Pompods

9

Zaree could faintly hear her name being called but the sound was distant and her core felt uneasy. A pale anger seemed to dwell subconsciously upon it.

"Zaree..."

Desolation, emptiness, anger. Why did these emotions feel out of place?

"Zaree..."

Hatred, rage, isolation. They did not feel like hers.

"Zaree..."

Sadness, fear, loneliness. They washed over her like waves.

"Zaree...Wake Up!"

As she opened her eyes, her center felt as if it had been trampled on. Waves of raw emotion resonated against her core, bleeding in and infecting her own emotions.

Screams and cries permeated the air above the sounds of crashing timber and stone.

"Zaree," shouted Elder Ino as he shook her to full consciousness. "Get up. We must remove ourselves from here."

Without thought she reached for the Elder's hand to grasp it for support as she lifted herself up from the ground. The sound of fighting drew her attention away from the Elder. She turned to find the Tark beasts locked in battle with a creature unlike anything she had set her eyes on.

It had a deep crimson colouring to its skin as bright red light shined through the intersecting pieces of a sleek and armored body. Jagged spikes protruded from multiple points along its body. Large curved spikes rose up above its knees as well as on its forearms that curved back past its elbows to resemble long blades. The head was slightly elongated as two horns swept back from it. The mouth looked more like a series of sharp knives as did its hands. More spikes lined its back in defensive points with two larger in-facing razored spikes resting at the top directly between its shoulders.

She watched as a Tark attacked the creature in a frenzied manner as the creature sought them out. But every attack against it resulted in injuries incurred against the Tarks more than itself.

"What is it?" she asked, still not fully aware of her surroundings.

"Can you not feel him? It is Oku," replied Elder Ino. "You can still see some of the glow from the gemstone through the cracks in his armor."

"But how?"

"I am not sure, but I think this is his defensive form, or at least an exaggerated version brought on by Kaia's passing."

"I'm not sure I follow," she said as she tried to clear the fog from her mind.

"I'm not sure I do either, young one. He has never shared himself with anyone and the only two he ever let close to him were you and Kaia. I think his grief and anger have consumed him and he is lashing out."

Zaree did not respond, she could only watch as Oku fought against the beasts.

Two Tarks charged at him, knocking him down. Another took advantage and jumped on his back. It paid with its life for this regrettable decision. Oku stood up as it slashed at him and used the two large razored spikes atop his back as cutting blades and rendered the beast in two.

He thrust against another, broke its forelimb and smashed it against a wall. One slashed at him but left only minor scrapes across on his face. He grabbed it and tore its throat with his mouth. Another attacked his leg, he grabbed it by its horns and threw it against another that was about to charge.

Zaree watched in horror, her gaze frozen upon him as he broke, tore and killed one beast after another. When the last that had attacked him was dispatched, his wild movements slowed down as if he was hesitant with what to do next when the sound of stones rustling caught his attention. The beast he had thrown against the wall had raised itself and was limping towards the forest.

With his body covered in the beasts' blood, he screamed and charged towards the injured Tark. Zaree responded instinctively, her body moved without thought and she placed herself between Oku and the beast.

Oku's eyes glowed bright red as his mouth echoed the jagged torment of his soul.

She had endured as much bloodshed as she could and did not wish to see more. She did not know if Oku recognized her, but hoped that he did.

Oku raised his jagged razor hand as he lunged towards them.

Zaree opened her arms to him as his hand came down and said, "Oku, stop," in a voice that was barely audible above the din.

Elder Ino had not been able to hear Zaree and did not know if Oku might harm her. She might be invisible to him as his focus rested on the broken and frail beast behind her. But as he watched, Oku suddenly stopped, his hand missing Zaree's head by mere hairs.

She reached up and caressed his arm as he lowered it. His eyes dimmed to reveal their original clarity. His body softened as the spikes and razors across his body receded until his natural form returned.

"It's ok," she said as she cupped his face.

Oku fell upon his knees, wrapped his arms around her torso and buried his face in her core. Zaree stood silent as she stroked the top of his head and gently murmured to him.