《The Wild Beast》Chapter 5 (That Beast In Their Midst)
Advertisement
Freezing northern winds bellowed and wailed, crowds waited on the frozen shores in anticipation. Whaling season had begun, but the weather made it near impossible to hunt. Aput’s community did not have the commodities of powerful liners that dominated the oceans, but that was by choice. They lived as their ancestors did, striving to maintain the culture they had. Fogged goggles blurred his vision, but his sight was unnecessary to tell that there was not going to be any letup from this tempest.
A hand on his shoulder caught his attention. Looking up, he saw the form of his brother. The recognizable blue fur-coat covered his burly form, much like how he himself appeared. People often remarked Nukilik’s resemblance to his father, while Aput took more after his mother’s appearances. Everyone, however, could not tell who was the burliest of the two. Both of them inherited their father’s strength, and perhaps that was they had the most in common. Even though at times they had strong disagreements on certain subjects, there was no doubt in his mind that he could trust his brother.
“Is something the matter Aput?” He asked him.
There was sincerity and depth in the manner he spoke, his pitch always deepened when he knew that there was something troubling Aput. His grip tightened on Aput’s shoulders, not giving him the opportunity to brush it off by ignoring him.
Aput thought carefully about it before giving him a reply. There was some part of him that hoped that the woman was not a demi, but her actions from a few nights ago were beyond suspicion. She blatantly transformed her appearance into something else entirely, the long black silky hair became long strands of quills. Much like that of a hedgehog. Her eyes reddened and bloodshot, shooting daggers into his soul. He could swear that his breath was knocked straight out of his lungs, for a long moment he even forgot how to breathe. The way she stabbed the boiled moose meat was animalistic, he was certain that was meant as a threat to him personally. She slithered back inside and loudly demolished the meat, followed by a very unladylike belch that rocked the entire village with laughter. He was the only one who was not laughing, there was no humor to be found in the predicament he dug himself in. It was like dealing with some sort of wild dog.
Advertisement
“I was thinking about our guest we are taking care of.” Aput said. As much as he trusted his brother, he felt he might have crossed a line which he could not tell even his brother.
“Oh? That so?” He accepted his response easily enough. “Have you thought about marriage already? Awfully fast paced.” He cackled loudly.
Aput frowned, he did not appreciate that kind of humor. Nukilik knew how sensitive that subject was with him. When Nukilik realized he was the only one laughing between the two of them, he stopped himself before making it anymore awkward between them.
Nukilik’s attitude became more serious. “To be honest with you brother, I can’t wait for a moment sooner for us to be rid of her. Outsiders only mean trouble for us and our village. Has she given you any information that is of use?”
Aput shook his head. “None whatsoever. In fact, she only spoke a single word since arriving.”
“Really? What was that?”
“Yes.”
“Yes?”
“Yup.”
Silence.
“Aput, you can’t just end it there, what was she saying yes to? Food?”
Aput chuckled from his older brother’s reaction. “No, no. Funny enough, she wouldn’t say anything about food. I asked if she knew how to speak, and she responded to that.”
“Really? Such a curious girl. Maybe I should make the trip towards District Ergatuk, make a request for an identification.”
Aput stiffened from hearing that, District Ergatuk was an extension of the Foundation’s influence in the modern world. The coalition of nations from the United Nations broke down and established a sub-branch authoritative power that came to be known as the Foundation, many argued that this branch was more influential than the UN.
“What do you say brother?” Nukilik asked him.
Advertisement
He was not paying attention after the mention of the District. “Sorry, what?”
“Would you want to join me? That way you could get yourself checked out with the doctors there, you know, just to make sure that there isn’t any permanent damage from that time.”
Healthwise, Aput felt as fit as a bear hunting salmon. “Bah, Nukilik, you worry far too much. I am fine, I can still wrestle you to the ground whenever I want.”
A spark of amusement glowed in Nukilik’s eyes. “Oh, is that so?”
Nukilik gave him a small shove, which Aput responded with a bump back with his elbow. It escalated to where the two wrestled with each other playfully, knocking each other to the ground as they struggled. The men and boys all gathered around them as they cheered them on, while the women and girls all sighed their disbeliefs. Before long, Aput had Nukilik in an armlock. Nukilik struggled to get out of the lock, but relented in his efforts.
Conceding to his younger siblings victory, he admitted defeat. “Ok, ok. Let me go, I won’t pester you any further to come.”
Aput released his grip and helped him a hand up. “Good, that will be fine by me.”
The crowd that gathered moaned their disappointment, they hoped for more action to entertain them. However, their wait was at long last at an end. There was a disruption in the winds gales, signaling the first break they awaited for.
“Finally!” His brother exclaimed. “Tomorrow we hunt!”
Everyone cheered and hooted their excitement, tomorrow marked the first break in the wintry month to hunt in the ocean. Chattering and bustling erupted amongst themselves, some remarked how they longed for the meat of the whale, others look forward to uses of blubber they would have. All had their own reasons to look forward to this, but certainly the most exciting thing would be the feast and festival that comes from said hunt.
In the corner of his eye, he spotted something unexpected. Their guest was standing at the edge of the crowds, partially hiding behind a tree. She stared straight at him, a burning gaze that would melt the snow if she could do so. For a brief second, her hair started to quill up and vibrate powerfully that it pained his own head to see it happen.
He gulped. What have I let into my village?
Advertisement
Reincarnated as the goddess of the sea.
A new goddess creates her first world. To run the world she needs help, she gets this help by reincarnating three people into the three nature goddesses of the sea, land and sky. Follow as the protagonist learns what it is like to be the goddess of the sea in this new world. Any feedback is appreciated. Cover made by Maze_Runner on Scribblehub. Originally posted on scribblehub under the same title and author name.
8 120Reincarnation of a Dedicated Loser
Hard working smart kid with the determination of a lion suffers his entire life and gives up, but in his last moments he shows his strong will to fight once again. Unfortunately its too late for his life to change. But not to late for a second chance. With his dedication he resolves to never be weak or powerless and decides to live a good life, in a new world of powerful magic and adventurures, with great beasts and challenges ahead.
8 141Aliad - Tale of Zed [Dropped]
Zed Rigel, 3rd Prince of the Rigel Kingdom, has a fate no a destiny provided him. He knows nothing of it nor anything about the consequences of his own actions. This boy was just born but he holds the power to change the world, for it is by his decision that would save or decimate the world he lives in. What exactly will he do? Will he be known as the devil or a hero?----------------------This is a rewrite of Aliad, I realized that Aliad needed to be rewritten so I created this one. The storyline is exactly the same except for some changes. If you want to read the original story here's the link: http://www.royalroadl.com/fiction/1538
8 155Vastmire and the Planet Longan
Seasons have passed, and the countries around the Tamarind Sea have enjoyed the longest stretch of peace they've ever experienced. If you ask anyone, they'll say this was due to the work of Prince Mint, but they won't know the details. Instead, they'll spread tired rumors, peddling lies as if they were truths, immortalizing Mint as something he's not, someone he knows he never was. The knowledge eats away at him. Unable to take it anymore, he's begun writing a journal with the full intent to discuss everything that happened to him all those seasons ago, dispelling his old feelings of being an imposter in his own body. But will people still think he was a hero after reading it? Or will it be dismissed as the work of a liar, a senile old man lost in his own past?
8 175AVNIEL: Come Fall In Love✅
this is my first story..and I am starting it with my all time favourite avniel💓..this is the story of two beautiful souls..Come find how a girl who don't like any commitments and stays away from relationship fall for a boy ...see how a boy changes her with his love,care and changes her life...come fall in love with this beautiful couple😍
8 226sander sides oneshots [slow updates]
thomas sanders oneshots and drabbles
8 141