Chapter Eight: Down On The Corner.
"…Over on the corner there's a happy noise …"
Père David's Deer took a deep breath and held her staff firmly on her hands, she knew that she could make it work between a veteran like Smilodon and a promising rookie like Narwhal, she just had to be fast on her feet and keeping them both alive.
-Keep your distance for now, she can't fly away in broad daylight, we got her- Père David's Deer reassured Narwhal who seemed to be having second thoughts about the fight at hand.
-In such closed space I can't use strong Wind Incantations either, keep that in mind- Smilodon said to the Deer, as she stood in front of both with her swords pointed at the Fiend in front.
-I don't think my Water Magic can do much to her either, not with those Talons barely making me splash her- Narwhal said.
Harpy attacked, trying to grab Narwhal but was easily deflected by Byakko manifesting and helping Smilodon hold Harpy's Ghostly Talons. Narwhal seized this opportunity to attack but her whirlpool was easily evaded, she laughed and got herself ready for an actual fight. The Fiend flew up and used the walls of the Lodge to attack the Friends from the sides, Narwhal barely managed to evade it as Seiryuu manifested and pushed her out of the way, Smilodon evaded it on virtue of her agility.
-Gotcha!- Smilodon and Byakko sad in unison as they strike at Harpy's Ghostly Talon, with a small Wind-Slash made out of their combined breathing, it with no visible effect whatsoever.
-Those things can go through the environment!?- Narwhal said surprised, as she felt Seiryuu scolded her with her glare, as the Azure Dragon had just likely saved her life from those Talons.
-They are impervious to normal damage as well!- Père David's Deer warned Narwhal as she saw Smilodon's attacks do nothing.
-No wonder the Owls didn't have a chance!- Smilodon said angrily as she tried to use her Razor-Wind to no avail, there was not even the slightest smidge of a breeze inside the Lodge.
-I actually fought them fair and square! It's more satisfying that way, to see them despair and beg for their lives, before the Sandstar leaves their eyes- Harpy said trying to provoke the Friends, she was ready to feast again on their fresh blood.
-We won't fight you fair and square then!- Père David's Deer said deploying one of her oldest tricks, she twirled her staff and a string of sparkles manifested, turning it into a magical bow.
Harpy didn't have time to fully dodge Père David's Deer shot as it grazed her neck, it barely stung and she was ready to taunt her about it, but then she felt dizzy and in reflex she protected herself with her Talons, did that tiny Friend just poison her!?
-Ya dare!?- Harpy screeched trying to reach out at the Deer, but she was quick on her feet and dodged backwards, allowing Narwhal and Smilodon a chance to strike at the Fiend directly.
Narwhal lunged from the front while Smilodon tried to hit her by the side, neither met with much success due to the Whirlpool lacking the power to do much more that to soak Harpy in cold water, Smilodon barely missed the Fiend's neck but a small Razor Wind managed to cut an open wound there.
To the surprise of the Friends, the Fiend quickly regenerated her wound and redoubled her attack, now focusing on keeping the attackers busy, just waiting for them to make a mistake.
-Keep the pressure up!- Père David's Deer said taking another shot, that was easily slapped aside by one of Harpy's Ghostly Talons, as Narwhal and Smilodon coordinate to try to strike at the Fiend at the same time, the Fiend decided to gain distance.
Harpy withdrew back into the darkness of the Cave Room, leaving the Friends with an interesting predicament to solve.
-Do we go in?- Narwhal asked a bit scared, she really didn't want to go into the dark and get grabbed, it was way too risky.
-Smilodon can you cover me?- Père David's Deer asked Smilodon as she prepared a snapshot from her bow-staff.
-You are on- Smilodon answered with her blade ready to parry.
-We are gonna breach now Narwhal, if this goes wrong, don't be a hero- Père David's Deer said winking and tongue poking.
Narwhal realized what they were trying to do and came up with her own idea, she put the tip of her spear on the ground and focused on creating a pool of water in the ground, she hoped the others caught up to it just in case things things got dire.
Smilodon entered first and was instantly attacked by both Ghostly Talons, Byakko parried both of the Ghostly Talons with a wide sweep from her Morning Star tail as well as her claws.
Harpy silently flew into a new position after her first attack didn't score a kill, hoping to be able to dispatch one of the Friends before they got used to the dark and could see her clearly, she saw the Deer drawing her bow-staff and aimed somewhere really far away from her, Harpy grinned and prepared to take her down, as her smug aura mocked her.
Père David's Deer saw a glimpse of her target and fired, she smiled as she knew it was a bullseye, her shot broke one of the black windows of the Cave Room that kept the sunlight outside.
Harpy screeched angrily and tried to hide from the Sunlight, she could feel how every fiber of her being reacted in terror, as she felt her body petrifying under its warmth rays that pierced through the darkness of the Cave room, she knew she had to escape the room immediately but Smilodon was guarding it.
The sunlight entered the room with more intensity and Narwhal moved her pool of water into the right position, she knew Harpy was running out of options and would attempt to rush to the exit or go down fighting, so she made the water stand perfectly still and waited for the Fiend to make her final move.
Harpy tried to dive into Père David's Deer, to kill the weakest and most annoying link and then use her body to protect herself from the sun, she had fell straight into Narwhal's trap.
-Repent- Narwhal said hatefully with a voice as cold as ice.
The water acted like a mirror and reflected the sunlight directly into the Fiend, Harpy couldn't even scream back one last time before her body petrified mid air as she dived where Père David's Dee stood, her body crumbled to dust as soon as she hit the ground, leaving behind nothing but a pile of Sandstar.
-Burn in Hell, Fiend- Smilodon said coldly sheathing her sword.
-Nicely done Narwhal, if not for you, she might have got me- Père David's Deer said taking a deep breath, Narwhal glomped the Deer and held her tight, pushing the Père David's Deer face against her breasts in a way that soothed the Healer's nerves.
-I was so scared! How do both of you remain calm during actual combat?- Narwhal asked as she saw the other two didn't look winded, scared or stressed, it was quite distressing for Narwhal, it made her feel like she was the softest one there.
-I had no doubts we would vanquish that Fiend, it was three versus one after all- Smilodon said confidently walking by Narwhal heading back to tell Campo Flicker what happened.
-I'm glad you appreciate me, but you are squeezing me too hard, we gotta get going too- Père David's Deer said softly tapping Narwhal's buttcheeks, this worked and she freed her.
-Right! Sorry! I'm just a bundle of nerves right! I just needed to hold you close to me, ok? Today is not being easy on me- Narwhal squeaked exasperated, Père David's Deer held her hands and stood up on her tiptoes, pulling Narwhal down into a soft kiss that the brought her some sorely needed comfort.
-Thank you for saving me! Very creative use of your Water Magic too, you deserve to be praised by your Sensei- Père David's Deer ran her hands across Narwhal's face, her grey eyes admired Narwhal's body with love, pride and admiration.
-Let's just get moving okay!?- Narwhal asked but didn't wait for an answer, she effortlessly dragged Père David's Deer along, holding onto her hand until the Deer started walking.
-I was about to ask you to do such uncouth actions in private- Smilodon said coldly, the Deer giggled while the Cetacean wanted to retort but decided to pout silently instead, the three Friends walked all the way down the Lodge, where they saw Campo Flicker and her scared two Friends waiting for them.
-See! I knew they would save us and our beloved Lodge- Campo Flicker said once she saw the three Friends smiling at her, Reticulated Giraffe hugged Gray Wolf who sighed in relief.
-I was so scared- Reticulated Giraffe said as she started to cry.
-This is too dark for me to write something based on it- Gray Wolf tried to comfort Giraffe as they quietly left the scene.
-I suppose this means the Professor and her Assistant died?- Campo Flicker asked grimacing, she already knew the answer to her question, but she had to hear the confirmation anyway.
-They are gone- Smilodon answered her, used to bring ill news.
-We arrived too late, I'm sorry- Père David's Deer bowing to the Bird apologizing, as a Healer Friend, she felt a deep guilt as well as regret about the Friend lives lost to the Hunger today.
-I'm gonna have to relay these bad news to the rest of the Island, thanks for saving my beloved Lodge- Campo Flicked said giving the Deer a hug, before she started to sob and cry.
Narwhal felt a bit uncomfortable as she watched Smilodon remain silent and allowed Père David's Deer to comfort Campo Flicker until she regained her composure, the Bird sniffled and took a deep breath before finally speaking to the Friends again.
-I'm sorry you had to see that, I'll lend you spare supplies you can use to continue your journey... - Campo Flicker was saying before she sniffled again and felt tears running down her face, she took off her glasses very embarrassed with herself for that.
Père David's Deer pulled out a handkerchief from a hidden sleeve in her white shirt, she dried Campo Flicker's tears and then blew the Bird's nose, Campo Flicker put on her glasses.
-Four deaths in one day, now people will actually believe my dear Lodge is cursed, I will help you but do make them pay- Campo Flicker said feeling her desire to help these adventurous Friends, for they would likely continue their journey and cross paths with Fenrir again, an unavoidable battle to the death.
-Fenrir and I have unfinished business, you can count on us, we will take her down- Père David's Deer promised to Campo Flicker, the Bird reached out to the Deer for a firm handshake.
-Wait a moment!- Collared Peccary arrived to the scene, surprising the other four Friends present, the Pig regained her breath making the others feeling rather concerned about her.
-Is something wrong Piggy?- Père David's Deer asked feeling a chill up her spine, never before had Collared Peccary went against her orders in serious matters, but now she was here.
-Bald Eagle! She is not acting like herself, I ran here to look for you to sedate her, while Boomslang did her best to restrain her!- Collared Peccary explained herself after catching her breath, all the Friends present were left in a stunned silence.
-That's just great, you three round up all the supplies Campo Flicker will lend us, rejoin with me at the Diamondback, ok!?- Père David's Deer gave one last command to the three Friends which she left behind as she sprinted to the Diamondback.
Why didn't she consider this outcome? Bald Eagle had been hurt by one of the Fiends that lacked the sustain to fully turn, but that didn't mean she wouldn't be affected by it in the long run, she could only hope that she wasn't too late to stop her.
Père David's Deer heard a long scream in the distance, she recognized it was Boomslang and made one final sprint to the APC, she prepared her bow-staff with a strong sedating dose and braced herself for the worst as she called for Rhyolite's AI.
-Rhyo! Open your backdoor now!- Père David's Deer ordered the AI as she had a charged shot ready to nail Bald Eagle, but to her surprise it wasn't needed, she put aside her bow to attend a terrified crying Boomslang that had a bleeding wound in the neck which Bald Eagle herself was trying to keep closed.
-I'm sorry Boomslang! I'M SO SORRY!- Bald Eagle sobbed as she pushed a blood stained towel against the Snake's wound.
Père David's Deer noticed that Bald Eagle's lips were stained in blood, Boomslang looked at the Deer and then at Bald Eagle, revealing the identity of who had attacked Boomslang but for now she wanted to close the Snake's wound before confronting the Bird. Boomslang closed her eyes terrified of what just happened, her new Friend had just attacked her out of nowhere and after tasting her blood had calmed down and gone back to her usual self, it was very confusing and had left her speechless as she wasn't sure what to think or feel now.
-Boomslang is gonna be alright, just let me do my thing- Père David's Deer said to Bald Eagle, the Bird moved her shaking hand away from her neck and revealed an open wound, Bald Eagle had managed to expose the Snake's neck and bite her.
-I dunno what happened to me! Nothing was calming my thirst and then I felt like something else in me pushed me to do that, I felt like if I didn't do I would slowly start to die!- Bald Eagle rambled as tears dropped down her eyes, she used the blood-stained towel to clear her eyes, then she started to cry.
-Calm down, I just need to focus, trust me- Père David's Deer said to Bald Eagle who moved her shaking hand with the towel, the Deer put her staff on top of Boomslang's wound and after a small shower of sparkles, which started take the place of the missing skin, flesh and more as they cleanly closed the wound.
-I thought I was going to die- Boomslang said breathing deeply, the wound on her neck made her panic, feel like she would choke on her own blood or something equally terrible.
-It was just a flesh wound! You'll be fine, now I want you to go outside and have a walk, Bald Eagle and I need to talk- Père David's Deer said to Boomslang who decided to roll with it, she needed some time alone to recover herself, from this rather confusing experience that left her completely flabbergasted.
As the Snake walked outside, Bald Eagle jumped to hug Père David's Deer, who almost reacted in self-defense and used one of her doses on the Bird, she started to sob and it took her a few minutes to recover and finally speak up to the Deer again.
-I drank her blood! I can feel it doing me good… The need abates… Oh gods, I'm turning… - Bald Eagle said in a deadpan tone, she wanted to scream and cry but she just couldn't to do it, not after realizing she was slowly turning into a monster.
-Calm down Bald Eagle, Rhyo warned me about your condition and what could happen, we can help you- Père David's Deer reassured Bald Eagle, it really hurt the Deer to see her silly little Bird like this, but she hoped this would help her grow up.
-I'm gonna provide your Medic with a strong dose of "The Cure", it was meant to be used on humans so it should work just fine on Friends, but just in case I'll increase the density of the dose- Rhyolite explained as a mechanical claw emerged from a hidden compartment beneath the medical supplies storage, it had a gigantic needle with crystal eerie liquid inside.
-What is gonna happen to me?- Bald Eagle asked, feeling a chill up her spine, a shot of that thing looked like it would hurt lot.
-You will end as something unique, between Friend and Fiend, at best- Père David's Deer said trying to remain optimistic, as she grabbed the needle and prepared to use it on Bald Eagle.
-We really aren't entirely sure, but it's much better than the alternative, which is like to end up as Cheetah or something way worse- Rhyolite said in a tone that almost sounded curious, which made Bald Eagle very uncomfortable, at times she forgot that that while Rhyo was an Ally, he wasn't a Friend.
-You two are being brutally honest with me, should feel flattered?- Bald Eagle asked confused to both Deer and AI.
-You've proven to me that you've grown up, at least enough to trust you with your own medical condition, would you rather I went back to treating you like an Enfant?- Père David's Deer replied to Bald Eagle with another question, the Bird decided not to reply and focused on the big syringe in the Deer's hands.
-Just give me the serum- Bald Eagle sighed resigning herself.
-Then lay down over there, face down and ass up- Père David's Deer instructed the Bird while she prepared the syringe for the shot, Bald Eagle just paralyzed and just didn't reply back at all.
-This dose must be injected into the upper area of the buttcheeks, half in both- Rhyolite explained to Bald Eagle.
Bald Eagle looked at Père David's Deer, whose smug smile made her blush brightly and mumbled something unintelligible, she climbed onto the clear table and did as she was instructed.
Père David's Deer blushed too as she pulled up Bald Eagle's blue skirt to expose her rear, which was bigger and more plump that she expected it to be, she fondled and squished the buttcheeks a bit while giggling, they were surprisingly and pleasantly firm, the Deer felt tempted to bury her face on it.
-Stop doing that!- Bald Eagle squeaked once she had enough.
-I got distracted by your sexy fat butt!- Père David's Deer said unable to contain her laughter, she softly spanked Bald Eagle's buttcheeks, just to get a cute or funny reaction out of the Bird.
-Just get it over with already!- Bald Eagle squeaked again angrily tapping her legs and covering her rear with her tail.
-Fine- Père David's Deer said as she reached out to pull down Bald Eagle's blackpantyhose and white panties slightly, just enough to expose the areas she needed, two Bald Eagle's moans of pain later the Cure had been administered to her.
Bald Eagle pulled up her clothes and sat down, extremely embarrassed, feeling Père David's Deer sat in front of her and spread her arms, the Bird didn't hesitate on hugging her tight.
-I'm going to be the one providing meals to you, I can heal much faster than anyone else on board, but you must control your urges and never think about feeding on anyone else! Ok?- Père David's Deer talked to Bald Eagle seriously, as this would likely be her only chance to talk to her about this matter in privacy, she hoped The Cure would help her quell her Thirst.
-I'll try my best… but let me feed from you, I want to taste your blood, I need a bit more to truly calm down- Bald Eagle said as she started drooling, her eyes looking a bit empty.
-Is this a good idea Rhyo?- Père David's Deer asked the AI, less about her willingness to help the Bird but more about risking infection, that would certainly tear the group apart.
-It certainly is, for all that I know your Healer's blood is full with rich Sandstar that will help her recover from going dry for awhile, the Snake is clear and you will not be infected either- Rhyolite explained himself to the Deer, which saw the logic on his statement and agreed to allow Bald Eagle to feed from her.
Père David's Deer nervously exposed her neck area and looked away, before she knew it she felt Bald Eagle's fang sink onto her soft skin and felt her slowly sucking out her blood, the Deer let out a slow moan of pain and squirmed all over trying to hold back her instinct to struggle against the predator feeding on her. Bald Eagle easily overpowered her limbs with her own and held the Deer in place, Père David's Deer eventually welcomed her with an embrace of arms and legs and did her best endure it, moaning softly until Bald Eagle was done feeding from her.
-I feel alive again- Bald Eagle said breathing deep satisfied, licking her blood-stained lips, until the last drop was consumed.
-You are still an Enfant, messy eater!- Père David's Deer teased Bald Eagle as she caught her breath, hoping Bald Eagle didn't realize how into it she was getting, luckily for the Deer that Bird was with her head in the clouds after being finally fed.
-Thanks, I mean it, I can finally feel that urge in me gone- Bald Eagle said glomping Père David's Deer, who used her staff to easily close the bite marks on her neck, as the Bird with renewed vigour gave her a long, loving, squishy cuddle-hug.
-Give me some room, you just drank a lot of my blood, get me something to eat!- Père David's Deer said smacking Bald Eagle softly and playfully with her staff, she took a deep breath trying to calm down, she resisted her urge to leg lock Bald Eagle in.
-I'll give you the last 2 Japari Buns- Bald Eagle said as she walked up to the storage and pulled out a blue and a pink bun, she smiled and decided to stuff on Père David's Deer mouth with it, the Deer struggled for a moment before chewing onto it while Bald Eagle still held it, which made the Bird blush hard.
Outside the Diamondback, Boomslang and the rest of the Party arrived hauling a large amount of supplies cardboard boxes, from Japari Buns to Juice boxes and some Point Hope Lager.
As the backdoor of the APC opened and the two Friends inside joined the others in helping them organize their new supplies, everyone remained blissfully unaware that they were being watch by two pair of yellow eyes that inspect each Friend, one by one, very carefully until they focused only on Smilodon.
-She is the one, she has it, Muninn- One of the Friends addressed the other, they were both Bird friends with black long hair and black head wings, pale skin and a mix of runed armor and fur as their clothing, they were sitting besides each other in one of the Lodge's tallest tree branches while holding hands.
-They dispatched Harpy without a single casualty nor wound, we must be careful, Huginn- The other asked her partner to consider the danger this group presented as they continued to observe them, up until the Diamondback's engine roared, the APC headed down back to the road leaving The Lodge behind.
The two Ravens nuzzled together before taking flight and following the Diamondback APC over the clouds, to not let their two shadows loom over it and give that group any chance of detecting them, their mission was to keep track of them and learn as much as they could about this group for their Master.
They would report the group's next stop would be at the Sandstar Volcano, where for better or worse, it all began.