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The Wild

  Copyright 2014 Nathan Anton

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  Table of Contents

  Acknowledgements

  The Wild

  About Nathan Anton

  Other books by Nathan Anton

  Connect with Nathan Anton

  Acknowledgements

  Thanks to Amy Rose for the beautiful cover art. Thanks to the family for their support.

  The Wild

  The wild is a dangerous place for the unprepared. The necessities must be worked tirelessly for. Food, water, shelter, warmth…maintaining these basic needs are difficult…unless you’re a humanoid cat…

  Nekona was a hunter, a vicious killer of the forest-dwelling humanoid cat tribe. Her agility was flawless and her blows were unmatched among her fellow warriors. Like the other cats, Nekona only wore her own extravagant fur and was armed with natural sharp hooked claws and teeth. Everything about Nekona’s description was frightening, but she was actually anything but.

  “Nekkkonaaa!”

  Nekona heard the bellows of her name whistle among the trees. Her ears twitched and her tail flicked as she looked towards home.

  “Nyuh oh!” She voiced.

  “How are we supposed to eat, this!” The tribe leader threw a heavily mutilated carcass at Nekona’s feet.

  “Nya, I hit it a little too hard nyehehe.”

  The tribe leader was fuming and clenched his fists so hard his claws came out and dug into his flesh. He was about to snap, about to scold Nekona again for her uncaring and unapologetic actions. The tribe leader’s rage suddenly subsided; a feminine arm curled around his waist and stroked the fur on his stomach.

  “It’s ok…It was just a mistake.” The woman whispered at first but then raised her voice, and directed the rhetorical question to Nekona.

  Nekona’s energy faded and she humbly apologized to the tribe leader…and her mother.

  You need to show restraint.

  You need to be more disciplined.

  Not again Nekona…

  Despite being scolded regularly, and being a klutz, Nekona was well respected and liked among the tribe. Her energy was boundless, and her warmth lifted the spirits of fellow cats in depression after a failed hunt. It was night time now and a comfortable place to nap was what Nekona seeked. She scanned the home territory and found her usual spot. Nekona put force into her jump and kicked off from the ground. Her claws dug deep into the bark of the tall tree as she ascended with great speed and skill.

  “Nyaaa, this is the spot.”

  Nekona lay on the fur bed she’d sneakily planted up there and curled up to preserve her heat. It took moments for her to drift asleep and start drooling down the side of the tree. The moonlight passed overhead and the forest rocked back and forth like a cradle in the breeze. Nekona’s black fur glimmered in the moonlight, as did her supple and slightly tanned flesh. Her body was slender, feminine, and muscular at the same time. It was difficult to tell a humanoid cat from a person dressed up as one, but looking closely revealed many subtle traits. The reddened flesh where the claws come out on their hands and feet, and the slightly different bone and muscle structure in the legs, arms and body to name a few.

  Nekona dreamed of fish while she slept. There was a fish in the river bouncing away from her as she ran in excitement to catch it. She splashed the water and grabbed the air as this elusive but tasty looking fish escaped her grasp. Nekona didn’t sulk or get angry; she just kept on chasing it with passion…

  Suddenly Nekona was wide awake, her eyes sprung open and she became alert. Her ears twitched and locked on to a nearby location, and her tail swung uncontrollably on the fur bed. Nekona sat up and crouched low as she readied her stance. After a brief moment of concentration, she pounced onto a nearby tree, and she didn’t stop. The forest was ablur as she jumped from tree to tree, scratching the bark with her claws. Nekona was excited, more ready than ever to defend her territory. There was no fear or hesitation in her wide eyes, there was just an innocent love for the coming battle.

  ***

  “Get back!”

  Two warriors were in combat as Nekona arrived on the scene. A giant was rampaging in the forest. The earth was pummelled into submission and the nearby trees uprooted as if to escape the giant’s wrath, as it flailed around in obvious rage. Giants weren’t known for their intelligence but something was clearly bothering it for such a racket to be made.

  The feline warriors couldn’t get near the massive monster, no opportunities arose and it was too dangerous for a head on strike. Thump…thump, the earth rattled further as the giant moved.

  “N-Nekona what are you…?”

  Nekona jumped out of the forest and landed with ease on the giant’s shoulder. She nibbled his ear and he smacked the side of his own head in response. Like a feather dancing in the wind, Nekona pounced on the giant’s arm and thrust a powerful kick into his solar plexus. A thundering sound of cracking could be heard, and the giant toppled backwards in response, unconscious.

  Nekona landed near the two warriors and dashed her hands as she gleamed at them. The giant was a piece of cake to her and it left a sort of disappointment in her heart. One warrior was gob-smacked and stared at Nekona in adoration and awe (but nothing else, otherwise he’d be mauled by the war chief…or Nekona). The other hunter noticed a glint of reflective light in the side of his eye and went over to the giant to investigate. Scrap metal and leather was stuck to the giant’s feet, the reason for his rage was clear now. The warrior signalled Nekona and his partner to scout out ahead, however neither paid him any attention. It took some shouting and pleading but the two airheaded hunters eventually got to work.

  Nekona clambered up the tallest tree she could find and looked over the horizon. Lots of dazzling red and thick black smoke rose in the distance as the moon illuminated the otherwise beautiful lands.

  “Nya, there are pretty colours ahead!” Nekona shouted down her report on the situation…

  The serious warrior sighed and inevitably had to climb up and see for himself what she was meowing about. His eyes could easily see in the dark but he couldn’t believe Nekona gave him such a vague description on the carnage that had happened in the far away city they could see. Flames ascended high in the night and lit up the now desolate city to the south.

  She’s been at it again…

  Nekona was oblivious to the deeper meanings to this event but watched the mesmerizing lights all the way home.

  ***

  Recently, reports of war and seemingly pointless raids had been heard across the land. The armies were human but the perpetrator was something more. The queen who ruled the biggest human capital in the world was said to be a demon, a powerful woman who’d felled no less than a god on her ascent to power. Queen Arcona, The Red Eyed Demon, was to blame for these monstrous acts of terrorism on the world.

  The camp was ablaze with chatter after Nekona and the two hunters returned from their scouting. The tribe leader was thankful his hunters were safe but was enraged at the heinous acts the Queen had committed so close to his turf. At the click of her fingers; this warm and loving home the tribe leader had built could be the next to taste the queen’s misguided wrath.

  Fear, anxiety, anger, and sadness; all these emotions circulated the camp. However there was one who had no such feelings. Nekona was conf
used as she watched her tribe, she didn’t understand the problem. She didn’t understand why everyone was worried. If anybody was going to attack her tribe, she’d protect them, so why did everyone have their tail between their legs?

  Nekona may be simple-minded but she knew how to uplift the spirits of her fellow felines, even if not in the way she intended. As Nekona dashed off into the thick forest, one thought drove her…

  “If everyone is sad then I’ll get them some tasty food, then nobody will be sad, because when you’re full, you’re happy nya.”

  It took minutes for Nekona to rush to the nearby river and catch a few handfuls of fish. She darted back and forth as she piled the flopping fish inside the camp. At first a few cats noticed the small pile of fish and scratched their heads as to where it came from. But then the pile grew bigger and bigger, until nobody could doubt the existence of the pile of fish.

  “Everyone looked sad so I brought fish nya!” Nekona meowed innocently.

  The tribe leader was about to get angry again at Nekona for violating the ‘consume only what is necessary’ rule, but his rage stopped. It was useless to try and tell Nekona off, and her innocent and caring actions had softened his beating heart. The other hunters in the camp looked at Nekona with a serene and calming feeling. It was as if Nekona was a young kitten the way she acted, but it was this pureness that brought her tribe together.

  The camp was now filled with laughter, Nekona had accomplished her mission but was still confused as nobody had eaten yet. ‘Nya?’ she voiced at the turn of events. The tribe leader ordered the immediate cooking of the succulent fish before it spoiled. Nekona had brought a lot of fish; it would take the entire night to eat, it was a good thing everyone was hungry.

  The tribe leader gave up on thinking about the nearby carnage for now and would decide on how to protect his cats tomorrow.

  ***

  “A mission, nya?” Nekona questioned as the tribe leader spoke to her.

  “Yes, our scouts tell of a tournament in the human capital, I am entrusting you Nekona, the strongest of our tribe, to take part in this tournament and-.”

  “Leave it to me!” Without hearing the rest Nekona sprinted off in a direction, her excitement leading the way.

  The tribe leader sighed heavily; he knew it was too much to hope Nekona would investigate the demonic queen; she didn’t even listen to him…

  There was no doubt that Nekona would get lost, she’s too…spirited, to take time to stop and think. However there was nothing the tribe leader could do, Nekona was the fastest warrior of the tribe, no other hunter would be able to catch up to her, no less find her. I guess this is her coming of age trial…

  ***

  “Nya…Nya…Nyaaa!” Nekona voiced as she jumped from tree to tree spectacularly. The forest was a mere blur at this pace but Nekona’s innate skill was unmatched at navigating the hypnotic environment. On and on she continued to advance. Nekona’s tail was spinning with excitement, and her eyes were wide with awe. The thrill of battle drew her to her destination… or so she thought.

  Nekona slowed her speed and took an innocent look around. The forest was no longer familiar. The animals had changed; the scenery was darker and drearier, although she did not notice its malcontent. Sniff, sniff. Nekona could smell something yummy. Meat was being cooked nearby, and its succulent scent lured the curious cat away from her path. Nekona followed her nose and drifted between the trees comically, like a drunk trudging home after a busy night.

  The trees had now vacated the premises. Rocks began to take the place of the shining grass and thick mud. Nekona had been led to a mountainside cave and wandered in the darkness willingly and without hesitation. It took seconds for her eyes to attune to the dark but she still followed her nose.

  A sudden crack broke the silence as a pitfall broke in, almost taking the deluded cat with it. Nekona paid it no heed as she continued her wandering in the trap-filled cave. More pitfalls sank, revealing a bottomless abyss beneath. Cages thundered all around Nekona as they dropped from the ceiling, missing their mark. Arrows tore out of the rock at malicious speeds and ricocheted dangerously around the cylindrical cave. Despite all these violent warning signs, Nekona continued to find the delectable meat as she walked untouched throughout the cave.

  Voices could be heard ahead, Nekona’s ears instinctively picked up on them but her brain still ignored the rabble. Nekona turned the corner and was greeted by a well-lit room, a living quarters of such. Then she saw it, it was massive and tasty looking. A giant man-eating boar had been slaughtered and skewered. The boar had been cut up into bite-sized chunks and was now being cooked on multiple spits.

  The 5 goblins that inhabited this modest cave were absolutely astonished at the sight of a humanoid cat in their abode. The stray had wandered in, ignoring the fact deathly traps were constructed to keep out such critters. All the goblins could do was stare at the cat as she jumped on their prized meat and began devouring the victory the two adults worked so hard for.

  Goblins were notable for being both mischievous and devious, and usually valued themselves above all others. However this goblin abode belonged to none other than a family. Gobby-dad, gobby-mum, and the three gobby-kids shifted into the corner from the wild beast that ate the first helping of dinner. Tears fell from the youngest child’s wide eyes; he was hungry and scared, and a big bad cat invaded his safe haven.

  Nekona licked her lips after devouring the giant portion of meat. It had taken a while but she eventually came to her senses and noticed the cowering goblins in the corner. She approached them quickly and forced them to back away further into the corner of the room.

  The goblins feared the worst. Gobby-dad shielded his family and stood his ground with his wife, both of them shaking in their little boots.

  “Can I have some more Nya?”

  Time seemed to halt as the goblins looked at each other in confusion. They understood Nekona but at the same time didn’t. The idea of a foreign entity asking for seconds in their own home was absurd, especially since the entity in question broke in and stole their food.

  The oldest child then stepped forward against her parent wishes and scolded the thieving cat.

  “Keeee! That was our food, thief! I demand apology!”

  Nekona stepped back. Her eyes and ears lowered cutely and her tail halted its fervent movements. She’d done something bad again.

  “I’m sowrry,” Nekona apologised for her intrusions.

  The goblin girl gave a ‘that’s to be expected,’ look and said no further on the matter.

  Nekona turned around and started walking out of the goblin cave. She looked pitiable in this state, like a child that had realised she’d done something bad.

  Out of the blue, the youngest goblin spoke.

  “I’ll share with you.”

  Nekona and the other goblins were shocked, but melted at the kindness the little one offered.

  “If you promise to not take food again then you can have dinner,” Gobby-mum said and ended the ordeal.

  “Yay!” Nekona squealed, and became cheerful once again.

  It was a strange sight to see a humanoid cat and a goblin family eating dinner together. Usually different species of any kind distrusted each other, but once the goblins knew Nekona meant no harm in her innocent endeavour they accepted her.

  “It’s ready.”

  Gobby-mum gave the signal and the family dashed to the dinner table with hunger leading the way. Despite already eating a portion big enough for a family, Nekona was raring to go for seconds, and was perhaps more excited than the children. Gobby-mum had served the food and everyone was getting ready to eat until a noise from the cave entrance startled the group.

  “Oh no, the traps!” Gobby-dad had realised something and dashed ahead before slowly stepping back into the room.

  Those traps weren’t meant for Nekona or wild beasts, they were meant for these reptilian beings that now entered the room.

/>   “Kaaaa, a big catch ehhh.”

  “Sssss, looksss yummy.”

  Two humanoid salamanders had intrusively entered the goblin abode. It was now the second time their meal had been interrupted. These intimidating reptiles were a common nuisance around the mountainous regions and had no qualms about stealing from goblins.

  Red scales covered the salamander’s legs and broke off around the waist for the male and at the bosom for the female. Fire and smoke shot out every time the salamanders hissed and spitted out words of perceived ownership of the place.

  “Nya?” Nekona had just realized the tension in the air, putting down the hunk of meat she was about to devour as the goblins and salamanders stared at each other. Despite being an airhead, Nekona could feel the unease and bloodlust rising in the atmosphere.

  “Are they having dinner too nya?”

  Nobody answered Nekona, but the little goblin shook his head as he cowered behind her.

  Nekona got the hint and advanced on the salamanders.

  “Feline, what do you want?”

  Nekona smiled and then vanished, leaving an afterimage due to her uncanny speed.

  Crash! The nearest salamander was catapulted out of the room, through the long dark cave, and onto the pale rocks outside. Nekona looked up and smiled at the remaining woman as she held her powerful crouched stance. The salamander then clicked her tongue and slowly backed out of the room, not wanting to be thrown out in the violent manner her partner was.

  The intrusion had been dealt with swiftly and the goblins cheered for their new hero. It took a while but dinner eventually got served. The goblins were thankful Nekona had sent the pests away and asked her where she was headed.

  “Nya, where was I headed?” Nekona’s semi-functioning brain then remembered.

  “I was going to fight in a tournament nya.”

  The oldest goblin child then offered to take her there through their secret tunnel. A shabby bookshelf ascended with the right touch, and revealed a small hole that seemed to stretch on for miles. These goblins were a regular patron of the capital; and would happily take Nekona there.

  Nekona had by chance found her way to the tournament in the most unlikely way possible. Then again it was probably only because of whom she was that this opportunity presented itself. It seems Nekona would make it to the capital safely but who knows with this curious cat.