Chapter 2. A New Conflict
Favul snuck out to be by herself one night. Among the Muumoo's she fell onto the grass and breathed in their earthly scents. The animals tilted their ears at her, curious on why this predator was not attacking. Some rested beneath the trees to rest and chew the cud. Their murmuring calls sounded the night air with gentle vibrations. The majority of the Morlocks were not feeding tonight so they were kept their distance elsewhere. Tonight the animals could rest.
The smell of a nearby Morlock prevented her from falling off into sleep. She could feel his eyes spying on her. The smell was very sharp, hinting its masculinity. He did not smell familiar.
"You don't hide too well." She spoke out finally, looking up the tree close to her resting spot. A pair of glowing eyes blinked back. He hung from the tree like a leopard.
"I was just resting here," He said in a very calm and bored tone. "You intruded on me."
"So you say. I don't recognize your scent. Are you from around here?" She asked.
"No. I deserted my colony for a better chance at life." He craned his neck. "My home was very overcrowded. Hardly a chance for even a tough male to earn his own cave. I heard of this place along my journey and decided to see it for myself."
"Sometimes we have Morlocks from other colonies come to join. They hear of this paradise and have to see for themselves. You are not alone." She smiled, her eyes glowed like fireflies.
"Not to be rude but I just can't but notice. Either I am looking at some new species or a very poorly-bred Morlock." He dropped an arm from the branch he dangled off of, directing his comment towards her.
"I am half Eloi." She snorted in response, this male was strange in his customs. They barely even knew each other for a few minutes and he was already insulting her.
"Oh I see. A rogue and lonesome Morlock got a bit too hyper with the lady livestock." He laughed to himself.
"My mother is not livestock. Eloi and Morlocks are equals here now. We feast on the Muumoo's you see before you. The Eloi run free." She corrected him with a stern glance.
"I heard of that too but I didn't really believe them. I guess I will have to accept what I see and hear. So I am to eat these creatures now? Do they taste good?" He continued in his same attitude.
"They taste wonderful. The Morlocks say even better than Eloi. Besides Eloi are not allowed to be eaten anymore anyways. There are a few more other Eloi-orks in this colony."
"Eloi-orks?" The male questioned. "A new terminology I must learn here as well."
"It's what the others call us halflings." She informed him, coming closer to the tree.
"I will have to get used to this place and your new ways of life." He blinked slowly. "Excuse me for my approach. I haven't slept in over two nights so I'm completely tuckered out."
"Well you are welcomed to join us below. Nobody will attack you." She pointed her finger and descended down a narrow opening in the grass. The male dragged himself under, his heavy eyes shifted around as he gathered in his new surroundings. The place was very clean compared to his home. No bones or Morlocks shoving each other about just to give themselves room to breathe.
She invited him to her family's cave for a stay. The male was wary, not many a family would allow some strange full-grown male into their home. He peered down the dark entrance and shook his head. Her face, just faintly appeared back towards him.
"Don't worry nobody is going to attack you." She encouraged him even though she wasn't too sure herself if this was such a good idea. She never had many friends but her father never minded Billie coming to visit.
"Whatever pleases you." The male yawned and just about fell down the tunnel as weak as he felt. He hadn't realized how little energy he had left to go around.
Her mother and children were down there, all eyes on him. Shikha gave her daughter a stern look. At first she thought this was a cave-thief and was about to call out to Mog.
The male himself could not help but stare at the children. They all were wide-eyed with their mouths just as open. Their eyes were a deep blue! One had the eyes of both his parents, adding to the wacky appearances. He shared the same transfixed face as they. What a freaky mix this family was.
"Morlock and Eloi love children. You guys are doing it-" he gulped, "weird."
"This male is strange Favul. Your father will be very angry." She didn't give the male a look over for invitation. It was known for strange males to attack and kill children that wasn't theirs.
"He's new here and I just want to make friends." Favul frowned as the male had swiftly turned around and disappeared back up the entrance.
"You can make friends up above, not down here where he can be easily killed."
Favul followed after the male. She lowered her head as she found him sitting on top of a boulder for safety. New feelings aroused inside her. He was different from the others. She didn't know why nor did she understand.
"I'm sorry. I was being hasty and didn't take the time to think."
"I figured it was going to turn out that way. It was a good thing your father wasn't down there." The male rolled his eyes, showing the whites.
A passing, older male came by and disappeared down the same cave. It was Mog, returning from work to spend the rest of the time with his family. He smiled at his daughter and glanced at the male with concern. It was uncommon to see his daughter talking to a male besides Billie. He gave the male a subtle warning with his tusks before going below.
"Oh yes it was a good thing he wasn't down below." The male sighed heavily. The size of Mog was more then enough to get his hair stiffened on end.
"Well as I said before I am tired. I shall find myself a hidden spot to sleep at before I fight for my own cave." He scrapped his nails against the side of the boulder to sharpen them.
"You speak as if you are not afraid." Favul commented. He was very laid-back and full of confidence. This gave her a very positive impression of him.
"Oh well we will see tomorrow when I kick ass." He boasted.
"Well goodnight then. I will watch you win a cave." She smiled and retired for bed rest. The male himself fell asleep behind the boulder, finding it a good place to keep himself from being too noticeable.
"Who was that?" Mog asked her just as she appeared.
"Just a newcomer. He's really nice and actually doesn't mind talking to me. He knows too that I'm a halfie."
"Hmm really? The kids said he called them weird." Mog grumbled, nothing peeved him more then having his family insulted. Yes they were an oddity but still he loved them more than anything.
"Well he never seen anything of it before. It was a harmless remark. He didn't mean anything by it." She defended the male. Mog sensed something different about her. His daughter was usually aggressive with all the males, she loathed them, wanted to leave her mark on them just to show how much she meant it.
She nestled herself between her younger brothers and sisters. Mog, always the last one to go to sleep, watched his family fall one by one to sleep. He had heard about Billie being pushed around by the bullies earlier on. Now the chances of his daughter ever pairing up with him was remote. He knew how weak of heart the young boy was.
The next day Billie went to visit her only to find out she was gone. Usually she was down below eating breakfast and waiting for him. This sudden change distraught him very much. He hated drastic changes in his lifestyle. Maybe her father needed her for something? Maybe she was having a hard time with the hunt? It could be anything!
The halfling walked down through the long corridors again, up ahead he spotted a commotion. This could only mean one thing. A fight for a home! He shivered inside and climbed up on top of the ledge to see who it was this time. Down below were two males sizing each other up. They stood very low to the ground with their front arms splayed out before them. Their hair fanned out like on a cat's backside. The other Morlocks around them beat their fists and grunted in unison to them. Their bodies formed one big blue-greenish mass. Their silvery hair ruffled about as they clapped their hands. It was noticed Favul was down there too, close by the fight. So that was where she went off to. Silly female was dangerously close to the other bucks. Lucky for her all had their attention in the center where the real action was.
There was a loud muffling sound as the two Morlocks collided. Clawed hands darted back and forth as they cut each other across the chest and stomach. So many centuries of this type of physical abuse shaped the males better for this sort of game. Their necks shortened and their skin thickened. Every once and awhile a stupid male would try and choke his opponent, which was practically useless. Only the chisel-teeth could do any damage. Soon mouths gaped open and slashed shoulders and cheeks. The air was beginning to fill with the sweet smell of blood. Both males separated for a few seconds to regain their strength. Their eyes squinted from the thick blood running down their foreheads.
The battle ended gruesomely as one male calculated a hard blow right up his opponent's face. His long claws hooked under the male's top teeth and shattered the maxilla. The loser's face ripped all the way open to the top of his scalp.
There was a loud shrieking mutter of pain and the male rolled across the floor in convulsions. He cupped his face as blood poured over his hands. Billie saw Favul's eyes glow with awe at the raw power demonstrated by the winner.
The winner lost a claw in the process but he claimed victory of his new home. The other males, some whom were decided to fight next in line decided strongly against it when they saw the type of epic skill the stranger inflicted upon his rival.
They all scattered off, leaving the dying male on the ground still groaning in agony. Nobody cared for the loser. He would die soon anyways. Favul was still there very close to the new male's cave.
"Wow that was amazing." She almost squealed like a fan girl at a concert.
"I was expecting worse really. He was easy." He raised his chin with half-closed eyes. His light hair dampened with dark blood.
Billie snorted. What a showoff this guy was and his own friend was buying into it. The male breathed in sharply and spotted him up on the ledge. Their eyes met and the male acknowledged him with a sharp grunt.
"Well what you are gawking at?"
Billie shrunk down against the ledge. He felt his heart leap up in his throat. Favul giggled and coaxed him from his hiding spot.
"That's only my friend Billie. He's an Eloi-ork like me, grandson to the Time Traveler." She introduced them.
The greeting between them was not very friendly. There was a hinted sign of jealousy between the two. This was not a good time for two bachelors to make friends, not with such a prize between them. Billie wasn't aware of these feelings. He stood off, confused by the male's hard glare. The male then rested his eyes easy back on Favul and returned the smile.
"Oh really? We all heard of him." The male spoke. "So did he go for a Morlock as well? Very strange indeed."
"No my dad is Morlock." Billie responded with a quiet voice, his eyes to the ground.
Favul didn't pick up any hint of the conflict between them. She only passed smiles between them and proceeded to check up on the male's fresh wounds. Billie turned around and left the two to themselves. His breathing felt shallow as his heart plummeted to his stomach. Favul was not acting the same anymore. She wasn't focusing all her attention on him as she used to. No, now she was preening that stupid show-off. She barely even known him for two days and she was already all over him. What did that buck have that he didn't have? He had been friends longer. They both hunted as a team and got along.
For the first time he felt the calling of mate-hood inside him. He did want her for himself but he did not have the courage to carry on such a challenge. This male was very tough and had no mercy for his rivals. The loser's dying moan's continued on for a few more hours. Billie watched him stumble around with his jaw bone hanging in pieces from his swollen face until he succumbed to shock and blood loss. He swore if he ever became the winner in a fight he would finish his opponent off.
The poor Eloi-ork looked very much all Morlock except for his odd-numbered toes and fingers and his blue eyes. He had the figure to be a tough fighter but alas he lacked the confidence. What little Eloi blood he had in him rained down heavy on his belligerent side with gentleness. He only wanted to dance and frolic like the little people did. The ghastly wars the Morlocks took out on each other seemed alien to him. To us he would seem a hulking buck that could easily take on anything. His muscles were like iron and his claws were very sharp like that of a bird of prey. Even his tusks were larger then a normal male's. His soft feelings betrayed him every time. It stopped him short from proving his family his full potential. So much for the fabled "hybrid vigor."
He wanted Favul for himself. He sat down and brooded in his thoughts to see how he could attract her. Maybe if she gave him enough courage and the promise to be his partner he could win a cave.
Later on that evening he found Favul to herself, cutting up pieces of Muumoo meat to dry out in the sun. He approached her and sat very close. He could feel his heart in his throat.
"Hey Favul, how is it going?" He started, his blood draining from his face.
"Oh I'm doing fine, was just talking to Tusk." She answered in her cheery voice.
Billie turned his head away with his brow furrowed, that stupid male. I will show her that I am a better partner for her. He leaned against her and pressed his face into her hair.
"What's wrong?" It wasn't of Billie to be so close like that.
"Oh I just noticed you smell very good. Are you wearing something?" He answered in a cool voice.
"No but I did wash up so I guess I smell cleaner." She continued cutting the meat into slivers.
Billie searched through his thoughts, remembering how to advance on a female. He had watched many partnerships be created through intricate steps of courtship. He grabbed her around the middle and mounted her backside to show what he desired from her. Pressing his hips against her rear he barked loudly. To his shock he was met with snarling fangs from her. She had never been so angry at him before. He shrunk back with surprise but stood stiffly.
She didn't say anything to him. There were just no words she could pull out to tell him what she thought of that. Quickly She scooped up her tools and left him there alone.
This was the biggest blow in his life, ever since his mother ran away from him. He felt tears well up in his eyes. He was rejected! He felt his legs go weak beneath him. Now he only wanted to roll up in a ball and crouch in the deepest, loneliest part of this whole underground place.
He raised his head back and with whatever anger he had left reserved for that male he roared. It was tremendous, showing every ounce of pain he was feeling at that moment. All of it expelled he felt the cold creep around him, circling around him to nip at his hurt even more.
"If she doesn't want me, then nobody will want me." He went back home to recollect his feelings. He ignored his father's pressing eyes, knowing sooner or later his father would question. His smell of anxiety was heavy in the Morlock's nose.
"What is wrong boy?" Shadow asked, finishing up his meal.
"Oh nothing really." He tried to sound alright, his legs jolted in protest.
"You are very depressed I can smell it. Spell it out son." His father would not allow him to hide his feelings any longer. "I tried to earn a mate and was rejected. She did not want me." He cringed.
"Well of course." His father simply told him without any show of feeling.
"So you think I am a wimp as well?" He blurted out.
"No you need to earn a cave first then court. No female will allow a male to advance her till then. You should know that very well." Shadow explained, licking his fingers.
He was right, Billie thought. That was the only obstacle in his path, a cave. That was it. Billie stood up, not wanting to waste anymore time worrying about his own dread. He thought about life without a mate and it was a dreadful and distance one.
He snorted loudly and charged out the cave. His father watched him go.
"I hope he comes home safely." Fidget's eyes met his with concern.
Billie ignored every male that stood in his way. This was the day he would show everybody what he was really made of. No longer will anybody suppress him! He will claw their guts out if that was what it took!
He felt himself falter when he came upon the male's cave. Favul was there talking to him! Reluctantly he called out a challenge to the male. Tusk snorted and raised his head to see this new rival. Favul herself felt deep fear.
"You shouldn't Billie." She warned him.
Tusk came out of his cave, ready for the challenge. The Morlocks started to circle them again. Billie could not turn back now even now that his fear started to cloud his mind again.
"Show your true strength Billie." He said to himself as he lowered into fighting mode. The opponent's circled around each other, their eyes never leaving each other. Billie came at him first, swinging his hand with claws out-stretched.
Favul gasped as she saw Tusk grab Billie's wrist and twisted his body around. The Eloi-ork's arm shattered with a loud crack as Tusk cranked it around his back. Billie screamed and jerked away from him, tumbling backwards.
He laid there, his chest rising and dropping rapidly. Pain shot from his crooked arm to every part of his body. Favul felt herself frozen. Tusk didn't approach. He stood triumph by rearing up and pounding his chest with a single fist. The fight was quickly over. Billie dragged himself away, his useless arm dangled beside him.
Now he knew how it felt to be a loser for real. The males stepped over him with no concern to return to their own work. Favul didn't even come to his aid. For some odd reason something inside her clicked and she couldn't feel any remorse for him no matter how much she tried. Her feelings were on Tusk now. He had proved himself twice without even so much as of a sweat.
Mother Nature had shown her cruel talons again in this round. The circle of friendship broken and harshness rewarded.
Billie felt his body give out just halfway back to his home. He sunk on the ground in a whimpering heap. His injured arm swelled up and turned all shades of purple. It didn't take long for his family to sense their son's distressing calls. With difficulty, Shadow carried his son back to his place. The males around him scoffed and ridiculed the weakling.
"Leave him where he falls!" One called out.
"That's what you get for breeding up halflings!" Another joined in.
It was many days before Billie became conscious again. He drifted in and out of sleep only to moan in pain when he opened his eyes. Fidget was there to comfort him and Shadow came home earlier each day to stay close by.
"He won't lose the arm but it won't be normal again." Shadow had fixed his arm in a caste. Fidget held his sweating body down as he flinched from the immense pain.
"Don't think he will ever win a cave?" Fidget patted his forehead. Shadow was silent for a long time, looking down at his son. He hated the words that would come out of his mouth but he knew they were true.
"No I'm afraid not."