Chronicles of Eden - Season II - Act I

by Alexander Gordon

  “Yeah, I’m listening,” Triska warned as she grabbed hold of her sword. “Make your words count, Calam.”

  “Kroanette can’t be in Stonegate because centaurs would never be safe there,” Calam cautiously explained, seeing Triska and Clover readying to break out into a desperate fight for survival. “After all, centaurs would never be welcome in Stonegate because of the kind of monsters that live there. Therefore, you’re not going to Stonegate in search of her because you would never find her there.”

  “Then why are we going to Stonegate?” Clover asked. “What are you trying to say?”

  “Something that I can’t say aloud here,” Calam stressed with her. Triska and Clover blinked then eased their stances as the ant girl nodded slowly at them. “What I am saying is we’re not going to Stonegate to look for a centaur. You understand why this is, don’t you?”

  Triska glanced to Salio and saw her nodding with an expectant look, then around at the goblins who were all watching her carefully as they awaited her answer. Clover looked back to the harvester who giggled and nodded at her, and then met Triska’s gaze as they slowly caught on to what was happening.

  “Of course,” Triska carefully told Calam. “We’re not going to Stonegate to find a centaur. That would be crazy for us to do.”

  “Centaurs wouldn’t be welcome there, since you’re all fucking assholes,” Clover flatly said.

  That got a smirk out of the surrounding monsters while Calam nodded at them with a wink.

  “That’s right,” the ant girl agreed. “All that can be said for certain is that Stonegate is the absolute last place on Eden that you should search to find a centaur, especially one who would still be alive to speak to. That being the case, what were we doing again, girls?”

  “Just visiting Stonegate,” Triska replied with a smirk. “That’s all.”

  “They’ve got booze there,” Clover mentioned. “We could use a drink after the shit we’ve been through.”

  “So you’re not searching for a centaur named Kroanette?” Calam carefully inquired.

  “Who?” Triska replied.

  “Right answer,” Salio declared. She waved the goblins away, the monsters quickly scurrying off towards the barn while the one dressed in finer clothing remained by the troll’s side.

  “You catch on quick,” the harvester cooed into Clover’s ear. The elf swatted at the woman before she quickly flew off with hearty laughter, while Triska slowly lowered her hand from her sword as Calam smiled knowingly at her.

  “Glad we’re on the same page, Triska,” Calam said.

  “Yeah, I read you,” Triska agreed as she looked around at the outpost.

  “What the hell are you all talking about?” Kitten demanded. “Are we going to get my master’s centaur back from Stonegate or not?”

  ‘Yes, we are. And her name is Kroanette, remember?’

  “But you all just said-”

  ‘We said what we needed to say,’ Triska informed her. ‘Weren’t you paying attention? They wanted us to keep our mouths shut about Kroanette and the sanctuary in Stonegate. We have to act like we don’t know about any of that while we’re visiting.’

  “Then why didn’t they just say that from the start?”

  ‘They couldn’t. They’re not allowed to speak about what’s really under Stonegate or what’s going on in there. They’re all bound by their oath not to speak of such things outside the city. All they can do is tell us what’s not supposed to be there, and not what really is.’

  “This is such a pain. Why are they going to such lengths to hide this place from everyone anyway?”

  ‘That is something we’re going to find out.’

  “If you’re visiting for a drink,” the goblin in the dress spoke up. “I’d recommend stopping by the Drowned Rat. They have good stuff there. Just don’t order the water. It’s not so good.”

  “I’ve been there before,” Clover mentioned, earning curious looks from the others. “Their drinks are okay.”

  “Oh, you’ve visited before?” Salio questioned.

  “I just passed through while hunting someone down,” Clover answered with a shrug. She quickly glanced to the three monsters before looking away carelessly. “A bitch stole something from my home grove and her trail led me by Stonegate. I just stopped by to see if anyone saw her coming through.”

  “I see,” Calam mused. “And, what did you think of the city while you were there? Is the Drowned Rat really the place to be these days?”

  “Honestly, the whole place was a dump,” Clover replied with a roll of her eyes. “Drinks were overpriced and the locals smelled horrible. The entire city seemed… rather dull and unpleasant honestly.”

  “Is that so?” Salio smirked. “If you didn’t care for it then why are you returning?”

  “Going to give it another chance to surprise me,” Clover replied with a careful eye on her.

  “I’m sure it won’t disappoint,” the goblin snickered.

  “Indeed,” Salio agreed. “At any rate, we’ve got a lovely dinner waiting for us inside, so we’ll have to get to know each other another time. The workers are getting your horses ready to ride as we speak, shouldn’t take but a minute. If you leave now you should make it to Stonegate by daybreak. Calam will make sure you’re familiar with the city rules beforehand, make sure you follow them to the letter. Now, if you’ll excuse us, ladies.”

  The troll turned to head back to the cottage while the goblin gave a polite curtsey before following after. As they left Calam walked up beside Triska and Clover so as to whisper to them while the three girls watched the goblins leading the first horse out of the barn.

  “I do wish to apologize,” Calam quietly said. “I believe you know what for.”

  “Making us think you betrayed us and led us to certain death?” Triska asked. “Or… the other thing that can’t be said?”

  “Both,” Calam giggled.

  “Don’t worry about it,” Triska assured with a gentle pat on the ant girl’s shoulder. “Besides, still plenty of time for you to betray us again before the night ends.”

  “You really don’t trust me that much, do you?” Calam worried as the girls observed the goblins leading their horses out one after another.

  “We want to,” Triska reasoned. “We’re trying.”

  “You still could have warned us beforehand you were going to play those mind games with us,” Clover mentioned with a dull glance at the ant girl.

  “I didn’t want to, it was Salio’s idea,” Calam defended. “She wanted to see how long it would take for you two to figure it out without us outright telling you.”

  “Wait, what?” Triska exclaimed. “You mean that whole confrontation was her just messing with us?”

  “Yes. I actually planned on telling you, ‘Hey, don’t talk about centaurs or what’s underneath Stonegate from this point on,’ but Salio wanted to have a little fun with you instead.”

  “Are you kidding us?” Triska shouted at her, with Calam showing a weak smile as the cambion and elf became clearly upset with her. “You could have just told us that directly without any problem? Why didn’t you then? Do you have any idea how close we were to attacking all of you? This sword of mine packs a bigger punch than you’d think!”

  “We were about to kill you girls because of that fucking shit!” Clover yelled. “You really thought it was funny messing with us like that? Don’t you think we’re on edge enough as it is without you putting us on the spot like that?”

  “I’m so sorry,” Calam insisted with an amused smile.

  “You don’t seem sorry!” Triska and Clover shouted together.

  “Well I am,” Calam assured empathetically. “Really, I didn’t think it would be a problem to have a little fun before we got to Stonegate. And I just couldn’t say no to Salio, they really don’t have many opportunities to speak to new people or have fun such as that. It gets sort of boring for them out here sometimes.”

  “Glad we could give them a chuckle,” T
riska scoffed.

  “Our opinion of you just keeps rising higher and higher,” Clover flatly muttered.

  “Sorry, just having a bit of fun before we get to the city,” Calam giggled. She then showed a serious face and held up a finger towards the two girls. “However, there will be no fun and games upon our arrival, not at first anyway. I want you two to listen carefully and always remember to follow this important rule while traversing within the city. It is absolutely imperative that you do not break this law once you set foot into Stonegate. No matter what happens, no matter what you see, no matter what you hear, you must always remember this golden rule.”

  Triska and Clover looked to each other cautiously then to the ant girl as they paid the utmost attention to what she had to say, what could very well mean the difference of finding Kroanette or being placed on the spot again with no way out in a city filled with dangerous monsters.

  “Always remember,” Calam diligently stressed with them. “To be as much of an asshole as you can.”

  Silence filled the air between them, with Triska and Clover staring at her in confusion while behind them the goblins were tending to the horses and waiting for the girls to finally notice they had their rides all set to go.

  “…what?” Triska finally asked.

  “Just what I said,” Calam replied. “Be as foulmouthed, belligerent, unruly, and offensive as you can be while in the public eye. Clover, swear up a storm with the locals, I’m sure you’ll find that to be simple enough. Triska, don’t be afraid to make an example of your inhuman strength should anyone even look at you funny. Try not to kill anyone, but don’t be afraid to make it known you’re no human.”

  “Wait, hold up,” Triska said holding up a hand. “Are you seriously telling us to… act like hooligans when we get there?”

  “Clover, how would you describe the other monsters you encountered while visiting Stonegate?” Calam asked the elf.

  “Like complete horsefuckers who would much sooner get into a fistfight with each other than rape a man should one be completely naked right in front of them,” Clover replied.

  “There you go,” Calam said gesturing to the elf. “Act like that.”

  “…huh?” Triska slowly said.

  “This may be a stupid question, but… why?” Clover carefully asked.

  Calam giggled and shook her head at the bewildered looks she was getting, seeing all too well such instructions were only raising more question with the girls. She opened her mouth to speak again but was cut off as a scream suddenly echoed through the air.

  “What was that?” Triska said as the girls quickly searched for the source. “Was that a woman’s scream?”

  “That sounded familiar,” Clover cautioned.

  “I believe it came from that way,” Calam said, pointing to the path leading into the outpost.

  “Hey!” a gremlin in the lookout called out. Holding a spyglass up and peering into the distance she waved to get everyone’s attention. “There’s someone out there! They’re coming this way fast!”

  “AHHHHHH!” the woman’s cry again sounded off through the night sky.

  “That your friend coming?” a goblin asked the girls.

  “Is that Reiko?” Triska wondered.

  “Well it sure isn’t Star,” Clover reasoned as the girls quickly ran towards the gate. As they did the goblins followed behind while the two harvesters of the station joined as well. Upon approaching the bridge they saw a small harvester shooting out of the trees and racing towards them with a horrific wail.

  “Reiko!” Triska called out with a wave. “Why are you screaming like that?”

  “You really can’t shut your mouth ever, can you?” Clover derided.

  “YOU FUCKING BITCHES!” Reiko howled, racing towards the group with her spectral cutters flailing out from underneath her dress.

  “Whoa, whoa, whoa!” Clover exclaimed waving her hands. “What are you doing? Stop! They’re not hostile!”

  Reiko zipped right towards the group of goblins who started to scramble away in fright before Triska snatched the harvester by the hair and yanked her back.

  “Reiko, stop!” the cambion ordered as the harvester kept thrashing and swinging her cutters around wildly. “Stop it! What’s gotten into you?”

  “They’re not hostile!” Clover shouted at the upset woman. “Stand down! I said stand down, Reiko!”

  “You led us out here to be ambushed, didn’t you?” Reiko yelled, phasing through Triska’s hand and racing towards the screaming goblins. Before she could strike them down the two harvesters of the outpost grabbed hold of their enraged sister and held her back, using their spectral tendrils to quickly ensnare Reiko in place.

  “Calm down, dearie. You need to calm yourself.”

  “We can’t have you reaping the souls of our friends. That would look terrible on our report.”

  “Let me go!” Reiko yelled hopping up and down in a fit. “I’m going to reap all of these goddamned assholes of their souls and then piss on their corpses! Let me go! You’ll pay for what you did, you hear me? All of you are fucking dead!”

  “Reiko, calm down!” Triska ordered, getting in front of the harvester and slapping her. After pausing for a moment Reiko turned to her with a whine as Triska and the girls gathered closer.

  “What the hell has gotten into you?” Clover demanded. “What’s this about an ambush?”

  “Where’s Star?” Calam asked. “Wasn’t she with you?”

  “You!” Reiko screamed at her. “This is all your fault! You led us out here and right into the clutches of those things! You did that on purpose! This is all your fault! I’m going to kill you!”

  “What are you talking about?” Triska yelled in her face. “What happened? Where’s Star?”

  Reiko cried out in agony before breaking down into a sobbing mess, with everyone exchanging puzzled looks with each other before listening to what the little harvester had to say.

  *****

  “Oh dear god no,” Triska breathed out.

  Gathered in the woods by way of torchlight were a few goblins, three harvesters, two gremlins, an ant girl, an elf, and a cambion.

  “Star…” Clover gasped in horror.

  The goblins holding the burning lights showed equal surprise and dread while Reiko was bawling in an emotional state with one of the larger harvesters gently holding an arm around her for support.

  “Oh dear,” Calam feared holding a hand over her mouth.

  Before them lay the body of a fluugher, her face frozen in shock and horror as she lay lifeless on the grass. Her green skin was complimented by a now very pale face, her motionless vines were everywhere in her personal grove which had become her grave, her large violet colored petals drooped low onto the ground around her flowery base, and her long purple hair rested beneath her with smaller flowers blooming out of it.

  “A Violet Princess,” Jezzele worried. “Dammit, not another one.”

  “How did one manage to get this close to our camp?” Velm fretted.

  Triska and Clover slowly stepped forward from the group, passing the fallen vines and tendrils of the fluugher and onto grass that was coated with white liquid and tiny black seeds. Their breathing grew ragged and their eyes slowly watered up as they saw their co-mate lying before them with the fluugher’s vines still ensnared on her.

  In the fire’s light everyone saw Star lying unconscious in the clearing, arms bound above her head while her legs were forcibly parted and held in place by the monster’s vines. Her tunic was open to reveal the fluugher’s tendrils wrapped around her belly and breasts, another vine was lying limp next to her mouth, and two more were in the grass beneath her rear. However it wasn’t the sight of Star having been tied up and groped by the flowery monster that incited anger and distress in her friends, but instead the spectacle of her thighs, crotch, ass, and mouth having been stained with the white goo and having black seeds sticking to them. Not only that, but her belly was noticeably distended, proving something
else that struck fear into her family’s hearts.

  “She got filled up,” a goblin worried. “She got filled up good.”

  “Poor dear must have been filled to the brim and then some,” a harvester said softly.

  “Star!” Triska cried out as she and Clover ran over to their co-mate. The elf used her gloved hands to yank away the fluugher’s slimy vines from the jinx and knelt beside her along with Triska, each fearfully holding her head while also staring in shock at what happened to the girl.

  “Fuck, no!” Clover cried out. “This isn’t happening! Star? Star! Wake up, Star!”

  Triska shook with anger before screaming heavily, her furious cry getting everyone’s attention as she became incensed beyond control. Looking behind her at the fluugher she had only fire in her eyes, however upon grabbing her sword and yanking it out with a metallic ring everyone could clearly see fire also swirling along her blade as well.

  “Move,” Calam urged as she waved everyone aside. “Move now. Move now, ladies!”

  Everyone quickly rushed to the other side of the clearing as Triska stood up, lifted her blade into the air with a vicious roar, and then swung down with a powerful slash. An arc of fiery light split through the air, tearing into the ground while everything before the cambion was annihilated in a hellish firestorm. The nearby woods and the fluugher’s body were decimated into ashes and rubble as the dark energy wave ripped through the land and exploded violently further away, destroying the monster entirely as well as its home.

  “Damn,” a harvester commented as everyone stared in surprise at Triska.

  “She wasn’t kidding when she said her sword packed a big punch,” Calam admitted.

  Triska yelled out with blistering rage before slowly and strenuously regaining control of herself. Looking back to Star she showed nothing but remorse and dread for her co-mate. Shakily she managed to sheath her sword again, much to the relief of those nearby, and knelt back down next to Star as she struggled not to panic.

  “Star? Star, can you hear us? Star!” she called out, getting no response from the jinx. “Shit, she’s out cold.”

  “That thing flooded her with its seeds,” Clover cursed as she picked a few out of Star’s mouth. “Fuck! This is bad, this is really bad! I mean… dammit, look at her stomach! How the fuck could that thing do this to her?”