by Samuel J Fox
Exotic colourfull birds fly overhead landing on nearby trees, the wild sound of bugs and animals can be heard for miles. The ‘tipper tap’ of birds walking along the branches, whistling a delightful tune every so often. The rustling of bushes from monkeys jumping from tree to tree. Sounds I’ve never heard ring all around me. The noises never seem to stop inside the dome, like a record player on repeat.
We walk down a wide path covered in wet soil and fallen leaves which are still surprisingly all shades of green. Giant luminous emerald palm tree leaves hang over the pathway shading us from the sun, reflecting a green shade onto the floor. Pathways seem lead off into the depths of the warm forest, dividing into separate paths just like a maze.
A branch snaps to the right of us and a cricket, the size of my head with giant brown wings, leaps from the bark of a tree and onto Pells back. It has so many boney legs I can’t count how many there are. Pell instantly screams and spins around in circles, in hope the bug will release its grip.
“Hold on Pell I got you!” Sparky says as he quickly approaches Pell from behind, dodging her flaring hands that swipe through the air. Sparky lunges towards the giant bug and grabs it by the hard shell on its back, and then launches it to the ground. The bug charges back at Monni’s legs and clutches on, causing Monni to scream in pain.
“It’s biting me!” Monni screams, he kicks his front leg continuously forward, but the bug stays firm continuing to inflict pain. “Someone get this wretched creature of me before it kills me!”
I think ‘killing’ him is a bit too far.
My dad chuckles and runs towards Monni, bravely grabbing its shell and pulling back the long twig-like legs away from Monni’s knee.
The bug then turns and bites my dad on the hand, causing it to fall to the muddy soil beneath us. The bug begins to growl and its wings instantaneously spread out in front of us, seeming like it will attack at any moment.
The most logical thing to do right now would seem to try and calm everyone down, in hope the bug will fly away on its own term. But I feel like the bug has done enough damage. I turn behind me to see a bulky stick laying on the ground beneath us and reach for it. The wood feels wet like there’s been a downpour of rain, but I ignore it.
By the time I turn, armed with my weapon of choice to end the giant bug, a centaur the size of a large shed stands above the bug with his hands shackled in metal handcuffs. He continues to pick it up with one hand and crush it like it was nothing. The bug squeals for a fleeting moment but comes to an abrupt stop as the giant centaur’s fist clench even harder. Green goo runs from between his fingers, slowly followed by dark red blood. This centaur is more muscle than fat and has scars from head to hoof, the biggest seems to be on his right arm which runs down from his shoulder to his hand. Two guards stand behind him with a long blunt spear at the ready, one prods the dench Centaur initiating him to move on.
“No wonder the Hunter always come out victorious,” he groans in a low fiery voice. “If you’re this scared of an insect, then I can’t imagine what you’ll be like when faced against someone bigger than you.”
He drops the crumpled bug on the ground, just in front of Sparkys hoofs, and walks in the direction of the hall. The chains that bind him rattle as he walks away, until he’s far enough that we can’t hear them anymore.
Sparky kicks the wrecked bug away from him,
“I’d like to see him take on the Hunter in the Hideout...thinks he is so tough.”
“Sparky,” my dad approaches him and rests one hand on his shoulder, his eyes filled with worry. “That was the Hunter.”
12
‘The day you open your mind and accept the world for how we all are, you’ll eventually experience true happiness.’
Apart from today and the Kings Banquet, where only guests of honor attend, the Great Hall is usually empty. However today the crowds spill from all entrances, bodies squeezed together with everyone shoving and tripping over each other hoofs. Younger Centaurs stretching their necks as far as they can to see over the Centaur standing in front.
We manage to squeeze ourselves in the middle of the hall where it’s most dense, and thankfully everyone apart from Pell can see where King Helfer will eventually stand. Constant chatter flows through the hall and the occasional outburst of crying appears from Centaurs panicking about them being picked. I feel there isn’t enough reassurance about not being picked until the day is over and then you are able to wait another ten years. The process is a long and constant worry until the day you are physically incapable or no use to the King.
My dad stands tall in the crowd, his arms crossed as he scans the room. Monni stands by his side with a hand resting on my dad’s shoulder. I see Monni mouth the words ‘it will be fine’, he raises his eyebrows and gently kisses him on the lips.
“Disgusting,” a voice comes from behind me, a chubby centaur around my height. His fringe sticks to his forehead and shines from the flames hanging on the walls, like sunlight shimmering on water.
“Excuse me?” I reply, unsure what he’s referring to, but at the back of my mind I can sense he’s speaking about my dad and Monni. Although our land is natural and free willed, there is a small disfigurement of Centaurs that still worship their set beliefs.
“Two men kissing, it’s not natural, it actually makes me feel sick,” he sniggers to himself, I don’t think my dad can hear. “I think they should be punished for it, our fathers did not die for Centaurs like them. Hopefully when King Helfer gets his stone he’ll sort this problem out.”
I stare at the overweight Centaur, stunned by what he just said to me.
“Hey, that’s my dad you’re talking about!” I raise my voice slightly and shove him in the shoulder.
“And?” he replies. “You should be even more ashamed of them than anyone else! How are they going to create a calf and aid our numbers in the future?”
“I would never be ashamed of my dad!” Since my mum never returned, it was my dad who took over and looked after me and Sparky. After he lost his job due to my mum failing her duty to provide for the King, he was left helpless, and I was too young to help with that. I have never been prouder to call him my dad since the day I was born, and the chubby Centaur saying I should be ashamed angers me even more.
“Just because he has different opinions and emotions to you doesn’t make him any worse of a Centaur. It’s Centaurs like you that make my dad laugh because they know its annoys you, and whilst they smile, dance and live their lives to the fullest, you stand hunched over in the corner with a face like a slapped ass trying to inflict your depressing opinions on others.”
I watch as his face drops, and his eyes look around the hall in hope to escape the conflict he has entered.
“The day you open your mind and accept the world for how we all are, you’ll eventually experience true happiness.” I continue, with a stride of pride flowing through my veins. “Our family doesn’t care about your feelings about us, if we’re happy, then we’ll continue acting how we like. My dad and Monni are great Centaurs and I will never be ashamed of that.”
We both remain silent for a few seconds, he looks at and then to my dad over my shoulder.
“You think you’re something special? You- “
I interrupt him and move towards his direction, instantly an odor hits me, causing me to turn my head in the other direction. On top of his poor mindset he also has poor hygiene.
“I don’t think we’re something special,” I say bluntly. “I think we’re unique, and I will always be proud be a Solokite.”
His mouth drops, “You’re the kid whose mum died the last time the King sent the group of initiatives to find the stone.”
The moment he mentions my mum, it hits me in the pit of my stomach. Something inside me dies and I suddenly feel empty, unable to reply.
“What’s wrong?” he sarcastically says. “Did I hurt your feelings you queer, I hope your dad is chosen so he can follow the same fate your mum did, failing to serve our
King.”
I want to lunge at him, punch him over and over again in face until he cries, I want him to experience pain like he’s never felt before. His crooked smile causes a fire to ignite in my eyes, but I can’t move, he said the one thing that hurts me more than ever.
Suddenly from behind Sparky charges at the chubby Centaur and punches him straight in the face, he falls to floor like an apple falling from a tree. The crowd around us gasp, but Sparky continues to punch the boy in the face so furiously it relieves some of the pressure that was building inside me.
“You dare speak about my family like that!” Sparkys hands are wrapped around the boys’ fat neck. “You’re not so tough now are you, you will regret the day you talk about my mum!” Sparky swings his arm back and punches the boy in the face one more time, this punch with more force than ever.
As the boy screams for Sparky to get to off, a guard appears from the crowd and rushes towards Sparky. He tries grabbing him by the shoulders but Sparky’s too angry and occupied in teaching this boy a lesson. My dad gallops over and grabs Sparky by the arm and pulls him away with the guard.
Sparky argues with my dad and the guard, but just before either of them can get a word in, the entire hall erupts in shouting.
King Helfer enters the hall, followed by four guards carrying a giant black stone with razor sharp edges. Light reflects of the stone casting rays of white light in all directions and it’s surrounded by a smooth bowl at its base. From where we stand it’s unclear, but it’s possible to tell that the stone is engraved with writing from head to toe.
It’s time.
13
‘The time has arrived Centaurs of Steedland, the Humming Birds anniversary will commence!’
King Helfer raises one hand and the entire room goes silent. His beady eyes dart across the hall, soaking up everything that stands before him. I’ve feared this day for so long I began to feel like it would never come around, it probably won’t feel real until the day is over and six innocent Centaur’s fates are sealed. Anniversaries are meant for a time of celebration and remembrance of once a happy time, but only one Centaur celebrates today.
“Welcome, brave citizens of Steedland!”
He smiles proudly, like he’s achieved something great.
“Ten long years have passed since our last meeting,” King Helfer continues. He grasps both hands and squeezes them up to his chest. “I know this may be a stressful day to most of you, but just remember, that in the years to come our children’s children will thank us for the suffering we have gone through to retrieve what you deserve!”
He sticks his arm outwards and points at the crowd.
I can’t help but think that he has gone through no such pain neither suffering than most of us here have done.
“This is a small price to pay for the future of Centaurs,” he stops speaking but continues pacing up and down the stage, not breaking eye-contact with the entire room. The hall seems to tower so high the roof looks a million miles away from us. The entire hall is golden, the pillars, the walls, the plants and even the floor. Everything apart from the Kings cushioned red chair, and the ceiling, which is covered in a giant painting spread across the entire ceiling. The King is seen to be slaying a hideous Minotaur, who is surrounded by the bodies of fallen Minotaur’s around him. His sword is drenched in blood and his armor is damaged and worn out. The battlefield is desolate and broken, a horrible time undeniably.
I begin to think of the time my mum was chosen to leave the city. I was so young I never fully understood what was happening. All I understood was that I wasn’t going to see my mum for a while, and that turned into forever. This time, I understand everything, unfortunately.
“Not only will you be honoring your kin,” King Helfer continues. “But you will be helping towards keeping us safe from the terror seeking, blood thirsty Minotaur’s. The Kunzite stone is the answer we have been searching for these many years.”
The other night springs into mind when me and Sparky were cornered by the group of Minotaur’s on the bridge. I still remember the thin scar covering Olarks face, the thought of it scares me, but I can’t help but wish to see them again. I stared a Minotaur in the face and survived.
I turn to see if Sparky was touched by that remark, but his face stares blankly into the crowd, he must be more anxious than he lets on.
Suddenly Hurk appears from the crowd, a large colourfull parrot sits perched on his shoulder. It squawks as Hurk comes in for a fist pump.
“You as nervous as I am?” Hurk asks.
I turn to look at my entire family, vulnerable, like fish in a bucket.
“Very,” I reply. “The worse part about this is that King Helfer is making it out to be some sort of heroic act that some poor Centaur will be doing.”
“I know what you mean,” Hurk laughs and begins throwing punching back and forth. “But don’t worry Felix, ol’ Hurky boy won’t let any harm come to our families!”
His Parrot takes a nip at his ear, causing him to squeal in pain. I slap him on the arm to quiet down as King Helfer raises his voice.
“Let me remind you that the Hideout has rules within,” he shouts. “Six hiders will be chosen at random by my dearest Humming Bird. These hiders shall be given a weapon of their choice from the armory, they shall then proceed into the arena and be given no longer than six minutes to discuss their tactics. Following the six minutes the Hunter will be released into the arena with their given weapon of choice.”
I can’t help but wonder what it would be like inside the arena. Horrifying and tense I can imagine. The thought of a greater, more dangerous Centaur hunting you down to kill you is a thought I push deep down. Since no-one has ever succeeded in defeating the Hunter in the previous anniversaries, anyone who enters the arena must believe their life has ended before the game even begins.
“Of course, you should all know that the hiders objective is to eliminate the Hunter before the Hunter can reach them and vice versa. If the hiders fail to do so, the Hunter is given the choice to choose one family member from each deceased player to voyage on the quest for the Kunzite stone,” the King smiles as he says the last few words. In his sick, twisted mind the only thing he cares about is getting his hands on the stone. “Only one party will remain at the end of the game, there is no time limit and no breaks. This year I have included a few...toys for the hiders to play with.”
The crowd begin to rumble and breakouts of chatter erupt within the hall. I can see everyone getting more agitated after every passing second.
“Despite numerous complaints and remarks, the Hideout is the fairest method, we pride ourselves- “
“Your methods are wrong and disgusting!”
A woman in the crowd shouts, her hands raised as she points her finger directly at the King. Her fuzzy dark hair bounces as she spits and curses.
King Helfers face drops and he unashamedly sighs from the sudden outburst, it looks like he knew there would be some sort of abuse and threats being shouted at him today. His eyebrows crease together as he pinches the bridge of his nose.
“The only thing which is inhumane is that hair of hers,” Hurk whispers in my ear. “I mean is she breeding chickens in that bed of hay?”
I can’t help but laugh at Hurk, but I bite down on my lips and ignore him.
The distressed lady continues her rant,
“That stone is going to kill us all! We’re doomed because of your foolish ideas, you’re nothing more than a power-hungry chump!”
King Helfer clicks his fingers and two guards swiftly grab each of her arms and yank her out of the crowd, she carries on screaming and shouting as they drag her onto the stage.
The guards throw her onto the floor in front of King Helfers hoof. She squirms but quickly gets to her feet, standing face to face with the King.
“You should be ashamed,” she spits. “Your grandfather would not allow this.”
“What a pity,” he replies more bluntly than ever.
Almost i
nstantaneously he pulls out a long-barreled pistol, with gold edges that shine in the light. He pulls the trigger releasing a loud bang that echoes through the crowd. As I open my eyes, the woman on the stage slowly flops to the floor like a ragdoll. Blood begins pouring from her head and drips off the stage onto the floor below.
The room falls into stunned silence. So quiet that I can hear the blood droplets hitting the floor in front, I rub my ear to relieve the pressure.
Although this probably isn’t the smartest place to begin shouting abuse at the king, I do feel that she speaks the truth. His ideas will continue killing us off until the stone is retrieved, not one Centaur has returned from venturing for the Kunzite stone, and no one knows when the next Centaur will.
“That right there citizens, is someone who has lost faith in their own kind, the only way we will be able to protect ourselves against them is by sticking together,” he says. “The Kunzite Stone has been spoken about through myth and legends telling stories of its unlimited yet, unknown power for many years now. We once sided with Minotaur’s in hope to retrieve this stone as one, but since we were betrayed through the over spilling urge for greed and power, we have since decided it’s best to find it on our own. Since the Minotaur’s so desperately want it for themselves, we do not know what havoc they will wreak on our city if they do gain possession. Intelligence has been passed onto us that they are also on the hunt for the stone, through any means necessary.”
I can see my dad biting on his cuticles in the corner of my eye, I wonder what’s going through his head right now. Safety for the family I suppose.
Someone in the crowd raises their hand.
“No,” King Helfer replies. “We have no knowledge of where the stone is, neither do the Minotaur’s, as we know of.”