Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Chanirra ❯ Chapter 4

Turath covered the amulet and stared at the pit in front of him. He needed more power. He could not summon the demon without enough power. That was why he had come to Lirista in the first place. The vine of the grapes that had made Lirista known throughout the land were an integrate regent in his summoning potion and he had spent months planning on how to drive the witches, mages, and sorcerers out of town. Without them to protect the townsfolk, they were helpless. After being thoroughly terrified by a few summoned beasts, Turath showed up and drove them out of town.

 

With a speech that directed the fall of the town to the absence of magic wielders, he had easily placed the town's confidence in him and placed the sign at the town entrance with a mark of warding. The mark was supposed to keep all magic at bay but for some reason it had not stopped the odd shape-shifting creature that ran loose in his home. Turath turned away from the pit and walked over to an ancient pedestal where a large spell book sat. There had to be something that could help him pinpoint the location of his enemy.

 

“We've got a strong magic user in the house but I can only sense his aura when he transforms. If he does not change, I can't tell where he is,” Turath said aloud as the cellar door opened and Sayorr poked his head in.

 

“Would you like a drink, sir?” he inquired and Turath turned around.

 

“Sayorr you met the stranger. What did he look like?”

 

“Look like? Erm, He was taller than Roekler and he had purple hair. I couldn't tell much else because he wore a robe.”

 

“What did the robe look like? Did it look like a mage's robe?”

 

“No...”

 

“A priest's?”

 

“No. It looked like a traveling robe. It was frayed a bit at the bottom and the sleeves looked like there were claw marks on them. Whoever that person is, he's seen a lot of action.”

 

“What sort of claw marks?”Turath asked and Sayorr shrugged his shoulders.

 

“I don't know. Does it make a difference?” he inquired.

 

“It does. I've heard tales of a beast tribe in the north near the Orrefors Peninsula. They are strong warriors and they have the ability to transform into different animals. What is it Sayorr?”

 

“There was a new cat in the kitchen not to long ago.”

 

“A cat?! Where is it now?”

 

“Roekler took both of them to his room. He didn't want them to disturb you.”

 

“That second cat must be that man you saw Sayorr.”

 

“Why would a beast-person be after you?” Sayorr asked and Turath angrily threw a metal cup in his direction.

 

“Do you know nothing about those tribes?!” Turath demanded and Sayorr shrugged his shoulders.

 

“I remember seeing some working as slaves in the north. They didn't seem that dangerous. I mean, why would they be dangerous? They aren't even human.”

 

“There are plenty of legends that believe the spirits that look after these lands are animals. Some of the beast tribes even believe that they are descendants of those spirits. I despise a world run by beasts, elves and others who think that co-existence is the only way to happiness. That is why I want to destroy it and start anew. A new world with nothing but humans and sorcery. We have no need for lower species and if that beast was sent to stop me, he will only find death. Sayorr! Get Roekler to bring the strange cat to me.”

 

“You know he's not going to like it. He's got a soft spot for animals,” Sayorr said and Turath growled in anger.

 

“He has a soft head. If he wants to argue, he can talk directly to me,” Turath said and Sayorr turned and walked out of the room. Turath frowned as he turned back to the pit. Which beast tribe was after him and why? Had the owner of the amulet gone to seek the services of the beast people? There was one particular tribe that all magic users feared. Their warriors were on par with the best of sorcerers and when they had changed into their true beast form, they were almost invincible. If the intruder was a member of that tribe, he was in trouble. He would have to destroy the creature before he had a chance to change into his ultimate form.

 

“Your biggest mistake was transforming when you thought I was out of the room. You're not going to get the element of surprise. All you're going to get is death. No one is going to stop me from completing my plans.”

 

The door opened and Midnight yawned and stretched. She licked her nose for a moment then glanced underneath the bed for Chanirra. Chanirra cautiously sniffed the air and growled.

 

“What's with you?” Midnight asked as Roekler stepped into the room.

 

“You're saying that little cat is the enemy?” Roekler inquired as Chanirra backed himself up against the wall.

 

“That's what the boss said. He's one of those beast people,” Sayorr said and Roekler laughed.

 

“He's so small. How could he be a person?”

 

“He can change shape. Now where is he? The boss wants him.”

 

“What's he going to do with him?”

 

“He's going to do what we failed at. Kill him,” Sayorr said and Roekler looked shocked.

 

“But a helpless cat...” he protested and Sayorr shook his head.

 

“It's not a helpless cat. It's one of those beast people that are sold as slaves. Now help me find him.”

 

Chanirra's eyes darkened in rage at Sayorr's statement as he arched his back. How dare he call him a beast? How dare he get the idea that his people were only useful as slaves? Midnight screeched in shock as the bed rose up into the air as he transformed into his true form. The bed broke as Chanirra shook the debris off of his head. Midnight flew off the mattress and landed on the floor, shaking in fear.

 

“Stupid dog! Why did you do that? What did you do anyway?” she demanded as she turned around. Her eyes grew wide in shock when she looked at Chanirra. “This is what you really look like? You're not going to eat me now, are you? I'm sorry I called you stupid.”

 

“I'm not going to eat you. I'm going to put a stop to this insanity once and for all. Now you. How dare you malign my people like that? Have you ever met my kind? Have you ever shared a conversation with them? You are by no means better than the people who have lived here for years before you ever set foot on this land,” Chanirra said as Sayorr withdrew his sword.

 

“I should have killed you when I had the chance you dumb animal!” Sayorr cried and Roekler laid a hand on his shoulder.

 

“This was what you wanted me to kill?” Roekler asked and Sayorr pulled away.

 

“He didn't look like this when I saw him! But I should have suspected something like this from a dumb animal.”

 

“Look I don't have a contract on you but if you continue to annoy me, I'll gladly take you down,” Chanirra growled.

 

“Help me Roekler! We can slay him together. Ow!”

 

Sayorr glanced down at Midnight, who had taken the opportunity to insert her claws into his leg. She hissed angrily at him and Roekler looked intrigued. Sayorr swore as he tried to kick Midnight off of him.

 

“She's trying to help him. I've never seen two completely different species working together,” Roekler commented and Sayorr glared at him.

 

“Shut up! Get over here and help me!” Sayorr said as Chanirra took a step forward. His dark eyes gleamed with rage as he leaped forward and knocked Sayorr to the ground. Midnight jumped off of Sayorr and followed Chanirra.

 

“Don't run so fast! I can't keep up! You still owe me some steak!” Midnight cried and Chanirra turned around and picked her up in his mouth. “What are you doing?!”

 

He flung her up onto his back and growled at Sayorr. He then winced slightly when Midnight dug her claws into his pelt and began running towards the cellar. Sayorr grabbed his sword and began pursuing them.

 

“Hold on tight!” Chanirra cried as he picked up his speed.

 

“I'm t-trying!”

 

“I'm going to need some help on this one. Are you willing to work with a few mice?”

 

“What?!”

 

“We're going to need an army and the only animal close enough in numbers are mice.”

 

“What can mice do?”

 

“Well for one thing, they can crawl up pants legs and be generally annoying,” Chanirra replied as he skidded to a stop. “Looks like we'll have to switch to plan B.”

 

“All right non-human. Who hired you to come after me?” Turath inquired as he raised a rifle to Chanirra's head.

 

“I don't converse with my prey. I might become too...attached to them.”

 

“I'm afraid I have the advantage here.”

 

“Maybe you do and maybe you don't. Do you honestly think a gun will harm me?”

 

“Who says I'm aiming at you? I plan on killing that little conspirator on your back.”

 

“Now hold on boss!” Roekler cried as he ran up to Chanirra and picked Midnight up. He stroked the cat and she began purring. “You can't kill a defenseless cat. Some things are just wrong!”

 

“Don't you get it Roekler? I want everything wiped out and that includes cats,” Turath said then shielded his ears when Chanirra let out an ear-splitting howl. “What are you trying to do? There are no wolves around here.”

 

Roekler and Sayorr glanced around in fear as the scratching noises started to come from the walls. Something crashed through the kitchen window and Sayorr glanced nervously behind him. A pair of glowing eyes stared back and Roekler pointed a shaky finger to the cellar where hundreds of tiny eyes stared up at him.

 

“What's going on down there?” he asked nervously and Turath glanced behind him.

 

“What deviltry is this?! What did you do?!” Turath demanded and Chanirra glanced sideways at him.

 

“What deviltry? What gives you the right to judge what I do? You, the man who wishes the erase the entire land of life in order to build a new world in your image. Who are you to play god? What right do you have to go against the will of the spirits who have watched over this land for eons before you ever took your first breath? Who handed you the reigns and gave you the permission to destroy the work of the ancients?” Chanirra inquired as the cellar began to squeak.

 

“Mice? Are those mice?” Roekler asked.

 

“I'm more concerned with the foxes in the kitchen,” Sayorr said, his voice trembling with fear.

 

“Foxes?”

 

“You may have fooled the people in this area but you have not fooled the animals and they will be damned if you take their land away from them,” Chanirra said as crows and owls flew into the room.

 

“I'm not going to let a bunch of animals get in my way of domination!” Turath cried as he tossed the gun aside and ran down the cellar stairs, yelping in pain when a mouse bit him.

 

“No animal can get in your way?” Chanirra inquired as he ran into the cellar and jumped over the stairs. He landed in front of the pit and Turath raised his hands and cast a spell.

 

“Floor turn to ice!”

 

The floor turned to ice and Chanirra desperately tried to keep his footing. His legs gave out on him and he skidded closer and closer to the pit in the middle of the room. Chanirra's ears twitched as he tried to regain his footing then growled at Turath who was laughing uproariously at his antics.

 

“Not so mighty now are you? You're just another dumb animal that deserves death!” Turath cried as one of Chanirra's back paws went into the pit.

 

“Don't believe that you're the first sorcerer that's tried to pull a fast one on me,” Chanirra said as he gingerly raised his feet until he was in a standing position. “I am not a normal wolf, after all. I'm sure you've heard of the leshii, haven't you?”

 

“That's some spirit that can change into human form and animal form right? You're one of those?”

 

“No but I do have some other magic abilities. Fire for example and we both know what fire can do to ice, don't we? My people have not spent hundreds of years chasing their own tale. We are quite learned despite the slander against us.”

 

He arched his back then blew a stream of fire in front of his feet and Turath watched the ice melt in shock.

 

“How, how could you do that?!” he demanded and Chanirra grinned broadly.

 

“I'm not a normal beast, am I? I am a warrior and I have learned numerous techniques to survive. You're not going to take me down that easily,” Chanirra replied as Turath waved a hand. The ice reverted back to the floor and Chanirra took a few deliberate steps forward. “My friends are also numerous and span many different species. Some are even reptilian. Snakes to be exact. Do you have a fear of snakes?”

 

“Snakes? What snakes?”

 

“What snakes? Why the ones around you. Get past the mice and you'll be able to see them. There are a few rattlers that would love to get their teeth in you.”

 

Turath watched in shock as the mice drew back into the shadows then listened to the room echo with hisses. The entire room seemed to be filled with snakes, no poisonous snakes. He took a nervous step back up the stairs as Chanirra continued to advance.

 

“You are a devil. Your kind deserves to be wiped out! Crimson rain!”

 

Chanirra drew back in shock when the ceiling began dripping with some unknown substance. He watched a drop hit a mouse then winced when it screeched in pain. Whatever was up there was extremely corrosive to an animal's pelt. He frowned as he tried to think of something that would counteract the spell. He raised his head and howled a high-pitch howl. Turath covered his ears in pain then watched in shock as the ceiling froze over. The acidic rain stopped and Chanirra's eyes glistened as he took another deliberate step forward.

 

“I have a contract and I will fulfill it no matter what. I'm getting that amulet back,” Chanirra said as he continued to walk forward.

 

“How much are you getting paid for this?” Turath asked and Chanirra shook his head.

 

“My pay doesn't matter. I am more than willing to fight for a worthwhile cause.”

 

“You righteous people sicken me. This world is begging for reconstruction. With all the energy you've emitted fighting me I now have enough power to summon the demon. I bet you feel like a dumb animal now don't you? Evil eye!”

 

Chanirra watched as his animal friends became petrified then poised himself in an attack pose. Turath withdrew a whip from his robes and began cracking it. Chanirra watched him approach and tried to decide which course of action he should take. Whips were not his favorite weapon because they left unsightly marks on his skin. The whip never cut into his skin, but it did leave large bruises on his skin when he changed back into his natural form. Chanirra growled as Turath moved closer to him. He had to be careful for if he lost complete control of his ultimate form, there was no telling what he would do.

 

“Now it's just you and me. Do you think you can fight me one on one or will you need to call for help again?” Turath inquired as he cracked his whip. Chanirra winced in pain and took a step backwards. Turath laughed as Chanirra's hind legs slipped on the edge of the pit. “One sacrifice is all I need to awaken my demon. Don't disappoint me now. You know I heard tales that said your kind was invincible. I guess those were only lies. Your kind are just a bunch of slaves who do not know their proper place.”

 

“Humans like yourself make me sick,” Chanirra said as he closed his eyes. His true form would not help him in this battle. The reason for this fight was too close to his heart and he was afraid, if he continued in his wolf-form, he would not stop at slaying Turath. He could quite easily slay the cat and the two humans upstairs. Their bloodshed was unnecessary. He would have to fight in his natural, more vulnerable form. Turath felt his aura shift and quickly snapped his wrist. He was transforming again and if Turath was fast enough, he could take advantage of that split-second when Chanirra's body was completely defenseless. The whip wrapped around Chanirra's neck and Chanirra gagged. He then grabbed the whip with a human like hand and deftly jerked it out of Turath's grasp. He climbed out of the pit and gazed coldly at his enemy.

 

Turath stared at him in fear. Even in his “human” form, he was still formidable. He was almost twice the height of a normal man with long purple hair, aqua colored eyes, and long furred ears that looked like a cross between an elf and a dog's. He was muscular and yet spry and his upper arms were embellished with strange markings. His nails were longer than a regular human's but they were not quite claws. A wolf like tail twitched restlessly back and forth and Turath took a nervous step backwards as Chanirra took a step forward.

 

“We slaves as you call us have been around enough to learn all the stunts you humans try to pull. Some of us could actually survive the destruction of the world if we had to. Nature is a formidable opponent, Turath and you are no match for it,” he said and Turath swung a hand in anger.

 

“Shut up! I'm sick of living in a world governed by spirits and animals! A world devoid of the likes of you would be an improvement. It is now time. The preparations have been completed. I call upon Valac!” He cried then began chanting a summoning spell. He held up the amulet which was golden in color and shaped like a horned skeleton. Chanirra watched him for a second then began running towards his opponent. If only he could grab the amulet before Turath finished the summoning spell... Turath glanced in his direction and grinned darkly.

 

“You're no match for me now beast boy! You can't get past my protective shield to do any damage.”

 

“You are really starting to annoy me. No man is invincible,” Chanirra said as he pulled out a dagger from the belt about his waist. He jumped back from his enemy and twitched his wolfish tail as he planned his next rush.

 

“At least my blood is pure unlike yours. What kind of person sleeps with the animals? You're nothing but a mongrel,” Turath swore and Chanirra's eyes grew dark.

 

“You're just asking for it. I will not let you complete your spell. I have never failed a contract and I'm not about to.”

 

Turath blinked his eyes when Chanirra seemed to disappear then screamed in pain when a knick appeared on his shoulder. The creature hadn't disappeared, he was just moving too fast for the human eyes to see. Somehow he had managed to break past his shield. He had to do something fast before the animal had a second chance at him. Turath's mind raced as he tried to think of a proper spell. He was losing precious time. Demon summoning was not an easy task and if he didn't finish the calling spell soon, he would lose his chance at world domination. Something ran past him again and Turath watched in shock as the rope split and the amulet fell to the ground.

 

“Damn you!” Turath cried as Chanirra appeared in front of him. He picked up the amulet and yelped in pain when Turath grabbed his tail. Chanirra spun around and jabbed it into Turath's chest.

 

“I have fulfilled my contract and the animals of this area can live in peace.”

 

“You're not going to get rid of me that easily. One day I'll find you and I'll kill you like the dumb animal that you are.”

 

“Sure you will.”

 

“You will rue the day you crossed my path beast! My ghost will haunt you until I get the satisfaction of seeing your entire kind wiped out. I will get that amulet back no matter what it takes.”

 

“The curses of evil-doers have no effect on me. You forget the spirits watch over us. I doubt they would let someone like yourself carry out your wish. Just accept defeat like a warrior.”

 

Chanirra pulled the dagger out of Turath's chest then glanced at all the animals that had regained their consciousness. They scattered as Chanirra took a step forward. He smiled at them then knelt down to pick up a mouse. He patted the rodent's head then smiled.

 

“Thanks for the help. All of you. I'll see what I can do about the cat. Maybe if I get her some decent meat she'll stop chasing after you,” he said as he set the mouse down and walked up the stairs. Sayorr and Roekler drew away from the door in fear.

 

“We were only doing what we were told to do!” Sayorr cried and Chanirra brushed past him.

 

“I don't care. I didn't come here to serve justice. However I do believe you need to apologize to the people of Lirista and the animals of the forest for all that you've done,” Chanirra said then glanced at Midnight. “Well this is what I truly look like little kitty. Not too repulsive is it?”

 

“You can talk to animals?” Roekler inquired and Chanirra smiled.

 

“Why of course. My tribe can speak with all kinds of beasts. Roekler I think you should have this mansion. You deserve it.”

 

“What am I going to do with all this?”

 

“Well you could help out lost animals. Once you bring the sorcerers back to the town and repair the road, this will be a popular spot again.”

 

“How are we going to tell the townspeople about Turath? They all looked up to him. He was almost like a god to them,” Sayorr said and Chanirra glanced at him.

 

“I'm sure you'll think of something. I've got to be on my way. So long,” he replied and Sayorr's jaw dropped open in shock.

 

“You can't just leave us with this mess!”

 

“I'm an outsider remember?”

 

“But how are we going to convince them without you?”

 

“Listen if they find out I'm the one that killed their god they're liable to go up in arms against me. I have no desire to fight against a whole town. It's pointless. I have nothing against them and they don't have anything against me. I was just doing my job,” Chanirra replied.

 

“The only way out of this place is through town. We'll all go together. I'm sure they'll listen to sense,” Sayorr said.

 

“What about the body in the cellar?” Roekler inquired and Chanirra shrugged his shoulders.

 

“Leave it. The scavengers will take care of it. It is their job after all,” Chanirra said. “You know, I've never been cursed by a dying man before. Most are too afraid of me to say anything.”

 

“A curse? That's bad, isn't it? That means you'll be haunted by the bosses' ghost for eternity.”

 

“Curses can be broken. My people haven't been around for hundreds of years without learning a thing or two.”

 

“Well how can you break the curse of a dead man?”

 

“We have sacred waters back in my home. It'll be a long trip but I was planning on going home after this anyway. I've been on the trail of this man for months. I've missed my people.”

 

“Well what if you get caught and sold as a slave?” Roekler inquired and Chanirra grinned broadly.

 

“No member of the Noyu tribe has ever been taken as slaves and I'm certainly not going to become the first. I am not that careless,” Chanirra said as he laid a hand on Midnight. “I owe you some steak, don't I? I guess you'll have to come into town with us and I'll see what's available.”

 

“I'm afraid most of the people eat vegetables,” Sayorr said. “Turath didn't want anyone finding out about his plans so he made it illegal for anyone to leave the town. The townsfolk weren't even aware that they were being held prisoner.”

 

“Well the two of you certainly didn't help matters any. You knew what he was up to, didn't you? You mislead all those innocent people.”

 

“We didn't know exactly what he was going to do,” Roekler said as Chanirra turned a corner. “He said he was going to take over the world but I didn't know he planned to destroy it first. I only wanted a share to help poor animals like this one.”

 

“You're so stupid Roekler. Why would you waste your time on a bunch of...er never mind,” Sayorr said when he caught the look in Chanirra's aqua colored eyes.

 

“Without animals, you wouldn't be able to survive,” Chanirra said and pointed to Sayorr's clothes. “What would you wear on your feet if there was no such thing as leather? How would you keep warm without the pelt of a beast you killed in the hunt? What would you eat if there was no meat? You cannot survive on vegetables alone.”

 

“He's got a point, Sayorr,” Roekler said and Sayorr nodded his head.

 

“I'm afraid he does. I guess we were just a couple more fools taken in by Turath's promises,” Sayorr replied as Chanirra opened the front door.

 

“Well I think that will be a wonderful start to explaining just what happened here to the townsfolk,” Chanirra said.

 

“It'll be midnight by the time we get back to town,” Roekler observed. “We'll have to spend the night at the inn.”

 

“I'd like a different room this time. I'm afraid you destroyed the bed in room three.”

 

“I actually thought you might curl up beside the fireplace,” Sayorr said and Chanirra glared at him.

 

“We sleep just like you do. Our ultimate form is quite hard to control which is why we don't use it much,” he replied. “That is why I chose to kill Turath in my natural form. I knew I could not handle the fight in my ultimate form. If I am pushed too far in that state, even I cannot guarantee what my actions will be.”

 

“I've heard stories of wolves ravaging farms before. Could those attacks have been from some of your people?”

 

“That's highly unlikely. We hunt wild animals. We never go after farm animals. We do eat livestock but only if we've paid for the meat first.”

 

“I always thought the only thing your kind was good for was heavy labor.”

 

“Would you subject an elf to heavy labor?”

 

“Certainly not. They aren't made for that. They're more...artsy. I've seen elven slaves also.”

 

“So have I. You humans have a tendency to be greedy. I've never understood it. This land has all that you could possibly want and yet you are not satisfied. You destroy the homes of birds to put up your buildings and burn the bushes in careless fires. You ravage the earth in search of fortune but are never happy when you find it. I sometimes wonder if greed is what drove your ancestors from their home hundreds of years ago. Perhaps your people had completely destroyed their part of the world and came out here in search of new ground. You can't completely wipe out nature though. You can just alter the course of it. I bet you don't even realize that you're completely killing off certain types of creatures,” Chanirra said and Roekler began walking faster.

 

“We are?” he asked and Chanirra nodded his head.

 

“Yes you are. The nice thing about elves and tribes like my own is that we live with the land. You humans seem to have a habit of ravaging the land. You plant things and build things without even thinking of the consequences. A simple garden here may destroy the livelihood of a creature that has resided here years before you ever set foot on this soil. While buildings provide crows, sparrows, and ravens ample housing, it sometimes drives away the shyer birds. Once animals are wiped out, nature simply erases their existence. Eventually, your carelessness with the earth may even harm you.”

 

“You know, you make sense.”

 

“You understand what he's going on about?” Sayorr asked and Roekler nodded his head.

 

“We've got to work together to preserve this land for generations to come,” Roekler said and Chanirra smiled.

 

“I think with some effort the two of you will be able to handle this part of the land quite nicely. As long as one of you doesn't get too greedy,” Chanirra replied then glanced at Sayorr.

 

“I'll make sure he doesn't get out of line.”

 

“Good. Let's step up the pace. The sooner we get into town, the sooner we can rest. I don't know about you two, but I'm exhausted.”