Wastes and Wilds Kyo 1.1

I didn’t want to rule the world.

I simply wanted to walk the streets without fear.

-Lion’s Refrain

Kyo scented the air as the last hundred meters to the Wall entered her eyes. There had been two bandit groups operating nearby, but she had managed to avoid both of them with the ease of long practice. Her previously wet rag suit was caked with sand, but that was a sacrifice infinitely superior to losing her catch.

Ten four-leg corpses would sell for a pretty penny to the exotic meat salesmen in the Bazaar. For some reason, attempts to raise the creatures in captivity never ended well when Kyo had tried. Even worse the city’s own four legs didn’t have the same flavor she knew from personal experience. It was a mystery she still hadn’t solved to this day.

Once I’m inside Lion’s territory the hunt will finally be over. Kyo thought upon arriving at the small gate set into the Wall.

A small caravan was being processed through the gate by the Wall guards. Kyo looked at the sunburst on the guard’s armor which was a very different icon to the city guard’s own iconography. A flutter of stomach sickening nausea assaulted her as the latent energy in her body rose once more. She had thought there was more time until her birthday, but apparently not. Wrestling down nausea through Still Mind she planted a blank expression on her face. If the guards thought for even a second she carried sickness, tradition or not, entering the city would be a pipe dream.

Looking at the caravan in front of her for a few moments caused Kyo to start tensing up. There were several minor details that didn’t match up with the few caravans she had seen before. The covered wagons sat much lower to the ground than normal for one. Sitting that low to the ground had all sorts of implications for travel. Then there was the scent, or more specifically the lack of scent. It wasn’t uncommon for a wagon driver to have Skills or Spells to cover scent. What was strange was that every wagon driver in this caravan had them.

You only need to cover scent in a few cases. Kyo thought. Drugs, magic components, or slaves. Her eyes flickered to the guard's faces noting how there was not a single Beast among any of them. Suspicious, but nothing I can do about it.

Being a hero was for people who didn’t have to make sure their gains outweighed their losses. Kyo was more concerned that the guards might decide to silence her to keep their little slice of paradise running. It wouldn’t look good if she disappeared, and the Lion would investigate for sure. On the other hand, she was well aware that no evidence equaled no crime. Engaging the Still Mind and Turtle Breath techniques she plastered a blank expression of tired weariness on her face.

A pair of human guards moved from the caravan to flank her as soon as they spotted her. Kyo didn’t react to the fear scent on their bodies, humans never took it well when someone could read their scent like a book.

“Late entry, little kitten?” The left guard asked resting his hand on the hilt of his sword.

Kyo nodded and said, “Finished up late catching meat for the Master’s table.” It wasn’t against the rules to use Lion’s name as long as she was careful not to claim direct support.

The right guard was jumpy, and his nervous question showed it, “Master? Who?”

Kyo said, “My efforts put food on Lion’s table, praise be the Great Cats.” Her expression told the left guard in no uncertain terms that his partner was an idiot. She caught the half-nod the left guard stifled as he almost agreed with her out loud.

“Relax, Miles. She’s just a kitten doing her duty for the crime boss.” the left guard said in a relaxed tone.

“Shut it, Erick, you know we can’t have any news about this leak out. Beast scum will swarm us and we’ll all die under teeth or claws!” Miles said his body shaking as his tone grew unhinged.

Kyo moved over to the left guard’s side and said, “Mr. Erick, is your partner using? He seems a bit unhealthy. I’m certain my Master would reward you for putting a mad dog down. He hates dogs.” She watched as Erick ran the calculation and a cold glint entered his eyes. A favor from the Lion was worth more than the life of a clearly stupid partner in almost any equation. While she didn’t have any right to promise something like that, survival came first before paying debts.

Erick put a bright smile on and turned to Miles placing his body between Kyo and the other guard. A moment later he placed his left hand on Mile’s right shoulder pauldron before saying, “Relax, man. Kittens don’t talk, everyone knows that.” Miles looked as if he was going to calm down but Kyo could see his eyes bulge as a soft squelch along with the scent of blood occurred.

The dagger Erick had buried suddenly in his partner’s stomach was a fatal blow. Unfortunately, the guard Miles was clearly on some sort of stimulant. He pushed Erick back throwing him to the side but instead of focusing on his killer all attention locked onto Kyo. With a swift rasp, Miles pulled his steel short sword out before thrusting forward in a single motion. Kyo barely managed to use her innate dexterity to twist to the side turning a lethal thrust into a savage slice.

Erick gave a whistle shouting, “Miles has gone crazy lads, get me an assist over here to subdue him!” Contrary to his words he stepped inside the mad guard’s reach to thrust his dagger a second and third time without remorse. The second blow was fatal striking the lightly defended kidney through a gap in Miles cuirass, while the third bounced off the hardened leather.

Kyo thought the fight was over and was completely surprised when the dying guard made a last-ditch strike. The cold steel short sword slammed through her side impaling her short body with silent finality. She stared uncomprehendingly at Erick who shared the same shocked expression. Her body shuddered with the cold touch of death and blood sprayed from her mouth in a fan of red ink before Kyo slumped on the blade. Her sight dropped to the sands as she felt the sudden chill of the Waste’s cold expand within her chest. As her eyes dropped Kyo could see the bag attached to her harness which contained the sapphire ring slowly drench in her blood.

The leather pouch turning rust-red was the final thing Kyo saw before darkness took her sight.

An eternity passed as Kyo found herself entombed in a world of darkness. There was nothing here, no sound to break the silence, no wind to impart a scent. Even her own existence felt thin as if a rope she didn’t know existed was being frayed to the last thread.

There was a flicker in the darkness and suddenly Kyo found herself in a small wooden room. The shape of the room was slightly strange, with four walls before her, while a fifth was behind. The chair beneath her body felt solid though, as real as a luxury item would feel. Her mind refused to process the amount of brown gold on display. The number was simply too extensive to count effectively.

Instead, Kyo focused on the four beings in front of her. Each creature sat behind a desk, in a chair of their own just like hers. They were varied in appearance, bringing the scent of fantasy with their very presence.

A book.

A pile of dust.

A floating sapphire jewel.

A shrub.

This is certainly one of the more disturbing dreams I’ve had. Kyo thought. Have I gone mad in death?

“You are not dead yet.” the shrub said.

“Close though, but I am keeping it at bay.” the crystal sang.

“Stop confusing her, and explain the rules.” the book whispered.

“Fluffy!” the pile of dust chanted.

Kyo stared for a moment before she said, “I’m going insane, there must have been poison on that blade.”

“No, you are not.” the shrub said.

“Are you sure?” Kyo said pointing a finger talon at the shrub.

“Very sure, I’m excellent at poisons.” the shrub said wiggling its little shrubby vines.

“Please stop bothering our dying chance, Kudzu.” the crystal said.

“Yeah, stop wasting our chance to heal Eve.” the book rattled.

Kyo was about to reply before she saw a glowing green four-leg exit a small hole in the floor’s corner. The small creature then floated over to the book’s desk and delivered a payload of steaming liquid within a wooden cup. The cup and liquid seemed to exist out of nothingness. Even as the four-leg floated off she felt her talons extending in hunger.

Am I dreaming? Kyo thought. Flying four legs aren’t real, are they?

“Fluffy!” the dust pile said cheerfully adding minimally to the conversation but still bringing a sense of happiness.

Kyo’s attention was pulled back to the four creatures behind their desks, and she said solemnly, “I’ve decided to believe I’m not dreaming. So, what are you offering?”

“Who says we are offering anything?” the shrub said.

“Everyone’s selling something,” Kyo said staring dead at the shrub. If anyone was going to talk, it was the green wiggly plant.

“We are selling a chance to avoid death, and gain a pure Affinity.” the book whispered.

Kyo blinked before staring at the book and asking, “Affinities are a myth, all the white robes said so.”

“Affinities are quite real, although I’m sure plenty would care to keep their existence quiet. Knowledge is power in most times and places.” the crystal sang.

“So, what do you want me to do in exchange?” Kyo said finally. No one on the street would believe in the myth of free food, just like she wouldn’t believe these creatures offered something for nothing.

“Raise the Silver Witch from slumber.” said the book, dust pile, crystal, and shrub in unison.

“I have absolutely no clue who that is,” Kyo said crossing her arms defensively. There was a small shift as she felt wordless communication between the four entities.

“Follow me.” the shrub said finally floating out of the room via a door that instantly appeared.

Kyo shrugged and slid off her chair to follow the shrub as it floated down a wooden corridor. A series of corridors later Kyo was led into a wide arched chapel reminiscent of the white robe's sacred holy chambers. Her eyes moved around the space until they beheld the woman lying asleep on a large altar in the exact center.

“An elf?” Kyo whispered, “She’s pretty. I hope none of you let the people in town see her. Elves are prime targets for snatch crews.”

“That is the Silver Witch. She is our Patron. Currently, she slumbers awaiting our aid in Awakening from the long sleep between Worlds.” the shrub said in a hushed voice.

“She’s old?” Kyo said flinching as a pulse of silver light burst out from the sleeping not-elf.

“She’s…young…at heart...” the shrub said quickly. Kyo realized her mistake and nodded in agreement. Old people didn’t like folks to call them old, which was weird because at the same time they wanted people to understand they were superior in age, and thus experience.

Superior due to age, which they bring up in every argument. Kyo thought remembering the elderly lady who helped make her rag-water suit.

Kyo stepped closer and saw the face of the sleeping goddess. Silver hair framed a relaxed face of surpassing beauty. Before she could take another step closer though a stream of silver dust rose into the air like the head of a thousand snakes.

“Step away, slowly. Now.” the shrub said in a tense tone.

“Stepping away, stepping right away,” Kyo said retreating with steady steps. Sweat beaded her brow as the palpable sense of death receded. Whatever that silver dust was it wasn’t anything she wanted to mess with.

“So, since we are alone, let’s cut a deal.” the shrub said as Kyo glanced at it once they were both back by the chapel door.

“I bet I could get a better deal from the others,” Kyo said to test the waters. She had learned it was best to get offers from more than one source. It usually resulted in a better deal for all parties involved. On the other hand, exclusivity did pay better as she knew from the deal for four-leg meat.

“Bullshit, I’m the oldest, I’ll pay you the best. Nota, the book can offer knowledge. Hut, the dust pile can offer utility tricks. Felix, the sapphire crystal can offer treasure. None of that is any use though, is it?” the shrub said with shrewd words. “You’re a child from the streets, and unless I miss my guess well aware of what you need.”

Kyo nodded and said, “Knowledge is useless without power. I have no idea what utility means. Even worse, the treasure will kill me faster than basilisk venom in the streets. What are you offering?”

“My affinity is complex, but my base affinity is Plant. I will offer you the single most useful thing in almost any situation.” the shrub said before pointing a tendril to the side, “Food.”

Kyo looked where the tendril was pointing at a group of steaming hot meat buns. Even from where she stood she could scent the flavor of spiced meat from inside the buns. There was absolutely zero hesitation on her face as she said at lightning speed, “Food is good, but I want something else, too.” She wasn’t going to allow herself to be lured easily, even though the scent of the meat buns was maddeningly delicious.

The shrub wiggled for a bit before pointing to another item that appeared, “I can teach you to bottle a liquid livelihood that can beggar Kings, enchant Emperors, or seal the Fate of a nation in a single bottle.”

“Alchemy!” Kyo said staring at the bubbling potion. Her will crumbled at the temptation of being one of those respected by someone like the Lion himself. She knew that those who were good at the craft of alchemy were valued with the same level of respect as lower nobility. Even as she attempted to look tough her voice quickly betrayed her as Kyo said, “You can’t take this deal back, no returns once a purchase is made!”

“Right, that means you, uh, agree to have me as your Patron, correct?” the shrub said appearing slightly confused.

Kyo nodded, “Yes.”

“Good, now we’ll go back and you choose me in front of the others. Don’t fall for any temptations they give you, either alright?” the shrub said, clearly nervous Kyo would change her mind.

Hah, little does the shrub know the true value of alchemy is looking beautiful and young forever! Kyo thought as she followed the little plant back to the previous room. Once inside a quick discussion occurred before she chose the shrub as her Patron.

“Now that’s over, we have some bad news.” the crystal sang.

“You were dying before we intervened. Choosing a Patron from among us has caused you to Awaken.” the book whispered.

“Fluffy alive!” the dust pile chanted as several floating four legs circled above it like a crown.

“Are you saying I have a Status now?” Kyo said in excitement.

“You do, but you are required to wear the ring now. If you remove it, the connection keeping you in mortal flesh will dissipate.” the book whispered.

“So I just need to keep the ring in touch with my flesh?” Kyo asked.

“Yes.” the shrub, Kudzu, her Patron said.

“Can the ring be destroyed by acid or something?” Kyo asked as her mind ticked through a possible solution. She remembered some of the lessons her meat buying merchant had mentioned about where food goes in the body.

“Nothing mortal can damage the ring.” the crystal sang with a smug tone.

“Ok, no problem then.” Kyo said with a nod, “So how do I get…back?”

“Tell me when you are ready to leave and I will return you.” the dust pile said with unbounded cheer.

Kyo blinked at the pile of slowly shifting dust before shrugging, “I’m ready to go now, please?”

The world twisted sharply around her forcing her to blink, and when she opened her eyes once more Kyo was out. The scent of the surroundings was enough to cause her to turn and retch to the side. There were small scrapes and bruises on her body hallmarks of being dragged to the Dump pit. Stumbling out of the pile of refuse she had been placed in, Kyo managed to reach the far wall of the pit.

It took a full minute to get used to the stench before Kyo could gasp out the word, “Status.”

Her mind reached out connecting to something greater than the world she dwelled within, a System of incalculable power. Kyo knew instinctively from the letters that painted her sight that the System used mana in a manner completely beyond her comprehension.

Green flowing words appeared imparting their meaning directly into her mind. Kyo was thankful for the small mercy since she had never been formally taught to read. The small amount of word-cant she knew of the Waste was dedicated to prices instead of actual words.

She squinted trying to read the entire thing while thinking she would definitely need to find a way to look at this more effectively in the future.

“Awaken at ten, Refine at twenty, Specialize at fifty, and Peak at eighty,” Kyo murmured looking at the incredible gift given by Kudzu, her Patron. Even the slum children of the Waste city like her knew the mantra of power. It was a blessing given by the Great Mother-Cat according to the white robes in their shining clean temples.

These are my abilities for the next ten years. Kyo thought pondering how to use them. If I manage to reach twenty though they will grow just like the small bonsai tree I nicked from Old Man Gretel’s shop.

Kyo shrugged, power in a decade was the same as the power that didn’t exist to her. What mattered was how she could turn her current abilities into coins. She could ask someone who knew plants like Old Man Gretel but that would be placing trust in a foreign merchant. It rubbed her fur wrong especially since the old merchant who dealt in plants was a human. Humans had almost killed her, and only the intervention of the creatures in the ring had saved her.

No, she wasn’t trusting humans anytime soon.

Unfortunately, that left only one solid avenue in her opinion. White robes would get angry since her power wasn’t from one of their own gods. She couldn’t go to the city officials because that would link back to the guards. The chance of being murdered twice was too high for that option. She could only trust the Lion’s Pride, the gang that ruled the Cat’s section of the Waste city. If her Awakening was deemed valuable enough, the Lion would take her under his gang.

A loss of freedom, but considering the current meaning of freedom to me is barely surviving above absolute poverty that’s fine. Kyo thought. First, though, I need to test a few things back at home.

Kyo took stock of her body now that she was no longer confused from being alive. Her body was repairing itself gently using small motes of green light that flowed from the patches of moss in the Dump’s wall. Looking around, she located a small patch of tiny flowers nearby. Moving to the flowers, Kyo picked one flower before using her Blessing on it. As the flower disintegrated to ashes, three large meat buns appeared a short distance above the offering. With dexterity born from her new Body 3, she was easily able to grab all three with minimal effort.

Awakening did more than simply grant access to new abilities. For the Beast races, it was an improvement of pure physicality as well. She was stronger, faster, and more in tune with her inner strength. According to the talk among adventurers, all Beast Races drew strength from their Totem. The stronger their connection to the Totem, the more powerful they were. Kyo suspected she gained even more strength as she was not only connected to the Cat Totem now upon awakening, but also her Patron, Kudzu.

Eating the two meat buns fueled Kyo’s brain more effectively. She stripped out of her rag suit using the metal nails to pin it into a semblance of a rough pack. Wrapping the four legs into the makeshift pack she adjusted the body harness. Once her new rucksack was complete, Kyo turned to the wall leading up out of the Dump pit. She pulled the ring, stuffed it in the last meat bun, and ate the entire thing. If there was one place no one would steal from her, it was her stomach.

Now, it was time to go home, take a shower, and sleep.

I’ve had enough excitement for tonight. Kyo thought as she began to scale the dirt wall before her using the talons of her fingers and toes.