And here is chapter three. It took me a long time I wasn't too inspired this week.
Thank again to Elogan , chrisemrys, jy and Ginnomme for their reviews ^^
( And again i'm sorry for my bad english. )
Enjoy ~
The weeks had passed since the attack on the black beast, and Allen would soon be celebrating his third birthday. Mana, forty-eight years, was still young. It was a species that could live uncomplicated for up to three hundred years, with the oldest individuals arriving to five hundred years.
They enjoyed long years of youth.
At that time, the summer rainy season was about to end. Winter was coming and Mana was preparing for the migration.
The great migration was an ancient custom of the native species. Mana didn't withstand the cold very well, so it was important to migrate to escape winter and go to a warmer region of the planet at this time of year.
The cave in which he was staying was going to be abandoned until the next trip in six months to return to a territory more abundant in food.
But now Mana had a child to look after. It was a problem.
The trip would take several days. And even if the mere presence of Mana was enough to keep the predators at bay, he would have to hunt to feed them both.
The creature couldn't take care of the child at the same time as he was hunting. And out of the question for him to hide Allen again in a bush. The experience of the last time had left him with a bitter taste in his mouth ...
The appearance of the boy had changed dramatically after two months on this new planet. His slightly longer red hair had begun to cover his eyes, reaching the shoulders. Mana tied them with a little rope, tied around his red locks, repeating to him that it was important to have a neat hair.
The child was making amazing progress in the language of the native. Speaking perfectly some basic words like 'eat', 'flower' or 'stone'.
It was not much, but he was improving , trying to speak with the new words.
Mana still wrapped around the boy who was still sleeping, raised his head. It was colder at this time of the year. A dense fog had risen above the trees hiding the sunlight.
Like every morning now, Mana took a yellow fruit that had kept it as an edible supply for Allen. He cut the fruit, as usual by removing the skin. Then he woke the boy gently, patting his head lightly, offering him some slices of cut fruit.
After lunch it was time to leave. He could not take much with him, the weight would slow them down. But he took a kind of fur backpack to bring some fruit if his child was hungry during the crossing, and stone tools.
Allen's few toys were going to be abandoned in the cave with furs and wooden furniture until next season. It was not too bad, Mana will find something else for him.
Once the affairs had been packed, he took the boy in his arms as usual and went down the cliff of his summer cave the last time of the year.
Once downstairs, he put the child on the ground and opened the step, the child behind as usual. Moving south instinctively, Mana let the little boy follow him for what would be a trip of several days.
Allen was already familiar with this environment, having often had long walks with his adoptive father to teach him how to survive. At his age he didn't understand very well, being distracted by all the little things that could look like a toy. But with time Mana's teaching would serve.
They walked like this for several hours and eventually, Allen tired, was quickly carried by the creature. The boy dozing on his chest Mana rocked him gently, careful not to shake him too much. He made his way between the bushes and the trees, slaloming nimbly between the trunks.
He was on his guard. The crossing was going to be dangerous and he would not forgive himself if Allen was hurt or worse. He shook his head chasing his bad thoughts.
The jungle was denser in this more remote part. The birds were silent at this time of day, the sound of leaves swaying with the wind was the only music in this relaxing and almost silent atmosphere.
But the wind carried something else with him.
Mana sniffed the moist air. A storm was coming. He let out a grunt of frustration. They had no shelter for the night and the storm would slow down their march.
Storms were dangerous in the jungle. Rain infiltrating the ground caused landslides and other muddy swamps that could trap animals. But it was also a blessing. When the rain was falling, it brought a lot of drinking water.
The first drops began to fall and flowed on his smooth skin, he hurried to find a small shelter that he could use immediately to stay dry.
Finding a recess in the stone, he settled in the small cave with Allen still asleep in his arms.
The long body wrapped around the child, protecting him from the cold, the creature relaxed comfortably on the stone floor. Quickly a torrential rain fell on the surrounding vegetation, the first thunderclaps resounding in the sky. Allen woke up, moving into the creature's arms in a more comfortable position. The child looked at the flowing water, carrying pebbles and dead leaves in his path. Then he pointed to the little pond that had formed in front of their cave.
"Water !" Exclaims Allen.
The creature smiled, amused. "Yes, it's water."
Resting in the small cave, Mana let Allen entertain himself by playing with his long dark hair, waiting for him to get tired to put him to bed.
All night, the lightning tore the sky, illuminating for a moment the surrounding darkness. Allen had fallen asleep long ago against the beast. Mana watched the dangerous spectacle unfold before him. The loud rumblings almost vibrate the air, and the ambient humidity tickling his nostrils. Tired, he yawned before lowering his head, placing it on his folded arms, closing his eyes for the night, letting himself fall asleep by the roaring thunder.
The next morning, the storm was over. But residues still remained. The soggy soil made puddles of muddy water reappear.
Once awake, Allen found it fun to jump into the puddles in front of the cave, until quickly soaked from head to toe.
Mana sighed.
He left the small cave, his feet sinking into the cool mud. Then he grabbed the boy, stalling him in his arms.
Keeping Allen with him, the creature finally started looking for something to eat. Unlike the little boy, his diet consisted of meat. He had to find a food source that was easy to access without putting Allen at risk.
Fishing.
The creature could also eat fish. And he didn't need to separate from Allen or put him in a delicate situation.
They made their way to a nearby river, stopping for a drink and cleaning Allen who was still covered in mud.
After bathing, he let Allen watch from the shore as he headed for a deeper part of the river. He waited patiently for a fish to pass by him, striking the water forcefully to use his right hand to grab his prey succefully.
The boy watched with fascination as Mana put the fish between his jaws, swallowing all raw.
"Beuh ..." The red-haired kid escaped, pouting. The creature raised his eyebrows at the boy's disgusted expression before bursting into laughter. "Hehe, don't be like that. I know you don't like raw meat." He gently ruffled Allen's hair. "Don't worry, you'll have fruit instead."
Continuing their journey, they stopped this time in front of a tree with red fruits like pears. He let Allen taste to see if he liked the fruit. Two fruit swallowed later, Mana added this strange fruit to the boy's menu. He picks a few to have enough to feed the child later in the day.
After a few hours of walking, they finally came out of the forest. This one opened on plains very poor in trees but rich in rock formations.
And so continued the journey, the rocky plains changing into canyons where the freezing nights were very harsh. The arid landscapes succeeding each other, Mana managed to find a shelter every night.
That night, Mana stared at the sky with Allen asleep against his chest. The stars were beautiful. The sky dotted with small white lights on a black background offered a fantastic overview, almost unreal. With two red moons accompanying them, poorly illuminating the surface of the planet.
He tightened his soft grip on his child. Putting a kiss on his cheek. Being a dad was difficult. More difficult than he thought. But he loved Allen deeply ... And nothing would separate them.
They were now near their destination. Allen had mostly spent the journey in the arms of Mana, still too young to endure as much as an adult creature.
The beast walked under the sun, the little one on his strong shoulders, stopping to drink near a river. He put Allen on the ground, so he could drink too.
Wiping the mouth of his protégé, Mana's ears rose, feeling a danger. He sniffed the air for a strong smell and the presence of a he turned around, facing a big carnivorous who had sneaked behind them.
The animal resembled a big cat, had protruding teeth and a pink fur. Being almost as big as Mana, the feline rivaled the beast's strength. But he was far less intelligent. The animal growled loudly in a threatening position. He was probably hungry.
Allen, unaware of the danger, was interested in the cat. He tried to get closer to it but was restrained by his adoptive father who slid him behind him to protect him from the predator. This time it wasn't a game.
The guardian of the child, grunted at the big cat, trying to intimidate him by rising to his full height on his two hind legs. Under the roar of anger, the feline didn't retreat. Mana moved forward taking a warning step. The animal responding to the provocation advanced to the beast.
Leaning on his hind legs, the cat jumped without fear of attacking a creature more dangerous than him. Mana blocked him with his forearms pushing him away, sending him into the dust.
But the feline, not discouraged by the failure, returns to attack, jumping again on Mana, claws and fangs outside. Before he could bite him, the humanoid creature raised his left hand and swung a powerful blow hitting his opponent's muzzle. Gripping the side of the animal's nose, he pierced the left eye, which began to bleed profusely, making it blind on one side.
The cat snarl with pain and fell on the floor, disorienting by this new disability. Spitting and hissing, the animal ran away quickly disappearing behind the rocks.
Allen gaped at the battle, stared admiringly at his adoptive father who had defended him.
Mana, taking his parenting job very seriously, checked to see if the boy had anything, even if the cat hadn't touched him. Having no injuries, the child laughed tapping in his little hands. The relieved creature hugged his long arms around Allen in a hug.
Continuing their journey, they came out of the arid gorges, a forest was in sight.
Mana, recognizing the familiar woods of their final destination, accelerated to arrive faster. Once at the edge of the forest, he entered the undergrowth.
It was a drier forest. The vegetation was less supplied, only a few surrounding bushes and a lot of grass around them. The trees looked more like pines, their dark foliage full of sharp spines.
The beast sniffed the ground trying to find its way through the dry grass.
Still walking for some hours between the trees, he finally found the way to the new cave. A recess in the stone stood above a cliff like the old one. This cavern was slightly lower than the previous one, but still easily out-of-reach for predators. Mana would never choose a cave where carnivores could climb during the night.
The creature began to climb the wall, Allen perched on his shoulders surrounding his little arms around the neck of his guardian not to fall.
When Mana reached the top, he took a first look at their new house.
The cave was dirty.
Unlike the old one, this cave was slightly smaller and especially pitiful because of lack of maintenance ... The dust had accumulated for many months and had wreaked havoc.
The creature placed Allen on the ground, who quickly stood on his little legs to explore the new cave. Mana looked at the old furs he had left behind him since the last time. The furs, now punctured and eaten by insects, were good to throw away. The bones he had used to keep have disappeared or were just dust.
All was to be cleaned.
Only the wooden furniture was still usable, the material having withstood well.
He turned his head to see Allen, having ventured deeper into the cave, playing with an old piece of wood pulling the rotten bark engorged with moisture.
"Don't touch that Allen, it's dirty..." He grabbed the little boy by the hips lifting him up against him. Allen gently protesting that his improvised toy was removed.
"It looks like we're going to have to clean up and replace some furniture..." The creature said, watching the cave in bad shape. There was even water in a corner that had accumulated because of previous thunderstorms.
The boy laughed as if it was all a game. Mana smiled tenderly before stroking the red hair, pulling them away from his gray eyes. Then the creature began working without waiting.
Advancing again into the forest, Mana searched for large pieces of wood that could be turned into planks to make a simple piece of furniture. He picked up several of them and brought them back one by one to the cave, piling them in a pile.
He cleaned up all afternoon, sweating by the effort. Moving the furniture and removing the accumulated dirt, the beast made sure not to make too much noise not to wake Allen, who was taking a nap on the new leaves of tree brought to make a temporary mattress.
The native threw the old useless furniture and blankets gnawed, further into the forest, abandoning them to the animals. Then he took out his stone tools, taking a simple axe and began cutting the wood brought back into the cave. He sorted the usable wood to make planks and sticks too small that would serve as firewood.
Cutting the wood with a know-how that only his species knew, he stacked the wooden planks succeeded one by one to finalize them later. The remaining sticks were turned into cubes and small wooden animals, forming small, simple toys for Allen.
Finishing his creation, he cut the pointed pieces so that the child does not hurt himself while playing. Proud of his work, he contemplated the new little pieces of wood that would serve to entertain the boy.
The hours passed and soon it was almost evening meal time. Allen woke up, and hugged Mana's leg in a hug. Soon the boy asked for food. But the stocks of fruit were exhausted and the meat was missing for the creature.
"There's nothing left to eat..." The beast breathed.
Reflecting on his options, he thought of leaving Allen alone in this new environment. The bushes were too dangerous, but the child could fall from the cave and make a fatal fall for his age.
Taking the safest decision, he put the little boy in the deepest part of the cavern as far as possible from the edge, depositing his little toys to occupy him. No longer having fur to line the floor, the stone was more uncomfortable.
"Stay here, I'll be back soon." He placed a kiss on Allen's forehead leaving him alone in the newly laid out cave.
Without fear, Mana moved away from the house to hunt the meal.
Being alone in the cave. Allen started playing with his new little wooden toys. Stacking cubes and other hard and roughly cut pieces. He is entertained for a while before a grunt outside the cave is heard.
Someone was climbing up the cliff quickly.
The little boy thinking that his adoptive father had already returned, put down his wooden toys, and called his name happily.
After a moment, an arm finally appeared, gripping the edge of the cave.
Then a second one.
Dark hands clutched at the stone, lifting the body still invisible to the child.
And the head appeared.
A shiver ran through the boy's body. It was not Mana.
The same creature that attacked him a few weeks ago was standing there in front of him. The two piercing golden eyes stared at him, and Mana was not there to protect him. How had this native made to find them in their new cave so quickly?
The creature dragged the rest of her body into the cave, his eyes never letting go of Allen who, frozen with fear, didn't know what to do.
And suddenly with a roar, the black beast advanced quickly toward him, trying to squeeze him against the stone floor. Allen, too young to dodge, was again thrown by the same big hand painfully on the hard surface.
The shock cut his breath and he coughed and gasped, the creature pressing him hard against the stone. Allen instinctively turned his head to bite hard one of his aggressor's long fingers, piercing the skin to attract black blood. The beast let go, letting out a cry of pain, holding his hand firmly.
"You little ...!" Growled the humanoid creature. The little boy tried to get up to get away from the aggressive beast, crawling to hide under the only wooden table in the middle of the cave. But unfortunately, he was easily caught by his pursuer who this time, held him firmly in both hands, one around his little body and the other one in the hair.
"No more playing." Sighs the black beast. He watched Allen wiggle between sharp claws and chuckled.
"You're lucky, the Earl forbade me to hurt you ... Otherwise you'd be dead, human." The black beast tightened his grip on the boy's throat, cutting off his air supply.
The child scratched the hand that was pinning him to the floor, moving to try to free himself from the firm grip. Darkness begins to invade the sides of his vision, his chest convulsing before his little body no longer responds to him, arms falling to the sides due to lack of air. His vision flickered trying to stay conscious, but the constant pressure was too strong.
The last thing he saw was a pair of golden eyes with a maniacal grin on the face of the beast.
Black.
I'm sorry :)