Chapter 6: 1.6. Harrowing Harvest

It was a beautiful day outside. 

Birds were singing, flowers were blooming-

*GROWLLLLLL*

Yeah yeah, keep it down grumpy. We can’t wait to put you in the ground as well~.

With a calming breath, I tuned out the rampant mood of the surrounding rampart. The shouting and howling and growling and chittering… everything that once made my heart race upon standing on the battlement… had become just another lull.  

A calm before the storm… 

My vigilance was rekindled once the Captain’s famous words of caution came to mind. Yet, as quickly as it sprouted up, a brief glance at my surroundings threatened to douse the flame at once. 

My paws went through the usual motions even as the wheel inside my mind slowed to a relaxing crawl. The serene sound of fetchers, barking orders to fledglings. The spirited sight of runners, gazing into the distance. And watchers, keeping a watchful eye, keeping their very boredom at bay…

Repetitions. Repetitions could truly be an insidious killer! 

A satisfied sigh left my lips as I gave the sling one final check. All around me, the festive mood continued unabated, which fortunately paled in comparison to the roughhousing down below. Unfortunately, I could also spot a familiar pair of scuffling bὕnny ears - ears surrounded by snow white hair with barely any shade of black near the tips…  

Shaking myself out of the gloomy thought, I reined in the impulse to jump off the wall and talk my old fledgling’s ear off. Instead, I redirected focus to the newest addition of my flock, and almost couldn’t help but let out a smile at what I was seeing.   

A few days ago, Hiro was but a chick, easily frightened by the gentle growl of summer. His fear upon hearing what a harvest entailed was plain to see, and yet, the young fledgling’s will burned even brighter as he asked for my permission to help with the siege. 

With another pile of dirt delivered, Hiro took but the briefest of respite before rejoining the struggle. The guest that fledged could have chosen to stay out of the fight, yet didn’t. He had certainly proven his mettle this day, both to me as well as his fellow fledglings, and I couldn’t be more proud…

After the last bit of earth was carried onto the rampart, a silence permeated the inner wall, traveling all the way to its top. Every wylder, young and old, stood straight as a ramrod once the druids began their ascent. Before long, even the bands of misfits outside quieted down in rapt attention at the upcoming ceremony.  

Amidst the sober atmosphere, my ears couldn’t help but twitch at the occasional yelping and mewling. Luckily, a quick glance confirmed that Hiro wasn’t as “subtle” as the other gawkers, who were receiving their due slap on the wrist. Sensing my sharp look, the boy swallowed hard as he unfroze himself and prowled towards my side.   

Soon enough, the dέέrs were among us, each overseeing a section of the wall. With oaken masks that covered anything but the jaw, the sight of five channelers garbed in green, flanked by a pair of wyld guardians on both sides, made quite an imposing figure. 

As soon as the eldest of druids stepped forth, the middle section of the rampart turned even more solemn. With a booming voice, the wyld deliverance was uttered to the waiting mass. 

“The hated foes have once again amassed at our doorstep…”

Bestial growls accompanied the old dέέr’s words. Low at first, as if carrying ancient resentment in their wake.

“The Wyld has seen it fit to test the Horde’s resolve…”

Louder and louder they went on, angrier and angrier they became, until each sound unified into a single utterance.

“BROTHERS AND SISTERS, WILL WE CURL UP IN FEAR AND DEFEAT?”

“NO!!!”

Said declaration reverberated throughout the city. Yet, it did not end there. With sparkling greens that smelled of oaks and grasses, the very Wyld which lay dormant inside four walls was woken up, was asked to join as one.

“WANDERERS AND FETCHERS, WILL WE WAVER IN WILL AND MIGHT?”

“NO!!!”

The growling grew in harmony with the Wyld. Farther and farther it went, until it reached the cursed woods that oaken staffs had pointed toward. Stronger and stronger it grew, until the hated foes could no longer ignore our taunting lure.

“THEN-”

The beasts burst forth, trampling upon one another in a mad frenzy. Under the brightness of day, countless banes left their taint, foolishly forgoing the boon tonight’s blood moon could give them.  

And so, the tide of darkness had come to crash down upon our walls. 

Lo and behold.

For they had come, to lie down on their very grave!

“-LET THE CULLING, COMMENCE!!!”

•ㅅ•

It was a beautiful day outside. 

Banes were screaming, stones left ‘er slinging.

On days like these, beasts in the sky… 

“SHOULD JUST SHUT UP AND DIE!”

My shot struck true, tearing the mocking bird apart. Whatever manner of madness quickly died in its throat as the abomination crashed to the ground, becoming just another stain of filth and darkness.  

Six… Seven…

The winged monstrosities found no respite as stones and spears continued to end their mockeries in the crib. Soon, a savage sense of satisfaction swelled within me, knowing that they got to die like flies. 

Eight… Nine… Ten… 

Snatchers and mockers, both terrors so feared throughout Wyld Land, so frowned upon for their cunning and deception, were now but moths heading towards the flame. With lanky legs and wicked wings, they continued to speed past their lesser kins, continued to let blind rage cloud their judgment.     

As expected from the filthy animals they were.

Eleven… Twelve…

A quick glance left a small grin on my lips even as my paws continued feeding stones to the birds. Lacking in calm and experience, most fetchers, alongside some young runners, had already run out of shots. Hastily, they now had to rely on what meager magic they could muster, just to mold more rough rocks.    

Yet my pile of dirt, and those of very few others, remained whole.

Thirteen… 

Only once the vanguard of darkness already crumpled did their bulk manage to catch up. Yet, the closer they got, the more disorganized their pace became. It was not long before banes started breaking off from the pack, raring to sink claws and fangs into flesh. 

*BOOM*BOOM*

Sound of stones tore the air apart while the ground got torn asunder. The will of watchers was made clear, and I could only gulp in awe and wonder at such a sight.

Undeterred by the pitfall that so many of their own kin had fallen in, the tide of darkness split into two, though countless droves still foolishly decided to cross the grave so thoughtfully dug for them.

And thus, the savage melee began. 

Seekers waiting at both sides welcomed the waves with open arms, just like cheerful farmers holding their scythe high at a bountiful harvest. Oaken tools were quick at work, reaping and cutting and maiming and killing. Soon enough, the tide was pushed back, little by little, step by step.

At the same time, a pincer surrounded the pit that was bombarded with stones. Wanderers brandished their steel, as if proving the lack of wood could not, would not deter their will. As the sound of savagery clashed against the song of sickle, limbs and snots and blood and tears strewed the slaughter field. The crawlers lucky enough to claw out of their tomb quickly met a swift end, yet countless more remained.

With practiced ease, my shot easily made its way through a bane’s head. At once, the monster fell flat on the ground, sharp fangs inches away from a wounded wćlf. As the fighting intensified, there was little incentive to keep count. Most mocking birds had already been eradicated from the battle. Meanwhile, whatever snatching beasts remained were too close to wanderers, too close for a clear shot.

Ironic enough, snatchers that were stronger than banes, yet not fast enough to warrant their name as living terrors, were now causing the most damage. The sight of them shredding wanderers apart was always chilling to see, and I could only thank the Wyld for letting those younglings learn from this experience… 

*GROWLLLLLL*

Before the titanic sound of death and destruction could reach my ears, the earth’s trembling had already snapped me back to reality. Peering over the horizon, I said to Hiro, who still looked gobsmacked at the scene of carnage he would get to see plenty more during his stay. 

“Pay close attention to what comes next, my young fledgling.” Grinning impishly, I added. “For your first time, your first experience… Will be the most special!”

- - -

*Clang*Clash*Bash*Bang*

Despite the raging sound of steel and dance of death all around him, the young bὕnny could not care less. After all, his tune had already been cut off, leaving behind a stump that could not even be used to swing a sword.  

Clutching at the bleeding wound, the wanderer let out a bestial cry as his knees screamed in anguish at the impromptu hop. Faster than the eye could blink, both pairs of buck teeth soon found themselves fighting for purchase as the boy tore through the throat of his monstrous prey, spraying dark blood all over.   

‘The sight of a biting bὕnny was a surprise, to be sure, but definitely a welcome one.’ Such was the thought of the buck’s companion, who almost got to find out how sharp a monster’s fangs were.

With a look and barely a nod, bὕnny and taʊr quickly collected the missing parts before beating a swift retreat. They had bitten more than their mouth could chew, one certainly did, and now the only sensible option was to catch their breath for what was to come. 

Despite the overwhelming scream of death and stench of blood, the taste of blight was still at the tip of his tongue. With whatever strength he could muster, the buck shook his head weakly at the worried look of his companion. Leaning on each other for support, the pair continued the long trudge back, even as one’s vision blurred and his senses went numb.   

Reaching firm ground, a sigh of relief could hardly be heaved before all twelve halfmoons begun to flash before the young bὕnny’s eyes. Holding onto his last breaths, the buck willed himself to fight back against the growing blight, to cling onto the last of his life. 

Precious time was bought, for even as the encroaching darkness managed to steal the light from both eyes, it failed to extinguish the wandering will to live.

And precious time was all it took.

Across the slaughter field, the sound of peaceful purrs slowly replaced guttural growls, lighting up the beacon of hope in every combatant. Relief flood the young bὕnny as the very Wyld reverberated throughout the medium, guided by druidic magic of old. Soon, the blighted taint was beaten back, its corruption just another meal for the willful jaws of the Wyld.  

Finally letting out a sigh of relief, the buck put what was once his right arm onto the stump and did his best to ignore the coming pain. The mending of bones and flesh was always a painful experience, yet, he could not find the will to hate it. After all, to feel pain meant that he was still living, still breathing…

Still alive and kicking.

*GROWLLLLLL*

The approaching sound of doom immediately jolted the young bὕnny out of his musing. Paying the shaking ground no heed, he jerked his head towards the distance, where trouble was looming over the horizon.

As three gigantic monstrosities made their way towards the city, the boy’s ears stood at rapt attention, his heart beating wildly. 

However, there was no fear, but only anticipation.

*Whoosh*Whoosh*Whoosh*      

The sound of stones was sharp, yet not deadly. One shot gave a behemouth some food for thought, while two left another completely staggered in its wake. Meanwhile, no stone was slung towards the lumbering monstrosity at the front, who wouldn’t even humor its kinds with a game of catch-up.

‘Foolish beasts!’ The young bὕnny could not help but grin. To him, the sight was quite comical, not unlike three overgrown ducklings waddling around, straying further from each other while walking towards an obvious trap.

*Whoosh*Whoosh*Whoosh*Whooooosh* 

More stones, more lags, until the trap was finally sprung.

With long and powerful legs, a blur of black and white left the confines of the wall to greet the clumsy prey. One simple hop was enough to close the distance, and a single lance was everything the buck could make out as a tiny bee descended upon the maws of a giant beast.   

*Rip*Rip*Riiiiip* 

Sounds of anguish screams were deafening, yet the young bὕnny could not care less. With heartbeats growing wilder by the second, he looked on in speechless rapture, transfixed. After all, this was his first time witnessing the wonder upclose, and there was nothing to do but burn the sight deep into his memory.

Just like how the beast’s inside was now being burned to a smoldering crisp. 

As the oaken lance continued to tear through flesh and bones, countless monsters emerged from the dark depth, rushing towards their unwelcomed prey. Soon, however, more screams joined the chorus as even blight and madness turned into fuel for the ever growing wyldfire.

The “battle”, if one could even call it such, had ended before it could even start. Before long, the booming sound of husk hitting the ground was heard, sending dust and debris flying everywhere. Amidst it all, a lone figure stood atop the slain beast, with long dark hair and snow white cloak fluttering in the wind. 

“...”

Some slight shake soon snapped the young bὕnny out of his stupor. His companion, now with a leg no longer detached, was sending him that same look, that same determination both had back when they formed their own flock. All around them, cheers and shouts rang out as the earth trembled once more, signaling the fall of another “mighty” giant. 

“Wanna go for another dance, wanderer Bun`Imit?”

“Ladies first, wanderer Tau`Ellea!”

The ground shook as countless wylders answered the rallying call. After a light hit on the shoulder, bὕnny and taʊr also brandished their steel as they sallied forth. Now however, there was no longer a need to wander off, but simply to march forwards, where the champion had carved for them a path towards victory.

- - -

“That was certainly fun while it lasted, huh?”

With a quiet chuckle, I calmed my mind and gave one final shot towards the retreating banes. The splitting headache was still there, though the thought that all my dirt was exhausted for once had certainly provided me with some much needed comfort. 

Far far away, seekers that laid in ambush since the very start were now closing in, cutting off any hope the retreating tide might have. Leaning over the battlement, I decided to kick back and enjoy the beautiful view. The screams of beasts as they found themselves trampled beneath the hooves of taʊrs were simply music to my ears~.    

“Isa… What… Who was that!?”

Without needing any further elaboration, I could already tell what was running through my ward’s mind. His slack-jawed expression also teased another chuckle out of me, since it was the very face I made after seeing such a sight, so many years ago…

“That, my young fledgling-” I paused, pointing my paw upward for added effect. “-would be Bun`Thornbee, champion of Growling Trunk. She who possesses a wyld sting and an even wylder attitude!” 

“Bun`Thornbee… I see, so that’s the power of a champion…” The mystified look on Hiro’s face did not last long before he snapped himself out of his daze. “Wait a minute… I thought all bὕnnies have names that start with “I”? Did her parents decide to get super creative or something?”

“Oh yes~ Some frisky wylders certainly thought that it would be such a great idea~ telling the entire world that their offspring would be a pain in the ass~ and that she was a stray to her own kins~” I said, trying my best to hold back a belly laugh. “No, Hiro. “Thornbee” is the title that she had earned as a seeker. Her birth name, if I remember correctly, uhm… It should be Bun`Ienup.”

“Huh…”

Our chatter went on a little longer, until the noise of stomping and chomping began to die down in the distance. Stretching both arms, I motioned for Hiro to join my trek down the wall.

“Come along, my fledgling. Plenty more to do, and a lot more for you to learn.”

•ㅅ•

The sun passed lazily above our head, shining glittering rays upon the peeking precious scattered across the field. As wanderers took their vigil, fetchers and fledglings were quick at work, harvesting the spoils of war. 

With a satisfying swipe, I cut open the beast’s belly and collected the crystallized darkness within. The blight had long been banished, leaving behind only crimson blood inside its corpse. Yet, menace and madness could still be felt, made all the worse by the lingering smell of rot and regret that permeated throughout the land.  

Not all wanderers had made it. Too little will to live or too little remains, some had received the wyld’s mercy and returned to the circle of life, passing their will on to friends and families alike. Their name would live on, in memories or recollections, until fated to fade away like any ember of the past…          

Shaking myself out of the gloomy thought, a sense of recognition washed over me as I threw the melting corpse to the eager arms of my ward. Hiro’s training at the smokehouses had certainly paid off, given how the young fledgling could now carry out his job without letting any foul smell deter his will. Already, I could feel a smile tugging at the corner of my lips as my heart swelled with pride.

You are reading story Legend of the Otherworldly Petter at novel35.com

*Growl*

… Of course, the moment just had to be ruined thanks to my rumbling stomach. Quiet down, you! Many a feast fitted for heroes later!

GROWL

Wait a minute.

GROWL!!!

Oh no…

“Huh, what’s wrong Isa? Why are you-”

Scooping Hiro up for a piggyback, I immediately bolted my way towards the gate. The faint sound of broken crystals echoed inside my ears, just like the blood-curdling cries of those with a good hearing. Yet, I paid them no heed. Ensuring the safety of my ward, of my fledgling, was now my only concern.

Fiery flame from the passing pyres could do nothing to stop the chill running down my back, though at this point, I could no longer tell if it was from me or from my shivering passenger. The sight of frothing fledglings with rolled-back eyes certainly didn’t help, made all the worse as the primal presence continued to suffocate us with its weight.

 

.̵͎̦̬̣͙̤̓͑̆̈́͆ ̸̧͕̀̈́͠Ǧ̶̙̾̔R̵̛̪̮̪̒Ó̶̟͍͎̍̆͘W̴̟̅̓̀̍̌̐L̸̛̖̝̫̍͛̀.̵͎̦̬̣͙̤̓͑̆̈́͆

 

“Dra-... Dra-...”

Seekers seeked for an opening while runners returned whoever they could to safety. Wanderers and fetchers, those that hadn’t collapsed, were forced to flee, to warn watchers and the champion of this threat. Across the field, screams of despair wrestled with barks of orders. The scene was no longer purely organized chaos, but simply, pure chaos.  

 

 .̵͎̦̬̣͙̤̓͑̆̈́͆ ̸̧͕̀̈́͠Ǧ̶̙̾̔R̵̛̪̮̪̒Ó̶̟͍͎̍̆͘W̴̟̅̓̀̍̌̐L̸̛̖̝̫̍͛̀.̵͎̦̬̣͙̤̓͑̆̈́͆

 

“DRAGON!!!”

With those words, my consciousness gave out as DEATH ITSELF CAME DOWN TO GREET US!!! FLIGHT OR FIGHT WAS THE ONLY OPTION LEFT!!! IT TOOK EVERYTHING I HAD NOT TO DROP THE SACK ON MY BACK AND JOIN IN THE INEVITABLE SLAUGHTER!!!

THE SCREAMING AND SHOUTING AND KILLING AND BURNING BEGAN AND YET MY FEET ONLY KNEW TO RUN!!! I HATED THIS YET IT WAS DUTY NOT COWARDICE!!!

GATE IN SIGHT!!! SACK SAFE!!! DEEP BREATH!!! Deep… Breath…

The sight of black and white fighting against fierce crimson was everything I could make out before my head hit the ground…

- - -

…

…

…

Pain

Blood

Darkness

…

Loneliness

Sadness

Fear

…

…

…

How long have I been sleeping?

- - -

“Chin up, young ones! Your bravery is what allowed the Horde to triumph over this bloody day!-”

The words of much needed encouragement finally managed to snap me out of my half-dazed state. A quick glance revealed that, indeed, the dream of me waking up to find the battle already over, before making my way towards the hunting ground for the usual ritual was very, very real…

“Hold your head high, heed our heartbeat. Can you feel it? The Wyld is here, carrying both death and life on its back-”

It had been quite a while since Elder Ruink had to deliver such a lengthy speech. Then again, based on the gloomy look of the surroundings, this might be warranted. It also said something when no one bothered to reprimand whoever was still making quiet sounds of twirling crystals.

And who can blame such an act, after seeing that lost look…

“Today, we prevailed over darkness and despair. Tomorrow, we will cry at the lost memories. But here, here and now, let us celebrate our survival-”

Survival

The word tasted quite bitter inside my mouth. It reminded me of everything that I had ever accomplished, after setting foot inside this city.

Just surviving…

I could feel my mind drifting off even as the druids began the sacred ritual. As warm, bright light blessed the land, menace and madness were cleansed from the crystallized darkness. In its wake, only the shine of pure mana remained, swirling within its crystalline form. 

The ritual continued once the song of life and death began, humming its tune across the glade. A familiar sense of suffocation soon bore down upon us as the willful jaws of the Wyld made itself known, hungry for sacrifices.     

And sacrifices it received.

Oaken staffs were quick to point towards the recently gathered mound of mana, resulting in a sickening crunch as countless crystals shattered, their color drained. The Wyld was pleased, no doubts, for it quickly bent the cycle to allow the return of old games. As scattered contents from various bags of bones vied for vigor, fetchers and runners prepared to reap the bountiful harvest, their slings and spears at the ready. 

Meanwhile, I was busy collecting the dull, drained rocks on the ground.

Ignoring the baffled look of others, I continued to finish the unwanted work. Up and down, in not out. My paws went through the usual motions, even long after the harvest began. Soon, several full bags were thrown towards the nearest fetchers as I took my leave.

Let others have their glory. 

I just wanted my rest.

•ㅅ•

“Bloody meow…”

That night, sleep did not come easy. Whenever I closed my eyes, thoughts of burning walls and scorched earth always came to mind. Worse still, there was no erasing the image of a bὕnny, who stood at the middle of it all.

A weak bὕnny.

An useless bὕnny.

A bὕnny, shivering in fear…

What was I thinking? 

Sweats continued to flow freely, even as the annoying blanket was kicked away. 

Proud of being a runner? Proud of making it this far?

The growl came out, even when my head was already buried into the pillow.

What is the point? If the best I could do-

Feathers flew across the room, yet my teeth still couldn't stop tearing the damn thing to shreds. 

-is just, this.

•ㅅ•

Fortunately, morning eventually came, bringing along hopes of a happy new day.

Which was rather unfortunate, since I now looked nothing short of a mess.

Making my way towards the sink, I couldn’t help but wince at the wyldkin reflected upon the mirror. Splashing the thing away, I quickly grabbed a towel and dried myself. 

Enough gloomy thoughts! Today is a new day, a new beginning!

The clean and wild reflection soon came to greet me. Yet, instead of two big paws, slender hands were now holding the towel. A few steps back revealed that, indeed, big feet had also turned into small ones, with toes looking even smaller. 

Be afraid, world… 

Finally, I looked up, to see what lied above all.

Lo and behold. 

Dark, black hair. 

Not pure white snow…

The image of a champion, the symbol of something I could never achieve, was looking down at me.

“Must feel good, having divine blood run so thickly through your veins…”

With another splash, I left the lair, not forgetting to slam the door on my way out.

This bὕnny will be coming for you all…

•ㅅ•

“Morning.”

“Isa! Good morning!”

The sight of the familiar guest house calmed my nerves, even as I had to fight down the irritation upon looking at my ward.

Pure, black hair.

Special since birth.

How lucky…

Shaking the useless thoughts away, I forced myself to focus on the rapid words that were being fired out. Yet, no matter how hard I tried, the fact that Hiro, my fledgling, could shake off the primal fear and wake up even before I did…

Sigh.

What was I even doing? 

I shouldn’t compare myself to others like this, especially when each of us all had our own role to play in the circle of life. 

Thornbee was a champion, true, yet the weight she must carry was something those like me would hardly hope to put upon ourselves.

Hiro was a noble scion, there was no doubt, yet the responsibility he must hold was also his own shackle.

And here I was, complaining about my lack of “uniqueness”, alongside the freedom that it had granted me…

Heh.

Chuckling lightly, my mind turned clear while I tried my best to not burst out in laughter. 

I really was just being a dumb bὕnny, wasn’t I?

“Hey, hey! It’s not funny! I am serious about this!”

Wiping the tears away, I pretended that I was indeed listening to whatever excitement my ward had regaled me with.

“Sorry, sorry. It’s just that… Could you repeat what you just said? Somehow, it just found its way towards my funny bone.”

Hiro looked at me suspiciously, though his face quickly lost its scowl once I hid my own behind two long ears, feigning fear all the way.

After a small round of chuckles, warmth and mirth slowly returned to the room. With a beaming smile, my ward continued his tale of much importance.

“Like I said… You may not understand what this means, but I found it, Isa! I really did!”

Nodding at the admittedly notunderstanble words, I waited for him to finish his thought. It did not take long, as Hiro soon pointed his hand upward in an exaggerated manner.

“There was truly no need for me to wander off, for I have stumbled upon the very plot itself!”

That day, I was once again reminded that, indeed, humans could be very, very weird.