by Atlas Kane
Then her teeth were bright above him, her grin wide enough for the both of them. “This is good. Let me bond with you tonight then, and when we get back, the others can be there for when we marry.”
The thought of marrying Gemma was certainly strange, but knowing her, she probably meant going for a jaunt in the forest in hopes of slaying some massive and hairy beast. Throwing caution to the wind, Cade agreed to wed a woman he’d met only a few days before. If anything goes wonky, he figured, Minda or Satemi will be there to get me out of trouble.
Staring back at her, Cade moved closer, and he answered. “Let us bond then. I look forward to it. You are beautiful and unlike anyone I have ever known. How… would you like to start?”
Gemma moved closer, her eyes closing comically, and her lips brushed his. It was the softest of kisses, a butterfly’s wing over his lips, hot from flying too close to the sun. He chuckled at the romantic musings of his tired mind. Then she asked him a much more appealing question. “Will you remove your armor and shirt?”
“Of course,” he answered, his voice growing thick. He sat up and shrugged out of the leather armor vest Satemi had made for him, and then his shirt came next. He lay back down, folding his arms behind his neck. There was no way of knowing how she’d proceed, but Cade was certain he would enjoy every minute of it.
Gemma placed her hand upon his chest, splaying the fingers and pressing into his flesh. She leaned closer, her mouth opening slightly and exposing the two long fangs in her mouth. A gentle moan escaped, and her eyes grew brighter, the orange flames within beginning to dance and writhe. Her hair ignited next, slow at first like a fire taking hold of dry fuel. Then in a flurry, orange and red sparks were dancing through her thick mane.
He stared up in wonder at her unknowable beauty, mesmerized and happy for it.
Then he felt the heat build beneath her hand, and build some more. Soon, he was concerned, her hand beginning to singe his chest hair. “Gemma, what are you—” he tried, but a light flashed, coloring the tent amber and gold.
Cade screamed through his teeth, his chest burning, the woman’s hand sinking into his skin. He saw on her own chest, the outline of a hand wrought in flames. She let a groan of pain free from her lungs, and they cried out together. And then it was fading. The glowing light, the bright and eager pain, the moment itself, all began to slowly fade.
When it was dark once more, and his eyes were adjusted enough to see the woman who’d just done gods knew what to him, he reached down and grabbed her wrist. Pulling her arm away, he felt his chest and found a deep scar in the shape of her hand. “What did you just do, Gemma? And why?”
She smiled, coy and quiet as a young girl in love. “I chose you,” was all she said before laying her head down on his shoulder. The woman’s hair and eyes had extinguished. Gemma pulled her hand to her face and kissed it, giggling to herself.
What did I just get myself into? he asked himself. And though the pain in his body lingered, and he had concerns of what it meant to marry a woman as terrifying and gorgeous as Gemma, he found himself curiously happy. He’d never had a woman who wished to bond with him before, not in such a dramatic fashion. What Minda and Satemi would say was a matter he preferred to think about when the moment came.
So he kissed the woman on the top of her head, the metallic strands of hair smooth against his lips. Then together, as two who were destined to become one, Cade and Gemma settled in for a good night’s sleep.
19
Like a Cow, Maybe, But Missing the Bell
Cade ran his fingertips over the scarred flesh of his sternum. Shaking his head, he wondered what a strange life he was living and how exactly he deserved it. You’d think I might have asked just a few more questions. But no, I implicitly trust the girl who turns into a hairball bonfire.
Another lesson learned, and though he didn’t think to himself yeah, I’d love to be branded by a gorgeous girl I just met, he at least had benefited from the arrangement. When reviewing his UVS that morning before they left, Cade found that he was permanently marked with a new passive ability.
Brand Bonded: By allowing yourself to be bonded with Gemma Brightclaw you are now permanently affected with the condition Brand Bonded. This condition allows you to view Gemma’s position on your map at any given time, and she yours. Additionally, your body now has 50% fire resistance, reducing all incoming fire attacks. Finally, the sensitivity to environmental heat caused by Lycan Metabolism has been negated.
Well at least I got something out of it. Still, a ring on the finger would have been nice. Asking someone you like to be branded is as much of a red flag as wanting to meet your mom after the first date.
But the wind was in his hair, and Ketzal’s round buns were before him, so despite his concern, Cade was enjoying their return trip.
Bellows was making the journey seem little more than a jaunt, and already they’d passed into the thick of the jungle. Trees blurred past them at a dizzying pace, and though they all wanted to be home, Ketzal had to repeatedly slow the boar. It seemed the boar, too, was missing Camp Casmeer.
After a few breaks and hours of travel, they were riding beneath the Earthen Apes’ abode. Riding up the slope, Cade marveled at the finished defenses. Not only were the ascending palisades complete, but a new feature had been added. A thick network of brambles wove in and around all of the palisades, their nasty thorns visible from thirty feet away. Minda must have had full responsibility for this latest embellishment. It was an impressive sight. Even with the lithe grace of the abyss cats or the destructive power of the bears, Cade was sure the fortifications would very much slow and blunt an attack from nearly any force. Combined with the ditches that preceded them, even the Kotani Ma would need to exert himself to clamber over.
They trotted back and forth around each of the defenses and then proudly through the center of the last two palisades. It wasn’t much of an inconvenience for them and would allow them all to sleep a good deal better each night.
Minda and Satemi were atop the rise, bent over a pile of lumber, working on a strange contraption. When the group came into view, both of the women stood up and smiled. Minda ran over, bouncing randomly every few steps, apparently unable to subdue her giddy joy. Satemi rested her hands on her epic hips and watched in amusement as they dismounted from Bellows’ back.
“Bigger than ever, eh? He will need a camp of his own soon,” Satemi said, noting the boar’s additional growth.
Ketzal looked back up to the boar, scratching the side of his great snout. “He did very well on this trip. He’s been the best boy ever. Haven’t you?”
“He’s gained a level. That’s great news!” Minda declared. “Maybe after we all catch up, we can make a vote on his next ability. I am sure it will be quite powerful.”
The boar chuffed and snuffled in delight while everyone worked to remove his saddle. As soon as it was done, he charged through camp and exploded into the pool. Water rocketed in all directions, and then he was frothing and churning about, covering himself with as much mud as possible.
“I suppose we can bathe up in the waterfall,” Cade said, laughing with the rest as they watched their trusty steed despoil their pool.
Cade recalled a more serious topic and asked quietly, “How is Sholl? Any improvements?”
Minda looked to the ground, shaking her head. It was Satemi who answered. “No, I’m afraid not. The bad news, he hasn’t woken since midday yesterday. The good news is that he seems not to be suffering at all. I feel our only hope is to somehow access a Town Interface and heal him.”
Nodding, Cade sighed, figuring the woman was right. It would be a hard blow to everyone’s morale if the man passed, and a tragedy to boot.
Trying to save some of the levity of their companions’ return, Minda asked, “Levels, skills? And what’s with the spiders? More began to populate the cliff above and suddenly they all disappeared yesterday evening.”
Cade gave the women a long hug each, sighing as he did so. “W
e will give you the long version as soon as we are all well fed. Pablo has a story to tell you as well. Any chance we can have an early dinner? Linner, perhaps?”
Everyone agreed, and while those who’d just ridden more than half the day atop a sweaty boar made their way to the waterfall, Minda and Satemi prepared food. Cade enjoyed his rinse with Ketzal and Gemma. Though it was odd to see the matching scar on the tigress’ chest, sitting ominously between her breasts.
They changed into spare furs and returned to help with the feast preparations.
In less than an hour, the meat was charred, the fruit rinsed and set in shallow wooden bowls. They were ready to explain the events of the previous three days in earnest.
Cade was just beginning to sink his teeth into a hunk of meat when Satemi’s eyes flashed to his chest. “What is this? Your body heals very fast. Where did this scar come from?” Then she found Gemma’s matching mark and her eyes filled with a cold rage. “Explain!”
He sighed, not at all wanting to deal with the woman’s temper, not when he himself was still upset by the marking.
Seeing his predicament, Ketzal spoke up. “Gemma and I had a discussion last night, and though you two were not present, I thought you might agree to what she asked me. She has bonded with Cade, and will be married to him. I explained how the three of us have our own relationships with Cade, but she didn’t mind at all. Apparently, this is the only way in which she can enjoy such carnal comforts. So, yes, Gemma branded Cade and herself by choosing him. But before you get more upset, know that the marking also comes with a few benefits.”
Satemi squinted. She was chewing her lip thoughtfully. “What benefits?”
“The both of us can see each other’s positions labeled on the map for now. Also I have some fire resistance and will no longer suffer from excess heat. Look, I think it’s weird too, guys. But I am more comfortable than I have been since arriving in this jungle. I’m not sweating a bit,” Cade explained.
“That will be a relief at night,” Minda pointed out. Cade could see she was trying very hard to be okay with the change. “I would like to hear from Gemma what she thinks this means though. You want to marry our Cade. Fine, I suppose, but what about us? Gemma, what do you think if I asked to have a go at Cade one night? Will you be okay with sharing your new… husband?”
The tigress looked between Satemi’s and Minda’s faces, no sign of embarrassment or fear in her features. Yet when she answered, it was obvious the woman was trying to avoid causing further offense. “I ask this only because I want to share in what you three already have. I cannot simply lie with Cade. It would be wrong for any Neemashi to do so. It was my hope to have him to myself this night. If that is okay with the two of you, I will be deeply honored. But as for the future… I see you as my equals if not my elder wives. Is this okay?”
Satemi rolled her eyes, her frustration visible. “Elder wives? I lie with Cade two times and now I am his wife? Come on.”
“It is just how she sees the world,” Ketzal broke in. “I think it’s endearing. Demons do not have any such arrangement in my world, yet I accept this title if it is what Gemma understands. Nothing is changing. Can’t you see that?”
At last, Minda moved and sat near Satemi. Putting a hand on her thigh, she said in a voice loud enough for them all to hear. “This is okay. Let’s just try to accept this. If it means Gemma will be more comfortable, enough to...” The woman broke off a piece of a plantain Satemi was eating and popped it in her mouth, finishing her thought after. “Share the same piece of fruit you and I have been snacking on, then so be it.”
Gemma had another one of her loud and jarring laughs, and the tension broke away at last. “Minda always has the best jokes,” she said, giving Minda a thankful look.
They ate until it hurt, and then Cade stood up and told them of the new skill he’d chosen as well as the elemental augmentation. Giving them all a display, he first fired a Slug Shot into a nearby stump with his blast axe. The bullet moved quicker than before and smacked into the wood with additional force. The “wind damage” was otherwise invisible.
“Impressive, but what about the axe? I want to see how quickly you can swing that thing around, Cade,” Satemi suggested.
He did so, even using a Wyrm’s Wrath to push his limits. In a flurry of strikes, Cade slashed through the air at blinding speed. Even though he’d been expecting the results, he was nonetheless impressed. “The Dexterity bonus helped a lot too. Oh, and did we forget to say we’ve been blessed by the spiderkin?”
This last development pushed Satemi and Minda from excited and happy to just a little bit jealous. Cade had predicted this response. Neither woman was petty in any way, but to be given such a boon and level up as well while they had remained here toiling away at the camp’s defenses? It would be a hard pill for anyone to swallow.
“Time for gifts!” he announced, summoning the soul weapons and dropping them in a heap near the fire. He purposefully did so right at Minda’s and Satemi’s feet. “You two, for waiting here and caring for our sick friend, get the first pick. We haven’t even looked at their skills yet, I promise.”
Satemi laughed, her bright teeth flashing in delight. “Ah, Cade. You know the quickest way to a woman’s heart. Weapons and armor work wonders, don’t they?”
“Okay, nice job in making us feel as lucky as you three. But the rule is, you can’t inspect the items until we’ve made our choices. Fair?” Minda asked mischievously.
“Sounds good to me,” Cade responded, and the other two women nodded their approval.
Watching Minda and Satemi go through the items one at a time, holding them or trying them on, and then whispering in each other’s ears, was as endearing an exercise as ever there was. Cade wanted to kiss them both by the time they’d come to a decision. Minda stepped forward, presenting her new dagger proudly and reading off its description.
Cade inspected the item as she did, wanting to know for himself the precise wording of each skill offered.
Assassin’s Dagger of Night Level 3
Primary Weapon System - Dagger
Base Damage - 120% of Max Damage
Damage Type - Slashing and Piercing
Attack Speed - Fast
Mods: Whisper Step Strike, Heart Seeker
Not having the weapon on him, he couldn’t see what the two mods added to the knife. “Spill the beans, girl! What the hell does Whisper Step Strike do? And Heart Seeker?” Cade asked, hoping to stir Minda’s already-infectious excitement.
“Okay. So Whisper Step Strike is why I went with the dagger. It allows me to completely cloak my movements for 30 seconds before attacking a target. It only works if the enemy hasn’t already seen me. And if the attack hits, there’s double damage,” Minda said, acting out a stealthy kill while she explained.
“The other is a passive ability, but it is going to completely change my game with my summoned dagger attack. Heart Seeker increases the likelihood of critical hits as well as armor penetration. How about that, guys? This Herbalist is going to be a lot to handle.”
Everyone passed the knife around, admiring its looks, and Minda even took a few practice swings while everyone cheered her on.
Satemi stood up next and lifted the chain-link belt for all to see. “This is mine. And anyone foolish enough to stand in my way will seriously regret their life choices.”
Belt of the Stonewalker Level 5
Secondary Weapon System - Belt
Damage Reflection - 20% of Damage Received (Full Body Protection)
Damage Type - N/A - Defensive
Attack Speed - N/A - Function Affected by Constitution
Mods: Granite Bastion (Corrupted), Sandskin (Corrupted), Ore-core, Quakefallen (Corrupted)
After inspecting the piece, Cade shook his head. “You sure, Satemi? Sucks that three of its mods are broken. Must be some issue with how old it is or else maybe the spiders damaged it.”
She shrugged. “Sure, Quakefallen might have been amazing, but the 20%
Damage Reflection would be enough as it is. And Ore-core… let’s just say that whoever tries to block my hits will be feeling them. It adds 20% Base Damage to all attacks that are blocked. It also has a chance to cause Knockdown. I swear, if I knock Vormer on his ass before I kill him, I will be very satisfied.”
Satemi tried the belt on and it fit nicely, hanging loose around her waist and giving off a faint aura of mana. With both Minda and Satemi looking happier than he’d seen them in days, Cade urged Gemma to look through the weapons.
She tried to refuse, insisting that Ketzal or he go first. But after both of them wouldn’t budge, she thanked everyone solemnly and approached the three remaining items. She picked up all three, but held onto the bracers the longest. Then she gasped, turning to Cade and exclaiming, “It will shift with me! I am the luckiest!”
He inspected the armor as she slipped them over her forearms.
Lycan Bracers of Ambushing Level 4
Secondary Weapon System - Bracers
Damage Reflection - 25% of all Damage Intercepted (Upon Shifting, Damage Reflection converts to 10% of all Damage Received - Full Body Protection)
Damage Type - N/A - Defensive
Attack Speed - N/A - Function Affected by Dexterity
Mods: Form-fitting, Hidden Threat, First Blood
Gemma held up her arms, letting the sun reflect off of the soul steel bracers. Smiling, she explained the mods. “Form-fitting lets me transform, and the bracers will shift with me!” Not even waiting to describe the other two, she took a few steps back then burst into flames. Her tiger form contorted into shape, and she held up her front paws one at a time. A streak of silver fur curled around each of her forelegs, running up her shoulders and down her sides.