Caves and fire.
Yure and Liontari meet up again.
Qua 25 Jan 2012 14:34:35 BRT I was looking for food, which was becoming harder and harder to find. I can stick with fruits and like, but, being a carnivore, I would die without predating smaller animals. Also, two earthquakes happened in the surroundings of Catnip Fields in the past week. I was scared that an earthquake would eventually happen in my place, taking down my tree. I saw a cave. "Mm mm.. maybe the bears are hibernating", I thought, "That would explain why I haven't seen one in these past days". I decided to make a surprise visit o mister bear and entered the cave. As I stepped, the sounds of my paw-steps echoed. - Anyone there? - I asked, then lick my lips some. The answer was a huge and sudden earthquake. I ran back to the entrance, but stoned rolled down the mountain, blocking the exit. I hit the stones with my fist then yelled a very dirty bad word. I had no options left, aside looking for another exit. But the place as extremely dark now and I could see nothing. I touched the wall with my right hand-paw and used it as reference as I ventured deeper in the cave. I got a sudden crave to burn something. "What is it?", I asked to myself, "I thought I would never feel it again...". When I was in the Deer Tribe, I had recurrent urges to put something on fire. I didn't understand them; I actually thought they were pretty silly. I was aware that I had a possible fire affinity, but was unsure about how to invoke it. - Ready to do it, Yure? - asked the same voice I heard in a recurring dream. - Where are you? - I asked. - In the Ideal World. I'm contacting you using ether. But I want to know if you are finally ready to receive your affinity. I was stuck inside this cave anyway, plus it would be kinda funny to have an affinity. - Well, I'm ready... - I said. - Good... Let your instincts take over for a moment and then grasp them tightly. I sighed and focused on my urge to burn. I let it flow and felt my paws become warmer. I let it flow more and more, enjoying to get rid of an once meaningless urge I couldn't satisfy. I looked at my right fist and opened my hand-paw A fire ball appeared, floating over my palm. I smiled. - It was quite easy - I said. - There's no mystery from now on - said the voice. - Thanks, Fire. It didn't reply. Now carrying light with me, I continued my way inside the cave. The path split: left and right. "Great, a maze...", I thought, "Feels like those clichés in text-based adventures." I took the left path, feeling confident for having a fire affinity. As I walked, I heard sound of running water. I felt a bit uneasy, but followed the source of the sound, finding a "room" with a river crossing it's middle. The place had several jewels on the walls that reflected the only light in the place, which was my flame. I touched one of the jewels,
opening a small cut on my index finger. - Ouch! - I pulled back. The jewels had different colors. I was a calm still, but the thought of having to cross the river was starting to get me nervous. I then spotted a stone bridge. I stared in awe for a few seconds, wondering who built it. I walked towards the bridge and took a step on it, walking carefully. In the middle of the bridge, I took some time to admire the river. I decide to play with my affinity and train a bit. I threw the flame on the water and tried to make it float above the river, so I could see the water more clearly, but the flame fell on it and extinguished. I had to make another, which was now easy task. I wondered why I failed. Probably because, somewhere in my head, I'm still bound to physics and my mind tells it's "wrong" to make fire float around. Maybe I just needed faith in my skills, so I tried again. This time, the flame hovered on the water and I could see the stream flowing and glowing with the light. I was proud of myself; after so many years, an element finally picked me to serve it. And it was my favorite element. I pulled the flame back, but I was starting to feel somewhat tired. After crossing the bridge, I walked towards a tunnel. I could see some lights at the end of it. I arrived at an underground camp, with tents and a few animals around. There were torches on the walls, lightening up the place. - Hey, who are you? - asked an adult hippo, walking towards me. He seemed friendly, was very fat, purple and had two square incisors showing. - I'm Yure - I answered. - I'm stuck here after the earthquake sent rocks down the mountain, blocking the way out. - Oh... I can take to the other exit - said the hippo. - I'll just warn my friends that I'll leave the camp a bit. He went to talk to a elephant, telling him that he would be off for a while. He came back to me and said: - Okay, let's go. I smiled and extinguished my flame. - I'll get a torch just in case... - said the hippo. He went to the west wall and got a torch. We left the camp and walked down the river, to another tunnel. - So, tell me about you, Yure - spoke the hippo. -; the path is long and it will be boring if we don't talk. - Mm, well... I'm 19, but trapped in a cub body... - I say. - Oh, and I am a dog trapped in a hippo body - he joked. - Also, I noticed you have fire affinity. That's pretty impressive! - Thanks! - I smiled and wagged my tail. - Fire picked me. He said... - I took a pause. - He said... - the hippo spoke. - He said that I'm the perfect furry to destroy, because I got nothing to lose. The hippo tilted his head. - Ah, right - he said, in disbelief Suddenly, something crawling on the ceiling came towards us. A giant spider. I instantly wet myself
at the sight. - Get ready - said the hippo, ready to use his torch as weapon. "Time to test my affinity in combat", I thought, making a flame on my index finger. The spider approached to the distance of body contact. I jumped and threw the small fire ball on it, causing it to explode on the spider's face. It backed off a bit and I prepared another flame. The hippo tried to scare the spider with his torch, but then other two giant spiders approached. One of them fell to the ground and raised two of it's legs, trying to look threatening. I was very confident and shot again. I hit the spider right in it's mouth. Another spider fell to the ground and ran towards the hippo, but he used the torch to defend himself, causing the monster to back off. I shot against the ground to intimidate the other spiders, causing the flame to explode. The trio, though didn't seem mesmerized by my magic trick. We were in a tubular tunnel, the stone walls and ceiling had no ruptures or anything, but the soil was rocky and had some fails. I prepared another flame and the hippo ran towards the spiders again, trying to scare them with the torch. I couldn't deny that I was enjoying to shot fire against the spiders, even if it was getting me tired. - Out of my way! - I shouted. The hippo jumped to the side. A small volley of fire flew from my fingertips, hitting one of the spiders. I smiled, satisfied with my new self. - Wow... - said the hippo, feeling rather jealous. I switched paws and started shooting with my left hand-paw I was panting already, feeling tired. The spiders fled. I sighed and stopped attacking. - Whew... - I said. - I feel like taking a nap now... The hippo walked towards me and placed me on his right shoulder. - Rest some, little one - he said. - Thanks, mister hippo - I replied. We continued our way until light was visible. He put me on the ground. - This tunnel will take you to the jungle - said the hippo. - Good luck, little one. I walked towards the exit. There was a lake outside, surrounded by short trees. I jumped in the water, it would reach just my waist. I then waked towards a tree and climbed it, grabbing a fruit, then jumping back to the ground. - Better than nothing - I said to myself, biting it. I sat down, my back against the tree, while eating the juicy fruit. I was lazy already and decided to give up at looking for meat. This fruit would do the work, but I would need meat badly soon, since my body can't take much nutrients from fruits. After eating, I fell asleep. I woke up on a red stone floor, the sky was red and the place was hot. I sat up. - Well done, Yure - said a voice. I looked back and saw a floating fire ball. An eye opened in the flame. I instantly jumped back, now standing. - Now you know how the
affinities work - he said. - I'll help you and protect you, but I'll charge some energy in exchange of my favors. - You are the Fire - I said, recognizing the voice. - Yes. Yure, do you understand that being at my side means that you will eventually have to fight animals with water affinity? I tilted my head. - They did nothing to me - I said. - Why would I? - Because it's how evolution works - Fire answered. - How so? The sky became dark, signalizing the night. Fire started: - All of us, elements of Nature, were created by the uniform element known as Ether. Ether made us, Fire, Air, Earth and Water, and we made the other sorts of matter. Light then was created to make the world visible. While the Ether remained in the World Above Uranus, we, secondary elements, became in charge of maintaining the Sensible Reality, ruled by the Light. However, one order was given by the Ether: the creatures must evolve, become stronger and more able to survive. To do so, we make our armies, by touching the heart of those who are worthy. We throw or armies against each other, so that only the stronger animals can inhabit Fenária. Ether and Light also made armies, but neuter ones. We can't influence the world directly, so we must act in a hidden way. - Ah, right - I said. - So, I'm supposed to kill animals with Water Affinity? - You will kill - continued the Fire. - It's fate. Even if you adopt a pacific posture, there will always be someone wanting to start a war. When all the unworthy animals are eliminated, the selected ones will raise to the World Above Uranus You went there once, remember? - The Ideal World? - The Ideal World - Fire floated above me. The sky opened and a calm light descended from the gap right over us. - However, Yure, there's a twist in the rule that you might find uncomfortable. I paid careful attention. - For each favor I concede to you, I charge a bit of your energy. By "favor", I mean every use of the fire affinity. I nodded, understanding it clearly. After a few seconds from my nodding, I woke up. I was soaked, again, with more than just water from the lake. - Bed wetting sucks... - I said to myself, getting up. I was about to walk back to my tree-house when I noticed that I kinda didn't know where to go. I was lost. "Dang...", I thought. I decided to just walk around until I arrived at a city, so I could ask information there. On my way, I felt a good scent of catnip. I purred at the smell and followed it. It came from a little wooden house, built in a glade. I approached; maybe I could get some information. - Hello? - I knocked the door. To my surprise, an anthropomorphic bulldog opened the door. - How can I help, little one? - he asked. - I felt the scent of catnip... - I said. - So I
came here to ask for information. - You want catnip? - Well... that too... and I'm lost - I shied away some. He told me to come inside and, as a second surprise, I saw Liontari laying on the floor. He was wounded, bandages covered his left arm and forehead. He looked at me, conscious - Yure? - he asked. I ran towards him and hugged him. - I missed you so much! So much! - I began kissing his face all over. - Ow... I'm hurt there... - he complained. - I missed you too, Yure, but we kinda can't cuddle now. I composed myself and sat up. - So, you guys are friends? - asked the bulldog. - Yes - said Liontari. - More than it - I said, unable to contain myself. Liontari blushed. - Well, then, I'll suppose it's father and son - said the bulldog. - I found him wounded after a battle with bees. - That kind is nasty... My job as hunter is harder than I thought - Liontari complained. - I suppose... - I stared at the bandages. - So - the bulldog continued. -, I brought him here. Catnip tea will make the pain fade. Would you like some, kit? I nodded. He handed me some petals, so I could sniff them. I love the scent of catnip and it's relaxing. I rubbed it against my cheek. - Sorry, Yure, but I think I should drop the job - said Liontari. - No biggie. I missed you - I said. I rubbed some catnip on Liontari's face, causing him to relax. The bulldog came towards us and knelt down, holding a cup. - Drink, lion - he said. Liontari opened his muzzle and the bulldog spilled catnip tea inside it. After a few minutes, the pains on Liontari's body eased. He was barely feeling any pain anymore. - Rest for this night - said the bulldog. - We will - I said. - Great - the dog got up and walked to his room. Liontari and I snuggled for a while. He managed to sit up and we talked about his adventures as a hunter. He said it was hard to manage without me at his side and that he missed me as much as I missed him. I climbed to his lap and Liontari pet my head. He couldn't help, but get turned on by the feeling of my cub self on his lap. I smiled widely and let it be. - It has been a time - he said. - Certainly - I said. - Tomorrow, maybe. I looked up at him. - Yes; for now, you need to rest - I said, smiling and wagging my tail. I curled up on his lap. - You look tired too - Liontari said. - Rest some.