FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

-This may be ADHG, not sure yet in I'll make it go all the way, or just a tsundere girl just a heads up. I plan on keeping this not too fast-paced, so it'll be a decently long story, considering I don't stay sober-

if the formatting is fucked, well shit.

Monastery above

A thousand steps. Exactly one-thousand steps, right up the face of the mountain. Whoever thought living up there must've been one hell of a joker. I was only about halfway through, and it made itself felt. Step after step the stone goes on by, leaving me to see the steps leading into the clouds. Pure white, like a fog unlike any other. Pushing through, I finally saw what I came here for. The red wooden roofs with their upturned corners, a rock wall surrounding the top, and metal gates, uninviting as possible.

My task is a strange one. I was essentially a worldwide courier. Hand me a package, and I got it where it needed to go, nothing stopping me. War in Ethiopia, Colonial corruption, or Starvation in India, I got things where they were supposed to be. Still, it felt odd. This was simple, too much for me. I may be cut off from a more advanced society, but it wasn't hard. Just pack some extra food and clothing, and I set off. Nothing too difficult.

Still, it was promising pay. Some Chinese warlord had promised me a few thousand dollars worth of silver and gold, and from everything I ascertained, he had the money, and the good nature to pay it. He had somewhat of a competent administration set up, much better than the KMT governors that held central lands. After the last step, I sat down, tired, out of breath, and quite annoyed.

I could've been somewhere else just as entertaining, but not as exhausting to work, but here I was. Can't go back on a man with so many guns when I'm in his land. Pushing off of the ground, I wipe the sweat from my face and put my hat back on. Pulling the wrapped box out of my bag, I call out. “Hello? Is anybody here? I have a package that is to be delivered here?" I wait for a few moments. No response. Walking up to the gates, banging on them got a similar reaction. Pure silence.

Despite the poor manners of these people, I have a job to do. I can't just throw the package over, as much as it would be satisfying to do, so I have to play spy and find a way in. The stone wall wasn't in the best condition. I could probably climb it. I put away the package, and start to climb the wall, stepping on slightly exposed bricks and grabbing whatever surface my hands could stick to.

Throwing myself over the top, I fall into… paradise. A courtyard of green, with a small stream running down the middle. It reminds me of the Forbidden Palace when I visited that wonderful place. Similar buildings surrounded the courtyard on three sides, with mine having a wall and gate. I no longer feel any annoyance, for anything I had to do to get here. It was beauty in its purest form. The sunbeams upon me as I walk through the lush courtyard.

I can't believe that such a place exists. This, on top of a mountain? It simply boggles the mind. Pulling a cig out of a pack, I light it and relax. There was a seat just beckoning for me right next to the stream. Taking a seat, I smile. I had a feeling this was a good job, and damn, I'm glad I was right. The next best thing would be the pay I get from this. Looking around, my joy turns to a sense of unease. Still, I haven't seen a person anywhere here. Before I can get up, an arm falls around my neck, with a blade in hand, an emotionless feminine voice just behind my head.

“You. Who are you?" As panicked as I should be, the smoke and previous experiences keep me more levelheaded than most people would be.

“I'm a courier. I have a package for you."

“For me? Nobody knows I exist outside of here. Tell me, who are you?" The hold against my neck tightens.

“I just told you. I've got a package, it's in my bag, under orders of Tang Jiyao." Another hand grabs my bag and throws it to the floor.

“You've entered sacred grounds without permission, and with a weapon? I find this doubtful. Drop it, and I'll let you live." I'm in no position to negotiate, so I comply. As a reward, I get knocked to the ground.

“Sister? What is happening?" What sounds like an entire goddamn crowd walks over, “Who is this?" And this isn't even the beginning, I've got a headache that feels like it got knocked around. Wait, it did.

“An intruder. Get sister Hsiu. She'll want to see this." As I turn myself over, I see what made this place so special. They aren't human. Muzzles, brown eyes and fur, white around the eyes and ears. This isn't right.

“The hell is going on?" My mind is shocked to the point where I forget to even speak Chinese. Good going, pal. “What in the name of God?"

“Look! He's not from here! The dark spirits must have sent him!" Suddenly, that animal-thing starts to bolt at me. “I'll destroy you!" So, I do what I'm best at. Scaring away idiots. Drawing my revolver, I shoot into the sky.

*PANG* “Stay back!" She immediately stops and falls back, crawling away from me, eyes wide in shock, giving me the time to get up.

“Magic! Please, don't hurt me!" She turns around and sprints off, with the others already gone. I let my arm fall down, and grab that box, only to get hit on the head again, falling out, cold.

“Hey, I got it!"

---

My eyes open to darkness, agony in my head, and chains around my arms and legs to the space around me. I can barely see a thing.

“So, you've woken up, huh?" A deep female voice, full of ridicule and annoyance. “You come here, and try to attack us? Who do you think you are?" I cough, finding it hard to breathe in this scorching hot room.

“Kurt… Kurt Williams." A pause.

“What?" Right, she doesn't speak English.

“My name… Kurt Williams. I'm a courier, unde-“ She smacks the side of my face.

“I've heard the lie already of what you are, 'courier'. What do you want from us?"

“Package in the bag… for you." I get no response, only the sound of shuffling and tearing. Then, a gasp. She runs out of the room and reenters with two others. “I'm guessing I won't be killed now?"

A deep chuckle. Looking up, it's the one in the middle, taller than the others, and with an intimidating demeanor to match. “No, you won't. We do apologize for the harsh reaction, delivering a gift and request for blessings shouldn't have been so rough." But… “But you intruded on our land, uninvited, and armed. You'll have to work for this." Great, slave labor.

“So what do I have to do?" She smirks, her white teeth of looking sharp as ever.

“The walls are weak, as you've no doubt noticed. We can fix them well, but bringing material over, that's the issue."

“So I have to carry rocks over?"

“Correct, human." Oh, just perfect. The chains that bound me were released, but the animal-lady grabs me by my chin, pulling me to an inch from her face. “If you try to run away, we'll find you, and you'll be punished. If you hurt my sisters, you'll die on the spot. Understood?"

“Yes." She releases me and points to the door outside. “Alright, I'm going, I'm going." Just as I go to head outside, one smaller girl grabs me by the arm, surprisingly gently, her tail swinging from side to side.

“Hey Mr. Bad Guy, I'm the one watching over you, so don't try anything, okay?" I'm not sure if she's serious, or joking, her easygoing attitude throwing me off.

“Mr. Bad Guy? Christ, I didn't know that's what they called couriers here."

“Hey, don't go tricking me, Mr. Bad Guy! You broke into here, and used magic! We gotta make sure you don't do any bad stuff anymore. Over there, you have to move those rocks to the wall." Oh, fuck me. Rocks the size of my abdomen, and there must be at least a hundred of them. “Now get going! We have to cut these up for the wall, we can't keep waiting!"

The rocks sure as hell aren't light. I keep moving rock after rock to the wall, where several of those Red-Panda things are shaping the rocks for a nice fit in the wall. If my arms hurt, my legs feel like they're being cut down to the bone. Every time I get to the group of the girls, I get several stares of pure contempt, despite the cheery nature of my guard. She keeps trying to prod into my story, but I don't say a word. The last thing I need to do is tell these creatures my entire life's story.

“So, what's that magic thing you did? It was loud, like the time Ling cast down a lightning bolt!" A lightning bolt? Oh great, they can call down Heaven on me. “If you don't tell me, I might make her do that to you~"

“Fine, it's a-“ Shit, should I even tell her the truth? Maybe by lying, I could keep an ace in my sleeve. “It's a spell, to cast a small arrowhead, faster than the blink of an eye."

“Ooh, can you teach me it?" Uh, I don't think that's happening.

“I… I don't think your uh… sisters, will allow me to use any 'magic', while I'm here." She pouts and stomps around. At least she isn't trying to beat me. “Neither do I think I can do much else besides carrying rocks. Why do you want to know so much about me anyway?" She lifts her head up in the air and says nothing. “Fine, I'll keep qui-“

“No, keep talking. I'm bored." And I'm the one carrying rocks. Jeez, thanks, lady.

“What even is this place? I heard it's a monastery, but I certainly wasn't expecting this."

The small girl jumps into the air with her arms out and speaks with vigor. “This is the Spirit's Monastery, the only place in existence where the old martial art of Phuk Hyou is still being taught!" She suddenly shifts back down as everybody's eyes fall upon her. “And I'm the youngest monk here, Mai."

“Well, Mai, you certainly are not without energy."

“Thanks! I try to make stuff fun, but everybody here is so grouchy. 'Grrr, Mai, I'm meditating, or Mai, I'm trying to practice!' Nobody is fun here!" Yeah, some people took life too seriously.

“I know that feeling. Can barely have any time enjoying myself when I'm on the trails. Wish a lot of people would just learn to enjoy themselves." Mai smiles and wraps her arms around me, squeezing tight. Now I know why they sent her to watch me. She may be small, but she can fucking crush my ribs.

“Hey, I knew there was some good in you! I'll tell Hsiu, she'll find out right away!" Mai runs off, leaving me baffled. I guess I should continue my work, rather than face the consequences.

After ten more rocks are brought to the new pile, I see Mai, who is dwarfed by Hsiu. They walk over to me just as I put down the last rock, feeling my back scream. “See Mr. Not-so-bad Guy! I told you!" Mai beams a smile, while Hsiu has a look as blank as possible.

“Kurt. You've paid your due. Still, we cannot permit you to leave." What? “What do you mean? I can't leave?" Her eyes close, and she grips her sleeves tightly. “No. Kurt, as brash as this is, you need to stay. We need your help."

I sit down on the rock pile, confused as to what to say. “Kurt, this monastery is a school for warriors. We haven't had a visitor in many years. You fought and had something that shocked us all. We need you to teach us this." Fuck my life.

“And if I say no?"

“We'll make you." Shit.

“Fine, but on a condition." Mai looks at Hsiu, and Hsiu keeps her blank face.

“I get treated with respect, and we finalize this agreement with a handshake." Hsiu opens her eyes and steps forwards.

“Very well Kurt, but be aware, we won't hold back on training." As she shakes my hand, I can just see a blush on her face as she smiles with what seems like sadistic joy, and a pang of jealousy on Mai's. This wasn't a good deal, was it?