FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

I apologize for the time it took me to post. I have been busy with school work, martial arts and I actually found time for my lady (Yay) I'm going to be posting but it might take some time, since I'm swamped with stuff to do.

Also, a completely unrelated question to readers. I have been thinking of adding some more... Mature stuff on the story-line. Since I've never done anything like that, it might not be the best quality. I'd like to know your opinions, since you're the ones reading this (I hope) so all readers, who actually care, please give me your opinion on the matter. Any ideas are much appreciated ^_^ Now. With that all done, enjoy the newest chapter!

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I turned onto my side on the bed. It was small but quite comfortable. I couldn't sleep. Too many thoughts... Iris is sleeping right across the hall... I don't know what to do... I should just forget it and sleep. Yes. That's it. I'll just sleep.

An hour later, I'm still in the same position, thinking whether or not I should confront Iris with my feelings... Nah... I'll wait for the right moment...

Another hour passes and I'm getting frustrated. How can I not fall asleep?! I close my eyes, forcing myself to at least look like I'm fast away to my dreams. I hear a creek. The door opened? I keep my eyes closed and steady my breathing. I slide my hand under the pillow, ever so carefully, and grip on the hilt of a knife I kept for safety. I heard a sigh. Not a loud one. Almost a whisper. Iris? Yes. It has to be. I was almost about to greet her but she spun me to my back and slammed something on my chest. I can't describe the pain. It was so bad that I felt like I was dying over and over again. I looked into her eyes, begging for her to stop, pleading for her to tell me what she was doing. But she only cried. I blacked out and finally fell asleep...

Morning. No. Day? Too dark... Maybe noon? I cringed and let out a loud yelp of pain. Aw hell! What the fuck is this?! I press my right hand on my chest and fall back on the bed, writhing in pain. I saw Iris in the corner of my eye and tried to speak. No words came out. I look into her eyes, scared and confused.

"Take it easy. I didn't want to hurt you... But..." She paused in thought. "But you didn't really give me any choice. I got this from Graverobber" She pointed at my neck. I looked down and saw a pendant. Three snakes were being held by a claw. Two of them were very dark, whereas the middle one had a grey-ish tint to it's scales. "And he said that I should put this on you, if you lose control again"

Okay... So she didn't attack me... She was only looking for my best interes- Wait... Again? That'd mean that she'd have seen it before. I shouldn't be surprised but we have only met Graverobber twice. So that'd mean that she has either talked with him before, or on the day that Zero D's Hq got burned down. I looked at her in the eyes, knowing that she can hear my thoughts.

So... When did he tell you this?

Iris flinched a bit, noticing that my question was directed at her. "The same day Zero Division was attacked. When you... Changed into Prothero" A tear rolled down her cheek. Why is she crying? That doesn't make any sense.

Hey... Are you okay? And I'm still me. Not Prothero. She was worried that I'd become that monster?

"But you might..." She started sobbing now. I wanted to hold her so badly, but my pain didn't allow me to. My whole torso was in flames of pain. I only soothed her with my thoughts.

I'm right here... Take your time... I won't become someone else.

She slapped my face, hard.

What was that for?!

"Don't make promises, you can't keep!" She growled under her breath. "Every single Shadowcaster has lost his mind. Sooner or later. It's just a matter of time, so don't take me for a fool!"

I didn't mean to offend. But I'm perfectly in control of myself. Prothero has promised his co-operation as well. I don't see how he'd take control over me now.

"But you never know! That's why Graverobber gave me that!" She pointed at the pendant again. I could feel the damn thing burning against my chest.

What does it do?

"I... I don't know... He said that it'd help you control the Shadow..." She was visibly ashamed for taking such drastic measures, with little knowledge of the actual consequences.

I sighed loudly, trying to ignore the pain. It's fine... What's done is done... No reason to mull over it... Now come on. Help me up. I tried forcing a smile.

"Of course" She took my hand and pulled me up carefully. "I'm sorry" She repeated, as she helped me walk down to the kitchen. "I'll get River. He'll know what to do. Are you going to survive?" She spoke, easing me on to a chair.

I felt the pain ease a little. I managed to speak with labored gasps. "I... I'll... Be... Fine..."

Iris gave me a concerned look and kissed my cheek quickly. Then she left. My eyes rolled back and I started drifting back to sleep.

___

The room was different this time. There was no light. I couldn't see anything. My eyes didn't adjust at all. I could hear loud gasps of pain and I rushed towards them.

"Prothero? Celeana? Where are you?" I spoke softly, unsure of what was going on. My body felt very good here. There was no pain. Must be just my imagination.

A groan and chains rattling. "...Ryu?..." Celeana?! I run up to the voice and feel the chain. It's damp with blood. I felt her stirring fully awake- "Ryu?... Get out... He's not happy... He-" Whatever she had to say, it was cut off. I felt a huge fist slamming into my throat and it swung me down on the ground. I still couldn't see anything but I heard the beastly voice of Prothero.

"You... Betrayed us..." I could only see a pair of gleaming, crimson eyes. And they weren't happy. "You tried to kill her. Why did you do this?" He was doing his best to contain his wrath but was obviously struggling through every word. He must've wanted me dead for good this time.

"I didn't do anything! It was-" He slammed at me again. I could feel my left arm breaking at two places. Right above and right below the elbow. I did my best to ignore it. I have to talk him out of this.

"You did nothing? Then explain that!" I could hear his arm whipping and I could guess that it was pointed at Celeana. He was also wearing chains but he must've broken them earlier.

"I can't see!" I yelled, tasting blood in my mouth.

"You can't see... That's because I do not wish for you to see anything!" I felt two large tendrils reaching at me and gripping my throat. They lifted me up and I could feel Prothero's breath against my face. "Maybe I should take the gift of sight from you, as well, hm? I can prevent you from seeing the shadows but not the world. But gouging someone's eyes out isn't really a feat to acchieve, is it?" I heard a forced chuckle. I felt fingers against my eyelids and started to panic. Was he going to take my eyes?! I squirmed, as he pressed harder and I was already writhing in pain.

Then he laughed and let go. The room flashed back into my sight and I could see again, although there were red spots swimming in my eyes. Prothero had obviously lost it. He wasn't sane anymore. He looked like a beast with that jet-black body and horns, along with the beaming red eyes. His wings were twice his size and I could see them framing around Celeana. She was not injured physically but she seemed to be in great pain. There were chains covering her whole body, preventing her movement completely. Prothero was tearing the chains but to no avail.

I dragged myself away from them. I wanted to help her but the monster between Celeana and I was too frightening. His head turned slowly around, as he addressed me once again. "I will be back. And I will not do any more deals with you. You have my powers but I will limit those. You'll have to learn for yourself. Do not take this as a liberty, but a punishment. You've had it hard so far but from now on..." He paused, mimicking Graverobber's dramatic nod. "It's going to be raised to a whole new level" He laughed maniacally and I returned to reality.

___

"-yu! Are you okay?!" I heard Raven's voice first. What was he doing here? My arm was back to normal but my chest flared up into a sea of pain, once again.

Iris! Where are you?! I screamed out for the swan, trying to hold on to my consciousness this time.

"I'm here. Don't worry" She spoke softly. She was right behind me, so I could feel her breath against my ears.

What's going on?

"A lot. River will have to explain it, but it appears that we can't stay here for too long anymore" I heard worry and sorrow in her tone. What did she mean?

How so?

"The almighty Zero Division has decided to go ahead with the war plan. They've begun capturing mages all around town. I heard that it's beginning to take effect elsewhere too" River interrupted. He was in the corner of the room, so I heard his voice but couldn't see him. "We have maybe a day, at most, until they find us. Assuming that we hide, of course. If we don't, they'll have us by the end of the day"

Jack cut in, from the other side of the room. "Yes. But they can't apprehend me or Shin, since we're not mages"

"That doesn't help the rest of us, you moron" Raven lashed at him.

"No. But it helps us. And does it really matter, if we get out and manage to stay-"

"Of course it does! They've been executing strong mages, since day one!" Raven continued.

"Don't be ridiculous. It wouldn't make any sense to kill off every ma-"

"Yet they do it. I agree that it's not how the technicians usually handle things but that's how they are working now, so we have to cope with what we have" River spoke softly, trying to make peace between the ex-general and raptor.

I was starting to get tired of the conversation and got up slowly, leaning my back against the chair. "What's... Going on?..." I managed to speak out, tiredly.

Iris immediately shot towards me, holding me still. "The technicians are attacking the mages. We need to leave, if we want to warn the Council of Graverobber"

That's great. I'm not in any condition to really walk too fast. I guess that I could try it but it wouldn't be more than crawling speed. I didn't want to hold anyone back but I also didn't want to be left behind. If they were attacking mages and killing off all the stronger ones, who knows what they'd do to me. "So... What's the... Plan?"

River studied me for a moment, then continued. "Well. We could make it out by walking, assuming that we can dodge the sentries. But evens so, the length that we'd have to travel isn't a short one. They'd most likely get us before we got halfway to the forest"

"I can move fast. So can Ryu" Raven cut in with a desperate tone. "And you are a teacher! To add that, we have Lulu and Draco! We have more than enough chances to-"

"I'm sorry... To be a burden... But I'm not exactly in top-notch condition... If you didn't notice" I spoke up, trying to crack a smile. Breathing was getting easier but it was still very labored.

"About that" Lulu was standing in a corner, behind a lamp, so I didn't see her before. Everyone seemed to be here. "That pendant you have there. Where did you acquire it from?" She crossed her arms, intrigued about the strange necklace.

"I don't-"

"I gave it to him" Iris interrupted.

"And where did you get it from?" Lulu asked politely, nodding to let Iris continue.

"I..." She swallowed. "Graverobber"

The whole room's atmosphere darkened even more. We were already being hunted by technicians but to add to that the threat of the stitched up jackal, was too much. Lulu seemed to be the only one, who wasn't shocked, although there was a wave of disgust across her face, as her old teacher's name was mentioned.

"Did he tell you the purpose?"

"No. Only that it'd help him"

"It will and it has. But if Ryu takes that off, I'm afraid that he's going to be in a whole new level of pain. You did him a favor but might have also dug him an early grave" Lulu smirked a bit.

"What do you mean?" Iris asked, concerned.

"That pendant is a binding one. It restricts the influence of the Shadow and gives full control of it to the mage. However, the Shadows rarely appreciate being bound and will try to force themselves out. And when that happens, the mage dies"

Iris let out a desperate sob. "But it can be stopped, right?"

The mouse merely unfolded her arms and gave a bored sigh. "Sadly, stopping an element from taking control usually requires for the mage to be in full sync with the element. That'd mean that they'd have to think the same thoughts. If he did that, he'd be no better than Prothero, and wouldn't be helped, in the first place"

I let out a whimper. I couldn't understand the whole thing but from what I could pull together, I could never take this necklace off or I'd die. Seems simple enough. "Okay... I'm fine with this. At least... It gives me more control..." I looked at Jack. "You know the technicians best... Right? Do you have any idea... How we could leave town... Without being noticed?"

He thought for a moment, then nodded. "We'd have to go by air. Zero-D hasn't invested that much in aerial machinery. Besides from a few drones, they can't really touch us"

"So all we need to do... Is fly?" I sighed, unsure if that was an advantage or not. He nodded and I leaned my head back. I could see Shin, Shay, Draco, Raven, River, Lulu and Iris in the room. Along with Jack, that meant that we were all in the same spot. If we were attacked now, I'd be the weakest link and others would try to protect me, leaving themselves open. I have to think quick... Think... Think... Wait. That's it!

"Jack" I said, not letting my eyes open. "Your project... The one that you've been... Working on for the past... Years... Could that... Help us?"

"If we got into it, maybe" He sighed. "I thought about that too, to be honest. But it's too heavily guarded and it never got a test-flight, so I can't be sure"

"But would the engines start up?" Shin asked eagerly.

"Of course they would. We had to test them periodically" He grunted at the young tiger.

"So if they work, why wouldn't it fly?"

"You really are a rookie, aren't you?" Jack laughed. "Just because the engines work, it doesn't mean that they can handle tons of steel in the air, does it?"

Shin didn't give up. "But if it's our only chance, shouldn't we try it?"

Others agreed but Iris still had her doubts. "But Ryu isn't in any shape to move, let alone fight!"

"Believe me. If we need to fight, we will have failed" River soothed her - if that can be called soothing, in the first place. Iris only nodded and slumped back, still holding me to prevent me from falling over.

"So what's... The plan?" I tried putting my thoughts together but it wasn't that easy. The pain was subsiding but not fast enough.

"Well. We either wait it off and risk dying here or go on a suicide mission to die later" Jack shrugged. "As long as everyone's happy with the decision, we'll choose from those two"

"What is the crowds choice?" River asked, scanning everyone's faces, as he spoke.

"I kinda like the idea of invading a technician stronghold" Raven smirked.

"Same here" Shay and Draco replied at the same time.

"I'm not sure if it's the smart thing to do but I can't see another choice" Shin continued, obviously deep in thought. "But if Raven's going, I'm in too" He blushed a little. Raven only smiled and nodded approvingly at him.

"For the record: This is a stupid idea. Therefore, I like it" River laughed a little. (Note to self: River's crazy)

"I'll go along with Jack's choice. As long as he provides a good reason to" Lulu spoke, crossing her arms and glancing at the lion. He only nodded and spoke up.

"Fine. We'll try to get the prototype from the Zero-D's storage facility" He walked up to Iris. "You and Ryu stay here. We don't need a cripple, if there's a possibility of fighting. He'll only get in the way or slow us down"

Iris nodded but I cut in. "You're ditching us?"

He smiled. "I wish. I really am not comfortable with that Shadow-thing going on now. But we'll pick you two up, after we have the ship"

"How? If you do get it, how will you return here to town, while being chased by the technicians?"

"He's right" River spoke softly. "But you two cannot accompany us. A group this large can't go on unnoticed, so taking more than three is raising the stakes too much"

"Wait. You're only taking three?!" Raven bounced up. "Who?"

River stepped back a little, giving space to the group around him. "Taken that Jack knows the place, he should join. We also need a strong mage, so Lulu is-"

"You can't put those two in the same team! They'll end up distracting each other!" Raven continued. "I'm the fastest mage around, so I should be allowed to join up!"

"Fine. You, Jack and I will go. The rest will stand guard" He agreed. "Now there's another matter to be discussed. Jack. If I may ask you to join me here?" The shark pointed to a room, asking Jack to follow.

"Sure" The lion responded and they both entered the room to the left.

An hour later, the sun was already setting. Must've been seven-ish. Couldn't check the time. The pain was more or less gone and I was capable of walking on my own. Then the shark and lion stepped out, looking highly disturbed.

"Okay... So far, we haven't managed to form a single plan that would work..." Jack sighed, unhappily. "They built it to be foolproof and that's what it is"

"At first, we thought that we could go silently, sneak in and blast out. Problem is that the ship takes almost an hour to warm up and take off. More than enough time for them to intercept" River continued.

"After that, we felt like just going on a full-front assault. But that would take too many casualties and likely kill us, as we go" Jack huffed.

I paced a little - it helped me think - and started forming a plan. Sure, since I didn't know the map of the place, it wouldn't make sense to plan anything. But I had managed to slip under a shadow yesterday and I doubt that Zero Division was prepared for that. I told that to the group but Jack slammed the idea straight down.

"Even if you got there on your own - which I don't doubt you could, there's still the matter of getting the engines running"

"What does the ship need to power up?" I asked. There had to be a way.

"Energy, mostly" He answered, bored of such a simple question. "The problem is that it takes a lot of time to pump it full with it. If one could charge it quickly, it'd be ready for take-off in minutes. But that's not possible"

"Would thunder do?" I pressed on, starting to get my hopes up.

Jack looked at me suspiciously but amused me with an answer. "Yes. It's been rigged to gather energy from thunder storms, in case there are no charging stations nearby. But the sky's clear, so I don't see how-" He cut off and figured out my plan. We both homed our eyes in on Raven and Jack smiled. "Yeah... That might work"

Raven didn't catch up immediately but figured it out quickly. "So. I have to charge your ship up, huh?" We both nodded. "Sure. But if it takes too much out of me, I won't be any use afterwards"

"Hopefully, we won't be needing you after taking off" Jack grinned.

By now, everyone had understood our crazy-enough-to-work-plan. The only thing left was to decide who goes and who stays.

"Raven obviously. Ryu's shadow slipping will come in handy" Jack exclaimed. "And me, obviously, to start it up and running"

Everyone agreed and in a few minutes, the three of us were ready to go. I had strapped on my knives and Raven's chain was snug against his chest. River told to meet them later on in a spot in the forest. He gave precise co-ordinates and Jack was happy with those. I walked up to Iris hugged her out of impulse.

"I'll be okay" I smiled. "Just you wait. Meet us later?"

"Don't make promises, you might not be capable of keeping..." She sobbed a little but with a smile.

"I don't" I grinned back, flashing my fangs eagerly.

"Fine. But if you don't keep that promise" She hugged me tighter. "I'll get you myself" She chuckled.

"Suits me just fine" I let go and joined Jack and Raven. Jack had done the same with Lulu, as I had. Raven had hugged Shin as well, not really caring who saw.

We walked out of the room and out of the house. The moon was already crawling up on the horizon. We set off, silently into the night, with shadows guiding our steps.