Chronicles of Eden - Act VII

by Alexander Gordon

  Kitten slowly approached them and knelt down, her wings arching overhead next to the tree and covering her from the rain which slid down her back and to the sides. She glanced to Clover who slowly rolled her head side to side while quivering and blushing brightly then watched the tiny fairies as they continued to feed upon her overflowing juices. Kitten rolled her eyes then cleared her throat, with the fairies quickly turning to her and freezing with surprised squeaks while another squirt came out of Clover past them.

  “Kitten?” Pip nervously asked.

  “What are you doing here?” Cilia innocently inquired before licking her lips.

  Clover merely murmured something in a daze, seeming to be half-conscious still after her ordeal.

  Kitten slowly looked around at the three of them then shrugged.

  “And here you were worried about them, Triska. They’ve been perfectly fine out here while raping Clover into submission.”

  Chapter 10

  The Unseen Watcher

  In the world of Eden one could be faced with their own demise when least anticipated. A lustful monster could capture an unsuspecting traveler and rape him to death, marauding bandits could appear and kill without remorse to steal all they wanted, or even the weather could turn deadly and claim the lives of those caught in its wrath. The odds could be against them, fate could have chosen its dire path, and all that remained was to watch as the end inevitably crept closer. Of course this wasn’t to say all was lost, as there could be a chance another would come to the rescue when needed the most. It may be a friend, a loved one, a former enemy.

  Or perhaps someone they never knew was watching them the whole time.

  *****

  Thunder echoed among the darkened clouds in the distance, small flashes of lightning crackling through the air as the rainstorm passed over The Outerlands. Running along the fields of grass and small ravines Kroanette galloped forward with swiftly moving legs and wildly bouncing breasts. Sitting on her back Daniel was holding onto the speedy centaur while watching the rainclouds creeping overhead behind them, the hazy veils of rain coming down like a curtain that tried to catch up to them but couldn’t quite do so. Daniel saw the rain pouring down on the land moments after they had ran past, with the centaur just keeping ahead of the storm as she nimbly darted over bumps and ran along the terrain.

  “I think we’re about to get wet,” Daniel laughed in amusement.

  “I already am,” Kroanette quipped with a playful glance back at him. “But not from the rain mind you.”

  Daniel chuckled to that as he watched his mate running at full speed, his hands holding onto her human waist while he had her whip tied around like a safety belt to keep him from flying off her back. Her hair flowing behind her head, her breasts bouncing with incredible force in front of her, her joyful demeanor when running freely, Daniel took notice of his mate enjoying her time with him and also the feeling of her aura more clearly in his mind. He didn’t even have to focus on it, he could just feel her love and warmth washing onto him as she ran forward at incredible speed.

  “You really are the fastest centaur in Eden,” he praised her.

  “If you say so it must be true,” she giggled with a blush forming. “Though I do hope the whole world knows of that fact someday.”

  “They will. You are a legendary courier after all.”

  “All of this admiration is going to go to my head, Daniel. You’re making me rather weak in the knees, and that’s not necessarily a good thing while I’m running like this.”

  “I’m not worried,” Daniel reasoned while tenderly gripping her waist. “If you make a little mistake it will just be an excuse to play with you some more when we stop.”

  Kroanette looked back towards him with a loving smile on her face, her focus shifting from the terrain before her to the human that made her heart flutter. She watched as his hair ruffled in the wind, his chest swayed slightly while he held onto her, and his expression change from a caring smile at her to a startled one as he pointed ahead at something.

  “Watch out!”

  She looked ahead just in time to see the ground suddenly coming to a stop at a steep incline. Before she could halt or change direction she ran straight off the edge, both she and Daniel screaming as they dropped down the slope of loose gravel.

  “WAAAH!” Kroanette cried out as she struggled to keep her feet steady, her hooves sliding down the hill with dirt and rocks tumbling after them in a wave. Daniel held on tightly as the centaur hit the bottom of the hill with a sharp yelp before she tumbled forward. In a flash Daniel felt something hit his head before he blacked out, everything going silent with Kroanette’s painful cry going unheard.

  *****

  Slowly Daniel opened his eyes, his world spinning as thunder echoed above loudly. He then felt rain was coming down on him, his clothes now being soaked while the cold droplets hitting against him had brought him back to his senses. A sudden streak of pain washed over his chest, the feeling being like he was struck with a mighty stone hammer registering with him now as he groaned and weakly held an arm around himself.

  “Damn,” he grunted as he slowly sat up in the rain. “What happened? Kroanette? Are you alright?”

  Looking around he saw the area having been darkened with the thick clouds overhead and the heavy downpour of rain that was falling over the land, the steep incline where they had fallen from earlier being seen through the haze while further around him not much else was seen properly. Lightning crackled through the sky with a bright flash, the loud thunder jolting Daniel to his feet as he stumbled about while feeling his side aching as he moved.

  “Kroanette? Kroanette!” he called out, his eyes frantically searching for any sign of the centaur. Another bolt of lightning flashed through the sky, brightening the area and revealing Kroanette lying on her side nearby in the mire.

  “Kroanette!” Daniel yelled as he rushed over to her through the muddy dirt and grass. As he got closer he saw the centaur lying on the ground unconscious, her arms resting near her head while her shirt was soaked and hugging her large bosom. A few strands of hair were draped over her face while grime was caked on her lower body and legs.

  “Kroanette! Are you alright? Say something!” Daniel pleaded. He quickly knelt down and shook the girl, getting no response as the rain continued to come down on them relentlessly. “Kroanette, please get up! We have to get out of this storm!”

  A bolt of lightning struck down with a fierce snap, striking the ground a yard away from the two with a bright flash and a loud boom. Daniel jumped at seeing the sparks and embers erupting from the impact then hastily tried shaking Kroanette again.

  “Kroanette, we have to go! Please, wake up!”

  “Daniel?” Kroanette quietly murmured. Slowly her eyes opened and turned to him, seeing his worried face looking down at her while rain hit against them relentlessly. “Daniel… I’m sorry…”

  “Kroanette, we have to get out of this storm. Can you stand?”

  “I’m sorry,” Kroanette whimpered. “I’m sorry, Daniel.”

  “Please, we have to go. Can you get up, Kroanette?”

  Kroanette slowly sat up while flinching and whimpering, holding onto Daniel for support before she carefully got back onto her legs. Her front left one twitched then tucked back close to her as she wept and held a hand to it.

  “Ow, ow, ow,” she softly wailed. “I’m sorry, Daniel. I messed up so badly.”

  “Don’t say that, we’re going to be alright,” Daniel assured as he slowly started leading the centaur away. She hopped along on her front leg while holding onto Daniel for support, something that he struggled with as not only was his chest sore but her heavy weight added against his body was pushing him to his limits to stay standing.

  “I’m sorry, I was so stupid,” Kroanette whimpered in sorrow. “I can’t believe I did that, I shouldn’t have looked away like that. I’m such an idiot.”

  “Don’t talk like that, it’s going to be alright,” Daniel prom
ised as he quickly looked around. He then noticed water was rising up on his boots and over Kroanette’s hooves. “This gorge is filling up quick. We need to get out of here and find shelter.”

  “It’s all my fault,” Kroanette whined. “I’m sorry, Daniel.”

  “Please stop saying that. We’re going to be fine. Let’s go, we need to get higher and out of the rain.”

  Daniel slowly helped the wounded centaur over towards the incline of the ravine they were in, watching rain and mud running down the incline and building up at their feet. He took a few steps up before sliding down again, the slippery slope becoming impossible to climb while rain relentlessly poured down on them.

  “Dammit,” he grunted as he tried and failed again to get up the muddy incline. “We need to get out of here.”

  “I’m such a stupid centaur,” Kroanette whimpered. “I did this to us, I ruined everything.”

  “Kroanette, stop saying that!” he scolded her. She squeaked and looked away with a remorseful frown while water flowed down her hair and bosom in streams. “We’re getting out of this, and everything is going to be alright. Now c’mon, we have to find a way up.”

  Helping her stand properly Daniel guided the centaur along the base of the valley’s incline. Kroanette whimpered and hopped about next to him while Daniel kept frantically searching for any way they could climb out of the ravine they were in before it filled up with water. After going halfway around the pit Kroanette staggered to the side then dropped onto the slope while holding her leg up close to her.

  “Daniel, I can’t keep walking like this. It hurts so much.”

  “Kroanette, we can’t stop here. The water’s rising, and if we stay in the rain like this we’ll get sick for sure.”

  “Just leave me here,” Kroanette sulked while resting her head down against the ground. “I’m slowing you down.”

  “Enough!” Daniel shouted, with Kroanette looking to him with a startled jump. “Stop talking like this, stop saying such foolish things. I will not leave you behind, I will not leave you ever, and I don’t blame you for anything.”

  “But it’s all my-” Kroanette started before Daniel pushed her body against the incline and held her chin to keep his gaze on him. He leaned close to the girl and touched his forehead against hers, keeping the rain from falling on her face as she stared at him with wonder.

  “I’m telling you right now it’s alright. You just made a mistake, that’s all. Everyone makes mistakes, it’s not the end of the world. Kroanette, the only thing I care about right now is getting you out of here and tending to that leg of yours. That’s all that matters to me.”

  “I’m so sorry, Daniel. I never wanted any of this to happen.”

  “It’s alright,” Daniel promised as he gently brushed her hair around her ear. “Just a bump in the road is all. Now we need to get my beautiful mate out of the rain and let her rest that leg. We can’t stop here, we have to move. So please, get up.”

  Kroanette nodded then slowly got up on her three good legs. Daniel helped her stand with her arm going over his shoulder and the two once again started moving forward together. The water began to rise past Daniel’s shins while the ground became muddy and difficult to walk on as they continued their trek around the bottom of the gorge.

  “We have to climb up somehow,” Daniel said looking around as the rain had at this point soaked all his clothes. He glanced to Kroanette and saw the centaur peering up at the slippery incline while her shirt was hugging her figure tightly, then shook his head to keep his thoughts focused and not drifting away with that image.

  “I don’t know if I can get up the hill with my leg hurting like this, Daniel,” she nervously admitted. “And I’m quite certain you won’t be able to pull me up either.”

  “I’m dragging you out of here even if it’s the last thing I do,” Daniel argued as he helped the centaur trot forward.

  “I’d much rather it wouldn’t be,” Kroanette replied shaking her head.

  The two made their way along the steep incline as rain continued to fill the ravine. Daniel guided Kroanette closer to the slope as the water raised up past his knees, the centaur slowly walking along the muddy ground while trying not to slip and fall.

  “There’s no way out,” Kroanette fretted as she looked around frantically.

  “Yes there is, keep going,” Daniel urged as he kept her moving. After a few more steps they stopped when they saw a few moving shadows up ahead near the incline. “Wait, what’s that?”

  “I don’t think we’re alone down here,” Kroanette reasoned as they approached the figures. Upon getting closer lightning streaked through the sky, brightening the area with a flash as the rain continued to heavily pour down onto the land. Daniel held a hand over his eyes to help see while Kroanette shook her head to try and get the water off her face.

  “Who are they?” she asked before wiping the rain out of her eyes.

  “You mean what are they,” Daniel answered, with Kroanette quickly looking forward in surprise as she saw the four figures ahead were indeed not human. They appeared to be bunny monsters, evidenced by their long white ears, fluffy fur that covered their breasts and also their lower halves from the hips down, their muscular legs with padded feet, and small cottontails above their rears. The four frightened monsters were frantically trying to hop and climb up the slope to no avail, each time managing to get a few feet up before sliding back down into the rising water with a splash.

  “Monsters,” Kroanette warned. “What manner are they?”

  “Humpers,” Daniel said as he recognized the monsters easily. “They’re feral monsters, usually found in large numbers.”

  “Are they dangerous?”

  “Not really. They will try to overwhelm unarmed travelers and, well, hump them wildly to get their seeds,” Daniel explained with a shrug. “But they frighten very easily. A simple show of a sword or spear will send them running for their lives.”

  “They’re not even looking at you,” Kroanette noticed as she watched the four humpers frantically trying to get out of the valley while not even giving the human nearby a mere glance.

  “Poor things must be scared to death. Trying to rape me would be the last thing on their minds right now.”

  “They’re trapped just as we are,” Kroanette said looking up the slope, seeing waves of water and mud sliding down while the cold wind blew against everyone from the relentless storm.

  Daniel waded through the water and approached the humpers, the four monsters looking to him for only a moment before resuming their futile efforts of climbing up the hill. Kroanette hopped over and watched as Daniel tried to carefully crawl up the slope, his hands and feet digging into the mud for a few steps before he slid back down again.

  “Daniel, I don’t think we can get out of here like that,” she worriedly pointed out. “You may be lucky enough to do so, but I certainly won’t be climbing out of here in this state.”

  “We have to try!” Daniel shouted as he again climbed up a few feet before sliding back down. “We can’t stay here like this. The water’s getting higher, you can’t swim Kroanette, and even if you could we’ll get deathly ill staying out in this weather.”

  “I’m sorry, this is all my fault,” Kroanette whimpered lowering her head in shame.

  “Stop saying that!”

  “I’m sorry,” Kroanette wept before holding her hands to her face.

  Daniel tried again and again to climb up, his efforts meeting the same end as the humpers beside him who also continued hopping and scampering against the slope in a desperate attempt to get out of the valley which was filling with water fast. Every time he slid down he tried again to climb up, his frustration and fear of not being able to get out growing by the second while the rain continued to fall on them without any sign of slowing down.

  ‘It can’t end like this. I have to get her out of here! I have to save her!’

  He grunted and held an arm over his chest as he slipped down the incline into
the water again. The pain in his side started aching more, and coupled with the freezing rain hitting against him his breathing started to turn ragged and rough as he began to shiver from the cold. Looking over to Kroanette he saw the centaur slowly lying down on the slope while holding her arms around herself, her shivering body and eyes shut tight showing she was struggling with the weather as well.

  “Kroanette, please get up,” Daniel begged as he moved closer and held her.

  “My leg… it hurts… and it’s so cold… I don’t feel good, Daniel,” she whimpered while shivering in his arms. “I’m sorry. This is all my fault. I’m so sorry for everything.”

  “Kroanette,” Daniel softly said as he lay next to her on the slope. The water was now up over their lower bodies while nearby the humpers were splashing about in a frenzy as they kept hopping against the slippery incline.

  Thunder boomed above while lightning crackled through the air. Daniel watched Kroanette resting her head against his chest as the area was lit up briefly, his hand gently brushing her hair while he felt the cold water and mud sliding down against his side.

  “Kroanette… I love you,” he softly said. The centaur slowly nuzzled her head against his chest and said something back, but her words were drowned out by the thunder. Daniel closed his eyes as he held his mate close, refusing to leave her side or let her die alone.

  ‘I can’t believe it ends like this. How could this have happened? We were going to succeed, all of us, together.’

  All fell silent around him. Slowly Daniel noticed the rain still falling into the growing lake that was filling the small valley, the droplets pattering against the surface while lightning again flashed through the sky, yet nothing was making a sound. The humpers nearby continued to hop and jump against the slope while frantically trying to climb up, their cries of terror going unheard as Daniel didn’t hear anything in his ears.

  Nothing except a voice.

  “Seriously?”

  Daniel jumped at hearing a woman’s voice in his head, the single utterance by the unknown speaker causing a strange cold chill to run down his spine.