The Hand that Rocks The Cradle [Chapter 3]
Hello. Its been a while since i posted the 3 first chapters. This one is a bit larger than the others. I would appreciate it if you could point out any grammatical errors, suggest better word choices, and especially let me know if the plot feels a bit rushed. As always, enjoy the chapter.
Credits to u/SpacePaladin15 , for creating the NoP literary universe.
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Chapter 3: The Lair
May 20, 2130
“Admiral, our analysis and projections indicate a high probability of a major incursion in the Tilfish sector. You are ordered to transfer 50% of the Gojid defense fleet, with you in command, as a support measure. Maintain constant patrols and submit to the strategic needs of local command. Make the herd proud with your service during your stay.”
— Nikonus, President of the Federation, in direct communication with Fleet admiral Talrim,prior to the invasion of The Cradle.
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I didn’t understand what happened. One moment I was lunging toward the most horrifying being I had ever seen. The next, it lay dead on the floor, eviscerated. I, drenched in its blood, gazed at its body, unable to believe what I had done. How could a pathetic prey like me have killed a monster like that?
A whimper at my side and a force pressing against my leg reminded me of what mattered. Phima, clinging to me and sobbing, buried her face in my fur, wanting to see nothing of this room. Trying to calm her, I asked in a low voice, “Phima, are you alright? Did it hurt you?”.
“N-no, dad. I’m okay, I-I’m… dad, I was s-so scared! I thought it was going to eat me! It was going to e-eat me! dad…”
“Phima, calm down, everything will be fine. That thing can’t hurt you anymore.” While stroking her quills, I looked around. Fresh blood colored everything, and its intense stench flooded the room. The thunderous noise outside was a sign that the battle was far from over.
“What was that noise just now? This way.”
“I hope that useless fool hasn't killed all the hatchlings. They’re supposed to be for the farms.”
“Keep moving, scum!” “Ugh…”
We both froze in place as deep voices and heavy footsteps approached our direction. With renewed panic, my eyes darted back and forth in desperation, searching for a hiding spot.
The toys closet was slightly ajar. Hurriedly, I took Phima in my arms and silently threw myself inside, closing the door.
Moments later, footsteps and the clicking of claws echoed through the room. A coarse voice spoke
“By the Prophet, what could have killed him like this?”.
A different voice, yet following the same monotonous rasp of the Arxur, followed. “Split up and find it. Don’t eat it; the Colonel will surely want to see it after what happened.”
The sounds of hungry snouts sniffing and eager claws tearing everything apart kept us motionless and silent. I squeezed Phima in my arms, praying they wouldn't check this spot. The dread and anticipation of our death stretched on for several minutes. Footsteps—curiously light, yet with a characteristic rumble against my back—went to and fro. They stopped for a few moments and moved closer and closer in our direction. They came to a halt right in front of us, on the other side of that thin, flimsy wooden door. Small but sharp claws, barely larger than my daughter's, peeked through the gap in the door and slowly began to pry it open until weak rays of light penetrated our darkness.
There it was. An Arxur, roughly half the size of the previous one, stared fixedly at us. No blinking, no turning of its neck to alert the others, nor a twitch of its jaw that betrayed a longing for flesh. It was just watching with the characteristic shyness of a child. My fear partially dissipated at this, replaced now by confusion. What was this being, clearly monstrous yet at the same time scrawny?
A small movement in its hitherto petrified posture startled me, and even more so Phima, who bumped a block with one of her claws, sending it clattering to the floor.
“Did you find something?”
The small one just kept looking at us. I waited for the end of this charade. After a brief but unbearable silence, it spoke. “It’s nothing, I just got a little startled,” it said, in a soft voice and a low, timid tone, unthinkable for its species.
“Cursed defect, you’re wasting my time,” its companion complained, though I couldn't see him. “I don't know how Betterment hasn't taken you yet.”
The small Arxur left, closing the door behind him, leaving me stunned in confusion.
“Follow me. They aren’t here, it’s a waste.”
The footsteps, just as they had approached, faded away until they were inaudible. We remained there, still—very still. In the gloom of that closet, we were attentive to every external stimulus: every change in light, every passing scent, every occasional scream of terror, and every grotesque, wet sound of flesh being torn. There we remained.
...
Night had fallen, and the gloom gave way to near-absolute darkness, countered only by the tiny sliver of light entering through the cracks in the door.
We were thirsty, hungry, and tired, but leaving was not an option. In the distance, the distant roar of beasts warring with each other continued. The Arxur had likely set up camp a few streets away from the nursery, scouring the last remnants of the area for stragglers who hadn't died or fled to who knows where. I wondered when the fleet would come to our rescue. I had never heard of an incursion lasting more than a few hours, and this one had already dragged on for over half a day. I only hoped the ships would arrive soon.
My mind, over time, drifted to that small Arxur. Why didn't he betray us? Was he hoping to prolong our agony, perhaps? I didn't think so. His gaze wasn't the same as the other one's. They seemed like absolute polar opposites. That child, I guessed... perhaps he hadn't awakened the bloodlust inherent in a predator's nature? What was that "defect" they had called him?
Like the thread that holds a weight in its final moments, the tension finally gave way to the intrusion of new footsteps—their vibration against my back was familiar, though their light clicking against the floor was almost imperceptible.
“Uhm, hello?” a whisper said. It continued. “Are you still here?”
I didn't answer. I covered Phima’s mouth and saw, through the small openings, a silhouette I recognized immediately. It was the small one.
“I don't want to hurt you. I swear by the Prophet.”
As I watched him, I could notice his slight trembling, like a child who fears the dark and faces it from under his blankets. With every passing moment, he seemed more like a Venlil than an Arxur. Thinking I would say nothing and let him leave, what he said next struck me.
“If you’re there, say something. Please...” he said, his voice hinting at imminent tears as he spoke. Without knowing why, I left Phima in safety and stepped out. When he saw me, he jumped in surprise and, between sobs—though apparently relieved—he said, “H-hello...”
I said nothing. My eyes scanned his body for a weapon, a claw twitching with anticipation, anything. I was so focused on him that I didn't notice when Phima stepped in front of me.
“Who are you?” she asked. I couldn't believe what she had just done, and I stayed still, not wanting to provoke the predator so close to my daughter.
“I-I’m... my n-name is Zetze,” he replied, looking somewhat downcast.
“Are you here to eat us?” she spoke again, fear seeping through her voice. While this was happening, I slowly approached Phima, seeking to put her behind me. When I was less than a few centimeters away, the small one—now "Zetze"—responded again.
“No!” he said in a loud tone, and realizing it, he regained control. “N-no, I don’t want to eat you. I came to get you out of here.”
Now, I took her by the shoulder and pushed her behind me, continuing the conversation myself, always alert to what he might do. “Why would you want to do that? How do I know if all you want is to play with your food, predator?” I said. Although everything I knew told me this wasn't a person, I felt, deep down, a spark of regret for what I called him. He fell silent for a moment. Then he looked at me again, this time in the eyes. Those eyes that, the more I observed them, the more they resembled my own.
“I’m not lying to you. This isn’t right. They always told me there were no real people in the Federation, but since I arrived, I’ve only seen people. You aren’t the animals they told me you were, and...” that flash of something resembling resolve vanished, and he returned to his previous posture. “I... I just don’t want anyone else to die because of me.”
We stood in silence, at a prudent distance from one another. I sighed, releasing a breath I didn't even know I was holding, and resignedly sat on the floor, leaning against the door. Phima imitated me, clinging to me. He,Zetze, followed the example and also leaned back, shivering from the nerves suppressed all this time. Trying to clear my head, I turned my attention to the window. Through it, the two moons of The Cradle, Ki-ra and Ki-yu, shimmered with whitish light, resembling the eyes of a being that sees all. Thinking about it, that coincidence seemed like a cruel joke of fate, and I let out a hollow laugh, hoping it would relieve something.
“How do you plan to do that?” I replied, incredulous at the promises of a predator, though something in his attitude softened my stony suspicion.
“W-what?” Confused, spoke.
“What you said. How do you plan to get us out of here? From what I could hear not long ago, we’re surrounded.”
Gaining fresh confidence from my initiative,he said. “A camp was set up near here where the guards are stationed. Right now, almost everyone is sleeping.”
No matter how much I searched for an alternative, I couldn't think of anything. If we stayed here, we would die of hunger or be devoured. With no other choice, I stood up.
“Very well, we will follow you. Lead the way.”