FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

The air was cool as it started forming into an evening breeze, making the trees sway gently throughout the forest. The sky was beginning to darken with a purple hue as the sun was dipping down behind the mountain; opposite the mountain the vast ocean reflected the colors of the evening sky. Down the mountainside past the wooded area there was a field of long golden grass. The breeze was visible in the grass as it danced with the air. A young traveler named Kiba made a small bed in this grass and was asleep, resting for from his travels, and for the travels to come.

A strange sound woke him; he sat up to look for the source of the disturbance. Kiba, a wolf-therian, looked mostly human in bodily shape, but had ears on top of his head like a wolf's, and a bushy grey tail hidden beneath his dark brown, almost black, hooded cloak. He was a young wolf-therian, maybe in his twenties, but his soft green eyes showed wisdom gained from his experience that was forced upon him at an early age. His ears twitched a little as he scanned the forest for the source of the sound. He sat there with a puzzled look, and then he heard it again. The sound was coming from the forest towards the base of the mountain.

Was that a howl? Kiba glanced up and looked up at the sky noting that the moon was whole and that it was beautiful as it was coming out of hiding with the increasing darkness. The sound came again, it was getting further away. Kiba's curiosity was piqued by this sound. It sounded sad, almost like a mourning howl, painful and heartfelt. He stood and gathered his belongings; he had a sword, a bow, a small quiver with a handful of arrows and a small traveler's pack with food and supplies inside. Kiba was not tall, he had broad shoulders and had a medium build, and his cloak and plain baggy clothing hid most of his figure, which made him look weaker than he really was.

Kiba approached the forest. The light was going from the sky as the sun further hid behind the mountains. Kiba began his short trek into the forest to investigate the source of this sad sound. As he moved through the forest, progress was becoming increasingly difficult. It was as if the forest was denying him access and becoming thicker, harder to traverse. More brush was getting in his way, and the trees were starting to get closer together. A sense of hopelessness started to creep into Kiba. Just as it seemed like there was no end in sight he heard the sorrowful howl again. This time it's really close. I'm going to find it. Kiba pressed forward and stumbled into a small clearing at the on the mountain side. There at base of the mountain was an opening to a cave. Is this where the sound came from?

It was dead silent now, not even the forest made its usual noises. Kiba approached the cave without hesitation; he didn't understand why, but he felt a familiar presence. He entered the cave, and there waiting for him was a large gray wolf. He had what looked like black markings on the patch of white fur on his chest. The wolf seemed idle, and did not care for Kiba's presence. He simply sat there, on his hind legs and looked like he was concentrating on deep thoughts. Kiba, confused at what he was looking at, moved a little closer toward the wolf. This time the wolf reacted to Kiba's presence, and turned to look at him. The wolf just stared into his eyes. Kiba recognized those eyes that were intently focused on his. They seemed so familiar, but he could not remember from where.

Kiba, feeling like he intruded and was not welcome wanted to turn around and leave but could not. He attempted to draw his sword but his body would not respond. Pain started to seep into his body, and his vision began to blur. He had lost control of his body and was completely paralyzed where he stood. He did not know if what was stopping him was fear or some strange magic. Only thought that went through his mind was, damn_you, what are you doing to me? Who are you?_ Then through the silence he heard a deep whisper. "I am lost, please. Only you can help me."

Then all at once, everything went black...

****

Kiba woke from the strange dream in a daze, his heart was pounding and his throat felt like it had a knot. He was sweating and the cool breeze gave him chills. He sat up and grasped his sword in his hand and unsheathed it partially just to confirm it was still there, in his possession and his control. He saw the blade, it glistened in the moon light, and the reflection of the moon was clear and bright. He then angled it to see himself on the blade. Kiba, satisfied with the condition of his blade slid it back into its sheath. He turned up and looked at the full moon; its light was pure and energizing.

Kiba stood up and began gathering his belongings, stuffing them into a small leather pack. He looked back at the great ocean that he had crossed; it was dark and reflected the night star filled sky. Off in the distance the small port town lights were visible. The lights in windows were turning off as the people of the town were done for the day and turning in for the night. Kiba tied his pack shut, placed his bow and quiver over the top of his pack fastening them down. Finished packing his belongings, he slung his pack over his back and slid his sword into his waist belt. He looked at the forest's edge knowing which direction he would go, but also not knowing where it would take him.

The forest reminded him of his home and where he was raised by his grandfather. The memories came over him and caused him to freeze mid movement. He looked down at his hands; slowly he closed his hands into fists and reopened them. He closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath as to clear his mind and refocus it for the task at hand. When he opened his eyes he was looking straight forward, with resolve visible in his eyes. He began moving forward toward the edge of the forest, a forest which had just so recently brought him nightmares. He pondered his most recent dream, barely remembering it, but knowing it was not the first like it.

Kiba was unaware of the attention he attracted. The forest was quite dark below the moonlit sky. Silently, a large black beast laid in wait stalking Kiba, he watched him begin to wander into his domain and hunting ground; the dark forest. His fur, as black as night, absorbed the moon light that leaked through the trees. Pale yellow, emotionless eyes followed eagerly as he waited for the perfect moment to pounce. The feline hunter was excited to find prey coming to him for once. Kiba caught his attention while he made noises in his sleep; one's nightmare was to become a dream of a meal come true. The feline predator did not fancy man's flesh but he was close to starvation and determined to make a meal of this prey. The predator thought this would make an easy meal; rarely do men wander into the forest alone.

Kiba made his way through the forest, keeping the mountain on his right, heading south. He continued to ponder the dream from earlier, looking for a deeper meaning behind it. "What was that?" Kiba whispered to himself, hoping the forest would answer back.

The predator continued to follow carefully in shadows behind Kiba. The night breeze moved across their path making the trees sway, crack and moan. The hunter's movements were in perfect sync with the sounds of the forest making his approach impossible to detect. Some time had passed and he could not find the right moment to strike.

Kiba reached a small clearing in the forest. He stopped and stood there for a moment before entering the clearing. The hunter closed the distance between him and Kiba to set up for his pounce. The hunter felt that the right moment was finally approaching.

Fate it seems is just as predictable as the wind, and the wind that kept the hunter invisible betrayed him. The evening breeze had been pushing across the trail of the two, keeping their scents hidden from each other. But now it came from behind the feline hunter.

Kiba, being a therian, his nose was much more sensitive than a normal human's nose. With the change in the wind, Kiba immediately noticed he was not alone. All of his senses sharpened immediately after this realization. He fell into a heightened state of awareness; his mind began racing and calculating, his breathing slowed and his heart rate increased with adrenaline. The scent was too close to ready his bow, so he decided that his sword would be the best way to defend himself. In one swift move, Kiba dropped his pack, undid his cloak and let it fall to the floor to lessen restriction on sight and hearing. He faced the source of this unfamiliar scent in a lowered defensive stance. His left hand on the sheath of his sword in his waist belt, and his right hand held open, level, palm down near the hilt. Kiba was at the ready. His eyes scanned the darkness for a moment, but nothing. He knew something was there hidden in the shadows. The feline hunter revealed himself, entering the clearing, his pale eyes fixed on Kiba's.

Kiba's gaze was calm and focused. A short eternal moment passed. The predator was frustrated at his change in luck; anger and rage built up inside him. At the same time, he was puzzled that Kiba did not run away like other men he had eaten. Fear was a tool that the feline used to his advantage, but he did not see it in Kiba. He stood at the ready, confident, and determined to live, this only added to the cat's frustration.

Only a few paces separated Kiba from the predator, any movement Kiba made would have to be accurate and decisive. With the element of surprise now gone, the feline moved with hesitation for a short instant. This sloppy maneuver was the warning Kiba needed to dodge the predator's first strike. The feline pounced and closed the distance between the two in a single lunge. With claws out and paws extended, he swung for Kiba's head.

As soon as Kiba detected the predator's movements, he further lowered his stance, making himself ready to move. As the predator made his pounce Kiba saw a small opening below his right arm. Kiba dove forward, while drawing his swor. Kiba rolled just below the attack, barely dodging it, having felt the feline's paw brush against his tail. That was too close, but I think I got him. Kiba was able to make a quick thrust with his sword mid dive, striking the feline just behind the rib cage. The feline turned when he landed from his failed attack, just as Kiba recovered himself and faced his opponent. Kiba stepped backwards into the forest, out of the clearing into the darkness of the forest. His sword reflecting the moonlight until it too disappeared into the darkness. Kiba's sword was a single edge, curved blade, passed on to him by his grandfather. Its origin was unknown to him; he only knew what he was told, that it was forged with magic, and that this blade chose him to be the bearer of its sharp edge.

The feral feline was much bigger than Kiba, and the trees would restrict his movements. The cat did not pounce this time, he ran after Kiba in the trees. Kiba put a tree between himself and his opponent. The beast crashed into the tree while reaching around swinging at Kiba. The tree gave Kiba enough cover to attack with another quick thrust at the cat's chest. Landing a deep strike, but not deep enough to be a finishing blow. The predator was now dripping blood from his side and chest, barely noticing his wounds. Kiba's heart was pounding so hard he could hear it in his ears, and feel it in his hands. His tail swayed from side to side with the excitement from the battle while keeping his eyes focused on his opponent.

Kiba continued his maneuvers, ducking behind another tree and making a thrust. This time he chose the wrong tree, undersized and frail. The feline predator, blinded with rage charged at Kiba, and ran straight through it, snapping it from the base. Surprised, Kiba jumped back, but it was too late. Mid jump he was stricken by a hard left swipe. This threw Kiba several feet to the right; Shit, he broke some ribs with that. Kiba recognized that he could not afford another mistake like this and needed to finish this soon. But before he could recover from the strike, the predator closed the distance again. Block! Kiba screamed this in his mind, he was half standing as he brought his right arm up, holing his sword to his left side. The blade was facing outward, pointed down covering his left side, his forearm blocking above his head. He reinforced the blade with this left arm by pushing on the blunt side of his sword, bracing for the attack to come.

The feline predator was quick to react, seeing Kiba down, he charged immediately for the next attack. Once he got in range, pounced over Kiba. Kiba was now braced and ready for this attack. The feline bit into Kiba's side under his right arm, and wrapped his paws tightly around him. The arm struck the sharp edge of the blade that Kiba was holding. The force and angle of the strike made the blade go deep into the arm of the attacking beast, cutting tendons and muscle. His head was under Kiba's right shoulder sinking his teeth into Kiba. Kiba thought this was going to be his end. He felt the teeth touch bone in his chest and the pain that accompanied it. But the feline let go of Kiba, reacting to the pain shooting up his right arm. The cat recoiled and growled in pain. He made a terrible sound that could be heard from far as it echoed in the forest. The attack was stopped by Kiba's blade, cutting across the feline's arm deeply.

Both jumped backwards away from each other, keeping their eyes locked. Unlike the giant cat, Kiba's eyes were not full of rage; his eyes showed his determination to live through this. The cat was dripping blood, his rage and excited state was only making him bleed faster from his wounds. The cat glared at Kiba, standing carefully, not putting pressure on his wounded paw. He glanced down and saw the pools of blood forming beneath him. Suddenly, the feline hunter felt something he never felt before, this feeling started at the pit of his stomach and reverberated outward as a shocking truth slammed his conscious, that this may be his last hunt. Then fear began replace his rage.

Kiba saw the transformation of rage to fear in the eyes of his enemy. "I am the hunter now." Kiba whispered to himself reassuringly. Kiba changed his posture from defensive to offensive. The cat saw Kiba's change in posture and mind-set. He stepped back and hesitating his movements, making quick glances for a way out.

Determined to finish this, Kiba made the best of the situation and decided to charge. The giant cat instinctively charged back with a final push of adrenaline. The cat gave everything he had, the loss of blood, and injury to his right paw slowed him down greatly. The adrenaline made his blood boil and gave him hope. Kiba took advantage of the cat's decrease in speed,

and just as the cat was about to strike, Kiba angled himself into below the cat. He drove his sword straight into his prey just under his collar bone. The cat slammed into Kiba, biting his shoulder, piercing his flesh, just barely. He slowly lowered himself to the forest floor as his legs caved in below him letting go of Kiba.

Kiba stood still in front of the cat, pressing his body into the cat's shoulder while holding the sword that was buried in him. He took a step back, holding the sword's hilt with one hand, and looked into the eyes of the dying beast. The dying beast's breathing was slowed as he stared back into Kiba's eyes.

A sense of mutual understanding was felt by both, and the elegant beast was now at peace. Kiba felt the life leaving the body of the beast. He pulled the blade out of the beast; it was in deep, slicing through the beast's heart. He stumbled around looking for the sheath and his other belongings. His mind wandering, he remembered his grandfather telling him that all therians were lost within themselves. There are those who let instinct and rage consume them, and those fell into their primitive state as beasts that wander as lost as their soul. Was this a lost beast? I've never seen such a beast before. Kiba contemplated these things incoherently in his own mind, unaware of his physical state. His ribs were broken and his chest bled where he was struck and his clothes were soaked red on his shoulder where he was mauled. Kiba was losing, and it made him very weak. Kiba found his sheath, returned his sword and continued toward his belongings. Kiba heard a soft rumble from a distant storm, "I need to find shelter," he softly muttered to himself, half hoping to find something within his fading sight. The world was spinning around him, and walking became impossible. He collapsed in his weakened state; lying on the forest floor with his sword in hand, only a few paces from the slain beast.