by Atlas Kane
Cade worked on grinding down several of the herbs Minda had brought him, making either pastes or powders depending on the composition of the item at hand. Of the thirteen viable ingredients Minda had gathered in a single afternoon, she hadn’t happened upon any Rinan Root, so Cade couldn’t level up his Alchemical Engineer Occupation at all.
Satemi’s work with leather would be long and hard, and neither of the other two could help. So they’d decided, when the sun rose, Minda and Cade would find a way to slink around the apes and return to the cave. The Rinan Root she was familiar with, and it only ever grew underground.
Satemi fidgeted nervously the next morning, barely touching her food. “You both had better come back. And are you sure we shouldn’t all go? If we do, I can be there in case you happen upon anything dangerous. And those apes!” she finally blurted out, her arms waving in exasperation.
Her fear was touching, for it showed a deep level of care. Minda crossed over to her and embraced the woman. “Everything will be fine. Besides, we have the Licorice Leaf. It should conceal our movements well enough.”
The only reason Satemi had agreed in the first place was because Minda found the herb the day before, enough to replant and use liberally on their trip. The Licorice Leaf had a pungent and almost pleasant smell, so strong it acted to both cover their tracks and prevent creatures from locating them by smell. All they had to do was remain out of direct line of sight. Besides, Satemi’s work was sorely needed, and it couldn’t be done if she was on a jaunt with Cade and Minda.
As Satemi finally gave in, the last of her resistance falling away to logic, she held up her hands in defeat, announcing, “Fine! Okay, I concede, but there is something else. I have finished with something and I want to make sure you are as well protected as possible.”
She produced a pair of twice-thick leather bracers for Cade, and when they slid around his forearms, he was grateful for the extra protection. Next she took out a leather skirt made of overlapping strips and handed it to Minda. “This will protect your hips and legs. I wanted to make fine vests, but those will take longer. For now, you at least have these to assist you.”
When they tried them on, Satemi beamed, pleased to have been helpful, even if she couldn’t go with them.
“Thank you, Satemi. Your work is exquisite,” Cade said, admiring the faint sheen of his leather bracers. He felt like a badass with them on, like a beer-guzzling bro at a Ren Faire, but one with an axe and two fine-ass girlfriends.
Minda likewise thanked her, and Satemi reacted with solemn modesty. She’s a funny girl, that one. Hard as steel but soft inside, Cade contemplated and inspected his new armor while the girls made a few more pleasant exchanges.
Simple Leather Bracers
Quality: Rough
Description: Provides moderate reduction in slashing and piercing damage.
Well, any improvement was welcome. It would be great to have the same protection over the rest of his body though. Perhaps tomorrow he could say as much.
So they ground the leaves into their bodies, a dark-green stain coming off. At first, the smell was so strong it made Cade’s eyes water. But he grew used to it after a short while.
They left while the sun was still rising, the canyon walls blocking out most of the light. They walked silently in the deep blue haze of early morning.
The first test of their new aromatic camouflage was the apes. The sprawling trees came in sight far too quickly for Cade’s taste, and they buried themselves in the deeper foliage at the far side of the canyon wall. Thankfully, an abundance of low-light plants grew where the trailing branches of the trees dwindled. Too thin to support the heavy apes, their position remained hidden from view, though as Cade glanced out from between a pair of ferns, he spotted a single, massive ape, its head swiveling in an attempt to detect them.
Cade pointed, showing Minda their danger, and she only nodded. The apes knew they were there, could probably hear them easily enough, but they were out of sight and their smells covered up. Not knowing exactly what they were was most likely what caused their hesitation in exploring the matter further.
Unfortunately for them, the apes’ curiosity won out over caution.
A few of the seed pods they’d been pelted with before fell first. The apes were probing around, hoping to flush whatever was lurking in their midst out of the bushes.
Of course, neither Cade nor Minda moved an inch. The desire to flee, to sprint away through the brush, was overwhelming, but they’d been here before. Cade just hoped the apes would grow bored enough to call off their search.
A few thunks nearby proved his desires foolish. The beasts were going to inspect first hand. Cade removed his axe and Minda extended her staff. If it came to a fight, they could at least kill a few of the beasts and run. Again, the apes proved implacable. Five more fell to the ground like boulders, and their slow and methodical search interrupted the bushes before them. It would only be moments before they were found out.
Cade tensed, sharing a look with Minda. They could at least attack savagely then try to run.
But a new sound caught Cade’s attention, and he turned his head. It came from the canyon beyond, away from camp. Then he spotted movement. At first it was only a thrashing of the canopies of a few trees. The pattern rolled toward them, and as the beast broke out into the open, for just an instant, he spotted Kotani Ma charging.
As it disappeared into the foliage again, Cade saw his own fear reflected in Minda’s eyes. For some reason, the most deadly monster in this whole jungle was heading their way, so for the second time, they hid in flimsy bushes and prayed they would not be spotted.
The apes noticed too, and a racket rose from their ranks. A few grabbed large stones and puffed themselves up, screeching in defiance. It did nothing to slow the progress of the mighty beast.
As Cade and Minda cowered in the scant bushes just fifty feet away from the group of apes, the Kotani Ma arrived in all its power and majesty. The apes threw their stones, and a shower of seed pods as well. But the actions only served to annoy the great ape. Again, Cade marveled at its majestic horns and its terrible eyes, glaring with outrage at the challengers.
The sun caught its horns just right, and he noticed that though they appeared black, the light reflecting off of them revealed pearlescent indigo and plum. They looked like shards of living onyx, and again, Cade found the noble beast to be beautiful.
The smaller primates pelted their better with missiles of every kind, a few even charging it with crude spears. So they are intelligent. Enough to know the value of a sharp stick at least, Cade thought and cringed as the Kotani Ma struck back. It broke the form of a large ape, its fist smashing it to the side. The poor beast tumbled away in a lifeless heap.
Twice more, the monster slashed out, this time using its claws. They were so long and sharp that the force of his strike cut the smaller apes nearly in two. Their bodies splattered to the forest floor and the smell of entrails filled the air.
That the apes were easily as large and more resilient to piercing or slashing damage than he was told Cade exactly how devastating the attacks were.
Finally, the new Earthen Ape Alpha, a bold beast half again the size of its fellows, fell from the tree and charged. It clutched a long spear, honed at the end into a deadly point. Sprinting on all fours, the beast lifted the spear like a lance and slammed its crude spear into the Kotani Ma’s chest, the tip scraping into the beast’s flesh.
The huge primate pressed against the attack, stepping toward it and shattering the stick. And before the alpha could retreat, the Kotani Ma reached out and grabbed it in its huge paw. Then as Cade and Minda quaked with fear, and the apes in the trees above went silent, the frantic cacophony ceasing all at once in an eerie silence, the jungle’s undisputed champion ate its foe.
The act was slow and deliberate. Cracking bone and tearing flesh echoed in Cade’s ears, and he forced himself to focus on his own survival rather than indulge in the urge to vomit. In no more t
han three bites, the beast consumed its rival, its huge fangs covered in the crimson of the ape’s blood.
Then it bellowed its rage, screamed so loud the bushes around it shook and Cade and Minda dropped their weapons to hold their ears against the onslaught.
The apes found higher branches and stared at the winner of the fight, subdued in every way.
Once more, the Kotani Ma roared, and typical of its form, pounded its chest. In a fluttering burst of power, it thumped its chest like a thousand-pound drum, then strolled away. It retrieved the fallen body of one of the dead Earthen Apes and flung it against the canyon wall. The body struck high off the ground, smearing the stones crimson.
Having made its point, the Kotani Ma trotted away on all fours, its huge body rumbling along with increasing speed.
Minda tugged Cade’s arm and they rushed ahead, using the racket the great beast was making to cover their tracks.
When they passed far enough away, Cade sighed. “That was awful. I don’t like those shitty apes at all, but that big bastard sure ruined their day.”
“It was fortunate they were there to dull the brunt of the Kotani Ma’s rage. There is nothing more fierce in this jungle.”
Looking back, Cade gestured at the apes sitting dourly in their trees. “And who knows if it’s possible, but we need to try to do something about those apes. We can’t always sneak in and out each time we come and go. That was a close call. I wonder if there is a way to appease them somehow. Maybe even trade for peace.”
Minda looked at him like he was daft, but the idea didn’t sound entirely insane. Risky, sure, but when he thought of the intelligence he’d seen in the eyes of the alpha, he knew they were more than the simple beasts he was used to on Earth.
The valley opened up as they progressed, the sun penetrating more deeply, and the heavy tension of the apes dissipating. Minda moved as silent as a panther, and Cade tried, as always, to mimic her movements. Their view improved, the morning mist and obstructing plants clearing before them.
They spotted the black maw of the cave perhaps a mile ahead.
Minda took extra caution, more than they had previously, and rather than amble down the game trail that ran up the center of the canyon, she kept to the brush. Cade wanted to complain. They were almost there, after all, but he trusted the woman. She would do her best in all situations. He knew this about her. She lived by the scout’s honor.
To either side, the steep walls of the canyon broke away, and Cade could see the hills rolling up toward the bluff they’d come down. The Kotani Ma was barreling up the hill, disturbing every bush and tree in his path. What a psycho! Reminds me of a schoolyard bully, but apparently one that eats the nerdy kids.
Shrugging off the terror that still clung to him, Cade walked with Minda into the entrance of the cave, the dank smell filling his lungs. It was cool and quiet, and Cade somehow knew something would go very wrong on this leg of their journey as well.
24
A Helluva Lot Worse than Frogs
It soon became apparent that regardless of Cade’s enhanced Attributes, he hadn’t acquired the ability to see in the dark. No real surprise, but rather than taking the time to fashion some sort of a torch—a prospect he wasn’t entirely sure would prove effective even if they could manage to build a fire in the cave—Minda pulled out another trick from her Inventory.
“This is called Bright Moss. It will have a great many uses, especially for your Alchemical Engineering Occupation, but for now, it will light our way. Just give it a pinch and the energy released creates light.” Minda gave a brief and simple demonstration. Holding the moss in her palm, she squeezed it and threads of orange and yellow light emerged from the dense substance.
Handing Cade a ball of moss, he did likewise. Of course he managed to squeeze his a bit too hard and nearly dropped the plant to the ground as it heated up. A bright flare of light lit up the cave wall.
“Great, Cade. Yes, you figured it out. Squeeze it for some light. Crush it to make a blazing torch. It will catch fire if you smash it too hard, so use your wits and not so much of your brawn, sweetie,” Minda said, and planted a soft kiss on his lips.
Despite his chastisement, Cade grinned. Not only was the moss awesome, but being called sweetie by Minda felt as good as anything. When we get back to camp, I will need to show her exactly how sweet I can be.
But for the time being, Cade held the slowly cooling moss and crept forward into the cave.
Unlike the carved and sterile cave that contained the Town Interface, this one was filled with nooks and crannies where shadows formed in droves.
It felt prudent to remove his axe, flipping it around and holding the blast staff outward tucked under his right arm. He felt foolish, like an actor pretending he was in Vietnam with an M-16 held with one arm. But holding the Bright Moss made it impossible to do otherwise.
It wasn’t long before Minda found some of the treasures she’d been seeking. A veritable forest of fungus greeted them in the first room they entered. To make things more convenient, one of the varieties glowed a faint red. The light wasn’t enough to illuminate the room but showed the contour of the walls well enough.
“Oh! The miracle of biological diversity, Cade! I may be a while. Please, just stand guard. I promise to hurry.” Minda spoke in a fevered tone, her eyes locked to the mushrooms with a greedy stare.
Why have I always found nerdy chicks so hot? Cade wondered. I just hope she doesn’t end up liking the mushrooms more than she likes me.
So while his beastkin girlfriend clambered over the wall of fungus, tucking samples into her Inventory and gasping when she found new ones, Cade explored up ahead. He didn’t want to go far, but standing idly by was a waste of time. Nothing dangerous was behind them, the entrance to the cave just a few dozen feet away, but they knew nothing about what might lay ahead.
The Bright Moss was beginning to dim, so Cade gave it another squeeze, this time being more careful. The beginning of another room illuminated before him, the floor wet stone and hanging roots dangling down from the ceiling.
He wanted to keep Minda in sight, but when he turned back, he could still see her hunched over, scraping another sample off of her wall of mushrooms. “Minda,” he hissed.
“Mmm,” was her only response.
“I’m heading into the next room. I will go no further than fifty feet, I promise.”
She waved at him absently, her attention focused on one of the glowing specimens now.
As Cade walked forward, his bare feet feeling the slime of algae or bacteria of the cave floor, he heard a dripping noise up ahead. Perhaps there was an underground spring down here somewhere. It was a cool cave though, not at all creepy like he’d first supposed. The air was a good deal warmer than he would have thought, and as the cave walls glistened back to him in a thousand prisms of light, he thought it more lovely than dank and gloomy.
Ahead, the flat rippling expanse of a pool caught the light coming from his hand. He stepped closer, hoping to see how deep the pool might go. It was only a few feet wide and seemed to disappear under a ledge of rock, heading into a deeper part of the cave. Spelunking anyone? Fuck no. Not if I have any decision in the matter. The thought of diving in to see where the pool might lead made him want to panic. No, for now, he’d settle for peering in. Who knew, perhaps a type of fish lived in the water.
He reached down with the hand holding his axe, and extending a single finger, dabbed the surface of the pool.
A faint ripple passed outward at the touch.
Then behind him, in a throaty and alien voice, he heard, “Mrrrrkah.”
Cade spun, the moss pointed in the direction the noise had come from. He was ready to blast anything that moved. “Mrrrkah,” the sound came again, and this time, when he focused the light, he saw a small form huddled at the far end of the pool. Its skin reflected wetly, and though it was the size of a beagle, it looked like some kind of a frog.
“Thought it was ribbit. Scared me, little bro,
” Cade said, taking a breath. Examining the little creature as it took a gentle hop towards him, he was surprised by its name.
Razor Frog
Level 3
Scavenger Fauna
Funny. the little thing was the same level as him. Also a little embarrassing. He had the feeling that creatures had less significant leveling than the humanoids that came to this world, however.
Cade squatted down, curious to see the beast closer. Why do you have such a scary name, little brother? Cade thought, and let it hop a little closer. His blast staff was aimed at the little beastie’s chest, just in case, and as it neared, he could see what might have given it the title Razor Frog. Along its back, a small ridge of spines extended, though no higher than an inch. Still, he didn’t feel like petting the little bastard.
Then something disturbing AF happened. The beast expanded, its ridge lifting another six inches off its back, and its eyes began to glow. No way am I gonna find out what that does, Cade thought, and dropped a Slug Shot into the frog’s chest. It crumpled and died instantly, and a pang of remorse touched Cade. But when he felt the searing pain streak across his back, all sense of guilt fled.
“Sweaty dicks that hurt!” Cade bellowed, and turned around to locate his attacker. He saw a flash of movement, another “Mrrrkah,” sounding behind him. With it another flash of pain.
“Gah!” Cade crushed the Bright Moss, illuminating the room, and saw no less than five of the Razor Frogs bound away, the light disturbing them more than the prospect of his axe. Before they could recover, he slashed out with his axe, splitting one of the creatures nearly in two.
In response, two more of the Razor Frogs shot out their tongues, each drawing thin lines of pain across Cade’s outstretched arm. He grunted again and swung sideways, bashing another of the offenders with the flat of the axe. It was an awkward strike but enough to daze the creature at least. When he swung down to finish the job, this time employing the hammer to good effect, the remaining frogs finally bounded away in a blink.