FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

On the next day everyone gathers at the south gate for group assignment in Cinder wood. Our team look around for Amy who is missing.

“Did you saw her when you wake up?" Bill asks Biscuit.

“Yes" Biscuit voices her concern “She told me to head out first and said will follow later but..." her voices fade as she fails to find her friend among the crowd.

'Amy must had always thought it was other races fault her whole life whom responsible for her species down fall. What Prof. Tonia told us must have impact her a lot but still...'

“Amy is a strong" said Eirian “What happen yesterday may have shaken her a little but I believed she will come for today assignment."

'Her sense of duty is too strong for that to stop her'

“She just needs a little bit more time so we'll wait for her here even if it past time to depart." Eirian directs to the group.

“There is no need for that" Amy arrives without any bag pack just before time for them to leave.

“Amy" Biscuit go and hold one of her legs to comfort her.

“Amy, are you ok?" Josh walks up to asked.

“I'm fine. You guy don't have to worry about me" she looks at Eirian “You should be our leader for this assignment and I'll be a leader on the next one is that ok for you?"

“Of course," Eirian nods. Seeing Amy doesn't want to talk about yesterday he tells everyone to head out. Eirian wave to Marco as they head off in other direction

The assignment is to collect a few plants and hunt an animal in Cinder wood, due to the large area and time where some plant and animal will show up student are required to sleep in the forest for one night which seem to be for training how to live in the wood. Each group was designated an area of the wood so they don't come into conflict with one another. Everything they need to collect can be found anywhere in the wood but some ingredient does concentrate in some area more than other.

“Did they just send us out without any teacher at all? What if there are dangerous animal or outlaw in the wood?" Bill voices his concern and mention his encounter with a group of bandits.

“Don't worry we are still within Alana territory; no bandit or criminal would dare to operate too close in this area since it means being wanted by all 6 nations. And each of us are stronger than any wild animal even you Bill" Bill surprise at Eirian remark “your MAM simple fireball can chase away any predator before they get close but if you're still worry just stick close to me."

“Well that a relieve then" Bill swaps a new glyph into his MAM to turn it into a flamethrower.

“Speaking of which, Biscuit you should stick with Amy too since you also don't know how to fight."

“Yes you're right" said Biscuit and Amy agree.

As they are walking along a great red river where the water flow down south Eirian tell everyone about the river “Did you know the Great Red River starts as a glazier in the far north near Fortress of Corvidia then slowly become river that run through continents. It's used to be called many names such as, Avon, Whiteflow, Jamuna (holy river). In some part it can be as width as 500 meters to over 2000 meter with 20-30 meter deep."

“And did you know why everyone suddenly changed its name to Great Red River?" Amy interjects which cause Eirian to stumble since he quickly remember why everyone change its name but other doesn't seem to know and look to Amy for answer.

Amy seeing Eirian hesitate so she tells the story herself “after the first coalition that almost wipe off all Fire Ant, the river said to be cover in red for weeks from all the blood from hundred thousand ant and other species that fallen that day. Later everyone just refers to it as Great red river from just how much red it is. It's was here in Cinder Wood that my people were betrayed."

“Wait betrayed?" Eirian surprised he never read or heard about any betrayal at the first coalition war.

“Our people didn't just lose the battle and pushed to drown in the river you know. We already surrender to the first coalition and they agree to let us live in exchange for Haldor life, the first ant who awaken us, so we may never raise to challenge them again. Haldor agrees to be executed so our people would be spare to which Princess Alana herself gave her word that we'll all be left in peace. At the time every ant had left the underground so the first coalition can destroy every tunnel they can find and force us to move to the southwest in the land of Fia per our agreement but that night someone had broken the promised and light a fire in the forest just as my ancestor are retreating after a treaty was signed. The fire come out of no where and circle what left of our people after the war, many drown in an attempt to cross the river right here in the wood. Luckily one of the ante egg survive along with few of worker ant who manage to cross Great Red River and took care of the egg until a new queen was born. That is the day our people come closest to extinction."

“That horrible" Biscuit sounded distraught “Did they ever found out who light the fire?"

“No" said Amy “All the major races were present that day but it would be impossible to find out who is responsible now. Whoever broke the agreement is likely long dead and it'll forever remain mystery. All other races have already forgotten this chapter in their history but I promise you that our people will never forget what happen."

Eirian now deeply regretting his decision to talk about the river stays quiet.

Everyone walks in awkward silent for a while before Josh speaks up when he sees a dozen sheet of papers in Bill's bag and trying to change the mood “You made quite a few glyphs Bill."

“Yeah, I plan to test some of it here since using MAM in our room is dangerous and I'm too busy to make time for a shooting range."

“Can't wait to see it. How further do we have to go Eirian? I can scout ahead to find our spot" Josh turns to offer.

“Sure, our spot is just on riverside of Great red river here on the map. Also look for any animal nearby see if you can spot any hare and predator we should watch out for.

Josh takes off and everyone keep walking down the river and enter into Cinder wood.

Each step takes them deeper into Cinder wood and the further they go the more Eirian is remind of his home in Medina Forest. There is a smell of old root in the air wash with cold wind that refresh your spirit. The magic in the air is not as fulfill as his home but the sound of rustling leaves and stream is enough to give Eirian a sense of deep peaceful bliss he misses.

'A city has its convenience but there is no place like a forest to calm your spirit'

Eirian looks at Amy hoping the forest will help her calm down but she is still grumpy. Calamity seems more relax through; his tail is not wagging but he doesn't pose ready to fight like he usually does.

When they arrive at the area Josh recommend a spot by the riverside to make camp and Eirian start telling everyone a list of what they are looking for.

“A few trees sap, some mushroom, marigold, panax and 6 hares"

“The mushroom we'll need to wait till dark when it glows and easier to find." said Eirian “all of us have a picture of everything in school book so I think we should separate and scout the area for these plants. Josh, is there is anything we should look out for?"

“No predator as far as I can see. Some squirrel but no luck on hare, must be in their burrow."

“Ok Bill you with me. Calamity are you ok going alone?" seeing how Josh would rather fly than walk.

“I'll be fine."

Everyone starts heading off in every direction and Eirian found himself having to slow down to wait for Bill who having difficulty navigate the wood.

“I take you don't walk in wood often huh."

Bill stumbles on a root and almost whack his head with a tree “I spent all of my life in a city so yeah you're right. I never thought it would be this hard just to walk around in the wood."

“Depend on the wood and the landscape, some are easier than other but you'll get used to it. Try to focus on where your feet are going and where you will step next, unlike in city where all road is pave straight a jungle path is not always safe as it seems."

“Oh, trust me I've walk on shitty road so I know how to watch where I step, a normal brick on the street that look safe might in fact be a death trap that will sink your leg into a wet black pit on your way to work."

Eirian disbelieved that there would be a road that horrible “Is New Terra street that bad?"

“Depend on the street"

As they keep walking Eirian start to look around “humid place under a tree shape where you can smell a strong fishy ordor" he cite a line from the book.

“I do smell something" Bill tries to breath only to have one of the bugs fly into his nose and he quickly attempt to get it out.

"There" Eirian point under a tree, a mushroom just like in a school book.

“Sho shoo! The forest has too many bug" Bill tries to swat another bug that fly into his ear as Eirian is collecting a mushroom.

“You'll get used to it" Eirian then remembers one of the herbalists from his home “maybe you can find a repellent ointment from one of the shops in the city for next times"

“Is it expensive?"

“I don't know I never brought one before." since it made from simple herb it shouldn't be too expensive right?

“Thank I'll look it up."

The two of them forage for a few hours before head back to camp with only a few mushroom and tree sap they found “Hope other has more luck."

At the camp everyone gathers and stare at Calamity raid of 10 hare on the ground.

“You manage to find and kill all of them alone? Aren't they usually quite fast?"

“I live in a forest my whole life. I know how hunt a few hares."

'Fews?' everyone seems to thought.

“Well now we just have to worry about a few more mushroom and panax since Josh spot a patch of marigold a few hundred meter north of here" Eirian looks at the extra mushroom they got since they seem to grow everywhere in this part so everyone gathers more than they needed “How about we used the left over to cook for lunch? Me, Calamity, Bill and Josh know how to cook right so let's see whose dish is the best."

“Is there anything we can do to help?" Biscuit offer with Amy standing next to her.

'Let them help cook would probably cheer Amy up'

“Can you skin" Calamity hand her a dead hare but Biscuit quicky shake her head.

“Then you wash blood from the meat." Calamity immediate start to cut the hare up with his claw and pull the skin out with both hands in one whip follow by organ.

“Ba...Blood?" Biscuit horrifies by the sight of hare being pull apart by a wolf.

“Don't worry Biscuit I can do it alone" said Amy.

“No no I want to help" Biscuit shake as she takes a piece of meat and a leg with bone which Calamity somehow break it right off with just a force from his hand.

'Chop bone with his hand? Who does that!'

'I bring knife but I guess we don't need it' Eirian quietly put a knife back into his bag then realize he still need to cut mushroom so he pulls it out again and feel like an idiot since Josh is clearly confuse from watching him.

Biscuit shake as she holds a blood-soaked meat in her hoof and try to wash it in the river.

Amy looks at her red hand and go “I though sheep and goat love water, blood is just water isn't it?"

“It not the same"

“How so? do you even try to feel it yet?"

“Feel the blood?" Biscuits glance at a bowl where a pool of red leak from the meat and lie still. She dips her hoof into the blood and try to feel what it like.

“It's weird...it's water but there something inside that make it not water, I don't know how to descript it but it is heavy."

“Really?" Eirian gets up from his mushroom and dip his finger in the blood but it feels like normal water to him “I can't tell the different but sheep always has a close connection with water than anyone. If blood is different that would explain why no one can ever control blood with water magic." said Eirian.

“Right" Biscuits lift her hoof up and gently wash the remaining meat. “It's so sad that they die like this"

“Well at least we will eat them and not just throw them away, will you eat meat with us this time?" said Amy.

“Yes" Biscuit lay all the cleaned meat down and press her hand together to pray for them. She thanks them and wish for their soul to rest.

Seeing Biscuit everyone keeps silent for a moment before divide the meat for our 4 cooks.

Josh said he will smoke the meat so they can keep it for dinner while other 3 menu will be their lunch.

Eirian will make a stew with some spice he brings with him.

Calamity will grill the meat.

Bill plan for a soup which is easy to make alone but after being stare intensely by Biscuit he allows her to help and show her how to cook as well.

Amy enjoys watching on the side since she doesn't usually see someone cook before, just watching Bill stir the soup is amusing to her.

“I have perfected the art of cooking soup with minimum ingredient" Bill claimed as he stir the water which filled with more meat than he accustom to.

Finally, everyone is finish except Josh meat that still cover in smoke up on the branch but he said it's fine to leave it as it is.

Bill's soup and Eirian stew look simple and smell delicious contrast to Calamity black charcoal.

“Calamity what is this?" Eirian asked even thought deep down he knew it was once a hare meat.

“Grilled hare" Calamity speak as if he doesn't see anything wrong and nobody would drop dead from a bite.

“I'm not touching that" Amy declares. She can eat raw food but this seems too raw.

In the end no one would eat Calamity black dish and even Biscuit who doesn't want to waste food stops after second bite and cry since she almost throws up and waste a life.

Calamity clearly confuses from everyone reaction “My brother always said my cooking is fine. I don't understand, is it that bad?"

“So, you always cook for your brother?" Bill asked horrifies.

“No, he said his cooking is better so he never let me touch the pan."

'Ah' Everyone look at each other with understanding. And so, Calamity is forever shadow ban from cooking in their group. Forever.

“Do you like the soup Amy" Biscuit startles Amy with her shiny eyes.

“It's...fi...good. It's good."

'The soup does taste strangely good despite barely used any extra spice from me. Both meat and mushroom boil just right and not too long. Although it's a little too bland for my taste' Eirian keeps comment to himself.

“Really! It my first-time making soup thank you Amy and thank you Bill too for teaching me."

“No worry, you can ask me about cooking anytime"

“Do you know how to cook other type of food?"

“Err no but I would love to try making steak sometime." Bill act as if he only cooks soup for a meal until now.

“Eirian stew is great too how many extra spice and ingredient did you bring with you? onions, tomatoes, carrot and some kind of pepper?" Josh asked.

“Cayenne pepper, I'm testing a new recipe hope it not too spicy for you guy."

“I didn't ever notice there was any spice" Calamity eats a spoon of stew follow by his own black char.

“Glad you like it" Eirian smile but seeing Calamity eat his food with that black char he can't help but wonder if Calamity can appreciate the taste.

'I don't get him at all. What is he thinking? Is he a calculate type or just confident and don't care about other?'

'He does seem to like Biscuit's cookies before maybe he just like strong flavor? I have to note that for next time.'

After everyone finish eating and clean up we all agree to go and collect marigold together by walking up along the river.

As they are walking everyone seem to remember the conversation they have as they were walking down from Alana so everyone stays quiet to not stir any unpleasant memory.

But Josh, undiscouraged, try to lighten the mood by ask Amy about Haldor. “What you were saying about Haldor before...his death, it was indeed a tragedy, from your tone I presume he is someone you admire right?"

“Yes, he is the first royal ant who awaken our kind after all."

“Could you tell us more about him? I read a few books but there wasn't much details. We would love to hear more about him from the ant side, right guy?"

Everyone agrees and Eirian sneak a thumb up for Josh which he uses his wing to give a thumb up back of his own.

Amy thinks for a moment of what she loves about Haldor then start to tell a story of how her people come to be. The sound of river and tension in the air seems to calm down as they walk.

“It's was on the day that the star break, a great storm engulfs the world and pour down upon an old Fire ant colony, they said it's as if the sky has fallen. We were but a small ant living under an oak's root back then, even a single raindrop is bigger than any of us. Our people panic and try to evacuate the colony but the water came rushing down and fill every tunnel so fast there was no time to escape, most ant can only cry as water swept them into the depth deeper and deeper. Haldor was one of the Ante who was digging a path to try divert the water but he hit the giant tree root and have no strength nor time to divert hole in time to save his colony. Still, he keeps trying, hopeless as it is, digging down into the earth until his leg break but still he refuses to stop. Everyone else run away to save themselves but he alone stays digging into his doom. It was in the final moment when water take him where he cries for anyone to help his colony that Haldor was suddenly transform and grow to enormous size. With his new strength he carves a path into the earth and save everyone in the colony."

“Wow that so cool" said Biscuit “But wouldn't that make him a king? I never heard of any ant king though"

“Oh no he can't be a king Biscuit. In our colony there can only be queen but with his power and status as the one who awaken us he is indeed one ant who come closest of being treated as a king. Still being an honorable ant that he is, he simply offers his service to the queen. And give our people the strength to walk on this new world."

“Bravery, strength and sacrifice, he is worthy to be remember as a hero indeed" said Josh.

“Do you have a hero too Josh?" Amy asked back.

“That in fact I do, General Ironbeak, the greatest strategist who ever live, the one who set our people path toward unification with all the bird under corvids. He outsmarts the wolf and fox every time they attack Corvidia, the smartest and coolest raven in all ours history. His name came from his top beak which made of iron after an injury in the battle with the crowned eagle. A raven who shape history with his mind."

“Since we are on the subject may I ask who everyone hero is?" Eirian speaks up seeing this is a great opportunity for the team to bond “Mine is Astra as you all know; he is like father of all Amiel who would do anything to protect his people."

“Mine is Arch Renato" said Bill “Some of you might remember him since he is the guy who invented MAM. He's the reason we can use magic to this day. And he also the first and only man who ever hold both the position of governor and Arch, head of state and grandmaster. The humanity still alive today thank to his work alongside Princess Alana."

“Um mine is Pan, my father." said Biscuit.

“What did he do?" Josh asked.

“Well...he the high priest." Biscuit struggle to make his feat match others “He teach us the word of the god and guide our people toward the righteous path. He devotes his life to our people soul, there is nobody more worthy than him."

“Do you know him well?" Bill has an itch to asks, almost envy.

“Um...only from what mother and other speak of him, I don't think I got many chances to be with him since he has many duties and I'm but one of his many children whom are better than me."

“Oh...I'm sorry to hear that Biscuit, I didn't know my parents well as well" Eirian empathizes with her.

'I don't even know who they are. To have father whom is alive but don't know him and don't having know who he is at all, is it the same?'

“What do you mean they are better than you! Don't ridicule yourself like that even if you are truly the weakest girl I have ever met."

Everyone stares at Amy.

“You need to stand up for yourself Biscuit, don't talk yourself down like that. It's unbecoming."

Biscuit eyes start to fill with tears and everyone turn to Amy with their pitiful judging eyes.

“I mean you are also the nicest person I ever met but you need to be more confidence." Amy quickly added.

Calamity speaks up as Biscuit is wiping her tears “Like what Prof. Leon said in life people only listen to the strong. Nobody is going to listen to you if you are a defenseless weakling."

“But I thought sister Fay lesson prove that Prof. Leon is wrong and we should just be nice to each other?" Biscuit replied what she thought was the lesson.

“Prof. Fay lesson may fit those who are already strong but for you Prof. Leon lesson would suit you better. Like Headmaster Osmond said some lesson here will contradict each other but you must learn to think for yourself which lesson will help you best."

'Calamity is surprisingly sound wise'

“You must train your body so next time if anyone threaten or belittle you, you can teach them their place..."

'wait'

“Fight them back, beat them until they bleed if you have to..."

“Wait wait wait" Eirian and Amy rush to protect Biscuit from Calamity's corrupting influence.

Bill and Josh snigger at confused Calamity.

“The last part aside you must learn to think for yourself Biscuit," said Eirian.

“That right, your hero is the one you decide not what your religion tell you. You can't just let some old man define what good for you for the rest of your life even if they are parent." Amy squint at Calamity.

“...So just like a social structure that define your place, one should allow each person to have some freedom to think for themself what is good?" Eirian can't help himself but to question Amy on this.

“We're not talking about my country right now" Amy turn to Eirian.

“Alright alright, I'm just thinking out loud" Eirian back off.

“Ok" Biscuit looks up to her teammates but specifically Calamity “If I want to train myself to become stronger will you help me?"

“Why are you looking at me"

“Well, you are the strongest among us in term of strength." said Eirian.

'Also, I been trying to get you to help train the whole team any way. Now that Biscuit actually wants to train I must convince you to train all of us.'

“I don't know how to teach"

“Just show us how you train and we'll follow your example. It simple." Amy adds.

Calamity froze remembering what kind of training he was forced into “I don't think that a good idea." he said with dead eyes.

“Why?" Everyone wonders.

He didn't respond.

'Is he think we are too weak for his training or he just worry about us?'

“I guess we'll just have to train as group like what we been doing and you can help point any flaw in our movement should you noticed then"

“I can do that"

“So, who is your hero Calamity?" Bill asked.

“I don't have one"

“Really? Not even your Fenrir?"

“I don't believe in fairy tale; wolf can't use magic."

“What about your father?" Biscuit looking for someone who would share her opinion.

Calamity tightens his fist at the suggestion “no"

“Look we arrives" Josh point at the small field of marigold and everyone scatter to gather and explore the area.

Bill who found himself next to Eirian as everyone is looking around whisper to him in low voice “Eirian I mean to ask, who do you think is the one who broke the treaty and betray the fire ant."

Eirian looks at Bill “Well it can't be human or Amiel right since we are on Princess Alana side."

“Yeah I thought so too but I just wonder which races do you think did it."

Eirian glances at Josh “Corvid are known for their cunning and betrayal so it could be them, or the wolf since land of Fia is right next to their territory, more chances for them to expand. But like Amy said there is no way to know now. Who do you think did it?"

“Well, I don't really know much about other races which is why I asked, but my first thought is wolf because in my country radio they were always talked about them as our greatest threat."

“Calamity strength is indeed frightening." Eirian still remembers that grip on his neck “But let's keep this opinion to ourself before we anger our friends."

“Agree"

Finally, after they gather everything they need everyone return to camp and eat Josh's smoked meat around the camp fire. Eirian looks at the black meat in his hand and pray to the eternal one before take a bite.

It's taste way better than Calamity. Thank God.

Everyone breathes a sigh of relieved and finish their simple meal.

Eirian speaks to everyone around the fire “Now the only item left on our list is the glowing mushroom. Their light is very faint so we can't use any light magic, torch or flashlight. Good thing today is moonless night so we should be able to spot them easily."

“Are you ok with wandering in the dark Biscuit."

“I think I'll be fine if I go with everyone."

“Ok this time we'll all go together since it will be very dark and there's no way to know what we will find in the dark. I can use the light magic if there is any danger."

“And I can use my MAM to do this" Bill lifts his hand up and sprays a red flame into the air lightens up area around them.

“Awesome" Josh excited at the used of MAM.

The hot air hit Eirian face making him stunned for a moment “That is great Bill just Be careful where you aim that thing ok."

"Got it."

'That fire feels just like when I use fire magic. MAM is dreadful indeed.'

“Bill can I see how it work" Josh rush to Bill side but pull his wing away when he realizes the top pipe is still hot. “What else can it do"

“I made a few glyphs of each element; I can control water and earth with my mind but I need to touch a part of that water or earth with my glove before I can control it unlike Biscuit and Amy who don't need to touch element directly. Air I can't get it to work yet, not sure why, I can only blow a wind out from the pipe but that it." Bill slowly removes one of the glyph slots out from his front wrist which was firmly lock and slide a new one in.

“For light glyph I can turn my MAM into a flashlight." Bill turns the light on and shine it on the river and dim tree.

“Is it ok to keep using it like that? Won't magic in your core run out?" Eirian observes.

“You're right, the more complex the spell the more magic it used but I got my MAM refill before we come here it should be enough for a few days. Beside Magic is so cool I just can't get enough." Bill holds a glyphs card he drew in his hand and look at it with joy.

“Don't your get hand hot?" Josh point at the pipe on top of his wrist.

“Got that cover" Bill knocks a steel plate on his back hand “This piece is separate from other pieces that cover my finger and they are resisted to most extreme temperature."

“This is interesting but we should head out now." said Amy which everyone agrees.

The walk in the dark is scary at first but once everyone eyes start to get used to it they can see the path better and the rest is just looking for any faith blue or green light hiding under a tree or leaf.

It's been a few hours before Calamity make a sudden turn “Get down"

Eirian can hear it too. A group of wild dogs.

Almost twenty of them.

“Just let them pass. They are quite feral; we don't want to deal with a group this big."

“Why are we hiding like a coward let's just go and beat them all" Amy refuse to sit still but Biscuit pull and beg her until Amy finally sit down before any dogs could hear her. They all kneel down as the dogs run ahead looking for their next prey.

When they finally pass Biscuit make a sound of relieved “I never seen a wilds dog before, their eyes look so scary."

“Weird I never heard of a wild dog living in Cinder Wood and such a large number too." said Eirian.

“They been a problem for our farm in countryside forever, New Terra radio organize a hunt for them every year but our livestock still keep getting attack. There just no end to them."

“If there is such pest in our land the queen wouldn't stand for it" said Amy.

“There're gone now so we should keep moving." Eirian gets up.

“Wait" Calamity stop and look at shadow on four legs next to the tree ahead.

“Just a stag. Don't worry they're harmless. They're local animal here, an animal who hasn't awaken."

“Hello children"

Wait did that stag just talk?