Monstar Saga: Acolyte: Book 2 Read online

  Monstar Saga

  Acolyte

  Book 2

  Eden Redd

  Monstar Saga: Acolyte: Book 2

  © copyright 2021 Eden Redd

  All Rights Reserved

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  Editing

  Lucid Dream Editing

  "It is in pain that we find the meaning of life."

  ~Ofelia, Pan’s Labyrinth

  Monstar Saga

  Acolyte

  Book 2

  One

  Warm evening air floated in through the open barn doors. The symphony of crickets began to rise as the sun began its slow descent behind the horizon. A gentle calm flowed in as three figures looked down on a pair of vats.

  Kavan held a large, colored egg with spots. He gently lowered it into the water-filled vat. Slitted eyes looked down as his entire arm was submerged. When the egg touched the bottom, he gently let go and pulled his arm up.

  Onka watched Kavan with warm eyes. The goblin’s heart was all a flutter as she saw a genuine small smile from the dragonkin. In her hands, she held a second egg with tanned coloring and purple spots. She gently cradled it as Kavan turned his attention to her and reached for the egg.

  Abby stood close by with a dour expression painted along her bovine features. The taur sulked as she watched Kavan take the egg from Onka and gently submerged it in the second vat.

  The taur stamped her cloven foot in frustration. “Why do I have to be in charge of them! They can take care of themselves once they hatch.”

  Kavan gently rested the egg at the bottom of the vat and let go. He rose up and stood tall, water dripping off his arm and hand. He turned to the now annoyed taur and gave her an understanding nod.

  “We already went over this. Summer is approaching and we’ve already missed the spring crop season. If we want to make sure the town has more than enough for the winter, we need to start early. Your taur sisters will be supplying milk and helping around the farm.”

  Abby looked away in a huff. “I thought I was only supposed to supply milk, not work the farm. This is barbaric.”

  Onka shook her head. “On a farm, everyone works. Lorta’s bolids help in her fields.”

  “I’m not a bolid and this isn’t Lorta’s farm,” Abby whined.

  Onka parted her lips to speak when Kavan spoke up.

  “Abby, we all need to do our part for the farm and the town.”

  The taur looked down and to the side. “It wouldn’t be so bad if I could stay in the house.”

  Kavan looked at the taur with amused eyes. Abby stood in her overalls with her arms crossed along her waist. She didn’t wear a shirt, the flap covering her breasts and suspenders over her slender shoulders. A memory washed on the shores of Kavan’s mind, of him having to practically force her to wear the overalls as she protested. It was a simple practicality, but she fought him at every turn. She eventually relented, but had been mad about it ever since. Staying in the barn was another matter that she pushed back nearly every day. It turned into a repeated struggle with Kavan remaining firm. Another thought crawled into his mind and he let out a small sigh.

  She’s so stubborn, I wonder if she is part mule. I don’t want this to be a constant battle. She’s smarter than I thought livestock could be and Voldor is such a strange place, maybe I should handle this differently.

  Kavan stepped closer to the taur. Abby turned her gaze upwards and looked into Kavan’s yellow, slitted eyes.

  “Abby, what can I do to help make the barn more like a home?”

  Abby’s eyes trembled for barely a moment and a small smile formed. “Add a second floor. The barn is too big and open. You can add another floor and bedrooms right over our heads. Add a proper water closet and kitchen. Oh, and bigger beds.”

  Kavan gave her a small nod. “Work hard, get along with your taur sisters and I will build it.”

  A mischievous smile bloomed across Abby’s lips. “I want to stay in the farm house from time to time.”

  Kavan’s eyes narrowed. “Time to time?”

  Abby nodded, her mischievous smile vanishing and giving the dragonkin an innocent look.

  “Yes, Master. I want to be able to have my own space, away from the barn,” Abby blinked.

  Onka looked away and covered her mouth, hiding her smile.

  Kavan gave the taur a shrewd look before his features softened. “If you prove to me that you can lead your taur sisters and work the field, we can talk about it again.”

  Abby’s mouth twisted into a wide smile. She clasped her hands in front of her chest and began jumping up and down in excitement.

  “Thank you Master!” the taur grinned before opening her arms and crashing into the dragonkin with a tight hug.

  Kavan barely remained standing as the taur embraced him fiercely.

  Gained 1 degree in Farming Skill! Farming Skill is now 4th degree, Proficient.

  The dragonkin smiled as the alert crossed his vision. He then called up his skill stats. Information appeared in the corner of his gaze as Abby lingered a little longer into her hug.

  Skills

  Combat: 5

  Farming: 4

  Mining: 0

  Social: 4

  Fishing: 0

  Wood Working: 3

  Metal Smithing: 3

  I suppose gaining degrees in skills is more than just performing the skill.

  Viz spoke up, “There are many subtle ways to help increase skills. Taking into account livestock wellbeing will help increase the appropriate skill or skills. Abby is genuinely happy, which means she may produce more milk because of it, which in turn, improves your skills.”

  I’m starting to get the hang of this farm life. Thank you Viz, for the clarification.

  “Anytime. I’m here to help.”

  Scenes and memories touched Kavan’s thoughts as he hugged the taur. It had been two weeks since the xykks and their queen invaded the town of Moonvale. The battle wrecked large sections of the town and only now was it feeling like it did before the invasion. The townsfolk came together to repair shops, buildings, and even some of the cobblestone streets that were damaged before the invasion. The town of Moonvale began to look brighter and healthier. With each day that passed, the residents had become more and more relaxed, happy for the conflict turning into a small, bad memory. No lives were lost, but the possibility loomed in many that it could have been much worse.

  Kavan pulled back and put his scaled hands on Abby’s shoulders. The taur looked up to him with adoring eyes. Kavan glanced to the side, seeing Onka’s approving smile.

  A shadow slithered into the dragonkin and it pushed away the warm moment. Knowledge burned at him, knowing he was in the presence of an actual goddess who either lost or suppressed her own memories. The beautiful goblin looked upon Kavan with a loving gaze, but the dragonkin knew he couldn’t speak to her about the truth. Mayor Sunaxe’s words hung heavy in Kavan’s mind, knowing that if any prolonged conversation was said about a certain, demonic goddess, she could wake and put the whole town and herself in danger. It became a secret with only a few residents knowing the truth and keeping it to themselves.

  Abby sighed and looked down. “I won’t bother you about the farm house for a time. I’ll help my new sisters with the farm and I will try to not be a pest.”

  Kavan mentally returned to his body and looked again at the taur. “That is all I ask.”

  Abby pulled away and stepped over to the two large vats. She took hold of the simple lids on the floor and placed one on top of each vat.

  Kavan glanced at Onka and the goblin smiled brighter.

  “We should let Abby settle in for the evening. I’m hungry and could u
se a meal at the Dragon’s Table,” Onka said with a warm gleam in her eyes.

  “We’re eating fancy tonight?” Kavan smirked.

  Onka nodded. “Oh yes, my treat.”

  Kavan raised a boney eye ridge. “With the gold I just paid you?”

  The goblin let out a loud laugh. “It’s my gold now. So, my treat. Or you could just stay here and try to cook something while I eat fancy and drink wine.”

  “Should I freshen up?” Kavan smirked.

  Onka giggled. The goblin reached over, took Kavan’s hand and tugged him to follow. The dragonkin kept his smirk as he followed the beautiful goblin out of the barn and into the evening air.

  Abby stepped to the edge of the barn door. The taur leaned on it and watched them walk toward the gate with a warm glow along her gaze.

  Once the couple exited out the main gate of the farm, Onka walked at Kavan’s side, her arm entwined with his. She leaned her head on his arm as they walked side by side.

  Kavan took in a small inhale, the warm evening air filling his nose. Onka’s scent mingled with the varied smells and for a small moment, he was lost to it. The last few weeks brought them closer. Kavan spent part of his day helping to repair her shop before helping others. Onka often laughed when she found a dismembered xykk arm or leg under the furniture. At one point, the two had a sword fight with found, severed xykk arms and couldn’t stop laughing. The armored xykk arms quickly fell apart after a few parries, but the laughter continued.

  Kavan glanced down on the short goblin, his pulse quickening slightly. His old world was falling further and further away, while his new life filled him with purpose, and affection.

  “We can stop by Zellee’s shop and see if she wants to join us?” Onka said in a low, relaxed tone.

  “I don’t know. It could be just us tonight,” Kavan said in an equally relaxed tone.

  Onka pulled her head from Kavan’s arm and looked up at him. He was now looking forward, but the aura of affection was still there. Her gaze drifted down to his farmer shirt and how it adhered to his strong chest and shoulders. She licked her lips as wicked thoughts filled her mind as to what they would do after dinner and back at either her place, or his.

  The south gate to the town of Moonvale was just a short distance away. A wide grassy field filled the world to the west, and the edges of a forest stabbed out from the east. Fireflies glowed with intermittent flashes of greenish white light. A warm breeze washed over the area as the couple made their way closer to the walled town.

  Kavan looked up at the taller buildings and towers of the town. Street lamps began to glow, giving the entire town an almost ethereal flair. The last embers of the setting sun slipped away and stars twinkled across the dark sky by the hundreds.

  Kavan let out a small sigh as he looked up at the sky. “I think I can get used to this.”

  Onka smiled. “You better. Moonvale feels more like a home than it ever did before, thanks to you.”

  The dragonkin looked down at the goblin with a wry gaze. “Thanks to me?”

  Onka nodded. “I feel like I’ve been lost for a long time. For the first time, as far back as I can remember, I feel like I belong. We belong.”

  Kavan gave a small nod. “Yeah, I feel the same.”

  The goblin smiled before hugging his arm and pressing her cheek to it.

  The couple slowed as they approached the south gate. Senses tingled with romantic energy. The night filled with the spark of intimate thoughts and desires. Time and the world seemed to slow down to a crawl as the couple took one step closer to the south gate.

  Shadows darted from the forest edge to the east. Hunched bodies raced along. A gleam of sharp and blunt metal moved with charging bodies. Muscles filled with violent energy as they darted toward the dragonkin and goblin a mere twenty feet from the south gate of town.

  A small inhale caused Kavan’s senses to blaze with alarm. The smell of dirty sweat and bodies stabbed at his senses. Instinct took over, Kavan turning to see a group of bodies rushing toward him with daggers, short swords, and maces filling their hands. Worn and ripped leather armor covered their bodies. In that split second, Kavan saw the crazed look in their eyes. Goblins, kobolds, and orcs charged, crossing the small distance in just a few heartbeats.

  Kavan’s body reacted. His scaled hand grabbed at the dagger at his belt and he pulled it from its sheath while calling up his stats.

  Kavan Cynder

  Species: Dragonkin

  Health: Normal

  Mana: 12

  Gold: 20

  Attributes

  Strength: 5

  Intelligence: 4

  Dexterity: 4

  Constitution: 5

  Willpower: 5

  Natural Abilities

  Claws

  Regeneration

  Fire Spit

  Spheres

  Fire: 4

  Body: 3

  Life: 2

  Skills

  Combat: 5

  Onka was barely turning her attention to the small noise when Kavan pressed his dagger to her hand. The goblin’s eyes widened as the dragonkin then grabbed her shoulder and pushed her toward the gate.

  “Alert the town,” Kavan hissed as he turned on the nearly twenty bodies rushing toward him.

  Onka stumbled, reality falling into flashes. She watched as claws stabbed out of Kavan’s fingertips. He lowered his body and a deep, menacing growl filled the area with deadly intent.

  Kavan readied himself as war cries filled the air. Spittle flew from open mouths as raging eyes filled the attacking force, all of their attention on the dragonkin.

  “There are twenty-one attackers. Twelve kobolds, seven goblins and three orcs,” Viz said instantly.

  Alert me if any of them go for the city gate.

  “Affirmative,” said Viz.

  A second ticked by as Kavan considered his strategies. When a goblin leapt into the air and swung a mace, he knew only that he had to end it as quickly as possible before things got out of hand.

  Kavan’s growl vanished as he darted forward and slashed hard across.

  The goblin’s eyes widened as his body tumbled out of control, entrails spilling out from its stomach and drops of blood raining down.

  Kavan channeled three points of mana into his Body Sphere. Muscles burned with endurance, strength, quickness, and power. The world around him became crystal clear as he crashed into the rest of the attacking force.

  Kavan Cynder

  Species: Dragonkin

  Health: Normal

  Mana: 9/12

  Weapons gleamed as they tried to stab and bash at the dragonkin. Blades stabbed at nothing before claws raked across a pair of surprised expressions. Weapons fell as two goblins clutched at their ruined and bleeding faces.

  Kavan threw his weight into the battle, hip and arm crashing into an orc and sending them backwards into others. Bodies fell as kobolds leapt up like scaled little monsters. Kavan turned into them, his claws stabbing into a leather-covered chest. Points stabbed deep and blood ran as the light died in a kobold’s eyes. Chaos bloomed as Kavan whipped his hand away and sent the dead kobold hurtling through the air. A dagger flashed and stabbed into his leg.

  Kavan looked down just as a goblin’s mace struck the side of his head. The dragonkin stumbled, the pain a distance away. He barely felt the dagger point in his thigh and the mace strike barely registered. The Body Sphere glowed along his spirit as he was tougher than normal and ready to return the damage dealt.

  Feral monsters crowded around and raised their weapons for another strike. Kavan’s body continued to move and his claws slashed in a blur. Cries filled the air as several kobolds stumbled back and tried to keep their internal organs from spilling out. Kavan roared as his body began to heat up. A sword slashed down at his back. The blade bit into his flesh before it bounced off bone. Kavan whirled around with claws slashing across chests.

  Kavan Cynder

  Species: Dragonkin

  Health: Hurt.
Bleeding.

  Mana: 9/12

  Kavan ignored the alert, the battle turning chaotic. Weapons flashed and despite his speed and strength, there were too many to dodge. Kavan’s hand blurred and caught a wrist from an incoming short sword, but two daggers stabbed into his side. Pain flared hotter. Kavan lifted his leg and struck a goblin’s chest so hard, it caved in with bone penetrating its heart. The goblin died before it hit the ground as the deadly melee continued.

  Kavan roared as he channeled two mana points into his Fire Sphere. Flames erupted from his clawed hands.

  Onka watched as Kavan roared like a monster and flames lit up the area.

  Fiery claws streaked around, slashing and burning at the same time. Bodies backed up a pace as horrific screams filled the air. Blood pulsed out of Kavan as he pressed his attack. A goblin turned to run and was struck down. A kobold hesitated and met their fate with their head spiraling into the air and away from their neck. Kavan’s eyes glowed with power as he quickly turned the tide. The remaining attackers turned and tried to flee. Kavan gave chase, heat and energy pooling into his throat.

  Time slowed down as Kavan watched fearful glances over shoulders as the attackers tried to run. They cried out as Kavan leapt on each one, slashing down with flaming claws and then leaping to another. Their numbers dwindled as Kavan moved like a bolt of lightning from one feral monster to another.

  An orc turned to face the dragonkin, the mace in his hand shaking. Kavan’s eyes blazed bright as he came at the orc with roaring power.

  A sharp whistle touched the air. The orc stood with wide eyes, before an arrow slipped over their shoulder, barely an inch above it.

  The moment was quick, barely a blink in time before a black arrow struck Kavan’s shoulder. The barbed point stabbed deep, penetrating skin and muscle. The force of the arrow was enough to stop Kavan’s momentum. Boots slid to a halt and the dragonkin stumbled back. Blood trickled from the arrow as Kavan tried to regain his stunned wits.

  Kavan Cynder