time to recover and I've got a tent and camping equipment, enough for all of us," the fox looked between his companions and frowned, "I can't help but notice you two didn't bring much in the way of gear."

"I'll live off the land if I have too," Quinten replied with a grin, "I can make a shelter and find something to eat and drink anywhere."

"It's easy enough," Marcos bleated quietly, "I'm not as skilled as Quin here but living and surviving off the land without man made artifice is easy. You just have to be sensible, I've been doing it for years, it makes traveling around and exploring the world easier if you don't have to rely on your equipment."

The goat turned the tiller and the boat swung into the wind, picking up speed, racing up and down the swells toward the island, spray splashed over the sides of the boat drenching everyone and making their fur patterns sparkle, "I'd best go get on look out again," Flinty said as he stood back up, adjusting his coat as more spray splashed up over the side of the boat, "I'll shout if the sounding lines change."

Marcos waved his ascent, eyes fixed ahead on the direction they were travelling in, Quinten followed, crouching down beside Sefra to look after the other bunny. Flinty went all the way forward and crouched down to retrieve his poncho from his bag. He pulled the waterproof on over his t-shirt, zipping it up and tugging the hood forward. It offered some protection from the spray and kept out the chill. He seriously didn't understand how the others could just stroll around in just t-shirts or in Quinten's case not even that. Rifling through the side pockets of his back he pulled out his GPS and set about tuning it whilst keeping an eye on the sounding bar built into the front of the boat. A weighted line trailed ahead of the boat and Marcos said it'd detect the approach to the island as the water was shallow leading up to the beach and they had to be careful not to run aground early.

The GPS beeped and Flinty screwed the bracket to the rail and watched it load their location. He seemed to be the only one on the team who'd packed for the fact they'd be camping on a tropical island in the middle of nowhere. Tent, sleeping bag, oil stove, kettle, supplies, camping cutlery and pots, mosquito nets, various sprays to keep bugs out of their fur. He had everything he could think of, including the waterproof he was now wearing. It rolled up into a tiny ball that fit in a pocket and supplemented his fleece. Leaning on the railing he pulled out his phone and linked it to the GPS and had just logged in when the whole thing bleeped and went dead. Frowning the fox prodded the device and tried to reboot it but he couldn't even get a carrier signal or battery read out.

"That won't work this close to the island you know," Quinten said as the bunny dropped down into a crouch next to the fox, "Most technology won't, we're going into a highly charged magical area. Not to mention that our bodies are now impregnated with magical energy from my dye."

Flinty frowned and turned his head to regard the enigmatic mystic forest bunny, "I wish someone had told me that earlier, I've never been on a trip like this."

"Why did you come then? I have forest magic and hypnotism, Sefra is a magical moon rabbit, heir to the powers of his lost kingdom even Marcos has abilities," the hare pushed back his braids and glanced back at the goat who was still steering the boat, "He's a naturalist, a world walker, a bohemian bleat who knows how to live anywhere be it a city or the deepest wild. Why are you here?"

Flinty fidgeted slightly and sighed, "Sefra says he wants me here, I've never played a game against Tsochan so the demon won't be able to predict my actions but I really think I am the wrong guy for this trip."

Quin nodded and tapped his chin then grinned, "You're also smart, Sefra told me you're a doctor of biosciences, good at puzzles and lateral thinking and logic," he waved a hand back toward the others, "I think you'll be more of an asset then you think Flinty. I can handle magic, so can Sefra, I'm pretty good at physical stuff and Marcos spends his life living in the wilds, you however you can think through puzzles and help us to understand the more esoteric games the demon will throw our way."

Smiling and wiping spray from his nose the fox nodded his head thoughtfully, "Thank you, that makes me feel a bit better, do you think there are likely to be many games that need smarts?"

"Oh yes, normally hidden in plain sight inside a game that looks like it is a physical or endurance challenge. The demon is tricky, I've played one game with him, once but my teacher Aira has played many games against him and only come out on top about a third of the time."

"Quin..." Flinty started then stopped, "Is it ok to call you Quin?"

Reaching out to push back Flinty's hood the hare stared into the fox's eyes, the bunny had very strange eyes. The irises were green but faded from dark emerald at the bottom to spring green at the top and his pupils were shaped like the leaves of an oak tree. He stared for a long moment, just holding the fox's head, thumbs stroking the fur of his muzzle, he then leant forward and kissed the fox on the lips. The sudden affection startled Flinty but a tingle ran through him and for a moment he could feel the cogs of his fur patterns turning then the hare was leaning back and smiling.

"Of course, we are a team now Flinty, we'll beat him this time and you'll help us make it so. Now no fretting," he stood up and stretched, swaying with the motions of the boat, letting spray drench his fur, "I'll show you the ropes for a trip like this, leave all the technology on the boat, bring a compass if you really must but the rest of it won't help in this jungle or the place we are going. I'll teach you how to live off the land, synthetic fabrics, creature comforts, all of those are weaknesses, we need your mind and body to be in tune with the rest of us Flinty. So re-pack your bag, I'll watch the sounding line."

He moved forwards to lean on the railing and blushing slightly Flinty focussed his attention on emptying his big rucksack and storing the items he wouldn't need in a locker at the base of the mast. His electric torch, the battery pack for his phone, e-reader, he then sorted through the rest of clothes, occasionally holding things up for Quin to say yay or nay to. This was going to be like no trip he had ever been on before and despite his usual aversion to leaving technology behind... he was starting to grow excited, especially at the prospect of Quinten teaching him things.

-0-

The sun was low on the horizon as the small party trooped up the beach: Flinty glanced back once at their ship. The little sailing boat was beached high and dry above the tideline. Keeled over on one side, empty looking and forgotten. Turning ahead he watched Marcos and Sefra walking ahead, the moonblossom was already looking healthier though the goat was still carrying his rucksack. Flinty's bag felt a lot lighter, Quin had made him drop all sorts of fancy gear and clothes, he'd never travelled this lightly in his life and the fox found himself glancing sideways at the sandy coloured hare now walking beside him.

He stayed quiet, thoughtfully brushing a hand through his dreadlocks as they made their way into the edge of the jungle. The trees near the beach where all swaying palm trees but after about a mile they changed. Tall, thick boled giants, their branches all interlinked to form a canopy of green in every direction. It was also hot and sticky, every breath felt like it was coming through a wet cloth and his clothing stuck to his body uncomfortably, especially where his pack pressed against his back. The ground was uneven, rough and visibility was plunging rapidly as the sun set, darkness was spreading under the trees and Flinty kept stumbling and tripping. Quin however moved with ease, even in the dark he never tripped, lightly he hopped over tangled roots Flinty couldn't see. He seemed alive, energized, every step was almost a dance and as the night fell the pattern of cogs, roman numerals and silver whorls glowed quietly.

Glancing at his own exposed arms and tail Flinty saw that his own designs were glowing. Not enough light to see by but a quiet outline defining his body against the night. Looking up Flinty stopped and stared in alarm; Marcos, Quinten and Sefra were gone, the humid jungle was deserted but not silent. Pointed fox ears twitched atop his head as the noises of the forest leapt out at him... creepy, natural sounds he could not place but set his imagination racing. Then Quinten was by his side again, his ears twitched in query and Flinty moved to follow him, scrambling along through the woods into the clearing Marcos had been talking about on the boat.

It was quite a large space devoid of trees with a pool of water along one side. It was like a natural rock pool and Marcos was already standing in the water up to his knees. The goat looked happy as he chatted to Sefra who was idly unrolling a tent canvas from his bag. He pulled a toggle and it popped up, inflating rapidly, Flinty joined in, building his small tent whilst Quinten built a fire and Marcos set about filling the kettle with fresh water. Dinner was a simple affair and the fire was allowed to die down, it's heat wasn't needed in the tropical warmth of the island. Lying on his back Flinty stared up at the stars which formed a ring of brilliant glittering magnificence directly above, a hole through the canopy that shrouded the forest otherwise.

"How far from here to the temple?" Sefra's question brought Flinty's head up to peer at Marcos, the goat was sprawled out as well.

"It's another few hours, up in the foothills of the volcano," he waved toward the centre of the island, "I wouldn't want to try and find it in the dark."

"Well we may as well turn in," Sefra stretched and headed for his tent, "I want to get a good night's sleep, no telling when we'll get to rest once we're in the game.'

"I'm going to stay up a bit," Marcos said laying back down, arms tucked behind his head, "I want to watch the stars."

Quinten stood up and walked over to Flinty, holding out a paw to him, "Let's go for a short walk, I can show you some forest lore before we sleep."

Taking the paw Flinty allowed himself to be pulled up and grinned at the hare, starting across the clearing with him. Quin stopped by Flinty's tent and the fox quirked his ears as the bunny turned and tugged at his T-shirt, "Grab some shorts and leave the rest, I can't teach you whilst your fur and body is all wrapped up in this fake stuff."

"Uhm... sure," Flinty crawled into his tent and stripped and pulled a pair of shorts out of his pack. He felt a bit self-conscious just wearing them but well... there was only Marcos and Quin to see and after what they'd been up too last night there weren't really any secrets from each other any more. Quin nodded in approval at the sight of him and led the way out into the Jungle; he walked slowly at first, encouraging Flinty to let his vision adjust to the darkness.

At first he couldn't see anything but as the minutes passed he found his eyes did indeed still remember how to work with low light levels. It also was oddly liberating, the warm humid jungle air pressing directly against his chest, the hot breeze from the interior of the island tugging through his fur, relying on his ears and sense of smell for where his vision failed him. Quin was by his side, leading him left then right, around the trunks of several tall trees before he stopped, one foot raised atop a large knotty tree root, ears twitching as he listened.

"Can you hear running water?"

Cocking his head to one side Flinty frowned as he attempted to discern the gentle trickling noise of water over rocks from the other sounds of the jungle. "I think so yes, it's quite faint..."

"Find me there," Quinten hopped over the tree root, his dimly illuminated form twisted around a tree trunk and Flinty lost sight of him.

"Oh great... thanks Quin," grumbling under his breath Flinty started off after the bunny. Falling quiet to strain his ears and try to discern the rushing water. It wasn't easy at first, just the sound of his feet or leaves rustling in the canopy was enough to make him loose it. It was hot, sticky and dark but Flinty was definitely getting closer... the water sound was growing louder and with a grin the fox picked up speed. He stumbled ten seconds later, pitching head first over a bundle of tree roots to land with a crash in a prickly bush. Thorns tugged at his fur, scratched his skin and Flinty yelped as he wound up suspended above the ground by a thick tangle of branches.

Carefully trying to extricate himself the fox squeaked as several long thin vines slithered around his body. They coiled about his arms and legs and gently tugged him out of the bush, holding his at an angle and gently turning him until Flinty could see their source. Purple eyes glowed out of the spike studded head of a peculiar creature. They had a slender body, smooth green skin like the stem of a plant yet their neck, head and arms were covered in a multitude of cactus needles.

All of this was visible because strange plants were starting to glow, hanging in long curving loops from the trees all around. Flower buds were folding open and as they did so their petals glowed with a gentle white radiance. Struggling somewhat in the grip of the peculiar figure holding him Flinty gasped. Two tightly curled buds on either side of their head started to open, revealing deep purple flowers opening in response to the gentle light from the vines. Flinty found his body being lowered carefully to the ground; the vines supporting him withdrew and the blue fox could see that they grew from the figures rump. They formed a coiling cascadeof tendrils that surrounded a thicker trunk, a long cactus like tail crowned by needles and more purple flowers.

"What... what are you?" Flinty asked as he stood up, brushing loam and dirt from his legs, "I've never seen a plant like you before..."

Smiling quietly the plant man stepped closer and leant in until his smooth sleek green muzzle was almost touching Flinty's nose. "I am known as Drem, I am of the Kasvane and you seem lost and in trouble little mammal," as he spoke his large flower petal ears finished opening and Flinty gaped as they released a cloud of pollen into the air. Flinty tried to hold his breath but he wasnt quick enough, he got a lungful of the thick cloud of pollen. His reaction was almost instantaneous, his knees gave out and he moaned quietly as his shorts suddenly grew tight. His body felt warm, everything tingled and drool dripped down his chin and Flinty realised he was just kneeling there drooling. With a start he snapped out of the odd lassitude that fogged his mind and looked up at Drem, the peculiar plant creature was just watching him and smirked when he saw him looking.

"Quite potent isn't it fox?" he stepped closer, thick stemmed tail curving around, lifting up above Flinty's head, long dark green vines questing out, brushing over blue fur, tugging at his shorts, "Would you like some more?"

Groaning Flinty grabbed one of the vines, the smooth plant flesh coiled about his wrist and he tried desperately to gather his thoughts. His shorts were undone, his cock was being jerked off by another vine and a thick scent was filling his nose. It was coming from the flowers covering Drem's tail and he lifted his head and followed it as it swayed back and forth, teasing him.

"Good fox," purple claws stroked his muzzle, tilting it back and opening his mouth, "Good boy... now drink."

The tip of Drem's tail slipped between his lips and a rich liquid poured over his tongue. It was so good, his knot bulged and a vine wrapped about it, tug, tug, tugging on his thickening knot and cock, driving him toward orgasm as he desperately guzzled the thick sap oozing down his throat. It was so good, he needed it so much, gulping heavily the fox whined as the source of his divine nectar slipped free of his mouth and doused him in a shower of sticky droplets. Throwing back his head Flinty squealed, cum was pulsing out of his cock, he could feel his nuts churning as his seed splashed across his stomach. It was so good, everything tingled and the fox babbled incoherently, begging for more as he was lifted up by Drem's vines. He didn't care about the thick plant flesh closing about his body from behind, all that really mattered was that he be fed more of that sap and be allowed to cum again.

The warm air of the jungle was cut off as Flinty was wrapped up in the tight embrace of some kind of plant. Drem's vines had retreated, left him alone but new vines made themselves known to him. With a delighted groan the fox closed his lips about a new vine and wriggled his hips from side to side as he tried desperately to cum again... he needed it so much. His body was warm and sticky, slick and needy, the sap fuelled his desire and the plant jerked him off... it was so good.... screaming around the vine in his mouth Flinty came again. This second orgasm was more powerful than the last but he needed another... the desire was already burning in him, he had to cum... and cum soon..

-0-

Propping his arms on the soft, damp grass that lined the banks of the pool Marcos slowly kicked his legs, stirring the water gently. Overhead the clear patch of sky above the clearing blazed with stars whilst the forest canopy and the trunks of the trees formed a solid black wall. It was just how Marcos remembered it, the humid, tropical night, the whispered sounds of jungle animals and night birds mixed with the noise of branch and bush rustling. Even the pool was the same, the cool spring waters a welcome splash of cold, relief from the oppressive heat of the jungle.

Stretching his arms out across the bank the goat rolled over and sprawled out on his back, watching the stars overhead. The heat was oppressive but the pool was cool and the stars... oh how they sang to his soul. The billy goat wriggled lower in the water until only his head was above the water and started to hum quietly. It was an old song he'd learnt whilst travelling with a romany caravan a few years ago; a hymn of thanks to the world and the silent stars shepherding them through the night.

This is why he loved travelling, walking the world, seeing all that there was beyond the illuminated bubbles of urban life. Clinging to their cities and their towns most people forgot the majesty and beauty of the world hidden in plain sight. The soft splash of water against his body as someone disturbed the pool made Marcos lift his head and look around. A figure was wading across the pool, a shrouded silhouette in the darkness approaching his lounging place. Sitting up Marcos frowned, trying to discern in the gloom if the newcomer had wings... there was something spread out on either side of their body. They didn't glow with the cog and clocks of his companions so it had to be someone new so warily and cautiously Marcos sat up, ready to defend himself.

"Welcome back little goat," the figures voice was smooth, deep and rich with an amused chuckle at the back of their throat, "We watched you last time and now you return with some very interesting friends."

Marcos' breath caught as the newcomer moved out of the shadows, light from the dying fire and stars illuminated a broad shouldered, muscular frame of rough, bark like purple skin. A crown of impressive palm leaves spread out on either side of their head, framing a tall purple pitcher plant that grew straight out of their head. They were so alien of form, so peculiar of shape that for a moment Marcos was struck dumb by their unearthly beauty. Rugged, masculine and somehow lithe and supple, their hands were long fingered, each digit covered in hairs like the stamen of a plant. Sprouting from their back were a multitude of thick vines, not wings. Each vine grew into a rounded yellow bud at the end, there were four thick vines swaying back and forth on either side with a thinner set covered in leaves coiled about their waist.

He... it was a he, Marcos just knew stopped about half a foot away from where he was sitting and smiled quietly. There was a rugged, powerful air to this creature, his arms and legs looked strong, the way he carried himself just screamed of dominance, this creature was in charge and knew it. Shaking his head slowly Marcos licked his lips and swallowed heavily to kick start his voice into speaking as this peculiar plant man waited on him.

"What are you, you can't have been here last time, we saw no signs of anyone living here.."

"I am Kriner, chief guardian of the Mother Seed, the mirror and the key to they who are Alare, chief planter of the mother seed," he bowed his head, the crest of amazing leaves spreading wider, framing his smooth, purple bark head, "It is our understanding you wish to enter the game, to challenge the Knight to do so you must pass the Kasvane and already you fail... see your leader falls."

Marcos scrambled to his feet and turned as tent poles snapped, fabric tore and Sefra screamed. A huge, six legged beast had seized the moon rabbit's tent in its front paws and mouth and was shaking it, bundling it into a ball of cracked poles, fabric and struggling rabbit. With a wild toss of its head the ruined tent sailed upwards only to be seized by huge tentacles that emerged from the large bulb adorning the back of the beast. They coiled about the rabbit's fabric prison and then in the blink of an eye retracted into the bulb, he was gone in seconds and all Marcos could do was stare. It had all happened so fast his scream petered out, barely voiced though he did start forwards, trying to run toward the beast, he had to help Sefra.

Vines tangled his ankles and Marcos landed with a yelp on his front, jarring his chin against the damp grass. Struggling to get back up the goat bleated in alarm as Kriner clambered over his back, straddling the goat, powerful thighs to either side of his body, holding him down. He struggled to pull away but the strange plant man was too strong, his long fingered hands coiled around Marcos' horns and pulled his head back, giving space for the vines covering his back to slither around the billy's neck and shoulders. Leaning forwards Kriner started to tease the goat, pollen fell from his fingers, filling the air with his scent whilst he positioned one of his vines above the man's head.

Holding onto his short little horns the plant man tilted Marcos' head back, holding it under the swaying vine. The bulbous yellow tip cracked open, flesh peeling back to allow a thick drop of purple sap to splash over Marcos' face. He wriggled against Kriner as the sticky liquid soaked into his fur and nose and then with a faint whimper he allowed his mouth to open. The scent coating his snout was unbearable, he wanted more... short goat tongue licked out to taste it and Kriner struck, driving the open, leaking vine into the goat's mouth. The length of green plant flesh pulsed and rippled as it started to flood Marcos with it's rich purple sap, it was thick, it was warm and he quickly found himself gulping down mouthful after mouthful eagerly.

His body tingled, his whole being trembled and with a whimper and a groan the goat wriggled beneath Kriner, humping his thickening dick against the ground. Kriner shifted atop his body, drew his legs back and started to tease another vine tentacle against the goat's tail. He couldn't turn to see but he could feel it, slick and thick, pointed and powerful teasing beneath his tail, probing his tailhole before sliding inside. The pointed tip barely disturbed him but after an inch of cool pointed slickness it grew thicker and started to spread him. Groaning quietly Marcos shook his head, wriggled his hips and then went bug eyed as the vine sliding into his rear kept going... it was wriggling deeper and deeper and with each passing second the burning need filling his body grew. Assaulted by the sap, from the invasion, from the teasing fingers stroking his horns, the vines tickling his sides. It was all too much and with a sudden shudder and a clench that made Kriner pause the goat came. Thick jets of sticky wet goat seed splashed across the grass and his stomach, it felt good though and he barely noticed as something thick and hard wriggled its way past his tailhole as he clenched down hard. It moved along the vine filling his rump and slid deeper into his body, wriggling away quietly whilst he was nicely distracted blowing his load all over himself.

His gut was distended from all the sap, he felt warm and safe, happy and full and gasped in surprise as the vine in his rump and plugging his muzzle withdrew. Rolling onto his side Marcos peered up at Kriner, the purple plant man was stepping backwards, long white feet writhing and burrowing through the ground like living, motile roots. He grinned softly and Marcos scrambled up onto his feet, swaying a bit light headed from what had happened to him.

"What... did you... irrrrrrrffhhhh," clutching at his stomach Marcos tried to hold down a wave of nausea, swallowing heavily. He tried to walk forwards but his hooves refused to move, looking down dumbly the goat bleated in alarm. His hooves were changing, they had punched into the ground, thick coiling ropes of white fuzz oozing and twisting, burrowing and driving into the earth, holding him in place. Swaying back and forth Marcos bleated in alarm, trying to hold his balance but one of Kriner's vinces snuck out and pitched him over. He fell with a bleat, splaying his hands to catch himself and screamed as his hoof tipped fingers erupted into new growth. They punched through the soil, burrowing, twisting roots driving into the ground as his body started to twist and buck and shudder from the invasive changes exploding through his body.

"A seed to spark the change, my sap to feed it... sorry little goat boy but you have failed the first game, you'll never face the Dark Knight now, you will however make a marvelous guard beast."

Marcos threw his head back and tried to scream defiance at the plant but a wave of nausea hit him as soon as he opened his mouth. He threw up a stream of vines, they boiled out of his throat whilst his horns thickened and grew upwards, twisting into bark. Twisting back and forth he tried to pull his hands and feet free but the roots were too thick now. Everything was changing, growing, he was transforming and annoyingly it felt so damn good, he couldn't stop it, didn't want it to stop. The corruptive influence of Kriner's sap filling his body was making sure he loved every moment of it. All he could do was bleat and grow... swell and change and put down more and more roots... the damn plant man had won before they even got started.

-0-

Hurrying through the forest Quinten bounced his way over several bushes and landed atop a fallen log. Casting around, green eyes piercing the darkness the hare tried to find Flinty, forty minutes was much too long. The fox was clever, he might be a city boy but Quin had brought him close enough to hear the stream he should never have actually missed it. To make matters worse now the forest was actively hiding everyone from him. Sure it wasn't his forest but he was a guardian, nature was bonded to him but this forest was dancing to the tune of another master and refusing to let him in.

Bounding off the log Quinten hurried through the darkness, his dreadlocks streaming out behind him as he darted around trees. He was heading in the general direction of the campsite, casting about for any sign of Flinty. Suddenly the bunny caught a glimpse of something and slid to a halt and stared in horror at the huge beast. It had massive purple barklike skin, a huge pod on its back and six powerful legs that ended in a mass of twisting, white root like appendages. It was crouched next to a large pod and dumping a vast amount of manure onto the ground that the pod was scooping into place with large tentacles. It was disgusting but alarmingly the pod was illuminated and Quinten could see a Vulpine outline hanging in place. They had no fur left and their body was slick, green and smooth but there were enough features left to show off Flinty's features.

"No... let him go... you..." the hare took half a step toward the beast when it grunted and shat out a large white rock. It rolled down the pile of fresh plant mulch and a pair of vines picked it up and shook it clean. The vines belonged to a purple skinned man who held the rabbit skull out toward Quinten, a smile lighting up his face.

"Guardian, you honour us with your presence, I am Kriner," they bowed, the leaves of their head spreading wide, "I am afraid your companions have been collected, two of them are to be Kasvane but I'm afraid our orders regarding the rabbit Sefra were clear," they held out the skull, "You may take it but then you must leave, we have no wish to see you harmed guardian but your friends are gone and you cannot defeat us, not here, this forest is ours."

Taking the skull Quinten stared at it then glared at the Kasvane, "They were my friends, how dare you, Flinty was young, he was willing to learn and Marcos what did you do to him?"

"They shall both embrace nature as plant-kin, they are gone, like the rabbit just in different ways, please leave now guardian, we wish not to harm you."

Tucking Sefra's skull under his arm the hare clasped his hands together and glared, "You don't win Kasvane... we will be faster, smarter than you... good day," closing his eyes the hare focussed on his body, on the designs covering him. They span, he could feel them moving and then there was light.

Dimly he heard Kriner shout, the huge beast roar... but the designs painted through his fur were alive now. The stored energy of moogle kind was being directed by his will, his desire to try again, the need to bring the others back and do it all again. It was a marvelous feeling, a rush of energy that Quinten was swept up in, carried off by a swirling tide. For a long moment he could feel the heartbeat of the others, the reversal of events and time as it slid past them and then he was stumbling on soft sand beneath the warm sunset.

"What was that?" Flinty exclaimed as he picked himself up out of the sand and looked around, "That light what was it?"

Sefra helped the fox up, frowning at Marcos and Quinten, "Did we reset?"

"Yes," Quinten said throwing a white skull at Sefra, "I reset, we get ambushed by a bunch of weird plant people after dark," standing up the hare glanced at the boat then the mountain. He had brought them back to the time just after they beached the boat, "Marcos you need to lead us all the way to the temple now, no resting."

Sefra yelped and dropped the skull as he recognized the species.and wiped his hands on his vest, "Ugh OK that's disturbing... you heard the hare Marcos, lead on I have no desire to end up like... that?" he pointed at the skull then started up the beach hurriedly.

Marcos was staring at the skull in shock, he reached out and rolled it back so he could see it properly then jumped to his feet, "Right, ok, I thought I was prepared for this but can I freak out a little first?"

Quin propelled Marcos toward the woods, "Later, you can freak out later right now we need to go to that temple, how far away is it?"

"An hour and a bit," the goat shook his head, digging his hooves into the sand to garner traction and hurried forward. With Quin helping to balance him when the soft sand slipped out from under his hooves the billy goat could move quite quickky, "Come on, this way, we'll avoid my clearing entirely they might have been watching it."

Leaving the beach behind the party plunged into the sticky, humid shelter of the jungle; this time they didn't amble slowly or take their time. Even Sefra didn't complain at the punishing pace Marcos set. When the sun sank low enough that the land beneath the canopy was turned into a gloomy realm of shadows no one objected when Sefra used fire to illuminate their path. Quinten flinched a bit, the bunny was not fond of fire but the bright crackling light kept back the shadows and the gloom.

Nothing attacked them but after the first hour Quinten was sure they were being watched. He could feel eyes on his shoulders and the trees where relaying their passage to someone else. Whatever was watching was angry, annoyed but reluctant to approach the fire so was hanging back. The jungle rose through the foothills of the mountain, the ground grew rocky and difficult, it was very tempting to stop for the night but Quinten wouldn't let them. They climbed higher and eventually Marcos led them up a series of steps that had been carved into the rocky bank of a steeply tumbling stream.

The stairs let out onto an overground plaza outside an ancient granite temple and Sefra led the way inside. His fire illuminated the dark interior, the tall columns carved with dark hooded figures, the altar at the far end surmounted by an image of the demon. Quinten paused in the doorway however and peered back out at the darkness, he could see figures, shapes moving out of the woods. A tall six legged beast led by several smaller creatures with smooth purple or green skin, backing away to join the others in the centre of the room he looked at his friends.

"They're out there, quite a lot of them be ready for..."

He was cut off as the altar suddenly erupted with vermillion flame that coiled up the statue of Tsochan. The edges of the flames burned with a peculiar darkness that seemed to somehow bend light into it and take it away. It was a disturbing illumination but no more so than the figure that slid out of the flames to sit on the edge of the altar. He was tall, slender in that manner only weasels enjoyed with an elongated torso and short legs, his hair was perfectly formed metal and his eyes burned with amber flame.

"So Sefra, you would dance with me again?"

Flinty whimpered and Marcos bleated quietly, shaking his horned head and drawing in close behind Sefra and Quinten, "He really exists...."

"Why did you come," Sefra growled, "If you thought he didn't exist..." the bunny shook his head and stepped forwards, "I'm here to challenge you again demon, you have to play a game and we will destroy you and claim you."

"Claim part of me perhaps but you cannot fight me until you have fought my Knight," the demonic ferret taunted, gesturing at the temple, "This entrance leads to his realm of games, prove yourself worthy, defeat him and then perhaps you can face me."

Sefra opened his mouth to object but was cut off as a figure moved out of the darkness. He was of the darkness, a long, trailing cloak of obsidian, a faceless mask carved into the appearance of a wolf, complete with ears and face guard. He was silent, he was the darkness, sweeping forwards, arms raised, cloak of shadows sweeping out to engulf the four friends.

Moonlight spilled into the temple illuminating the ancient space, the shadow was gone, the foursome where nowhere to be seen and the temple was dark. The fires of the altar where silent once again. The Dark Knight had accepted the challenge, the contestants where off to enjoy the game, they would live or fall depending on their teamwork and if they fell all would be changed forever.

~fin chp.1