After a while the water finally drained out of the room, leaving mud and grass everywhere while the furniture was soaking wet. Books from the shelf were toppled down while the pantry doors were hanging open with jars and baskets of food littering the floor. A few boxes and cracked bottles from Alyssa’s stockpile in the corner were knocked over with some of the puddles among them glowing softly with alchemic materials and potions spilled into them.
Slowly everyone regained themselves from the sudden onslaught of water, with Luna and Specca shakily getting back onto their feet together while Squeak held Falla and Clover close still. Kitten removed her wings from around her body and glanced around carefully before watching Pip poke her head up between her breasts.
“Water gone?” Pip nervously asked.
“Yeah, water gone,” Kitten answered standing up, slowly gazing around at the ravaged cabin before seeing something the other girls did with surprise.
“Master!” Kitten shouted as she saw Kroanette lying on the large bed which was toppled to the floor under her weight along with Daniel who was holding onto her human half with soaking wet clothes. Kroanette sputtered out water while seeming to be unconscious, her body coughing on reflex while her tail flicked about weakly. Daniel quietly groaned before opening his eyes, seeing Kroanette breathing again while in his arms to which a faint smile came across his face in response.
“Kroanette…” he softly said before closing his eyes with a slow breath.
“Daniel? Daniel!” Falla cried out as all the girls rushed over towards them.
“What just happened? How did they both get in here?” Specca asked with amazement.
“Master? Say something!” Kitten pleaded as she quickly crawled over to Daniel’s side and shook him a few times.
“Daniel? Are you alright?” Pip asked while remaining nestled in the cambion’s bosom.
“That was a lot of water,” Cilia commented while fluttering above near the ceiling.
“Are they okay?” Luna nervously asked.
Daniel coughed a few times then laid his head down while Kitten gently caressed his back. His arms refused to let Kroanette go as he held the sleeping centaur close, his heart feeling great relief knowing she was going to be alright and that she was safe again.
“Master, what happened?” Kitten said while looking over the two with wonder.
“I’m… never…” Daniel softly spoke while seeming to be in a daze. All the girls watched him curiously as he slowly shook his head and held Kroanette close to his chest. “I’m never… letting any of… you… go.”
“Daniel…” Specca quietly said while sitting down next to him.
Luna and Falla hopped onto the bed and held onto Kroanette while looking her over, seeing the centaur’s fur wet and dirty while the mattress and bedframe beneath her was crushed to the floor. Squeak eyed Daniel and Kroanette with wonder as the two slept together then squeaked a few times at Specca with a puzzled expression, to which the nixie merely shrugged as she also wondered how in the world the two appeared out of nowhere like they did.
Kitten gently caressed Daniel’s head then glanced around at the other girls, seeing them all slowly smiling in relief that Daniel and Kroanette were alright. She then noticed Triska in her mind, the teen sitting beside Daniel and watching him with gentle eyes.
‘Can I please stay out a little longer, Triska?’
Triska looked to her curiously as the cambion watched Daniel with concern and wings that drooped low behind her.
‘At least until he wakes up, so that I may say hello to him. I miss him.’
“That’s alright with me. But just to say hello. After that I want to be with my mate.”
‘I understand.’
Triska watched as the cambion gently ran her fingers through Daniel’s hair, with the other girls glancing to her curiously as she appeared more timid and docile while waiting for her master to awaken. A slight smile came across Triska’s face as she saw her demonic counterpart peacefully sitting amongst her family with Pip nestled in her bosom, the sight electing a small giggle from the girl as she thought of something to herself.
‘Maybe there’s hope for you yet, Kitten.’
Chapter 11
Hidden Truth
In the world of Eden the truth wasn’t always in plain sight. Whether it was being covered up with a lie or the facts were out of reach, it was difficult to know what was true or not. Were the words spoken by a loved one sincere or false, was the story being told genuine or merely a fabrication, was the treasure being sought after real or merely a legend? Sometimes the truth was concealed, with only the most perceptive and cunning being able to see through the veil of deception and misdirection around it.
Other times the truth was larger than most were prepared to see.
*****
All was quiet in The Outerlands, the raging storm continuing its heavy downpour without a sound being made from the rain, lightning, or even thunder amongst the darkened clouds. Alyssa stood before a curtain of water dropping down over the entrance of the cave she was inside, watching as a flash of light brightened the area with everything appearing dull and faded in color while she appeared perfectly dry.
“Figures a storm would come now of all times,” she muttered with discontent. “If there were any tracks or even a trace of Ember out there it’s probably being washed away right now. This is so unfair.”
“Don’t lose faith, Alyssa,” Doku said from behind. Alyssa turned to see the harpy watching her with a kind smile. “We know she’s out there, it’s only a matter of time before you’re reunited with your daughter. Not even a little rain will stop that from happening.”
“I hope so,” Alyssa softly replied, turning her worried eyes back out towards the storm that remained perfectly silent to them. “Do you sense any magic nearby? Is Ember close to us?”
“I don’t feel anything yet,” Doku answered looking back down towards where their unconscious bodies were lying inside the cave. Alyssa’s clothing and hat were damp from the rain while Doku’s feathers were matted with rainwater from when they were caught outside in the sudden downpour. Nearby Lucky was sitting down and resting while being just as wet as the girls were, all of them taking this moment to rest and wait out the storm in the hollowed cave.
“She could be moving further away from us,” Alyssa fretted while tugging her hat. “Or what if she was trapped or hurt out there in the storm? I need to go find her!”
“Calm yourself, Alyssa,” Doku gently implored as she turned the witch to face her while kneeling down. “Your daughter has survived out here in the world without her mother for this long; surely a little bad weather won’t be the end of her. I’m positive she’s fine, probably under a nice roof right now waiting for the rain to end just as we are.”
“I’m so close to her, and yet so far,” Alyssa whined as she quickly hugged the harpy and buried her face in the girl’s shoulder. “I need to find her, Doku. I’m so close to having my baby back.”
“You will get her back,” Doku assured holding her wings around the witch. “I’m certain we’ll find her, Alyssa. Don’t focus on this little hindrance with seeing her again, just think about what you want to say to her when you do see her. I’m sure she’s going to be surprised to see you, make sure you have the right words ready for her when you meet.”
Alyssa nodded and slowly leaned back to see the harpy smiling at her with eyes that couldn’t be seen as usual.
“Why are you so nice? You barely even know me, and yet you’re doing all this to help. Are all harpies as kind as you?”
“We value all life, and everyone in this world,” Doku answered while gently wiping a tear away from Alyssa’s cheek with her wing. “The prospect of reuniting you with your missing daughter is so beautiful, and I’m honored to help you in any way I can.”
“You’re exactly the kind of monster race Daniel has been looking for out here,” Alyssa mused with a small smile. “We’re lucky to have met you.”
; “Well, I hope I don’t let you down, Alyssa,” Doku shyly replied, lowering her head and turning away slightly. “Um… sorry again… about throwing up on your back earlier.”
“That’s alright,” Alyssa sighed with a weak smile. “The rain got most of it out anyway. It mostly surprised me more than anything. Are you going to be alright?”
“I’m fine in this place,” Doku reasoned looking back to her sleeping self. “When I return I’m sure my body has rested enough to be ready to go again. I’ll do my best to be strong while we search for Ember.”
“I’ll try to keep Lucky from going too fast. Just let me know if you’re starting to feel queasy again. Or at the very least turn your head next time you need to throw up, alright?”
“Yes, I will. Sorry again, Alyssa.”
“If you help me find Ember I won’t care if you vomit all over me,” Alyssa assured as she looked outside at the rainstorm. “I’ll gladly pay that price if it means I have my baby girl back in my life.”
“I hope it doesn’t come to that,” Doku nervously jested as Alyssa walked over to the edge of the cave and gazed out at the pouring rain across the land.
The two girls waited in silence while their spirits were lifted into the ethereal plane. Alyssa kept watch for any break in the weather for them to resume their search for Ember while Doku remained vigilant for any sign of magic nearby to guide them. An hour passed and neither was met with any luck, as the storm continued just as strong while no magical power was detected by the harpy.
“We can’t stay here all night,” Alyssa fretted with her anxiety returning. “Dammit, we have to get going soon. When is this stupid weather going to end?”
“Patience, Alyssa,” Doku reasoned while calmly sitting on her knees. “All we can do is wait until we’re given a path to take. It does you no good to get so worked up like this, you need to keep a level head and remain focused.”
“I am focused!” Alyssa shouted out at her. “I need to find my baby right now!”
“EEP!” Doku yelped while quickly covering her face with her wings. “Please don’t shout at me, Alyssa. I’m only trying to help you.”
“I know,” Alyssa groaned while rubbing her hands on her face. “I know you’re trying to help, and I’m sorry for taking my frustration out on you, but I can’t help but be worried sick like this. She’s out there right now and I’m stuck in this stupid cave. I need to get out there.”
Suddenly Lucky leapt to his feet with a silent whinny, the animal trotting about in place panicking about something while Doku jumped a bit with a gasp. Alyssa saw her horse scampering around in the cave then watched as Doku stumbled to her feet and quickly turned her head one way then another while fluttering her wings anxiously.
“Wh… what was that?” Doku stuttered out.
“What? What was what? What is it?” Alyssa quickly asked.
“I felt something,” Doku said looking behind her with a shiver. “It was brief but I know I felt it. Seems your horse did as well. There was a spike of magical energy, I felt it ripple through here just now.”
“Is it Ember? Is it my baby? What did you feel?” Alyssa urgently asked while hopping up and down.
“I don’t believe that was your daughter,” Doku said shaking her head. “That was more power than what I felt yesterday from your fairy friend using her magic to fight with.”
“More power than yesterday? You mean when the succubus and Pip were fighting each other?”
“Alyssa, we should go back to your friends,” Doku nervously suggested.
“Why? What’s wrong?”
“That power spike I felt… it was enormous… and it’s back where everyone else is.”
“What?” Alyssa cried out.
“It came from back where the others are,” Doku quickly explained. “I don’t think that’s your daughter, but I fear what it might be, and Cilia is there right now. Please, I need to make sure she’s alright.”
Alyssa watched as Doku whimpered and held her wings over her mouth while trembling nervously then saw Lucky trying to nudge her sleeping body with his nose in an attempt to wake her up.
“Lucky’s spooked about something as well,” she realized while seeing her horse panicking. “He wants to go too.”
“I don’t care if I get sick, Alyssa, just get me back to my dear Cilia right away. Please,” Doku begged her desperately. “I don’t like this. I’ve never felt a burst of magic like that before, it was much larger than even our fairies have exuded before. It’s scaring me now.”
Alyssa looked back and forth between the rain outside and Doku while hesitating with her decision before growling with frustration and nodding with eyes shut tight.
“Fine, if Daniel or my mates are in danger then I have to go back. Dammit!”
“We’ll find Ember still, don’t lose faith in that,” Doku assured her while waving her wings out at her sides. “Just ride like the wind, Alyssa. Get us back to the others as fast as your horse can go.”
“Then throw up to the side if you need to,” Alyssa groaned before feeling dizzy and lightheaded. She wavered in place for a moment before losing consciousness, her spirit dropping towards the ground before vanishing as it returned to her body.
Lucky whinnied and nudged Alyssa again and again, the witch’s body remaining unresponsive as it rolled side to side. After a few more grunts and pushes with his nose Alyssa jumped up with a startle, her eyes wearily coming into focus as she took a few deep breaths.
“Lucky?” she weakly said while her hand reached up and found his nose. “It’s okay, boy. I’m up. I’m up.”
She slowly stumbled to her feet and shook her head to gather her senses then watched as Doku quickly got up onto her feet and fluttered her wings in a panic.
“We have to go, we have to go, please,” the harpy quickly begged.
“I know, c’mon,” Alyssa said grabbing her staff and hopping up onto Lucky’s back. She helped Doku up behind her then grabbed hold of the reins as the horse neighed and scampered about. “Alright, hold on. This is going to be a rough ride home, Doku.”
“Don’t stop on my account, just go,” Doku softly pleaded in urgency.
Alyssa snapped the reins and Lucky took off into the rain with a hasty gallop. Doku held onto the witch while focusing with all her might not to get sick as the horse ran through the storm along the muddy ground. Water trailed off the brim of Alyssa’s hat while she kept her eyes focused ahead the best she could, her concern for finding Ember being replaced with what could be happening to Daniel and her mates right now.
‘Please let them be safe and sound. I can’t lose anyone else so special in my life, I just can’t.’
*****
Daniel slowly opened his eyes, seeing only darkness all around him as he found himself to be standing up on a floor that couldn’t be seen. A faint echo was heard in the dark, seeming to be circling him like a ghostly whisper as he slowly turned his head and gazed into the emptiness that surrounded him.
“Where… am I?”
“You’re safe now,” the woman’s voice said from behind.
Daniel spun around only to see nothing still, just pitch darkness and the growing feeling that he was being watched from close by.
“What happened? What did you-” he started before the woman chuckled amusedly.
“Daniel Sorres, calm yourself. I just wanted to speak with you for a moment before you woke up.”
“Woke up? I’m asleep now?”
“Yes, you and your dear centaur are safe and sound again. A simple thank you will suffice for my efforts.”
“You saved Kroanette? She’s alright?” Daniel asked with relief. “Thank you, thank you so much. I can’t tell you how much-”
“I said a simple thank you,” the woman laughed. “That’s more than enough.”
Daniel smiled gratefully and tried to peer around in the darkness for his savior, however nothing could be seen even an inch away from his nose. He then slowly showed a confused look and felt
a rising sense of uneasiness as the woman had fallen silent while obviously still watching him from the unseen.
“Um… can I ask you a few questions?” he said carefully.
“No.”
“No?”
“No. I only wanted to tell you something before you wake up. If you would be so kind, keep everything that happened out there a secret between you and I, alright?”
“A secret?”
“Yes. A secret. That means you cannot tell anyone what happened or what you saw. You can do that for me, can’t you?”
“Why can’t I tell them what happened?” Daniel asked worriedly. “Why can’t I tell them you saved us? And what about Apoch and Astreal, what were they doing out there? And why did they call you master? Their alpha is Charlotte, how… who are you exactly?”
“Daniel Sorres, I said you couldn’t ask me any questions, remember?” the woman spoke in a strict tone.
“But they deserve to know, and I need to know. I can’t just forget about-” Daniel started before a deafening snap echoed out, the sound jolting him to his core as he froze in place with a slight ringing in his ears.
“Sorry, I snapped my fingers a little harder than I intended to,” the woman chuckled while Daniel rubbed his ear and felt his concern for his unseen savior growing. “But back to the matter at hand, you will keep this a secret, Daniel Sorres. I’m not asking you. I’m telling you.”
“May I at least know why you wish to remain unknown to everyone?” Daniel gently asked. “You saved my life and Kroanette’s, they would all be grateful to know who exactly did that.”
“I’m sure they would. But alas they won’t. This is how it’s going to be. You are going to wake up, surrounded by all those you love and hold dear, and you’re not going to have any explanation as to how you returned. Speak not a word of this to anyone, and we won’t have a problem. However if you choose to tell the tale, then I’m afraid we won’t be friends anymore, Daniel Sorres. And I assure you, you do not want me as an enemy.”
Chronicles of Eden - Act VII Page 34