FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter 1

Welcome back sister o' mine

"How much has this place changed since I've been gone?" She asked, looking around at the old buildings, her eyes sparkled with memories. Their were many different people walking around, humans, demi-humans, and lithians. A nicely dressed man walked by a lithian fox followed him carrying a bunch of bags in his hands, the metal slave collar bareilly visible beneath the nice suit he wore.

"Wow, seems lithian enslavement has moved in since I've been gone." Ashley noted, frowning, it was obviously not one of her favorite things.

"Yeah, but there's not much we can do about it, come on that ice cream cart is still there let's go have some." He replied, changing the subject, before dragging her along. The other captive went her own way disappearing into the crowd. Zora started leading Ashley but soon ashley was leading him, she skidded to a stop in front of the ice cream cart.

"Good morning ma'am, what'll you have?" The server asked, smiling.

"Strawberry please!" Ashley replied, a large smile plastered on her face. Zora knew that her favorite thing in the whole world was ice cream.

"I'll have chocolate, with dragon scales." He enjoyed a good minty flavor, and the mint chunks we're shaped like scales. He watched his sister take hers thanking him as he took his, he paid the man before leaving.

"Come on, we should find an in, I don't plan to leave this town for a little while." Zora took the lead as he walked down the streets, empty Ally's stared at them like empty sockets in a skull. Suddenly Zora heard a sound, like a bag being thrown then some stairs or a person being pushed. He glanced down an alley, and he saw a young brown haired girl on the ground. He turned to his sister but she had disappeared.

He frowned, but as a man stepped from the shadows he pressed that to the back of his mind. She was capable, she'll be fine, he saw a flash of metal and moved in close enough to hear the conversation.

"Hey pip where's the money." The Man asked, kicking the kid he called pip.

"I t-told you, my n-name's not pip." The kid stuttered through pain.

"Shut up," the man kicked him again, "I asked about money!" the kid groaned in pain. Zora had seen enough, he walked forward and put his hand on the man's shoulder.

"How bout you don't kick the kid anymore." Zora said threateningly, holding his knife up.

"Ok fine, no trouble." the man said he turned and ran down the alley, the kid was gone.

"Glad to help kid, but you coulda stayed to say thanks at least." Zora called, he then turned and left the alley, he spotted his sister she was checking out a vender, he headed over to her.

"Hey, where'd you run off to?" He asked, noting that she was looking at knifes, his sister was one of a kind.

"Isn't it obvious, I saw something I wanted." she replied, handing the man money as she picked up the knife.

"I spotted an in while I was shopping, come on follow me." Ashley said taking the lead out of the crowded Marley place and onto the empty street, they followed that road for a couple of blocks before taking a turn, going under an overpass, which led them to a road that was beside the sea. Finally Zora saw an in sign up ahead. They entered, no one sat at the tables, it was empty except for the wolf demi-human at the desk.

"Welcome, how may I help you?" The wolf asked. Zora and Ashley walked up to the desk.

"I'd like a room please." Zora said, The wolf took his money and handed him a key.

"Room 54" the wolf said, pointing to the stairs. Zora thanked him before heading upstairs with Ashley, they got to the end of the hall realizing that they were on the third having only reached 50. They climbed the stairs and opened room 54.

"Wow top room." Zora noted, looking around, the walls and floor were wood, a table sat near the window and two beds one on each side of the room. Zora plopped onto the bed and stretched out, he looked over at his sister. "I'm beat, goodnight sis." He said before pulling the covers up and closing his eyes, at the same time unnoticed eyes watched them from the street. The stranger watched for a little longer before turning and disappearing down the alley.

The next morning Zora awoke, sitting up he looked around. Ashley was still asleep, but it was already light outside. He threw off the covers and snatched his bag from the table, he then quickly wrote a note explaining that he'd be in the dungeons. I'll have to stop by the guild ward for a couple of bounties, he thought as he stepped out the door.

The sky was beautiful this morning, a colorful display of blues, pinks, and oranges. The grass sparkled with dew, blinding him for a second as the sun reflected off them. He turned down an alley, it should have been a short cut to the other street but he only got half way before he met a wall. Zora looked around, it was a stone brick alley, covered in graffiti, a discarded wooden box sat below a pole that stuck out from the wall. Looked like an old sign but the sign itself wasn't there anymore. He smiled and walked over to the box, he climbed on top of it and reached up, he grabbed the pole and climbed onto it. Balancing he leaped over the wall landing skillfully in a controlled roll. Or that's what he would have done if not for the steep hill, he skidded and rolled, seeing the edge approaching he leaped grabbing the branch of an overhanging tree, below him a gaping hole went straight to the dungeon below. He gasped in relief, climbing higher and making his way to the level land on the other side. Finally he planted his feet on the other side, guess I don't know this place as well as I thought. He found a small trail and followed it back into the city, he'd apparently took the wrong alley as he passed the one he should have taken, he saw the guild ward up ahead. It was a slanting roofed building, the roof almost touching the ground. The windows poked through the roof on either side. Zora stepped up to the request board, a few bounties were posted on it, they were all way to difficult, the creatures he'd have to stay were in dungeon fourteen. The max he could do was ten, he bumped into a young supporter as he turned around. It was a young girl in a tan hood, she looked familiar. I know you he thought.

"I'm sorry, my bad." Zora apologized for bumpy into her, smiling good-heartedly.

"It's ok, but I was wondering if you would hire me too support you in the dungeon?" She asked, looking up at him. It was then that he realised he knew who she was, the girl he'd saved in the alley.

"No, sorry I'm not going into the dungeon today, all the request are too difficult." He frowned, he needed money, "I can only do ten and below." Just as he said that a man came out and posted a level nine bounty.

"Well that fixes that, so?" She asked, "will you hire me." Zora smiled and nodded.

"Come on," he called snatching the new bounty and heading towards the dungeon. the girl chased after him, a backpack on her back. Zora stopped in front of the dungeon entrance, looking back, his supporter was slowly catching up. She skidded to a stop beside him.

"Hey what's yo-" he began.

"Lilly." She replied, before he finished his sentence.

"What?" He asked, confused.

"My name, my name is Lilly." She replied, clarifying herself, he nodded in response and entered the cave, Lilly eyed the blade he pulled from his belt, a hunger in her eyes that could only be described as the hunger of a thief.

Zora made his way into the dungeon, clearing a path thru the monsters on level one easily, making his way to level nine. He stepped into the open room, a slime squeezed through the cracks of the wall, it made an awful squelching sounds as it maneuvered towards them. Zora vaporized it without a second thought, using firebolt, a spell he'd learned from an old book. But the sounds backfired, drawing a group of giant ants from the cave, these guys are annoying, he thought. But at least they have a chance of dropping money when they die. He sliced the head off the leader, it's body disintegrated, a couple of items dropped, some coins an old dagger and a gem. He swiped the legs from under an ant about to attack Lilly, killing it with a swift slice, cutting it in half.

"hey! Lilly, Head in the game, eyes on your enemies." Zora told her, tossing the dagger dropped by the ant. "I'd like to keep you alive please." He smiled after that last part, it was supposed to be a joke, but Lilly was too busy looking away to hide the guilt in her eyes that she forgot to laugh. The reason she almost died was because she was eyeing his belt, trying to determine the best way to swipe his Blade. The bow on his back might get a bronze coin at best, but that knife he had would be quite the investment, two gold coins at most.

"Hey Lilly." Zora interrupted her thoughts, looking concerned.

"Y-yeah?" She asked, wondering fearfully if he'd noticed her contemplating theft.

"Are you ok?" Zora asked, taking her hand. She looked down, her ears burned with resentment. No, I hate you! . . .no I-I don't, but I s-should. She thought, her mind overwhelmed with conflicting thoughts she pushed the predicament to the back her mind and replied.

"Yes, I'm fine." She, looked up at him and smiled, she followed him deeper.

"We're looking for. . . Hmmmm", he said looking down at the paper.

"That's too hard to pronounce. . ." Lilly giggled at his troubles. "Oh forget it, it's a giant red centipede."

"Let me guess, you didn't win the Spelling Bee." She replied, jokingly

"My class didn't ha-" he suddenly leaped at Lilly knife swinging right for her throat.

"Ahhhh, wait no!" Lilly yelled, ducking and closing her eyes tightly. She waited a few moments, then she felt something dripping on her head, she looked up to see the red centipedes pincers inches from her head and Zora's knife held them from coming closer.

"Quick, take my bow and arrows and shoot at it's eyes and mouth!" Zora ordered, grunting with effort. She nodded and grabbed the bow along with the arrows, she dashed backwards aiming for the giant bug's left eye, and fired off a few shots. One hit and the centipede recoiled, Zora took the chance to hack off it's pincer's. It made an awful screeching sound before it reared and slammed it's body down causing a shockwave knocking Zora back, but he was ready slashing off a few legs as he rolled past. He leaped onto the giant bug's back, it's body made a erie clicking noise as it reared up, he slashed tried slashing it in half but found it's plates to be too tough. He Jabbed his knife in between the plates and proceeded to pry it off, meanwhile Lilly was being chased by the centipede yelling for help. Finally he felt his knife snap up, and he watched the armored plate fly off. Lilly was now backed into a corner, the centipede reared for an attack, Lilly screamed as it came down on her.

Zora slashed and the bug fell in two he leaped off as it crumpled to dust, he picked up one of the pincers he'd slashed off as Lilly Began to collect the rest of the loot. He smiled and looked at her.

"Wasn't that great!" Zora exclaimed, sheathing his knife, as he began to walk out.

"Yes, quite impressive Master Zora." She replied following him, her hand reaching for his knife on his belt.

"Oh, quit that formal stuff." Zora replied, making her hesitate, was he on to her.

"I know it's normally unacceptable for a contacted supporter to refer to their contacted without calling them Master, but I insist that you call me Zora, just Zora." Zora continued, smiling at her. Lilly didn't reply, stunned, why was he being so nice, oh! It's a good tactic making me feel bad about stealing from you, hehe but I'm not deterred that easily.

"Ok, Zora thank you, your kind." She replied, forcing a smile as she slipped the blade up her sleeve. They stopped outside of the entrance to dungeon one, a couple of loot traders were set up nearby, Lilly watched Zora walk over, he conversed with one of the traders. As she watched, stuff exchanged hands, and two bags of money were handed to Zora.

Zora walked back to where Lilly was standing, he handed her one of the bags. Her eyes went wide.

"H-hey, wait th-this looks like half." She asked, he smiled and nodded.

"I considered you 50% of the team, so I paid you 50%." He replied smiling, "if that's all, I'll take my leave." He smiled, good-heartedly, and they parted ways.

Zora followed Ashley into their room.

"You know the one who stole your knife?" Ashley asked suddenly, seting down her bag on the table.

"Yes, of course, but I like her." He said, his usual smile gone, "I don't want to abandon her."

"Abandon?" Ashley asked, confusion sparking with resentment in her eyes

"Yes, she's alone." He replied, his eyes sparkled with anger, "for some reason, I'm the only one willing to help." Ashley frowned, obviously unhappy about the situation. "well, be careful." she said, hoping onto the bed and turning on the TV,

"This place is odd." Ashley said, "like the whole place is old fashioned but random splashes of tech."

"Yeah I guess, like this hotel it's got TV while still being made out of wood instead of stone. The capital is like a future city compared to this town." Ashley began laughing, "and yet we're here and not there."

"Yeah because we like it in our hometown." Zora replied smiling, well I'll be back okay.

Ashley shrugged as Zora headed back out, making his way down the stairs, there was something he needed to buy.

Zora flinched as a bell rang, the door closed behind him, he glanced around the small shop.

"Customer!!!!" A battle cry called as a woman dashed out.

"Hi, welcome, whatcha want, watcha need?" She exploded with a flurry of questions, her cat-like ears flicking excitedly.

"Uh-um where's your light armor?" He asked, smiling.

"Uh uh uh." She spun around, her tail following her, "down that way!" she pointed, he rubbed his face where her tail had snapped past.

"Thank you, you don't get much business?" Zora casually asked, frowning at the empty store.

"Nope, can't understand why." she replied smiling, "you've been my first for awhile."

"Yeah. . . I think I know why." he replied, walking casually towards the back, her ears perked up at his sudden conclusion.

"What!?" She explained catching up to him, "please explain." Zora leaned over and picked up a chestplate, it was black, a pretty black with red runes coloring it's nightly surface. He ran his hand along it, I think I'll get this one.

"-elp maybe it's my clothes, or my decor." She broke into his thoughts.

"It's your attitude, you're to erratic, you nearly scared me off luckily I know that this store has what I need, I knew your father." Zora replied, her father, a nice old man who knew how to properly greet a customer. He'd been quite old when I had come before. and Carren, his daughter was only eight, That was seven years ago and she was fifteen now.

"Oh, ok." She said, her ears lowered in shame and disappointment.

"Hey, just stay at the counter when a customer comes in and casually ask them to have a look around, they should come to you if they need anything. And I'll do my best to spread how good this store is, but if you don't mind a discount would be helpful." He said, trying to get her hopes back up, smiling he patted her on the head.

"Hey I'll be your last customer for now okay?" She blushed and nodded, "thank you, I don't mind a discount." She replied, smiling again, he brought the full set of light shadow armor over and gave her all the money he had.

"Thank you and have a nice day" Carren said, taking his money. Zora waved bye as he left the store.

He didn't make it easy, being so kind makes it hurt to steal from him. Lilly thought, she currently was walking down an alley, making her way to her hideaway.

"Hey, let me see that knife you're hiding in your sleeve" an unknown voice called from behind. Lilly didn't even stop to look, she darted forward, the entrance to the alley was just ahead. She slammed into Zora as she left the alley, she hit the ground hard, and the knife slung from her sleeve and hit the wall.

What the hell! Now I feel even worse. Lilly thought, afraid to even look up, afraid of what he might think of her, afraid it would show on his face. Finally she looked up to see a hand offering help, she didn't feel like she deserved it and got up on her own. She could still feel the ground on her back, the pain.

"Hey, you found my knife! Thanks." He smiled, a knowing glint in his eye. He picked it up and sheathed it on his belt.

"So, how bout it tomorrow we go back into the dungeon?" Zora asked, smiling. Lilly hesitated, why was he still helping? She smiled, but before she could answer a slender girl with black hair strode from the alley.

"Don't be stupid Zora, it's one thing to gamble with your knife, it's another to gamble with your life." Ashley said, frowning at him.

"Don't worry, we'll be fine, it's just a dungeon." Zora gave her a smirk worthy of a war hero. "So, tomorrow?"

"Yes!" Lilly shook his hand. Guess I'll have another chance to steal from him. So then why do I feel bad?

"Hey, do you have a place to sleep tonight?" Zora asked, Lilly looked up, supprise in her eyes.

"Why do you ask." Lilly replied, of course I do, I-its just o-outside, in the a-alley.

"N-no" she replied. Ugh! Why do I keep letting him help me. She frowned, "but I can just sleep in an alley like normal, it's fine."

"No, I'm already staying in a room, you can stay with us." Zora replied.

"she's a thief! That's a bad idea." Ashley replied, appalled that he'd even suggest such a thing.

"I know she's a thief." Zora replied, he then crouched down to Lilly's level. "Hey, promise you'll be good and I'd happily let you stay with us ok." Lilly nodded.

"I promise I won't steal anything." Lilly replied honestly. Why am I looking forward to seeing inside, I've slept outside for so long, is normal right?

"I don't know why, but after meeting you my life has turned upside down and I don't know if I like it yet." Lilly said, suddenly she fell forward her eyes fluttered And her arms didn't even try to break her fall, so Zora caught her instead. That's when he noticed a small needle sticking from the back of her leg. "poison!" Zora said, concern glittered in his eyes, he lifted her into his arms, "now we're definitely taking her back to the hotel." He said sternly, and Ashley didn't object, he'd won the debate before she'd collapsed.