Kroslass Draft 3
At the end of war shar has regained a sense of peace has been gained
Healthy soil gives shelter to an egg, much time had passed since its lay
A silence is broken as the egg cracks
Out came a silkworm, observed by another creature that neared it, within a prick of its needle, the silkwo- With the might of a whisper I screamed, "who did that?!" My gaze upward revealed that before me stood a pale creature, though more of a man, his clothes appeared greatly lenient, his mouth moved but I couldn't hear their words, as quickly as I noticed him he walked about a bit before descending the- at this sight i was quite confused.
"w why am I in a cave?! Where was the truc~ i feel it's best to not worry about such a thought"
my stomach began to hurt, as if it yearned for food "this seems more pressing", the cave I found myself in Appeared grand in size, and illuminated by glowing plants I seemed near one, I stepped towards it, which gave way to a frightening sensation "Am I no longer human?" I had six limbs, seemingly legs, yet nothing in the way of hands, nevertheless as I pondered I had found myself at the plant before noticing, it smelled wonderful. The berries on it were ok, but the leaves were pleasant citrusy like lemongrass.
Before long, I had massacred the plant all its leaves eaten, I began feeling so full, i was immoble yet not entirely stationary, just to be safe I managed to cover myself in some dirt, whilst at the same time, I feel my body is very sensitive, as each touch against me from the ground warrants a reaction from my body, producing silk, seeming to mix with the dirt used to coat myself, thus cocooning me.
I may be powerless at my current point, a weariness from the warmth of the silky soil calms me, its smell wasn't something to find disgusting, regardless I began to sleep within my cocoon, though I wasn't sure I was sleeping, the soil blocked much of the glow from the plants, I couldn't tell if I had closed my eyes for it was too dark.
Upon awakening, I felt a chill, unconsciously I moved my… "My arm! I have arms?!... legs two?!... I was worried i'd be that of an animal forever" upon saying this a tear dripped from my eyes, after a few moments I tried to look upon myself… "I… I seem very pale… wait is this even pale, i'm pretty much just white as the moon light"
I may best assess myself in a brighter light… Did the cave get smaller? Huh where did my cocoon go? Nevermind perish the thought, I must've gotten bigger, though I can't help but feel something highly sensitive on my back.
Feeling impatient to get the answers I notice much of the cave is lined with sticks and the walls covered in tree roots… "uuu moths! This place is covered in moths! This feels like a paradise. I collected the sticks, and drawing from an old video from my past life, I began rubbing a stick in a spinning motion on top of a dryer stick… moments passed "this isn't quite going anywhere- ohhhhh!"
I began rubbing my arm with a leaf from one of the plants "as I thought…" my body began to produce silk the faster I rubbed my skin, after I would say ten or so minutes of rubbing I managed to produce enough silk to form a sturdy string, and attached it to a stick, and twirled the thread over the initial stick I was spinning, "I… I hope this works.
"I began to hold the stick onto the wood and started using my new device, spinning it faster and faster until "fire!"
it started sparking and smoking, much of the dry leaves left on the caves foliage was suitable for kindling so I quickly placed it onto the smoke, and lightly blew it
"that video was truly something I was happy to have memorised" the fire was like a beacon compared to the caves prior darkness, i was able to see some water nearby, it was still, and the fire made my reflection quite visible, as such i was able to assess myself,
"my face… was very cute, though now i could tell by looking down…" I had no chest.
"Maybe I'm a man?" upon looking down at a more sensitive area a pride once cherished was gone "oh… i'm just flat… wait wasn't I a man bef- oh… I guess that doesn't matter now" gazing more at the pond, notably my eyes seemed black where the whites of the pupils would be, white rings seemed to form my iris, as with my marble like complexion my hair was a white rather than a blond.
"Wha?!" above my head appeared to be antennae fluffy and feather-like, though I do have ears like an elf, "very much a knife ear…"
I had wings like that of an insect… it might be more accurate to describe it as moth wings.
"Was… was I one of the moths from these walls?" i pondered my voice quiet
As usual it's likely best I perished the thought, after some moments with a bit of the fire lighting a branch i made my way outside, the air smells like boiled moisture, possibly steam, the land outside the cave was littered with glowing plants, illuminating the ground, blocking sight of the sky was a thick fog, rather perplexing trees lined the area, their leaves glowed just as much as the grounds foliage did, their hues were neon reds and blues.
My gaze sighted a path in the distance, upon walking closer to it, made clear how well paved and smooth it was, after some time spent trailing the path maybe minutes, a old german looking town was before me, their roofs were tiled and red, yet parts of the walls were covered in rather big piping, with steam flowing out from parts of the buildings.
At the entrance where the path lead in, stood guards holding spears, they wore blue coats and rather gothic style shirt and slacks visible beneath the coats. I murmured as i walked to them, "maybe they could help…" as i finished my words i was at the entrance, the gazes of the two men were rather suspicious, leading to a silence, which become broken when one of them sighted my body looking me up and down… what also become rather apparent as he did that was the rather absurd height difference, but more importantly… i was naked…
"Y you should come with us, streaking i isnt something taken lightly" the guard said to me, his tone was a mixture of serious and a sort of panic at seeing me
Within moments the two lifted me up in the air, and ran to what appeared some kind of barracks, prior to arriving they yelled at what seemed to be elves dwarves and humans who blocked their path.
for a hour I was in thought, yet as i was still processing what had happened in mere moments of my arrival, my thought was interrupted as one of the guards threw a coat like what they were wearing at me,
As i looked around at the barracks for a few moments, my gaze was privy, to the rooms walls, such seemed to be planks of wood reinforced with dark metal plating, whereas the floor was quite spacious, it was tiled with a much smoother wood, and covering most of the floor was a darkish blue rug with threads visible on its edges that seemed to glow lightly illuminating the dark ish room, the ceiling was a tad too dark to tell what it was composed of, in the corners of the rooms seemed to be shelving and containers each of which had a visible lock on it, likely containing uniforms or clothing for the guards, after some time taking in the view of these barracks the other guard who apparently left during my thoughts returned with a elf, though shorter than the guard she was still taller than I… I must be a midget to the average person here…
her clothing seemed strange, she wore a belt with various tools, yet also wore shorts that were quite short, along with a singlet, and had blond hair in a rough braid down her back with some parts though short were down the sides of her face, and ears that were quite long, her eyes seemed blue, she was quite cute i daresay
As she looked at me she spoke her voice a little less high than mine "Hello little one~ oh this very much wont do" the elf stated at me,
before grabbing the coat i held in my keratinous hands. After which she took out something from her pockets,
Which seemed to be a measuring tool, that she then held against my body, it was a cold tool each press of it tickled my skin. "It would seem your 137cm to be honest that seemed quite guessable but i wanted to be sure, and your chest… well at least you get to wear dwarf bras"
My face became flushed with red, i felt fairly shattered at those words, as i had lost the pride between my legs and yet someone confirmed that i cant quite have a similar pride for my chest...
As i was once again stunned, the rooms silence was broken by the elfs rather fast modification of the coat which she promptly made with another tool, what seemed to be the size for a grown man, was processed down to the measurements of a child… "there we go~ out of curiosity little one, whats your name?"
the two guards heads perked up hearing the elfs words, "yea we best get you on record incase such indecency is repeated" one of them had said
Oh no oh no no i didnt… whats a good name?! Surely something will cross my mind? Less i risk being more at risk… than i am now… hmm, mayhaps… "kroslass… please call me kroslass"
"Alright we'll get that on record, given this seems to be your first offence along with your first time in our walls we'll let you off with a warning"
Upon the guard ending his sentence the elf began to introduce herself "so kroslass my names Dyre, i think it might be nice to get a drink here in kituster, i know a bar perfect for tourists… oh and should introduce you to these two guards" hearing this kroslass's ears twitched slightly .
with a bow she asked the guards for their names "may i know the two of you?" the two of them seemed uncomfortable, i may have been too formal…
"eh names valk, and my fellow guardsmen is named bune, id prefer to not see such crimes committed-" the end of his words echoed discomfort,
After speaking they walked out likely continuing to guard the gate.
"I id like to go to that bar with you…" i asked dyre the stutter further quieting my voice
"Sure thing, since the exit of kitsuter is at its doors id best give you a tour since everything central is on the way there"
i promptly followed Dyre out the door, the door itself seemed made of metal like a hatch on a submarine, sounds that had muffled during the ordeal became quite pronounced, just above the blanket of fog over this place was the sounds of machines… i'd guess airships of some kind exist here, the sounds of the people seeming to loiter the streets made me feel elated, it seemed like a typical fantasy city, the smell though… it wasn't terrible, but you could tell where sewer entries were, in the streets as we walked, were people resembling cat girls fox girls and other types of animal people, though were not as prominent as the elves dwarves and humans some stared at me, others seemed to go about their day
After some time people watching we neared the first building Dyre wanted to show me
"This're is the library… *dyre began looking me up and down with a smirk* dont eat the books" I couldn't quite figure out what to say in response… bastard
" *with a forced smile* please show me in" *i followed dyre into the library* like with the guards barracks it shared a level of quality that i didnt think id see, the floors though plank were smooth the books however… i opened a book that had a distinct lavender scent but its writing seemed very foreign "wh what does this even say?" i didnt think id have a language issue with writing…
"oh hey how funny you'd pick that book, that is by a demonlord named Aku" Dyers words seemed amused
My words felt unsure as i replied "Demonlord?"
"You aren't aware?" dyre said her pitch getting high at the end of her words
I felt no follow up was warranted as i simply shuck my head in reply, my antennae seemed to flail slightly brushing Dyre with its fluff
"Well take a seat near me and ill do my best to read it to you"
Beastmens Beastiary
Author - Aku
Dyre - " ill read the part that is most relevant to you Kroslass"
I was once human like you who question me, however this blade had changed me the Rabyd Spear, its origin came from filth in the earth, i and others have taken to calling them dark dwarves, the one who got me with this spear stole bones seeming to belong to a child, after getting hit i awoke as the goat like creature you see before you.
*a goat creature? A question only materialised in kroslasses thought*
"That is likely the most relevant to you, i hear the vampiric scourge have the same kind of beginning to Aku, on a related note where did you wake up?"
"In a cave made of tree root in that large tree outside" i say, my voice seemed almost mumbly with confusion. "I can take you over to it Dyre~"
Leaving the Humuli library we crossed the streets the scent of baked goods seemed to permeate the streets, growing in strength as we pushed forward to the exit, Dyre helped guide me through, before not very long we were at the entrance or in our case the exit, yet beside me appeared to be a bakery having just opened my stomach howled as i gazed the many treats,
before Dyre could continue i tugged her shirt… "c can we please get some food…" Dyre looked down at me with a slight smile* "sure!" "thankyou~" she pulled me into the bakery, "what would you like~" a small woman with cat ears and a appropriately themed dress inquired me.
"I im sorry i cant read the menu…" i spoke my voice sheepish and my face blushed red with slight embarrassment.
She answered energetically as if she was performing "well we have some pies nya~ confectionyaries~ and coffee nya!~"
"May i have some coffee?... nya" my answer seemed to get a snicker out of Dyre
"Sure thing! Will be but a moment! Will make a popular brew just for you~ also dyre let me just make this little one her brew and ill get straight to you~"
immediately after answering she turned towards a machine it hissed and steamed as she placed a cup just below it, pouring a caramel brown fluid into it, then pouring what seemed to be a precreamed mixture of coffee, upon whisking it the cat girl handed it to me.
After having a caring face she seemingly snapped back into performing "Nyow what would dyre desire~"
"Same as kros here, but also a quice" before hearing the full request the cat girl was already making the order exactly as aske… though it was a simple order she must order the same thing alot
Her gaze suddenly fixed to me as she served Dyre "Nyow little one are you able to pay?"
Dyre looked away seeming to attempt to whistle… oh… as i answer my voice hoarse "a… am i able to pay with work?"
Her face seemed to smile at my offer "well well well, do i have the role for you nya~"
Within a flash the cat girl brang out a similar uniform to what she wore then handed Dyre a golden coin upon which she started modifying the outfit to my size… i must admit i looked cute… Dyre handed me a name tag and gestured me to fix it onto my apron… i looked at the cat girls tag i couldnt read it… "hey mis what is your name?"
her gaze was soft "well its Korin, in place of currency as requested you'll be greeting guests for the day… id of liked to see you bake but you seem illiterate as Dyre indicated, now chop chop nya~"
The first guest came in a dwarf "ohayo thankyou for staying with us!" the dwarf looked at me slightly smiling as he had to look down a little to look at my face, after which continued on, i heard scribbling of paper near me Dyre seemed to have a notepad.
Before i could think about it next a elf came "mornyan master!" the elf had to look fully down to see me… he smirked then went on towards Korin,loud scribbling from dyre heard each time, this went on for a while before the fog outside was darker seeming to indicate night.
"Well well nya~ you did as asked as a bonus heres a beef pie nya!" Korin said in the same performing.
"Thankyou korin!" the coffee was also cold so Korin made me a new cup it and the pie were really pleasant, the coffee tasted of caramel and chocolate, and the pie seemed to already have a tomato like sauce on it… "Itadaki mas!" was fairly filling just sad i had to let the hunger eat away at me as i greeted.
After getting changed Dyre spoke to me very perplexed "hey uhh kros what does ohayo mean? Also konichiwa, and just now itadaki mas?"
"Oh uhh its a secret~" im not sure how i could explain defaulting to foreign phrases
"Well they sound similar to basic arcanes"
… "huh? Mind giving me a example?" as i say that Korin approached "if nya gonna cast spells mind not doing it in my house" "my apologies we'll avoid loitering"
with that last reply Dyre pulled me back to the path towards the forest as initially intended and spoke as we walked "so basic arcanes are like Hibana!" as she spoke she created a flame "am i able to do that? Hibana!" a small flame flew out of my hand momentarily causing me to swipe at it…
"heh moth, well another spell thats useful is Denki!" She illuminated the forest!? "Alright~ Denki!" similar to the flame i created a small orb of light compelling me to hold it… though it was meant to be made of light i seemed able to hold it, it felt moldable, seeming to shock Dyre "h how?! You know what doesnt quite matter are we almost at the cave?" "yes its just behind that tree~"
now at the cave Dyre looked in horror as the outside of it was masked with thousands of moths… yet she kept following me.
inside we came across my campsite the fire was still going "i thought you didnt know the fire spell?" she looked confused
"oh no i dont i used this" i gestured at the spinning tool, yet that seemed to further confuse her "mind showing me how it works?"
"sure" after finding another stick i put it in and on top of another bit of wood and span the stick until smoke emerged allowing for another fire,
Dyre seemed perplexed until her focus was broken as she gazed a shiny object on the ground "oh hey this seems to be similar to what aku used"
she clenched the object a large knitting needle, it seemed more fit to be a dagger then for knitting. "Here ya go~ i have no real need for this, just wanted to confirm my suspicions" after handing it she followed up "so it would seem you are a demonlord…" "oh?" my expression must've shown my disbelief "well your apparent species doesnt exactly seem native, just like the other demonlords~ dont worry too much just get some sleep"
as she said that i was already drifting, my day was quite full, i could barely keep my eyes open, my body was heated to a point unconsciousness for a few seconds i closed my eyes only to awaken in a comfy and silky bed… i found myself in a white and blue room, like what a sailor home might be like, a window to my right showed a clear blue sky sky, and as i look more leftward i now see a very tall tanned elf, a white tear just bellow her eye… greeting her i said "hello?"
the elf seemed like she was about to stand up but then sat back down "right i have to read this out, Hello Kroslass my name is Tear im Dyres older sister, im to play host to you for a bit"
"Do you have any food?" i asked sheepishly
She stared as if sizing me up "follow me" the comfort of the bed compelled me to stay in… to the annoyance of Tear, upon which she grabbed me by the leg and pulled me out of bed, and now i realise why it was so comfortable… Dyre must've stripped me in my sleep i was wearing underwear, sure but she put bandages over my chest… i blurt out "dwarf bras huh" barely in earshot of Tear, as we went through the pristine white painted hallway i noticed some doors, the floor was a nice reddish brown of wooden floorboards. And within a few more steps we were at the what seemed to be the main room, a large window and door led outside with the inside having a kitchen and a white fluffy couch with small tables to sit at.
I was very curious about what was outside the window, i could see something but i wanted a fresh air aided view "excuse me tear may i go over there?" Sure jus~" hearing confirmation i rushed out only to be pulled back by Tear who then handed me a parasol umbrella and sternly she said "i was gonna say use this… you seem a bit pale is all" after which she then pushed me out, the air smelled of a sea breeze and the sounds of birds were quite welcoming,
i was able to glance what had compelled me, a large hole in the centre of what appeared as a lake or ocean, in the centre of the hole were a tree with leaves red, it seemed very far away yet so so big, above it blimps going to and from the hole, the water appeared like it was falling into the hole yet all it did was make fog filling it, as i looked hard enough i could glance the roofs of buildings sticking above the fog, it seemed four trees surrounded the hole all beyond large, clearly larger than cities from my old life… that may very well have been where i had just been.
After my long admiring of the view Tear came out to the balcony with me, holding a plate sandwiches "heres lunch kroslass"
we sat in some chairs with a small table plate on top "this place is quite beautiful, do you live here with dyre?" i asked in a attempt to make conversation "oh no im just visiting my sister for a bit, she had asked me to watch you while she commutes"
"oh alright thankyou for the answer" upon my reply we sit for quite some time in silence
after a bit Tear turns to me beginning to scowl as she looks me up and down "have you showered?"
before i could reply, she began pulling me back inside through the hall then to what very clearly appears to be a bathroom,
upon her arrival she begins drawing a bath.
within a few quiet moments the tub was now full, the water wasnt unpleasant the smell of soap was a welcome sensation.
the water on my wings was pleasant though id admit they'd long since numbed,
Tear must think me younger than i am as she started trying to scrub my body, "im not a child..." Tear ignored me and continued to scrub,
the irritation was a bit too stimulating silk began to form on my arms almost numbing the feeling of scrubbing. i need to get away "plea please stop!" Tear payed no mind as i struggled to leave the tub.
Kroslass made attempts to get away from Tear yet she kept pushing me back in, The silk now noticeable began covering me and Tear seeing it travel up her arms Tear began pulling away, yet within moments she was cocooned. "tear?" ive been quite lax on my attempts to do something, the water was likely to get cold so pulling the plug id need to dry the cocoon... on the left of the bathroom there were towels so i threw them onto Tears cocoon... this likely to not last i attempt to apply force to the cocoon to get her our of the tub yet im too weak, this is quite regrettable, only other thing i can do to help Tear is maybe warmth. Kroslass makes her way to the bedroom fetching a white blanket and dragging it to Tear throwing it over.
for many hours Kroslass sits by Tear unsure what to do, the sky now beautiful shades of orange, marking the sound of a door opening somewhere in the building, following a familiar voice "hey tear im home" within minutes the sound of shuffling as Dyre shouting getting closer "where are you?!" she must've gone about search all the rooms until finally she gets to the bathroom we sit in. the room was dark only illuminated by the light through the door as now Dyre staring with disgust as she sees the cocoon, then looking at me.
in silence she pulls me out of the room then out of the building, the forests near the house seem almost eerie blanketed in darkness, we kept walking until she takes me to a staircase near the hole housing the city "go..." a pit formed in my stomach as i descended the stairs, it took about a hour but it seems the staircase is a direct path into the hole... ive been calling it a hole but now that i think about it, it is better described as a crater, the same glowing plants greet me, for a day or so i circled the sides of the crater until i found the cave, the forests under the fog seem very empty if any animals did live here they must've been hunted to extinction by the town given its size, id best avoid it, i was lucky to only get a warning for streaking.
regardless i was back at the cave, its comforting to have a place to live in... though it seems i can go deeper the smell of moss and soil permeated my nose, the needle was still by the campsite so i rubbed my arm until i produced enough silk to make a something resembling a belt and tied the needle to it, the right most part of the cave seems to be my path forward though its a large crack, even for me the crack is a little tight, as i squeeze in my wings start tearing, all i can do is wince in pain and keep going forward. one step two step, the walls rubbed against my skin, seeming to seal behind me with silk, as i neared the other side my wings began to break off causing me to scream my vision dizzying, my memory of reaching the other side became foggy as i blackout, only for me to awaken in a cavern, filled with sounds of water flowing, "Denki!" the light illuminated a skeleton, its jaw seemed to have four sharp teeth, and its arms had fully intact ulna "n no one would know"
i took the ulna for safe keeping then kept forward through the cavern, even down here moths lined the walls, yet as i kept going the materials on the walls seemed to get glassy and reflective, with sounds of chatter seemed only a few steps away yet furthered as i neared