PREDATORS
by Chimera Bloom
Part 1
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Once upon a time, in the far distant future, things upon the earth began to change. The world now belongs to the beasts of the field, the fowls of the air, and the denizens of the sea. The human being has become extinct. And in a world destroyed by science, nature claimed its final prize.
After centuries of fighting, battles, and worldwide wars the society of humans crumbled to the ground. There are few relics left behind of their time on this world. A few buildings still stand and some scattered history remains. But it is their science that will live on forever.
With their own two hands, they recreated the very work of god. Dividing, multiplying and cloning the very essence of their life became a common occurrence in a day full of progress. They tried to push through the boundaries of mortality. And then, they marveled at their seemingly infinite knowledge and scientific prowess all achieved with the ease of impervious technology. And their world seemed to prosper, until the day they went to far...
Splicing the very core of their being, they gave birth to a new species. Their new creations were made in the their own image. But at their core, these creatures were wild animals. Their creations were sophisticated, intelligent, and highly adaptive. They were invincible soldiers with the vision of owls, the speed of the cheetah, and the strength of the shark. And instead of fear or even worry, the humans congratulated themselves on giving birth to the changeling.
But the humans never gave their own weakness much thought; foolishly convinced they would always retain complete dominion over their engineered children. They forgot about the natural instincts they had created by the splicing of their own blood. They forgot about the primitive nature residing in the very core of all their altered children. But most importantly, they forgot about the predators.
It came as a great shock to all of humanity when their own creation rose up against them. After a great sweeping global war, only the changelings remained. And the rule of the planet was once again returned to the animal kingdom.
On the long jungle continent, now known as Inception, the new way of life was born. Here lived the most precious relic of all civilization, the breed-able human female. Salvaged from the slaughter of destruction, they returned to the motherland to give birth to the new species. With the building blocks of life rushing through the very stream of their blood, the first natural offspring were born. Half of the children were changelings reflecting their animal-hybrid parentage. The others were more human, baring the physical traits of their mother's. But regardless of genetic make-up they all had one completely uniform trait, their gender. In a world of manipulated chromosomes, altered DNA and the all-out morphing of life, nature found one harmonious method to bridge a widening gap. Every child born was female, and the very act of conception became an art.
In the land of the animal kingdom a kindred spirit has been reborn. Enjoying centuries of peace and prosperity the Kingdom has spread across the globe creating an intricate civilization of advanced technology and potent magic. Here the world is divided into tribes of reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and fowl. But despite the relative good-will running through the entire Kingdom, some neighboring villages can't seem to get past their innate tribal differences.
The Fasara are the all mighty jungle cat tribe that has been the unchallenged ruler of the entire continental Inception. But when the Midali take to the land, they become fast enemies. Now the rule of the Inception is challenged between two warring tribes each determined to best the other. And as many wars go, innocents are hurt far too often.
Far from a peaceful people, the jungle cats rule with an iron will. They've come to their power through years of bloodshed and cunning battle. And they aren't about to relinquish their hard-earned spoils of war. But over the years they've grown soft and lazy. Many don't think they will be able to stand against their resourceful neighbor.
The Midali are the oldest and strongest tribe in the entire Kingdom. They've managed to maintain peace for so many years by living only in their underwater cities. But when evolution steps in, they decide to move onto the land claiming their rightful place as unchallenged leaders of the Inception). The shark changelings have little patience for their relatively young jungle cat neighbors. And the quest to show their natural dominance has become nothing short of necessary passion.
But this is not a tale of war, or even of the wonders of science. This is a story of love. Its elements are familiar enough, despite their rather magical shroud. It is the story of a maiden, a heroic warrior, and just enough evil to make things interesting.
And as all good stories begin, this one shall start somewhere in the middle. As events unfold, they begin at the Gallion. It is the time of warrior celebration and furious tribal matches. People from differing tribes all across the planet congregate in one village to witness the fastest and strongest changelings in the heat of competition. To the cheering roar of spectators, warriors lock in battle to win the ultimate prize of honor.
But the Gallion with all its many challenges is merely a backdrop to the true issue at hand. And that would be the sudden blossoming relationship between the warrior and the maiden. Who through unforeseen circumstances have been rather abruptly forced together.
Our maiden, Elila is at the Gallion for the first time in her relatively young life. Sent by her parents to represent the family at the much hallowed event. Though unbeknown to Elila, her parents had other less honorable reasons for sending her. They turned their daughter over to the care of the tribe's premier warrior in hopes of solidifying marriage. Elila's changeling parent, her Alpha and ultimate ruler of the tribe has a dire but secret need for the girl to marry.
And the fair-golden warrior, Kellis knows all to clearly what Elila's parent's true intentions are. But Kellis isn't entirely sure she wants to be married to the maiden. She feels too young, too virile, and far too wanton to be tied down. But under the light of a clear moon with all the excitement of the Gallion, Elila would do nearly anything to change the warrior's mind.
So our scene opens in the darkness of the night and the warmth of a satiny bed. The maiden and the warrior lie side by side both lost in the dreams of sleep. But unfortunately for Elila, she's about to wake...
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
It pushed her deep under the water's surface. She tried to struggle but just couldn't get free. It wrapped around her body strangling the very air from her lungs. The water seemed to be a dull crashing roar in her ears as she kicked and swayed. But she couldn't free herself; the murky water was just too deep.
And she couldn't swim. And It knew that too. It circled her letting her know that she was nothing more then prey. It seemed to enjoy her struggles for air and garbled pleas for mercy. But It simply did nothing. It only watched as her furtive struggles brought her ever closer to a watery grave.
She would always remember how It looked, the way It cut through the water like a smooth white knife. Even through her burning eyes, screaming ears, and suffocating lungs she would never forget the way It appeared when it finally pounced. It was the embodiment of raw power. It even seemed prehistoric with a desolate aura that made her heart lurch within her form. And under only the light of the full moon, It seemed somehow mythic.
But above all else, It was hungry. And it wanted all those things better left unspoken. And on some level she was even amazed by It. She was all alone with nature's perfect predator. And she felt terribly unimportant as it wrapped its limbs around her.
It collided into her body with the strength of pure steel. The few precious drops of air that still swam through her blood were suddenly strangled from her body. Her mouth opened in gaping pain as It slammed into her midsection. She tried to double over. She tried to cry. She tried to breath. But It wouldn't let her.
It only seemed to laugh as she drank in lungfuls of salt water. She felt It throw her from the dark water's surface and for a rich second she could breath. But It wasn't enough. Her lungs were too damaged and starved to truly aid her burning body.
And when she hit the water, things only got worse. It was there waiting for her, tearing into her body with maximum force. It was snarling with the fury of an ancient blood lust. It's eyes were the color of a chilling sea. And It's intent was more then clear. She was about to be devoured.
But instead of her flesh, it was only her shirt that was ripped from her back. The only thing that surprised her more was when the rest of her clothing was pulled away at crushing speeds. She was naked and struggling against a predator that couldn't be defeated. Her body was damaged and oxygen starved. And she had this terribly limp feeling as she began to float away from all the pain.
Then It suddenly let her go. The motion surprised her at first, how It pushed her away from it's body. It just lurked there, staring at her with wide electric eyes and an icy exterior.
But she couldn't swim away. She couldn't even keep her own body afloat. She thrashed and struggled with the slippery water reaching for the air she so desperately needed. Every single cell in her body screeched out in pain. It felt like hot acid had been poured right into her lungs. And then she knew, it was her pathetic attempts and squirms in the water that attracted It. She had been unknowingly sending off a mating call as old as time's earliest dawn.
She felt it move long before she saw It. The water next to her suddenly came rushing past with the force of a primal impact. It wrapped her up in It's steely limbs stopping her futile motions. She felt It's impossibly strong body trap her own and for the first time she gagged in true horror.
Instead of a simple hunt, instead of murder, she knew It had a far more devious plan. The impossibly smooth skin of It's body was now naked against her own. And from It's pants and snarls she knew all too clearly what was to happen next.
It lowered its toothy mouth to her fragile and bared neck. She couldn't tell what hurt worse, the pain of suffocation or the lanced agony in her neck. She felt it bite into her skin, unable to control it's predatory instincts. She didn't know how deep the wound was, nor did she care. She just wanted it over. She needed to stop the pain, the humiliation, and the fear. And if the escape of her own life would do that, then she would look forward to the final drop of blood leaving her body.
But such a release wasn't to be. Whether she knew it or not, she was a survivor. And her body was built to mate with the hunt. Her heart beat steady ignoring the sudden drain as the creature grouped and bit its way all across her soaking flesh. It brought her to the surface scant times. It wasn't because she needed air. It was only because it wanted a different position, a better angle to penetrate her.
The twin sensations of burning agony erupted in her lungs as well as the tender place between her legs. But It didn't seem to care. It had her there in the water for hours, spinning her body to and fro creating a splashy display of hungry ugliness. Their positions always changed. It's bites were always different eliciting a mixture of painful screams and futile struggles. And It's hands seemed to be able to fit everywhere at once. Every single space on her skin felt bruised, pinched, and punctured. The only constant was her tightly shut eyes as she tried to block out the watery horror.
She couldn't be sure how long it lasted or went on for. Her own body, not equipped for aquatic life, had given out some time ago. Her lungs were filled with water and the volatile blood loss had weakened even her most basic systems. Her own mind seemed to literally be swimming away on the wavy surface of the deep blue sea.
But then suddenly, everything stopped. The pain eased and her ribs coughed as she suddenly found herself being pulled from the water. She breathed in choppy gasps as It pulled her away to the familiar comfort of land. She didn't get to be relieved or even overjoyed at the prospect of living another day. Her body was too damaged to remain awake for such trivial emotions. Instead, she slipped quietly into the blanketing darkness of her own mind hoping to awake in a better place. But she knew nothing could ever be worse then those watery depths that were home to the dark creature of her blinding fear…
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
"Hey are you okay?" Elila woke to the gentle soothing touches of a warrior quickly pulling her into a strong embrace. The girl couldn't say anything, not for a few moments anyway. The dream had been too much. It was always the same, the never-ending nightmare that refused to leave her mind. It's lurking presence infuriated her like nothing else ever had. She tried so hard to put all that behind her. She did everything she was supposed to. But even if she managed to muddle through her days, her nights always belonged to that terrible beast of the sea.
"You're okay. It was just a dream." Kellis murmured running her strong hands across the flushed and sweat covered back of the girl in her arms. Kellis had slept next to many women. And many of them had needed a comforting shoulder to rest against in the long hours of the night. But in all her years, she had never seen anything like what had overcome Elila. The poor girl had screamed at the very top her lungs. She had kicked and punched at the air trying to free herself from some invisible attacker. She had begged and pleaded for respite and mercy. And she had cried with this soul-searing pain that could only come from a broken heart, a strangled spirit, and a tortured memory.
"It's over now. You're okay." Kellis whispered desperately trying to sooth the girl. She rocked her slowly in her arms as she gently kissed the nape of her neck. They were familiar motions of comfort. But she had never used them with Elila.
The small girl tried to calm herself as the warrior held her. She hadn't wanted this to happen. She wished she could pluck the memory of that awful time in the water from the very depths of her own mind. But no such amnesia was available to her. Instead, she had to suffer the night tremors.
And until now, she had managed to hide her torment. Kellis had known something was wrong when she had returned. Elila just hadn't been the same. But vague ambiguities and an all out declaration of privacy had kept her secrets in tact. She hadn't told the warrior about the horrible things done to her that night in the murky black water.
But now, Kellis would have questions. And Elila had no answers to give. Kellis was one of her dearest friends. They loved each other with a deep caring affection and mutual trust that was unquestionable to all those around them.
Some time ago, things had started to change. Elila found herself relishing physical contact in any form with strong blonde cat warrior. She found her body quickening at the slightest glance in her direction. She found herself thinking all those romantic things that before had never crossed her mind. And before she knew what had happened, she found herself wanting so much more then simple friendship from the warrior.
But despite their closeness, Elila knew the warrior's physical affections lay elsewhere. Even though she let her mind entertain many a fantasy, she knew their was no truth in them. Elila was a good friend, a trusted confidant, and a loyal companion. She would never be the warrior's woman.
And that's what made tonight so tragic. She was only fighting herself as Kellis tried to sooth away her fears. She wanted to give into to the soft touch. She wanted to cling to the comfort and assurances she knew the warrior would readily give. She wanted to let herself cry. She wanted to let it all go.
But she couldn't. Kellis didn't love her, not like she wanted. And she wouldn't cling to a warrior that wasn't hers. She had to get used to being alone. She had to take care of herself because no one else was going to. And as much as she wanted to, she couldn't cry herself into the hysterical sobs that were forming in her throat.
"What is it? What happened?" Kellis asked gently cupping her face. The warrior wiped at the girl's tears watching the unabashed misery trickle across Elila's face. She didn't know what to do and she hated feeling impotent. Elila had no response. She only tried to free herself from the tight grip that surrounded her.
"Elila what's going on? What happened to you?" Kellis questioned knowing that something darker then a simple bad dream was causing the maiden's harried outburst.
"I… I can't talk about it." Elila managed to choke out. Which for more then one reason was the truth. Besides her personal feelings on the matter there were her parents to consider. That had made it clear that in no uncertain terms, was Elila ever to tell what really had happened out on the water. If she did, it could ruin everything.
They needed her to get married. They needed to know that the throne was secure. And if it was public knowledge that she was damaged goods, the possibility of a marriage contract fell into near oblivion. It was a terribly unfair situation, and it was one that was eating her up all inside.
"Elila please tell me. I want to help." Kellis spoke so softly and tenderly that it nearly broke the girl's heart right in two. The warrior could be so good to her. Kellis was always gentle and sweet with her. She made her feel special and in some ways even wanted. But she couldn't tell Kellis the truth; she didn't want the warrior's pity.
"I'm okay… I just need a glass of water." Elila answered still holding onto the hordes of tears that were begging for release. But Kellis wouldn't let her go. The warrior stared at her with dark yellow eyes searching her face for some kind of answer.
"Does this have to do with what happened when you were taken? Your parents told the village that everything was fine. They said that all of you were returned in perfect health. But that's not true is it?" Kellis spoke her thoughts aloud staring at the young maiden trapped in her arms. The warrior could feel her more primal nature begin shift within her. There was something about a helpless and crying woman that reduced her to a more basic instinct.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Elila refused to meet her gaze and Kellis knew she was on the right track. The girl just hadn't been the same since her kidnapping. Elila rarely slept and when she did it was apparently a restless tremble filled with the fear of a tortured nightmare. The girl was moody and withdrawn refusing to even go out into the village. And she wore the strangest clothes since her abduction. Despite the hot fiery temperature of their jungle village, Elila was always outfitted in long sleeves and longer skirts. Kellis knew she was hiding marks of some kind; there was simply no other reason for it.
But Elila had always wanted to be left alone. She refused to answer the warrior's questions making Kellis even more suspicious of the girl's true experience. But what really set the warrior into panic mode was the time she did spend with Elila. She would have to purposely seek her out in the dark recess of her private rooms. Elila would never meet her gaze. She would only stare at the floor as if to wish it would swallow her whole.
Then one time Kellis had made the mistake of reaching for her. She had only wanted to comfort Elila, the girl seemed had seemed so small and shaken. But when her strong arms reach out to hold the girl, Elila had recoiled and screamed with all the force of pure terror. The girl had tried to explain away her actions. She had blamed them on simple nerves and a lack of sleep but Kellis knew otherwise. She had been on far too many hunting parties to be fooled by the mumbled statements of one panicked girl. She knew the sounds and screams of a hurt woman. She'd seen raided villages; she knew all too well what Elila was trying to hide.
And she had done her duty. Kellis was Elila's friend, she wanted to protect her and defend her from those that had obviously taken so much. She had stormed through the palace seeking out Elila's parents. She couldn't imagine that they didn't know what had really happened to their daughter. She couldn't conceive of the fact that they just might not care.
She found them in the garden, sunning themselves by the rich lavender air of the purple violets. Thash, the village ruler and Elila's alpha, was sitting at a white table obviously very involved in work. Tezara, the village Premier and Elila's mother, was lounging in the lush green grass. It was the woman who saw her first, smiling brightly and waiving her offer. Tezara was always so pleased to see her. Even Thash cast her a warm welcome.
They had exchanged pleasantries and spoke of the village. But she couldn't hold her questions for long. She wanted to know the truth about Elila. And more then anything, she wanted to help. But things hadn't worked out that way. Elila's parents assured her that nothing improper or malevolent had befallen their daughter. Even though she had been kidnapped and held captive for several days, they promised her that Elila was treated well. They said the girl had problems of a personal nature. They said to ignore her for the time being and she would snap out of it. Kellis didn't believe a word of it. She knew Elila too well to actually think that her dark somberness could be attributed to a simple female mood swing.
But Thash had looked her in the eyes and swore that nothing ill had happened to their fair daughter. And that had been good enough for Kellis. It had to be. Thash was the Alpha for the entire village, her word was law. And that had put her mind to rest, until now…
"Elila please tell me. Let me help." Kellis spoke softly trying to still the shaking sobs of the woman in her arms. But it wasn't working; her concern only seemed to be making things worse.
"Kellis let go of me." Elila cried with red-rimmed eyes and a flushed face. Instantly, the arms around her dropped away freeing her from the warrior's embrace. The girl fled the warmth of the bed trying to escape the prying gaze of Kellis' bright yellow eyes. She closed the door to the bathroom behind her locking out the harsh questions of the warrior in the other room. She quickly dressed knowing that despite the late hour her only solace would be found in the darkened streets of the village below.
The warrior was shocked when Elila came bursting through the room fully dressed with an obvious intent to leave. The girl wanted to just run but she knew Kellis would give chase. The changeling's very nature would allow for no less. She would have to explain her actions and with the choking sobs threatening to suffocate her, she didn't know if that were something she would be able to do.
"I need some air." Elila whispered hoping the changeling would prod no further. But the girl should have known better.
"Okay, I'll go with you." Kellis said leaving the bed to dress. The girl watched the jungle cat changeling as she stalked around the room. Kellis had worn only the skimpiest clothing possible to their shared bed. Her outfit consisted of nothing more then a near see through tank top with tiniest pants Elila had ever seen. The forest green of the fabric looked something akin to perfection as it lay across the golden creamy skin of the warrior. Her long blonde hair was swept up into a tight bun with just the loosest wisps threatening to break free.
"No thank you, I need to be alone." Elila spoke quickly trying to stop the changeling. The girl felt the matter had been closed as she turned to leave the bedroom. But a firm but soft hand on her shoulder stopped her retreat.
"I'm not letting you go alone. This is the Gallion Village. It's too dangerous out there at this time of night." Kellis said softly hoping that Elila would see the logic in her concern. The warrior didn't want to intrude on the girl's much needed space but she had to think of Elila's safety. She was responsible for the girl while they were here and she wasn't about to let her go walking off into the middle of the night.
"I'll be fine." Elila answered quickly trying to move away once again. She knew how Kellis felt about such matters of safety, but right now she didn't care. She just needed to be by herself.
"Elila I know you're upset. But we need to talk about this." Kellis said gently stroking the dark locks falling carelessly around the girl's face.
And for a moment, Elila wanted to tell her everything. She wanted to confess her feelings and all her pain. She wanted to tell the changeling about the night on the water. She wanted her to know about all the horrid things done to her tender body. She wanted Kellis to hold her. But the problem was she never wanted the warrior to let her go. And she knew Kellis. She knew about all the women who frequented her friend's bed. And Elila knew nothing could break her heart more then receiving the warrior's pity when all she really wanted was her love.
So she tried to ignore the comforting warmth in the hand resting against her cheek. She tried to resist her attraction to the taught muscular body standing in front of her. She tried to avoid looking into the sympathetic eyes that softly looked down at her. She tried to block it all out, because she just wanted it too much.
"I'll stay on the grounds." Elila answered forcing herself to leave. She was surprised and relieved when she made it from their quarters. Part of her expected the changeling to follow her from the suite demanding an explanation. And part of her was upset that Kellis didn't care enough to find out…
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
But it wasn't the warrior she needed to think of. It was her kidnapping, rape, and near drowning that was plaguing her thoughts. Swiftly, she moved through the large building trying to find a quiet corner to seclude herself away in. Even at such a late hour, she passed a bar still brimming with people. A few lodging attendants even cast her a weary gaze as she flew by with swollen eyes and wheezing breath. Even the darkened swimming pool still had a few lingering couples not ready to give up on their displays of watery affection. She couldn't find a place to be alone, until she saw the darkened park lying just across the way.
Even though she had told Kellis that she wouldn't leave the lodging grounds she didn't see what choice she had. There was no place else to go. Stealing away from the bright lights of the Lodge, Elila wandered through the deserted alley until she reached the outskirts of the park. The foliage here was beautiful and she imagined that if it was daylight she might be quite enchanted by the beauty surrounding her. Even with the sole pale light of the crescent shaped moon, she could tell she was in the presence of true earthly beauty. The jungle foliage was a luscious green and the blossoming purple flowers were rich in aroma. Everything was so perfect, everything but her.
She cried for hours, letting her knees sink into the soft ground beneath her. She didn't care that her finest blue dress was getting ruined out here in the mud. She could only feel her pain. Though it had been awhile since it had all happened, time hadn't mended her wounds yet. She tried telling herself that she was getting better. She tried to believe that each day she was a stronger person. But then she would have another nightmare and all her progress seemed to vanish in the throws of the night.
It was so awful how she seemed to waiver between energy and despair. She felt like she was constantly trying to climb out of a gaping pit of depression but each time she managed to make it one wrung up, she fall down two. Sometimes she'd see the light of day peeking into her darkened tomb. The excitement would overcome her and she'd start to feel nearly normal. She'd even begin to think of her life in terms of the future, she would even think of marriage.
But then the coldness of her past would rear up and capture her once more. She'd fall flat on the ground unable to see the light that had seemed so close only moments before. Tangible progress seemed like some sort of elusive quality just out of arm's reach. And she'd have to pick herself up and start to climb all over again. But she was getting so very tired of the climb. She just didn't have the strength left.
And this nightmare had set her back tremendously. They were bad enough when she was all alone in the tentative safety of her own bed. But now, Kellis had witnessed the tumbling fear that gripped her. Kellis had seen her whimper and cry. Kellis had seen her pain. And in some way, it embarrassed her.
After Elila was attacked, she found herself secluded in a terrorizing cavern of fear. She was afraid of every changeling that crossed her path. Which was unfortunate considering the fact that she lived in a village of jungle cats. But despite her jumpiness and unease, she had never been afraid of Kellis, not once. She knew the flaxen warrior simply wasn't capable of the things that had been done to her. Kellis was gentle, tender, and always very careful with her. And when she realized how very comfortable she still felt with the warrior, that's when Elila realized the truth. She was in love with the golden changeling.
But she knew Kellis could never know. It was be far too humiliating. She couldn't even count on one hand how many women had professed their love to the warrior. Kellis always tried to handle it as delicately as possible. She was flattered but just not interested. The warrior's only true love was for her very single life. And Elila couldn't even begin to imagine what kind of woman could ever make the golden cat change her unruly ways.
But as Elila lay there on the ground staring up at the bright twinkling stars, she knew that such matters shouldn't concern her. Kellis would only ever be her friend. Despite the prodding protests of her eager parents.
She felt herself relax as the dull hum of the jungle came to life all around her. Dawn couldn't be far now; so many creatures were springing into action. Elila knew she should return to their quarters. Kellis would be asleep by now. And she would need a few hours of rest before the day's events began.
A lengthy walk and a few moments later, she returned to their shared room. Elila gave serious thought to joining the warrior in the large bed. But she knew such an action could only be ill fated. She would want to snuggle into the warmth of the strong body next to her. And Elila knew she shouldn't want such things, not from a friend. So with a tired body and a bleeding heart, Elila made a bed for herself on the plush sofa.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
CONTINUED...