FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter length: 2,945 words

Current novel length: 58,679 words

Chapter 21

It takes the group an hour on the road to get to the branching paths with a sign showing where they go. They are in grasslands with some hills. There are two patches of forests off in the distance, a mountain range, and a dark, gloomy sky over an area they know as Pheha. One path goes to Edgepoint, the capital, and through one of the forests. Going straight ahead would lead the adventurers to the mountain, a city called Meybury, and closer to Pheha. The left path is the correct option.

"Which way should we go?" asked Kaera.

Jemeir responds. "The path that leads to Acrine Village. At the rate we're going, we should be in Kininan Woods by sundown and camp for the night. Then in three more days, we'll be in the village and rest at a tavern. From there, Port Direrun is next, and it's another three days to get there. Now we're going to be in the wilderness, so be on the lookout. Monsters roam these parts, and people running from the law hide out here. The Darkened Seven only exacerbates the severity of the threats."

"We got nothing to be afraid of," Merrick spoke. "We got you and Radclyff."

"Wrong on that, Merrick," Radclyff countered. "Jemeir and I are going to do nothing and let you, Arven, Kaera, and Sylfinas do the work."

"Come on."

"We're not going with you all the way to Canir, so you better get used to fighting and dealing with other problems without us. We're going to train you on our way to Port Direrun, but we're only to intervene if we are directly attacked or we know that the threat is too great for you to take on. Other than those two reasons, we'll just watch."

They make it inside the woods. They travel for a couple more hours in the woods before the sun starts to set. "Let's go a little bit off the path and set up camp for the night." Jemeir offers. They go off a little bit and start setting up camp. "Can you and Kaera go and find some firewood, Radclyff?"

"Sure thing Jemeir. Ready Kaera?"

"After you."

"The rest of us will get the tents set up while you two are away," Jemeir uttered.

Radclyff nods his head. "Ok."

The two Fenri go further into the woods. As they are far enough away, Radclyff starts a conversation in their native tongue.

"Álkæt örsták sæjé eika ét Canir."

"Orsták réttó yrtór ovælt?"

"Mö reykjállurk ovæltó. Íytyuk möþ stóðut wyét íylóð. Oyl myet ælt veríylohýð möþ, veríyaink olláíhkvestrunyginöð. Wehk á ðus aelt idatan sitl, áls Álmýsúi oyl ginöðar."

"Ollnit mö isnsenáuð ov rekrúitik eika, ödús eiksæv mö akfel, áls örsták tert visullukit ísot dykin úf vyröðas ufgyalklegur. Órín á akfelðus fyelltik sý eika ollnit rét þúineikeytoll, só þúinvisagyæl hýs."

"Orsták réttó roikygtúóðkkur, shöld örfil?"

"Álstá. Víálekí neryl á akfásht attuk wyét Víálthötá Merrick vilak drét ín lyut ef mó. Álsulerák áðet miðiðæt túóðk avveron. Eikakivol ivén éf ollþayt möþ mö akfel."

"Eika buþter irkil eikannol eikyt ild úf oyl dúíl, pör örre soke."

"Eikakiv."

Kaera and Radclyff return a few minutes later, with both having a decent pile of firewood in their hands. Jemeir starts lighting a fire, and a short time later, a campfire roars to life. He starts getting dinner ready. Arven, Merrick, and Sylfinas turn their heads as Kaera and Radclyff strip their clothes off. They are more used to seeing Kaera like that, but now they have to deal with seeing Radclyff's genitals.

"Ahh. Feels great to be like this for once," Radclyff said as he spreads his arms and legs wide, uncaring about parading his sheath and balls as the fresh air blew on his fur.

"I take it your wife prohibited you from sleeping like that all the time," Jemeir responded.

"You don't know the half of it, Jemeir. 'Only when having sex,' she said, or when she grooms my fur. I've tried to convince her multiple times to allow other circumstances, but she…" He winces and covers his junk. "Convinced me instead. It was miserable, but I learned to cope with it. Still feels great sleeping like this." He rests his back against a tree.

"Do you feel comfortable enough to tell us about your gift?" Jemeir asked Merrick.

"A curse is a better way of describing it." Merrick sighs. "Might as well get it out now. What is it that you want to know?"

"How long ago did you start doing magic?" asked Sylfinas.

"Early childhood, if I ever had one in the first place. Knew nothing of magic, and I was able to do minor spells like they were nothing. I was around four when I showed magical abilities. At first, I thought it was a really cool gift. I thought it could help the situation I was in. Now, as I said, it's a curse."

"When did it become a curse?" inquired Kaera.

"At age five. I've been living in a nightmare ever since."

"What happened?"

"It was my fifth birthday. My parents, six older siblings, and most extended family members were at the house celebrating. It was the only time they remembered I existed. On second thought, it might've been a family reunion because they were more focused on hanging out with each other than me. I remember getting an object from my mom that is really hard for me to describe as way of turning me away. It was some sort of talisman that I can wear around my neck, and it showed some kind of serpent. As soon as I touched it, my power started going haywire. The next thing I knew, I was at my grandma and grandpa on my mom's side and one of my sisters three years older than me in Greenwich. Grandma and grandpa hated my guts, and my sister looked like she was deathly afraid of me. She never spoke to me or anyone and kept her distance from me. I found out from my grandparents that I was responsible for killing all of my family besides my sister. They mentioned that I was turning into a monster ever since age four, so I figured that was when my magic appeared, and they said they were right in calling my birth a mistake since the beginning. They kept me alive, but I knew from their eyes that I didn't deserve the right to exist, and that belief extended to their treatment. So I left."

"Then what?" inquired Radclyff.

"I lived on the streets in Greenwich. It was rough. One day some street urchins wanted to take the food I stole, and I refused. During the struggle, I accidentally discharged my lightning. A Shaidun named Lelith noticed, and she actually took me under her wings. I did favors for her along with other kids my age or slightly older. In exchange, she taught me some magic to the point of shooting lightning instead of touching to shock them."

"I have a feeling that I know what comes next," Sylfinas commented.

"Turned out that Lelith was using us for criminal purposes. We got caught, and I and some of the kids escaped while the rest got captured. Lelith also was taken in. Then I left Greenwich by hitching a ride on some unsuspecting travel merchant because of another incident that pissed the residents off. I ended up in Kynel, close to Edgepoint, becoming a nuisance to the people living there because I wanted attention, but no one cared enough. I lived there for three years before losing control again, ending up killing a noble's daughter, and I was to be executed. A group of people called Redemptioners persuaded the city to let them have me instead. I would've chosen death if I had known what they would do."

"What did they do?" asked Radclyff. This is where Merrick struggles to keep his composure, prompting the group's sympathy. "You don't have to answer that. Forget I asked the question."

"I was tortured. 'Experiments and testing' were what they called it, but torture was more appropriate. I was put in high-stress situations that would've killed me had it not been for this thing inside me, but that made them want to experiment further. I only stayed captured for a few months before their base was attacked by a group of people. I escaped in the chaos. I was fourteen, I believe, when that happened. Eventually, I made it to Belburn and lived there until now. I met Arven before I turned fifteen when he helped me deal with many assholes, and we have been friends ever since. Then you know the rest." And I thought it was finally done with me. I'm back to nothing, again.

"I remember that day," Arven recalled. "I believe I kicked some ass back there."

"I'm sure you got your ass kicked, and they left."

"Let's just say that they and I got a few solid hits in."

"Whatever you say, Arven. Still grateful for what you did back then."

"You're welcome."

"Any questions?"

Jemeir responds, "I have one more question. Do you remember the story of your birth?"

"Only thing I know is that a violent storm was going on. 'Worst one to hit Greenwich in a century,' they said."

"I lied. There's one more at least from me. This being inside you, does it talk? If so, what does it say?"

"It said that I need to get stronger. 'Become Stormblood,' it said."

"I believe I know what's going on."

"Tell me, please! I want this thing out of me if it's possible."

"Highly doubt it can be done, but I know Frosira can train you well should you find her."

"What am I?"

"You're a Wildborn, Merrick."

"I'm a what?"

"A Wildborn. People with the ability to control the Arcanis Majus and be their hosts. In your case, you have the Elder Tempest, which is why it calls you Stormblood. People that are Wildborn have ravenous appetites, more than what their races typically eat, and they have markings on their bodies that they can't explain. You eat just like a Fenri, which is nearly impossible for a human to do normally, and you said those lightning tattoos appeared from out of nowhere."

I always thought it was because I barely ate throughout my life. "What is the Arcanis Majus?"

Sylfinas answers. "According to the books I've read, they are the forms of raw magic in different natures. Thirteen exist, with the most powerful being having the title of Arcanis Primus. They are second, virtually a tie between them and dragons, in terms of enormous magic power that aren't gods. The most powerful is the artifact that they came from. The Supremacy Stone, the source of all magic in Illyria."

"So, I have one of thirteen of those in me?"

"A small part of it, which will enable you to contain all of its power when you meet it."

"How strong would a Wildborn be if he or she can control their powers?"

"He or she would easily be a Mage Lord. Only a small handful of humanoids could rival dragons and the Arcanis Majus without being Wildborn. The Mage Lords are the only ones that have potential."

"Any more questions?"

Kaera answers. "What's your last name?"

"Stagwatcher. I like Stormblood better, so I'm going with that."

Jemeir goes through his Bag of Holding, throwing a book at Merrick. "Here, take this. It's a book I picked up during my adventures that I have no use for. It has tips for learning magic, and maybe there's something in it you find helpful. It's to make up that I can't teach magic. Also, avoid using Stormblood. It will alert anyone with vile intentions and know about the Wildborn that you are one."

"Much appreciated, and I'll keep that warning in mind." He tucks it away.

Usse speaks up. "You said that once we're on the open road, you'll get Firmis out."

"I did say that." Jemeir searches through his bag.

"I imagine you taking out an umbrella and floating away at some point, dad." Sylfinas makes a joke.

"I don't get it."

"It's from a book I read."

"Oh. Let's see. Where did I? Ah-ha!" He pulls out his gauntlets. "You awake there, Firmis?"

"Huh? Jemeir, is that you?" The male voice sounds tired, following by a yawn.

"Yes, I am."

"Why did you wake me up? You know that I need my beauty sleep."

"Sorry about that, but Usse wants a rematch."

"Yeah, Firmis, we still haven't settled our match from last time," Usse responded.

Firmis yawns again. "No, I think I'm good."

"What? Come on. One more time. Winner takes all."

"Naw."

Usse pops out of the greatsword. "I get it. You know that I will win, so you're saving yourself a major beatdown by not challenging me. I knew that I was a better spirit."

"It's not that. It's just too much effort to swiftly kick your ass to even try."

"Why don't you put those words to the test? One round, winner takes all like I said."

"If it will get you to shut up." Firmis finally pops out of the gauntlets. He looks extremely old for a spirit.

Usse extends his hand. Firmis accepts it. Usse says, "On the count of three, we go. One. Two…"

Firmis slams Usse's arm. "I win."

"I didn't say three! No fair!"

"The enemy won't play fair. Better you learn that from an ally than from them."

"One more time."

"It's nap time."

"But you just woke up. One more time."

"Too much energy for me to do."

Usse covers himself with fire. "How about we do something else?"

"You just don't know when to quit. Youths these days." Firmis surrounds himself with floating boulders.

"How about you two don't do what it is you think you're doing?" Sylfinas offers.

"Hey Radclyff and dad, can't you control your spirits?" Arven asked.

"Usse, stop right now."

"You too, Firmis."

The two spirits don't. A beam of divine energy comes from the sky and strikes them, forcing them to stop what they're doing. "Save your energy for later," Sariel spoke.

They glance over and see Sariel out of Sylfinas's sword. "You're new here. I thought I sensed another presence of a spirit. I'm Firmis. What's your name?"

"Sariel."

"Pleasure to meet you. You must've just graduated from the academy."

"Been a few years."

"She and I were in the same class together," Usse added.

"Yet, I wonder how they let you pass along with her," Firmis responded.

"They knew my talents. Ask my Keeper. He knows my accomplishments being with him. You know some of those as well."

Radclyff shrugs. "I recall a couple of instances where you brought trouble."

"Way to back me up."

Firmis takes note of everyone that's here. "Lots of new faces, I see. What's the occasion, partner?"

"Radclyff and I are taking the others over to Port Direrun," Jemeir answered. "From there, they will go to Canir to bring Kaera, the female Fenri over there, back home. Then he and I will work on a couple of things while they're off."

"And what are they?"

"First is fixing their relationship between them and the town of Belburn. Right now, they're sort of exiled based on false info, so that needs to be corrected. Next, and most importantly, is getting an urn back."

"What's so important about an urn?"

"It's for The Soulmonger's resurrection."

Firmis's face gets serious. "Been many, many years since I last heard that name, and none of it was good. This is serious. So are you going to get the old gang together?"

"We'll see. Right now, it's Radclyff and me."

Sariel interrupts. "Um, why are they naked?" She points at the two Fenri.

"They sleep that way. It's part of their lifestyle. Better get used to it because your Keeper is going to where Fenri live, so you'll be seeing more of them without clothes, maybe even broad daylight," Jemeir answered.

"I've meant to ask this. Who's your Keeper, Sariel?" inquired Firmis.

She answers Firmis's question by pointing at Sylfinas. "Him. It's getting that time I must head back inside the magic item." She pops back inside the sword.

He looks at him. "What is your name?"

"Sylfinas."

"Pleasure to meet you, Sylfinas. I'm Firmis, or you can go by my item name, Fissure."

"Nice to meet you as well." The spirit looks at the other new faces. "And you are?"

"Arven."

"Merrick."

"Kaera."

"Pleasure to meet you, Arven, Merrick, and Kaera." He yawns. "I like to stay and chat, but a nap sounds good right now, so I'll head back to the gauntlets and sleep." He disappears.

"Yeah, I'll head back as well." Usse leaves.

Jemeir agrees with their action. "We should all be getting some sleep. Who is going to be the first two to keep watch? We're taking two-hour shifts. I'll take the first shift."

Merrick speaks. "I'll take the first shift as well."

"I'll take the second shift." Arven offers.

"I'll take second as well," Kaera enunciated.

"Then, Radclyff and I will take the last shift," Sylfinas uttered.

"I'm fine with that." Everyone, but Jemeir and Merrick, go into their tents. Kaera has hers separate from the rest of the tents. The other tent is big enough to hold the remaining people, with a divider on the inside, cutting it in half. Radclyff takes one half. Arven and Sylfinas take the other. The first day of their journey comes to an end.

Feel free to vote, favorite, comment, and spread the word.