FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Part 1: http://www.sofurry.com/page/182103/user

Part 2: http://www.sofurry.com/page/185574/user

Part 3: http://www.sofurry.com/page/193284/user

A Dangerous Cure

"Get up. We're leaving now," said a voice from the entrance to the hut. Elliot stirred from his slumber and looked up at the familiar silhouette in the entrance. "Pack your things quickly. I'd like to get started before the sun gets too high." The shadowy figure then let out a deep, throaty cough. Ever since the fight in the swamp, Eman had been getting better and worse all at the same time. Two weeks had passed since their encounter with the swamp demon, and Eman's leg had healed well. He still had to get around on crutches, but the Priestess had said that he would be back to normal in another week or so. But while his leg had been healing, something else was becoming worse. He had developed a racking cough, and would succumb to bouts of shakes.

Eman turned with a flick of his bushy tail and promptly fell to the ground, grunting in agony. Elliot was by his side in a flash, helping to hold him up. "Why aren't you using the crutches? The Priestess said you need to use them until you are fully healed," Elliot chided the fox.

"I don't need 'em," Eman responded, though he held on tightly to Elliot for support. Thinking quickly, Elliot reached for his spear just inside the hut and handed it to Eman. He gratefully accepted the spear, and leaned heavily against it as he lifted himself up from the ground. "C'mon, I'm fine now. Pack your things, kit." Elliot just shook his head as he headed back inside to gather his few belongings. He put his pants back on and grabbed his satchel. During their time at the wolf camp, both Elliot and Eman had gotten into the habit of shedding their clothing, and getting into the pack life. It felt weird to wear clothing again, and the thought of leaving the safety and comfort of the pack was a little frightening to the young cat. But he had to get back home before his family decided that he was either dead, or lost forever.

Elliot walked back outside and stood next to Eman who was leaning against the spear, trying to catch his breath. He seemed to be losing more strength with each passing day, and this worried the boy. But Eman was a stubborn fox, and insisted that they keep moving on.

Elliot loved early mornings in the camp. Life was just beginning to emerge from its slumber. Embers crackled in the fire pits, and the smell of roasting meat and fresh rolls made one want to stay in that moment forever. The sun peeked through the tops of the trees and flitted among the wolves and huts, dancing to a tune only it knew and could hear. There was something beautiful and magical about the forest, and Elliot was sad that he had to say goodbye to it, but he knew that he would return one day.

The two walked the short distance to Eman's tent, where Elliot had to help him dress himself. Once he was all dressed and had gathered his miscellaneous belongings, they exited and started towards the Priestess's tent. As they neared, they saw the Priestess and her grandson, True Arrow, out in front in a heated debate. "You cannot go at a time like this. The pack needs an Alpha, and you are the best suited," the Priestess was insisting.

True Arrow had his arms crossed, and did not seem like he would budge in whatever decision he had made. "I am not yet an adult. I have not taken my Right of Passage yet. I cannot truly become Alpha until I return."

"Right of Passage?" Elliot interrupted without thinking. The two wolves had noticed their approach, but were too involved in their argument. Arrow turned to Elliot now and explained, "Every male in our pack takes a journey outside the protection of the forest when they become of age. Their mission is to do something of importance for someone else outside of the pack, or to find and bring back something of value to us. The Priestess insists that I take up my father's mantle as Alpha before I have even had a chance to prove myself worthy to the rest of the world." Arrow shot his grandmother a look of defiance, and she simply sighed in response. "I have decided to take my Right of Passage now, and leave with you two."

"And I've told you that that would not be necessary, True Arrow. You have already proven yourself when you helped our heroes destroy that terrible demon plaguing the forest." She waved her had as if to shoo off his argument.

"I have made my decision, Grandmother. I will be leaving with Eman and Elliot, and I will help them in whatever way I can. I know you've seen it too. You've seen the fires. The pack cannot stay here forever. If I have a chance to stop it, then I will take it!" Arrow's voice took on an ominous tone, and his words didn't make much sense to Elliot. But the Priestess understood his words, and she lowered her head, conceding the argument to him. With the argument settled, Arrow left them there to go gather his own things.

The three of them gathered at the edge of the camp, readying themselves for the journey ahead. The entire pack had gathered to send them off with their highest regards and wishes. They turned and left, Eman hobbling behind, and Arrow taking the lead, leading them out of the forest. One female warrior stood alone on the edge of the group, a hand resting on her stomach as she watched the strangers leave.

The forest was peaceful and full of the sounds of life that had been missing just a few short weeks before. Little birds fluttered about the high tree branches, and small mammals darted about the large trunks. The only sound out of place was the grunting of Eman at the rear of the three. Arrow had led them to the main road through the forest which alleviated some of the strain on the injured fox. They had to take several rests for him to catch his breath and calm his shaking. Arrow offered to take them back to the camp to have the Priestess take another look at him, but Eman refused, saying that he would be fine once he got back out into the open air and away from the forest. He blamed the closeness of the trees for his discomfort.

It took the three of them almost an entire day to make it to the edge of the forest. What would have been a half a day's walk turned into an entire day with the breaks that Eman needed to take. The Great Forest ran alongside a large mountain range to the west, and this is where the three came out following the road. They made camp there outside of the forest for the night; the large mountain range to their west blocked the setting sun and dropped the curtain of night early upon them. Eman did not sleep well; tossing and turning all through the night. Elliot stayed up almost the entire night, watching over him. And Arrow only took a few short naps as he kept watch over all of them.

When the sun rose, they started off on the road again. Their pace was slowed and labored, and eventually Arrow and Elliot ended up half carrying Eman as it pained him greatly to walk anymore. His coughing became worse, and little drops of blood leaked from his lips.

As they rounded the corner of a rocky hillside, they came across quite a scene. "That is the Gods' wagon, good sir!" yelled a small, middle-aged, black and white ferret. He was wearing dark blue robes with a white scarf, identifying him as a cleric of the Temple of the Water Goddess. A scrappy looking mutt was sitting on the cart that apparently belonged to the ferret. He was whipping the drive horse madly, trying to get away with his prize. Arrow, seeing this, let go of Eman and drew an arrow. With one quick motion, he let fly the arrow, and it flew straight and true into the back of the thief. The mutt fell from the wagon, and the wagon slowed to a stop just a short distance away.

"My word!" exclaimed the ferret. "Are you mad?" Arrow walked up to the small creature, and Elliot and Eman limped their way over behind him. "It was just a wagon. I could have lived without it." As Arrow got closer, the small ferret began to change his tone. "I-I-I mean, thank your for your assistance, good sir. I-It is appreciated, even if it wasn't necessary." Arrow now stood next to the ferret, towering over him. He was even small compared to Eman who only stood a little over five feet tall himself. The little creature began fidgeting with his hands, pushing up the round framed glasses that sat upon his nose.

Elliot let out a grunt behind Arrow as Eman began falling; his weight too much for the small cat. "Oh my goodness! Is he all right?" the ferret asked as he forgot all about the wolf and ran to the fox's aid. He knelt down next to the wheezing Eman. He rest a hand on his forehead and quickly retracted it. "By the Goddess! He's burning up." The small ferret got back to his feet and began running as fast as his short, little legs could carry him over to his cart. He hopped into the cart with some difficulty and drove it carefully back over to them. He rummaged through a trunk that lay in the back, and pulled two bottles filled with some kind of colorful liquid, and a rag.

He opened one bottle and doused the rag in the light blue liquid. He walked back over to Eman and gently placed the wet rag on his forehead. The ferret then popped the cork on the other bottle with the purple liquid. He grasped Eman's snout and forced his mouth open. In his weakened state, Eman didn't even notice, or was simply too weak to fight back. But he did notice when the ferret began pouring the foul smelling liquid down his throat. He gagged and sputtered for air as the liquid made its way down.

"What are you doing?!" Elliot asked, worry in his voice. He didn't like the way that the small, strange creature was treating Eman. He gripped his spear tightly, ready to pounce if need be.

The ferret simply waved him off as he closed Eman's mouth and forced him to swallow the liquid. "Oh don't worry yourself, lad. This will help bring down his fever. Here, help me bring him into my wagon." The three of them gently lifted Eman up off the ground and set him on a fur blanket that was lying in the wagon. "Now shoo. Shoo! I will tend to your friend here, but I need my space. You young kits are always where you have no business being.

Several minutes passed by while the ferret examined Eman up and down. After a short while, he hopped down from the wagon and walked by over to Elliot and Arrow. "Well, how is he?" Elliot asked, anxious for some good news. He had known since before they even left the wolf camp that something was amiss, but he couldn't talk Eman out of leaving.

"I'm afraid your friend there is in pretty bad shape, lads. Oh, how could I have forgotten!" the little ferret slapped himself in the forehead. "I am Healer Opi from the Temple of the Water Goddess." He bowed low to the two before continuing. "As I was saying before; your friend has been infected by a demon. The poison is spreading quickly through him. I don't think he has too much time left unfortunately."

The news shocked Elliot. He was utterly speechless. Arrow, on the other hand, was not. "Is there a cure for it?" he asked. He glanced over at the wagon where Eman was flailing a little bit in a fever induced nightmare.

"There is only one thing that can cure this infection," stated Opi, pushing up his glasses again. "And, as luck would have it, I was just on my way to retrieve some for his Royal Majesty."

"The Emperor?! What's wrong with the Emperor!?" Elliot interrupted. His heart skipped a beat when he heard that his father, the Emperor, was ill.

"I don't know the specifics. I was just ordered by the head of the Temple to travel to the top of White Mountain to obtain some Gods' Grace," Opi answered. He pointed up to the top of the nearby mountains. The peak was hidden by a layer of dark clouds, and snow could be seen falling even from that far down below. "I had heard they were having trouble up there, but again, I don't know the specifics." He pushed his glasses back up his snout again and sighed. "I'm afraid your friend doesn't have much time left. The infection is spreading quickly, and there is only so much I can do to slow it down. I say that it will reach his heart by tomorrow night at the latest. If he doesn't get the lichen by then, he probably won't live to see the sun rise again." Opi bowed his head as he relayed the bad news.

Without another word or a second thought, Elliot turned and began walking up the small side road that led towards the nearby mountain. He didn't care if he had to slay a dragon. He was going to get that lichen for Eman no matter what it took. "I see you've made your decision," Opi said. Elliot turned around just in time for a large, wool coat to smack him in the face. Opi tossed one to Arrow as well, "You'll need these, kits. It's going to be cold up there."

Arrow and Elliot didn't quite know how to respond to the strange, little creature. But they both knew what needed to be done. The dirt road leading up to the mountain was simple enough. It was clean and well used. Many pilgrims walked the path to the temple near the summit.

The Temple of the Air Goddess is famous for the Singing Caves that run through the mountain. Wind whistles through the tunnels at such a speed, creating a serene music as it is swept by. It is said that the Goddess herself creates the beautiful sound. Deep inside the numerous tunnels, and at the very core of the system, there is a place where the Air Goddess and the Water Goddess meet. A great river and waterfall flow into a room where all the tunnels and all the whistling wind combine. And it is only there that the lichen, Gods' Grace, can be found.

The travel up the mountain was long, but easy. The paths were well cared for, and made the trip faster than if one would try climbing straight up the mountain face. Elliot and Arrow made it to the first stone steps of the temple just a few hours after noon. Large stone steps led the way to the temple at the summit. Giant stone pillars lined either side of the steps, and atop the pillars were elaborate statues of Air Monks in different poses. At least, Elliot had thought they were statues until he caught sight of their heads moving, watching them ascend the steps.

As they neared the top, great, giant Golden Eagles could be seen soaring higher above their heads. And smaller ones glided underneath them, wearing white robes. The eagles, falcons, and birds of the Temple of the Air Goddess had a wide, expansive temple, and flying around was the quickest way to travel from building to building. Many of them were separated by almost a mile of empty air that led straight down to the base of the mountain.

As the two of them took the last step to the top, they were greeted by an eagle monk who glided down and landed gracefully in front of them, folding his wings against his back, "Greetings weary pilgrims. Welcome to the Temple of the Air Goddess. We have food and lodging available, though the spaces are filling up quickly I'm afraid." He waved his arms to the beautiful temple cut out of the face of the mountain itself.

The wind whipped around them and made the cold air even colder. Elliot and Arrow both wrapped their coats around them as tight as they could. The thought of warm food and getting out of the wind was inviting after the tiring climb to the temple. They followed the eagle out of the wind and into the main entrance of the temple. Snow began to fall lightly behind them as the large, wooden doors banged shut, cutting out the wind and the cold. Inside, the soft light and warmth of a large fire burning on the other end of the room washed over them. It was almost like they were instantly comfortable the moment the door closed. In front and to the side of the fire was a podium, and long rows of pews stood in front of them. Intricate paintings lined the large, stone walls, and candelabra stood beneath them, spreading their light upon them.

The monk led the two through some connecting hallways which were just as beautifully decorated to a smaller building built inside the actual mountain. It was a completely different scene in this building. Furs and scales of all kinds were scattered about on beds and cots, and even on the floor. Only a few took a glance at the newcomers as they entered the large room before they moved back to what they were doing. "Why are there so many people here?" Elliot asked.

The monk tucked his arms into his robes and soberly said, "The caves are currently too dangerous to enter." Elliot looked up at the eagle, but before he could ask anymore questions, he continued. "Every so often, something will take up refuge inside the cave system, but won't stay for very long. The constant noise and frequent visitors usually drives whatever it is away. But this time, a dragon has decided to nest there." Elliot gasped as he heard this. Dragons are a rare thing in the world. So few were left after the Cleansing, that to even hear of one still living was quite a shock. He was worried about the thought of running into one of the famous beasts, but he was also a little excited. Dragons had always fascinated him. He would daydream all day in class back at the palace about riding one of them like the heroes of the Lost Times. Arrow, on the other hand, just cocked his head and listened quietly. He had never seen a dragon, much less even heard of one before. No such things existed inside the forest.

"We've had dragons before in the past, but none as aggressive as this one. It won't let anyone near the caves at all, and kills anyone that gets too close," the monk continued. "The dragon has been here for two weeks now, and shows no sign of giving up its nesting site. So all these pilgrims are stuck here until the dragon leaves, or their hope and faith gives out."

"How do we get to the caves?" Elliot asked. He tied the coat around him tighter again, preparing to go back out in the snow and cold.

"Oh little pilgrim, you do not want to go there. I told you of the danger."

"I don't care if there's a dragon. I don't care if the Gods themselves are blocking the way. I need to get into those caves." The fire in Elliot's eyes could almost be seen jumping from his pupils. His hands were curled into fists, and his playful tail stopped swaying back and forth. He wasn't about to let a dragon, or a monk stand in his way.

The eagle monk simply sighed and smiled. "Right this way, young pilgrim." He led them back outside and across the now snow covered, flattened summit. At the very edge of the peak swayed a wooden rope bridge far away from the rest of the temple complex. The bridge looked sturdy, but the constant swaying made Arrow's stomach churn. Having spent his entire life on the ground in the forest, this new mountainous, windy world seemed so foreign and strange. He stuck his tongue out in discomfort, but he cinched up his coat and readjusted his bow. "This is where I must leave you now, young pilgrims. May the Gods watch over and guide you." The monk bowed low before taking off suddenly and disappearing among the clouds that hovered just above their heads.

Elliot and Arrow gripped the ropes tightly as they made their slow way across. The bridge seemed to go on forever into the clouds across the great nothing below them. The wind picked up, seeming to threaten to flip the bridge over, but the design was much sturdier than it looked at first glance. As they neared the adjoining peak, they began to notice a change in the wood. It was blackened by fire, and left black soot on their paws and hands. The rope of the bridge was black and frayed, and crumbled slightly at their touch. The rock was pitch black where bridge met mountain peak, and the trail of soot and scorched stone led all the way back to an enormous opening in the face of the rock. Wind rushed out from the hole in the rock, and it whistled an innocent tune in their ears. There was no light coming from inside, and the wind made it impossible to light a torch, so the two made their way blind into the complex cave system.

Elliot had no trouble adjusting to the pitch blackness of the cave. Arrow, on the other hand, was having a more difficult time. He was more suited to dawn and dusk lighting. Elliot led their way, holding Arrow's hand so he would not get lost.

Wind whistled and rushed past them, singing a moody melody. It seemed to twist and writhe like the changing of the tides, or shift like the phases of the moon. Some moments it would chirp a happy tune like sunshine in spring. At other times it would bellow like war drums on the march. All the while, as the two crept slowly around in the darkness, the music grew louder. But a more sinister sound was becoming apparent to them. A deep, living sound of something breathing echoed behind the music; something very large.

The stone of the walls and floor were moist with condensation. Small droplets of water dripped from the ceiling which hung high out of their sight above their heads. As they wandered deeper and deeper into the caves, the sound of the wind and music slowly started to fade away. The moisture increased, and the air felt thick and stale. And all the while, the sound of heavy breathing could be heard growing louder and louder until it was the only sound in the darkness, save for the soft patter of their paws on the stone.

Hours passed by as the two wandered aimlessly in the caves. Elliot was quickly losing hope as they ran into yet another dead end. He sighed and leaned against the rough wall to try and catch his breath. But catching his breath would have to wait as the wall behind him began to shift and lift up from right behind him. Elliot stumbled forward and readied his spear. Arrow noticed the strange movement in the darkness, and he notched an arrow and put it at the ready, but quickly found that it would be useless. As the strange wall lifted higher and turned to face them, a brilliant, golden eye opened up at stared back at them. They had literally run straight into the dragon!

The whole beast lifted itself from the ground with thunderous movements. It towered over the two, the top of its back hidden by the darkness above them. Behind it, its large tail swayed gracefully back and forth. For such a large creature, it had all the grace of any of the eagles soaring in the air outside. It snorted a cloud of sooty smoke in their faces as it sized up its next potential meal.

"By the Mother! What is that!?" For the first time in his life, Arrow felt helpless. He had never even dreamed of something like a Demon, and now he was staring down the maw of something larger, and much deadlier.

The dragon opened its mouth, saliva dripping from its giant, razor-like fangs. "Two more stupid pilgrims I see," Arrow and Elliot heard. But they didn't hear it with their ears. The words seemed to creep into their minds from the dragon. "And so young too. It would be a shame to end your lives before they have even begun. Turn back now and you will be spared. You are not the one I seek, and I do not wish to harm anyone else." The voice, though coming from such a large and fearsome being, sounded feminine and almost motherly.

Elliot stood before the dragon, spear held tightly in his hands. "I cannot leave! Not without what I came here for!" he shouted defiantly at the dragon. He tensed up as he watched the dragon lift up her head. A bright, red glow emanated from deep down in her throat. She opened her mouth and exhaled a fury of flames at the two. Arrow cringed in fear, covering his face and waiting for the end. But it didn't come. He opened his eyes and saw another brilliant glow; this one coming from Elliot. The same, strange symbols twisted and danced underneath his now black fur. He held out his spear, and from its tip, a blue shield spread out and protected the two from the fire. The flames engulfed them in its glow, and some of its heat seeped through, but they were otherwise unharmed.

As the smoke and fire cleared, Elliot let the magical shield he summoned fall. His fur remained black, and the symbols remained as he expected to have to do it again. He didn't know if he had the strength or knowledge to do it again, but he had to try if need be. "Hmm? They send a mage to oust me from my nest now?" With a speed uncanny for such a large thing, the dragon put her snout right in front of Elliot. He readied his spear and prepared for the next attack. But the dragon just sniffed him curiously. His display of magical power had intrigued her. "Could it be? You have finally come!" She seemed excited now. Her moods shifted so quickly, it was hard to tell if she was all there or not. "They told me you would come. You sure took your time getting here." Then it seemed almost like she smiled at them as she shifted herself over to one side of the cave to allow them to pass by her.

"W-who told you we were coming?" Elliot asked, not moving from his spot. He glanced over at Arrow, but he still seemed to be frozen in fear. He was clutching the fur over his heart, checking to make sure he was still alive. Elliot's fur slowly started to brighten up back to its original white color as he eased up a little. He was still wary of the dragon, but he felt that she was not going to hurt them now.

The dragon let out a soft, gentle giggle in their minds. "Why, my Ancestors in the stars told me of course," she said, as if they should have known already. "They told me that someone of great importance would come along this way, and that I would have to wait for you here. And they told me that I would give you one of my brood."

"A-Are you offering me one of your eggs?" Elliot asked, astonished. He couldn't believe what he had heard. No one had gotten even remotely close to a dragon egg in centuries, much less been offered to take one.

"Yes, little one. In the cavern down this passage lies a great room. In there is my nest. Take the one egg which calls out to you. Treat my child well, and protect it as if it were your own. And, one day, it will protect you the same." The dragon smiled at them again. Noticing Arrow still frozen in place, the dragon leaned towards him and licked his face. This shocked him awake, and he jumped back a few feet. "Now move, little ones, before I decide that I am hungry." The dragon giggled playfully, showing no signs of aggression, but Arrow and Elliot did not want to test her. They slithered past her body as she lay back down onto the stone. Elliot was disappointed that it was too dark to see her features clearly. He was probably the only one to meet a dragon in centuries and live to tell about it, and he didn't have anything spectacular to detail on.

They moved past the dragon, who resumed her slumber, and down the passage that she was guarding. Down the dark tunnel, a soft, green light could be seen shimmering from around a bend in the passage. A cool, gentle breeze wafted down at them, and a mossy, moist scent was carried on the air. Elliot could not contain himself any longer. He felt as if they had wasted enough time already, and so he ran at full speed down the rest of the tunnel. He rounded the bend and came to a screeching halt as he saw what was in the cavern.

The ceiling lifted far above their heads; higher than the mountain where the temple was. A great waterfall fell from the abyss above them with a roar rivaling a lion's. Wind rushed all around the room whistling a tune different from the rest of the caves and tunnels. It had a music all its own, and nothing could compare to it. It held all the melodies of life itself, and held none at the same time. All around the massive room, green lichen grew and glowed where the rock was wet. The water from the falls gathered and pooled on one half of the entire room, and next to it was a large nest made from the lichen. In the nest, six eggs lay spread out from one another. Each was roughly the same size, but they all varied greatly in color and design.

One egg was black and white spotted, while another was all black with a shine like moonlight on a still pond. One was a royal purple color with a yellowish splotch on the very top. The fourth and fifth eggs looked almost like twins. Both were an off white color with tiny groups of black specks scattered on their surfaces. But the last egg was the one that caught his attention the most. It was a bright red color with a black, diagonal slash across it.

"Are you sure you should do that?" Arrow asked. Elliot had just about to reach out to touch the red egg when Arrow rest a hand on his shoulder. "We don't know if it's safe or not. How can you trust that... creature that tried to kill us just moments ago?"

Elliot shrugged, and didn't really know what to say other than, "Sometimes you just have to go with what feels right." Arrow let his hand drop, and Elliot turned back to the egg. He slowly reached out his right hand, and the tip of one of his fingers brushed the smooth surface of the egg. In an instant his mind was assaulted by a foreign voice. It was incoherent, and none of what it said sounded like any language he had ever heard or learned before.

He fell backwards and landed on his butt from the shock. Arrow knelt by his side and helped him back to his feet. "Are you all right?" Arrow asked as he held onto him to make sure he had his balance.

"Yes, I'm fine. Thanks," Elliot responded. He reached into his little satchel and retrieved a glass jar and handed it to Arrow. "Here. Go fill this with the lichen we need." Arrow grabbed the jar and obeyed. He ran over to the edge of the clear pool and started gathering lichen from one of the large groups growing on the rocky edge of the water. Elliot, meanwhile, turned his attention back to the egg. He reached back out, but before he made it to the egg, he noticed something on his right hand. His fur there had turned back to black, just like when he summoned up his magical power. Only now, it didn't shift back. The fur of his paw was now black and went about halfway up to his elbow, and a very faint hint of the magical symbols could be seen beneath it.

Elliot only stopped to examine his arm for a few moments before he moved on. He would worry about his new appearance when there was time to spare. He reached back out and hefted the egg out of the nest. It was heavier than he expected, but not overly so. The whole thing was only about thirty three centimeters long, and only half as wide. He gently set the egg in his satchel and latched it shut with a leather string.

Arrow returned with a full jar of Gods' Grace, and the two made their way back out of the cavern and back past the sleeping dragon. They decided to let her sleep, so they crept past her as best they could, but the sound of their paws on the stone echoed loudly in that part of the cave. She did not seem to notice as her eyes stayed shut and her breathing remained calm.

Something was driving Elliot. Somehow he seemed to know the exact way out of the winding and twisting tunnels. They practically ran out of the caves, Elliot still leading the way. They exited the caves and entered a new kind of darkness. The sun had long since set behind the clouds and mountains. Opi had said that Eman had until the next night, but Elliot was not going to dally about. They raced across the bridge, ignoring the biting wind and freezing air. Neither of them could feel their tails or toes by the time they started back down the stone steps. This caused some problems as they made their way down. On multiple occasions, one or both of them would fall down.

As they made their way down, the temperature rose. The wind quieted down, and snow no longer covered the path. Some of the dirt had turned to slush as melted snow rand down from the summit. But still they ran through the muck and mud. Elliot would not stop for anything, save to catch his breath every now and then for a few quick moments.

As they neared the bottom they ran into a familiar face. The little Opi was running up the pathway towards the mountain. He huffed and puffed for air as they all met up where the mountain meets the rest of the world. "Don't... don't go back there," he panted out.

"Why? Is something wrong? Is Eman ok?" Elliot immediately began questioning poor, little Opi.

Arrow pulled out the jar of Gods' Grace that he had collected, "We have the lichen. Is this enough?"

"I'm afraid that the Gods' Grace won't do the trick anymore. We can't go back there now." Opi seemed frightened of the thought of returning to where they had left his cart, and Eman. "Let's just go this way," he pointed down the base of the mountain. "We can follow the mountains to another path that will lead us back to the main road."

"Is Eman ok?!" Elliot demanded from the little ferret.

"I'm afraid..." Opi started.

"Is he dead!?" Elliot interrupted. He started off down the road again when Opi grabbed his arm and stopped him.

"He is too far gone now, kit! The infection spread to his heart faster than I expected. To go back there now would be... would be suicide!"

Elliot wrenched free from Opi's grasp and kept going down the road. "I don't care. If he's still alive, then we have a chance to save him."

Arrow followed behind Elliot and bumped into Opi as he passed by him. "For a healer and a cleric, you must not very much faith," he commented without looked back at the distraught ferret. Opi sighed and shook his head, muttering under his breath. He ran off after the other two as fast as his short legs could carry him.

The moon was setting along the horizon as they came across the intersection where Opi's cart was still sitting peacefully. Elliot ran up to the side and looked in, but Eman was nowhere to be seen. He looked all around, but in the dim light of the early morning, he couldn't see anything. Arrow tapped him quietly on the shoulder and pointed down the road a hundred meters or so. Elliot strained to see what he was pointing at. He finally saw it though. Someone was crouched over the body of the once, would be thief. "Eman!" he shouted down the road as he ran towards the figure.

Elliot was almost to him when he slowed and finally stopped. Something was not right about Eman. Even in the low light, he could tell that it wasn't him. It was the same size and shape, but there was no fur on the thing that hovered over the body. What was even more disturbing was the sound that it was making. A sickening, squelching sound was emitting from the two figures. Opi had just caught up with them when the crouched figure stood up and turned to face them. Blood dripped from sharp claws on its hands, and from its brilliant white fangs. "My word..." was all Opi got out before he fainted and fell to the dirt.

Arrow had begun to grab one of his arrows, but the thing was on top of him before he could even blink. With one swift motion, the dark figure slammed its palm into Arrow's chest, knocking him back a couple of meters. Arrow hit the ground hard and couldn't move. The pain from the powerful blow soon became too much for him, and he too passed out.

Elliot was all alone now. He held his spear at the ready, but wasn't sure if he could attack the thing. It looked so much like Eman. It had no fur, and its skin looked slick and black like oil. The black surface twisted and swirled like heated pitch being stirred. Its right eye was glowing a crimson color, and its left eye was nowhere to be seen. It had to be Eman. There was no other explanation for the missing left eye.

The thing turned to Elliot and smiled, "There you are," it said in a hissing, unnatural voice. When it spoke, it sounded like a hundred cries of pain and suffering echoing in the background. Blood from the thief it had been eating still dribbled from its fangs and lips as it spoke. "I knew I smelled you somewhere nearby. Your portal smells so delicious. Not like this one's."

"E-Eman?" Elliot asked the thing. He was not quite sure what to say, or how to react.

"Yes. This vessel once carried that name, but no longer. It is mine now." The thing lifted one of its blade-like claws and licked it clean as it continued to smile at Elliot.

"What did you do to him?!" Elliot yelled at the thing. He lifted his spear and summoned up a strength from deep down inside him. In an instant, a bolt of lightning sparked from the tip of his spear at the thing. But the thing, the demon, was too fast. Faster than lighting itself, the demon was upon Elliot, knocking the spear from his hands and placing one of its claws across his neck.

"Please don't do that. I would hate to have to scar up that pretty little vessel of yours," it hissed at him. "And as far as your 'friend' is concerned; do not worry. He is still here." The demon released Elliot and backed up a few paces, still smiling at him. Its fangs gleamed now in the early morning light. "I have a deal for you, little vessel. I will give you back your friend, if you give me something I want."

The demon's smile widened across its face, showing off many rows of razor sharp fangs. "You see, this one's portal was tough to break through, but is relatively weak. I don't like that. Yours, on the other hand, is much stronger." The demon took a step towards Elliot, and he took one back away from it. He shook with fear and was surprised that he could even move at all. The air all around them had gotten ice cold despite the rising sun, and the fur on the back of his neck stood straight up as the demon continued to speak. "I can smell the power coming from your portal. Your connection to my world is almost perfect. That is unusual in a vessel as small and young as you."

The demon took another step toward Elliot, and then another, and another, until it almost on top of him. It stood next to him, looking down at him with its grin and its fangs. Elliot didn't understand what the demon was speaking about. His studies back at the palace didn't include magic, only politics and general studies.

"A simple trade. That is all I ask," the demon said.

Elliot looked up into the demon's blazing, red eye. Somewhere in there was Eman, and Elliot could swear that he could hear him screaming from help from somewhere far off in the distance.

"Give me your vessel, and I will release your 'friend'. It will not be bad at all, little one. Think of all the power I could give you. You could finally help all those people. You could make your father proud," the demon persuaded Elliot.

"W-will you let Eman go?" Elliot asked. He had to look away from the grotesque face of the demon. It reminded him too much of Eman, and at the same time, looked nothing like him.

"I will let him go, and I will give you the world, little vessel," the demon promised. It leaned in closer to Elliot, their faces only separated by a breath of air. It wrapped its dark arms around him. The air became colder, and Elliot's breath fogged before him. He looked back up at the demon and leaned forward. Their lips met in an icy kiss. Elliot placed his left, white paw on the demon's chest as he kissed the abomination.

The demon opened its mouth wider, and spewed a vile, black liquid down Elliot's throat. Its strong arms held the small cat in place as it violated his mouth. The liquid spilled over, dribbling down his chin and staining his pure white fur. The liquid that splashed onto the ground began steaming and bubbling like boiling tar. Elliot thrashed about in the demon's grip, but could not escape. He could not breathe either, and the lack of air was making his vision blurry, and he couldn't focus on anything but the feeling of the liquid being forced inside him. Just as quickly as it had begun, the demon released Elliot and took a few steps backwards.

Elliot fell to his knees, choking and gasping for air. As soon as he took his first breath, the black liquid came back up. He vomited the vile stuff all over the ground. It felt as though his insides were on fire. "What!? What are you doing?! Stop that! This isn't supposed to happen!" the demon screamed at Elliot. The scream sounded like a thousand screams, each one trying to be heard over the other.

A light started to grow on the chest of the demon as Elliot finished vomiting the black goo. The scream of hate turned into a scream of pain from the demon. Elliot looked up at the thing writhing in pain as it clawed at the glowing spot on its chest. Its skin bubbled and boiled as it splattered all over the ground. Its sharp claws dug into its flesh, ripping and tearing at the spot to no avail. Whatever it was, the demon could not remove it. Steam rose from the bubbling liquid-like skin as the demon fell to its knees. It stopped screaming as it stared straight at Elliot, a look of hatred and determination on what remained of its face. The whole being began melting before Elliot's eyes. Huge chunks of goo and flesh dropped from the demon and splattered on the ground.

"The first of many," the demon said as it collapsed on the ground and died. Its eye remained open as the rest of it melted away. As the goo fell from the body, Elliot could see Eman's own body slowly becoming uncovered. The goo was burning to the touch, so Elliot sat and waited for it all to fall on its own. He was exhausted from coughing up the last of the vile liquid, and was glad for a few moments to rest.

Eman was woken up by a violent bump. The sound of wooden wheels turning on a worn dirt path could be heard. He opened his eyes and was almost surprised to see Elliot sitting over him and looking down. He had a smile on his face, and the good feeling was almost contagious... almost. "You look terrible, kit," Eman said, observing the black stain on Elliot's fur. He hadn't the time to clean up before they began moving again. "And what's with the, AARGH!!" Eman winced in pain and clutched his chest. It felt like someone had just punched him square in his ribs. He pulled open his shirt and was shocked at what he saw. A small, white patch of fur in the shape of a hand sat on his normally all red furred chest.