Death Hunters 08: Kuhrai Heritage

    While everyone sleeps, one does not, Dark Cookie. Thanks to the mystic seal given to Cookie Clean by Hyatha Aria something has happened that has never happened before, Dark Cookie has a clear memory, albeit of only a short amount of time, of something that happened during the day.

    “I have to say,” she says to Hyatha Aria as she enters the waiting room in which Dark Cookie was told to stay in while Hyatha Aria rested, “When I woke up and found myself staring at a cat-girl in a sexy blue maid outfit I was very excited, but then your little memory trick kicked in and that maid told me to wait in here while you got your beauty rest cat lady.”

    She winks at Hyatha Aria, “got yourself a nice set up her lady, all the sexy cat-girls you could ever want.”

    Hyatha Aria calmly sits down across from Dark Cookie, who returns to her own chair, almost as if compelled to do so, nothing but a small coffee table between them.

    “I am not into girls,” says Hyatha Aria, “if I were this job would not be possible, and on that note so long as you are a guest in my home I suggest against trying anything with any of my residents. I say this not simply as a threat, but as a warning. I do not know what sort of altered humans or what have you, you have encountered in your travels but these cat-girls are not slutty sex kittens, while they may enjoy physical company they are not weak little play things for your amusement. They are powerful beings that deserve the same respect one would give a tiger, a tiger that can talk and think on a sentient level.”

   “yeah, yeah,” says Dark Cookie, “I remember, it’s a little blurry though, something about them being asexual and having sexual contact with men or women. You’re going to tell me, me and my…toys, couldn’t fill in that role.”

   *wink, wink*

   “You are as Hollia described,” says Hyatha Aria, “However, ones method of reproduction is not cause to think less of someone, that and you miss-remember the details. At any rate amongst my own kind for example, amongst the many variant species that have come to evolve from our ancestors, there exists one group known as the Rohah, they are hermaphrodites, however they are monogamous for the most part and not prone to promiscuous encounters, also they are about as large as the larger were tigers here and just as strong if not more so. Also, you are new to them, they are only, intimate, with those they are familiar with. Like I said, they are not some tails and ears for fashion only sex kittens, so please heed my words and behave yourself while you’re in my home.”

    There is a certain level of power behind Hyatha Aria’s words that grabs Dark Cookie’s attention, something that screams
out, “better listen!”

   Dark Cookie shrugs, “sure, no problem.” Her own emotional state giving her away however despite this cover, something she feels Hyatha Aria detects.

    “Good,” says Hyatha Aria, “then we can get down to business. As you are well aware I told your lighter side that I could help, but I wanted to meet you first. You remember what I told her.”

   “Yeah,” she says with a shrug

   “good, then I don’t have to repeat myself, now having studied both sides I can work on something that may be of help to you. It will take a few days. In the mean time.”

    Hyatha Aria hands her a seal, “This has recorded our conversation it will give your lighter side this conversation so she knows what is going on, including what we are saying now.”

    Dark Cookie notices the ornate inscription on it is glowing slightly, like the one she had on her when she woke up that vanished in a burst of blue light after it transmitted her day time memories to her.

   “Further more,” says Hyatha Aria, “your day time self will be working around here as a maid in the mean time, you on the other hand I have another job.”

   “Well I take it wont be helping the kitties make kittens.”

   “They still need males, they just always have girls.”

   “Huh?”

   “Like I said you mis-remembered the details.” Hyatha Aria takes a sip of tea, from where it came from Dark Cookie has no idea, but notices a large feline shaped motion in the shadows, as though part of them.

   “This,” says Hyatha Aria indicating the shadow which manifests into three dimensions, a being looking like a were cat made of darkness, “is a shadow cat girl, her name is RiRi.”

   RiRi dips her head and blinks.

   “You,” says Hyatha Aria turning back to Dark Cookie are to spend the night patrolling the south gate wall of the preserve with RiRi, there are plenty who would want to poach in here, as well as other dangers. Some of the stronger residents patrol the boarders. Your day time self would have met the late day shift guard Nata. So do we have a deal?”

   “Huh?” says Dark Cookie, “So Cookie Clean plays maid, and I play boarder patrol, and in a few days we get…something…that might help us?”

    “Yes,” says Hyatha Aria, “I trust this is the best bargain you’ve had so far. Besides your friends will be staying here no doubt for some time.”

   “Friends?” thinks Dark Cookie, “Oh yeah, huh, lets see some vague thing that might help me get rid of or be separated from…knowing Hollia, and this being her grandmother probably separated from, and all I got to do is play boarder guard. Well damn no chances to peek on Hollia and Rhulan in case they give in to the fever, tee hee, can’t play with the kitties.”

   She looks at RiRi, “although,” she thinks, “the cat lady makes a point I’m already getting a creepy vibe from that one. So what the hell.”

   “What the Hell,” says Dark Cookie, “I got nothing to lose.”

   “Very well then,” says Hyatha Aria, “please follow RiRi, she will fill you in on the patrol details. You will do this each night shift starting three hours after nightfall so you can keep something of a social life, no dilly dallying though come time okay.”

    “Well double damn,” thinks Dark Cookie as Hyatha Aria leaves the room, “don’t even get the chance to spy on all the fun before they head off to bed for too long, everyone knows no one goes to bed just three hours after sundown that’s just dinner and small talk.”

   “Pleasssse tooooo fffollowwww mmmeeee.” says RiRi in a scary as hell ghostly voice, her mouth not even moving as she talks.

    “Okay,” says Dark Cookie, “lead the way”

   While thinking, “What the hell have I gotten myself into?”

   As Hyatha Aria walks down the hall the voice of Betty stops her, “so,” she says, “is that the type of character you are?”

   Hyatha Aria turns to see her house guest, had she not been well aware of who she was it wouldn’t have been unexpected for her not to have recognized her guest. Where she would have expected to see the orange pirate costume with her hair tucked away and human looking ears she instead saw what could easily have been mistaken for an Elf Queen. In the door way to Betty’s room stands the figure of Betty in flowing shimmering white robes, her long golden hair cascading down her back barely hiding her pointed ears. The only thing remaining from her earlier costume is the sword at her side.

   “What ever do you mean?” asks Hyatha Aria.

   “Well,” says Betty, “the hero travels the world only to somehow serendipitously to encounter someone who will either lead them in the right path, lead them to some super weapon or armor, or provide them with the training they’ll need to persevere later, even though logically it would make more sense for them to join up and fight along side them.”

    “Really?” says Hyatha Aria.

   “Yeah,” says Betty, “I have a sister who does the same thing; it’s her job to appear to chosen heroes and has lead them to secret training grounds. But really as powerful as she is it would make more sense for her to help if she really cared.”

    “Indeed,” says Hyatha Aria, sipping some tea that Betty didn’t see her holding, “From what I heard from Hollia’s story you’re not so impressive, I take it your not this type of person you speak of, after all while Hollia described your wings looking impressive in your battle against a giant Dah-Hoth, as I recal she was more impressed with Kathara and Rhulan’s prowess in battle, what was it again, oh yes,”

   She imitates Hollia’s voice, “Miss Cata launched some really cool attack, it was like a super sized thunder cannon, and Miss Rhulan launched this like massive blast of pure magic.”

   “Or,” says Hyatha Aria returning to her normal calm demeanor, “do you mean to try and recruit me? I have only done this whole special trainer bit twice in my life, once for Tyros and again for his son Byron.”

    “Really?” says Betty crossing her arms, a look completely unfitting her ethereal appearance, “You expect me to believe Hollia just happened to find her way to her great grandmother the high priestess who could see Rhulan and can train her to become more powerful.”

    “No,” says Hyatha Aria, “I did have a plan in place. Byron was to give her a job as proof of her abilities and her group’s that would lead you all to me. He would have sent a note ahead to warn me and give me time to prepare.”

   She smiles, “So imagine my surprise when you all showed up un-expectantly. I had Nata ready for your arrival for some time now; she had gone off to deal with some weird creature that had shown up. This she told me when coming back. She too was surprised to see you all so early.”

    “Not to be rude,” says Betty, “But I’m going to guess in your case you’re going to say this preserve prevents you from coming along to help?”

    “Yes,” says Hyatha Aria calmly.

   “Does the Kuhrai Empire not care that the Dah-Hoth are involved?” asks Betty bluntly.

   “I see,” says Hyatha Aria, “you finally come to the point. Well if Kathara Harana hadn’t reported them, then my report issuing a sighting I sent in earlier should work.  However according to Hollia you haven’t run into one since some small village on the coast correct?”

   “Well yeah.” says Betty.

   “In that case,” continues Hyatha Aria, “We can conclude that they were summoned by some minions to this true enemy, this Satasar thing. Which…hmmm,” she waves her hand, “that’s not a talk to have with you, at any rate even with the Dah-Hoth present there is little they can do.”

   “Why?” asks Betty.

   *sigh*

   “Unfortunately,” says Hyatha Aria, “There is a law against interfering with developing worlds, or even redeveloping ones, there was even a time when we allowed a sentient race to go extinct for this reason. They were a race called the Crosha, a marine species resembling crayfish after a fashion, they even made machines based on water pressure to travel onto land and explore what to them must have been a new frontier. We had bases there, but a natural disaster, a meteor was heading for the planet. We took what we had found, none sentient animals and plants that were of use to us and allowed the world to follow its natural course. Its not a thing to be proud of but it’s the law.”

   “That doesn’t make sense,” says Betty, “What about you interbreeding with these people? What about Cata being a pirate and helping us? What about…”

    “Enough,” says Hyatha Aria coldly, “The law is complex, it effects the military not individuals, however if it eases your mind, the Dah-Hoth specifically are a threat that if we detect it, it will be dealt with. The guardian ship will undoubtedly be double checking dimensional portals, something all too common on this world, so you’ll forgive them for not realizing sooner that Dah-Hoth were involved. To be honest that such things could even enter this pocket universe is amazing.”

   She stops and thinks for a moment and says, “Something big is going on…perhaps.” She looks at Betty, “Speaking of guilt trips and asking about one’s superiors, what about you?”

    “Me?” asks Betty realizing that she may have over stepped herself, a woman who instantly could tell she was an elf, instantly knew about Cookie, even knew about Rhulan, a priestess to boot, and as she herself decided possibly a mysterious tutor waiting for the hero type.

    “Damn.” says Betty bowing to Hyatha Aria, “forgive me, I over spoke myself, one can not control their superiors or control policy. I am truly sorry, although it is not an excuse I feel my judgment may be have been impared by being tired. My hair keeps reacting to something dark outside my wall and waking me up.”

   “Of course,” says Hyatha Aria with a smile, “The shadow cat girls, I will ask them not to walk too close to the house wall.”

    “Thank you,” says Betty, “and again, my apologies.”

   They bow to each other as Betty returns to her room.

   Hyatha Aria thinks as she walks down the hall, “Not interfere? We have interfered, we prevent other species from coming here working along side the Suihrai. The old pact with Rhulan still holds, this world is to be allowed to develop on its own like one great preserve; no military power is to directly intervene in any affairs of any nation, and if what Hollia says is right then the Dah-hoth are being used as weapons by the Croix, imagine anyone using those things as weapons. I wander what my superiors feel about all this?”

   ******

   The next day Hollia stands out back in a cleared area, apparently a training area. Earlier Hyatha Aria and Rhulan had been up before her and had been discussing something together when she entered the dining room with breakfast waiting for her, the Nipponian Cat girl she had helped with the younglings the day before (Mina) serving her. Betty and Cookie had already been sent outside early in the morning, Betty to help tend some fields, basic low level adventurer job stuff, fending off birds, making sure the rapidly growing forest and weeds haven’t gotten to the crops and Cookie to go around with the cleaning staff, more adventurer volunteers. Hollia has no idea where Cata has gone off too, before she could as, her great-grandmother and Rhulan had asked her to wait for them in this large training area.

    “Okay,” comes the voice of Hyatha Aria.

   Hollia turns to see both Hyatha Aria and Rhulan standing side by side smiling.

   “We have reached a consensus,” says Rhulan, “if you are willing to agree to it of course.”

    “Of course?” asks Hollia

   “Don’t agree before you hear what’s in-store.” says Hyatha Aria, “Firstly, as you should know, No-ma is only a temporary fix, as we discussed learning to control the transformation would be better; however to do so you must first accept and train to utilize the abilities inherent in your Kuhrai heritage. This will not be easy training, Kuhrai techniques aren’t easy, then again I hear you took to Shining Strike, or as you call it Final Strike, rather easily so this shouldn’t be too hard, however control over your emotions will be the trick.”

    Hollia nods, as does Lin Lin on her shoulder.

    “Furthermore,” adds Rhulan, “We have discussed a bonus, as you are not completely Kuhrai, you should not only learn Kuhrai techniques, to fully utilize your strengths and know your limitations you should practice along side it, your true Aesperian special powers.”

   “You mean my specialty?” asks Hollia, “but isn’t that just what makes me have a knack at wind and healing magic?”

   “Yes and no,” says Rhulan, “Yes it makes those magics easier, however as you know all Aesperians originally came from another universe, what we know today as specialties, were originally called special powers, those gifts which set us apart from proto-humans. However the most common gifts, enhanced healing, strength, speed, agility, sniper eyes, and so forth have been for the most part overshadowed and made redundant by the way this world has affected our people over the ages granting everyone these basic abilities which just become better with training and experience. However many also possess much more elaborate special powers such as aerokinesis, like your own family line, pyrokinesis, hydrokinesis, and others, these of course being the abilities that allow for better control of and use of wind, fire, and water magic respectively. However these powers also work on their own by simple will power and focus. Many could use these powers with out magic.”

   “Special attacks.” says Hollia confidently.

    “Exactly.” says Rhulan with a smile, “Special attacks utilize these powers, however there is more too it than special attacks. A pyro-mage with pyrokinesis need not always have to cast a spell to create a burst of fire for instance or manipulate an already existing flame. And interestingly enough,”

    Rhulan smiles and strikes a teaching pose, “If someone with pyrokinesis were to learn how to do this with out magic, then the strength of their fire spells would increase dramatically. After all the strength of the spell is boosted just by having the specialty of that element, but increasing your base focus and use of the element with out using magic will boost the magic that much more. Think about your Goddess Wind spell, now imagine you could just by focus create a wind burst or even the special attack silver wind, now imagine that strength backing up the Goddess Wind spell, you might have even been able to break through that Death Fisher guy’s barrier. And don’t worry about that whole soul connection draining thing he said, unless you were a spirit type energy manipulator or put your life essence into your attacks like a Death Hunter or a Familiar, amongst many other things, would it still wouldn’t have affected you.”

    “Okay.” says Hollia taking this all in and looking at her hands, focusing the small amount she is able to cause air to circulate around her hands.

    “You’re not the first.” says Hyatha Aria, “Stratos the Sky Warrior also utilized his specialty in order to fly.”

    “Really?” asks Hollia.

    “Yes.” They both say in unison.

    “There is one other catch.” says Rhulan, “until you can fly and create basic wind bursts on your own Lin Lin can’t assist you in your training. However after that point you will be ready to start combination training to utilize both your skills.”

    “This could take longer than you might think.” says Hyatha Aria, “as I will insist you also be able to at least create your claws and slit pupil eyes and change back as well as utilize the basic combination of your two sides type of move, I have taken some thought to a good indicator that you have both sides down, and this is the move Wind Slicer.”

    “Isn’t that a monster move?” asks Hollia.

   “It’s a claw based wind strike,” says Rhulan, “Just like a Wind Arc only thinner and faster, only most people can’t learn a move, but between a Kuhrai slicer move, the basic lower version of your Final Strike, and your wind powers this would be a good indicator.”

    Rhulan takes a breath before continuing, “Also training while traveling has been difficult, given that we must walk all day…we really should have invested in horses or maybe a cart or something, and by the time we stop its time to eat and sleep, so too little time train you know.”

    Hollia waited politely for Rhulan to finish, even though she had decided five minutes ago to accept this training, after all Osopika is right around the corner distance wise so to speak given how far they have already traveled and the set up is her uncle wont be contacted to wait for them in Sae Rin until then.

    “Miss Rhulan, honored great grandmother,” says Hollia as dignified as possible, “I humbly accept your offers, and thank you.”

   Rhulan and Hyatha Aria look at each other and smile.

    ******

    [Mean While]
    Across the compound Cata sits with her aunts with a few other types of cat-girls at the crèche. The younglings are being taught by the older residents, being shown flash cards, and dolls. Cata is amazed at how well the lesson is going, cat-girls are notorious for their short attention spans, the very thing which had kept them for so long from being considered fully sentient. Normal human methods of teaching, even those used on primates would do no good as they have no attention span for this. But the younglings are actually paying attention, and more astonishingly are being taught by other cat-girls. None of the human adventurers working at the facility are anywhere near this area. Cata isn’t sure if this is too keep them from being distractions or keeping them from knowing about these lessons. Micono mice treats, rather than being given out as treats just for answering or getting a right answer are actually being kept behind the board being used for the lessons, a focus of smell causing their instincts to focus them in the direction of the food, and thus at the board. Add on the incentive that the treats are given out as a reward at the end of the class for even being at the class. Their instinctual focus in the direction of prey and taking in all information from the environment during that time does all the work.

   “In a way,” thinks Cata, “using this method they’re actually faster learners than human children.”

    The lesson keeps up, the focus of this lesson is the difference between prey and not prey, including showing multiple creatures that are clearly not prey or to be messed with, various types of dragons, venomous creatures, tunnel worms, sharks, ect… however Cata’s attention is grabbed by the addition of a physical similarity lesson. That creatures that resemble cat-girls are not to be viewed as prey, other types of cat-girls of course, then male were-tigers, shadow stalkers, leons, and progressing to were-wolves, goblins, trolls, the various types of harpies and marine humanoids, reminding Cata that there are a lot of humanoids on Aesperia.

    “Review.” says one of Cata’s aunts, “the kids already know this.”

    “and now,” says the instructor, who Cata has recognized as the were-cat that helped them before, Nata, “the species to avoid, not fight.”

     She changes the board to show Aesperians, a wide range of hair colors, genders, clothing styles from around the world.

    “hardest lesson,” says another of Cata’s aunts, “cloths make problems, too many vary…variats…differs.”

    Cata can see why, humans with the different cultures, merchants, adventurers, soldiers, mercenaries, and what not are something that prey or predator mindset of cat-girls has trouble with, beings who never wear cloths naturally.

    “Hold on,” thinks Cata as Nata pulls out a trunks and puts on a shirt, Cata thinks back to others wearing shirts and the maids.

    “Scent to physical appearances differences.” thinks Cata, “their being taught to look at not just scent and common appearance to recognize each other, but to recognize that exterior appearance can vary for even each other.”

   Cata sniffs the air, her suspicion is not confirmed, “of course not,” she thinks, “if they put the scent of these creatures and people on the screen it would cover up the micono mice scent acquiring their attention in the first place. Then again, prey scent while being taught the things on the screen aren’t prey. Well damn, has to be harder to teach than basic skills and lessons like this. Heh, well that explains why that girl is also dressing up, other wise the lesson might be lost.”

    After the lesson the students are rewarded with the micono mice, and much to Cata’s interest boxes with children cloths are handed out amongst the toys.

    Cata smiles, “of course, each other, their peers, their friends, cloths are toys now, but playtime for predators is also lesson time for life. Very clever priestess, very clever indeed.”

    ******

    Over the next few days life goes on like this. Cata trains when she can to keep her skills sharp, but has to sit in on the lessons, she is even allowed to help teach a class with the help of Nata and one of her aunts. Betty has taken to helping around the crèche, seeing as her scent is nothing like a human’s, and by Hyatha Aria’s request she keeps her hat off with her long hair and pointed ears the children think she’s actually a cat girl of some kind. After breakfast each morning Hollia trains with Rhulan and Hyatha Aria, much to their surprise, or rather pleasure, she takes to flying much faster than they had expected and creating mini-cyclones of wind under her hands kicking up the sand has come relatively easy. It is as Rhulan figured when the adventure started, all Hollia was lacking was confidence in her abilities. Cookie Clean works around the main house with Mina, while Dark Cookie disappears at night to patrol the boarders with RiRi, however if not for one fact Dark Cookie would have taken off by the third night, the fact that she has learned that Hyatha Aria has indeed been working in her lab beneath the main house at night on something for her.

    On this day while the others are having lunch Hyatha Aria excuses Mina and asks Cookie Clean to follow her down into the lab. Down the stone steps to what looks more like a dungeon than a laboratory, except for of course the potion vials and tables covered in research notes, amongst odds and ends of strange gems and other bizarre objects sitting about on shelves, some clearly magical while others technological but of designs Cookie doesn’t recognize.

    “Here you go,” says Hyatha Aria handing Cookie Clean a black neck choker with a purple diamond shaped gem in it.

    “Uh, thank you…miss Hyatha Aria.” says Cookie Clean awkwardly, not sure what this thing is.

     “Its not jewelry,” says Hyatha Aria, “not a reward or payment, well actually it is your payment. For the work you have done, I have crafted this using both alchemy and advanced science, it is the best you will find on Aesperia for your…condition.”

    “Really?” says Cookie Clean trying to suppress her joy as she puts it on, “This, this will prevent Dark Cookie from emerging?”

    “No,” says Hyatha Aria, “making something like that would have been a betrayal for the work Dark Cookie has done, this is for both of you.”

    Cookie Clean looks confused.

    “Let me explain,” says Hyatha Aria taking a sip of tea which wasn’t there before.

   “What…the…hell…?” thinks Cookie Clean looking around and seeing no one who could have given her that, or any place where she could have picked it up from, no tea kettles, no table near by with cups.

   “That collar,” says Hyatha Aria, “Can control your transformation, yes, but it works in that if you were to use it, you would turn into Dark Cookie, however until nightfall you would be aware of everything she is doing, of course at nightfall you would fall asleep as normal and come morning change back to Cookie Clean. If Dark Cookie, and I have placed a memory I recorded earlier into the collar so she’ll get this same message, were to use it she would become you and be aware of everything you are doing until morning, and you get the drift. Of course neither of you will be able to control the other, but overtime and if you do this enough you may each be able to learn how to communicate with the other, acting like a sort of conscious or guide. After all if must be such a hassle to have no real memory of how you got to where you are when the change happens or have any say at all in what happens, having people around you confused and wondering, and so forth and so on, you get the drift.”

    “I…” says Cookie Clean

   She bows, cupping her hands between her legs, “Thank you Miss Hyatha Aria, I thank you for this, I…I…”

   “You will figure out a use for it, trust me.” says Hyatha Aria grinning, “Now lets not keep the others waiting, oh and to activate it just press the gem and say, Dark Alignment, its fixed so no one else can cause the transformation, Dark Cookie will of course have to say Light Alignment.”

    ******

    Later that night Hollia sends a message home via Hyatha Aria’s instant communication system, writing a very long and private letter. Telling all about her adventures since her last letter as well as going at length about meeting her great grandmother Hyatha Aria, and asking why she hadn’t met her until now. She tells her parents that for the time being her party is staying here to train, going into detail about her ears coming out, their search for the No-ma, and that leading them to her great grandmother’s home; and that she will send them another message when they are ready to continue to Osopika.

    On the receiving end Tyros sees his secret communicator that leads back to his grandmother’s home signal under his desk.

    “hmmm?” he ponders looking, “grandma’s calling?”

    *click*

    He presses the button brining up a screen that flips over on his desk and knocks a load of pencils onto the floor.

    *palm to face*

    “oops,” he says shaking his head.

     “Now what…”

      He narrows his eyes looking at the screen and scratches his head through his short shaggy brown hair, “Holly? Huh, so Holly’s at grandma’s. Now how did grandma pull that one off? Heh.”