Eclipse Event Stories (NOT CANON)

Cisco ran back to the Tatra and helped him get back up, brushing the dust and sand off of him with his tail. The stranger looked at him and smiled, now that he was so close it was even easier to see how cloudy the pupil was, yet his eyes were bright orange.

«Thank you so much! I am Minas, who are you if I may ask?»

«I’m Cisco.»

The Tatra nodded.

«Nice to meet you, Cisco.»

«So, what brought you here? You’re a bit far away from the forest, are you not?»

«That is indeed true. I have been looking for...something. And I think I might have found it.»

«So? What’s that?»

«Sorry, it’s a secret.»

Minas winked cheekily, yet his eyes still stared into the nothingness.

«Well then, I’m about to head home now and would really enjoy it if you’d come with me. My mother is the leader of a great tribe and she’d certainly thank you properly for saving me!»

The grey Kumba excitedly swished his tail from side to side, but the joy disappeared as quickly from his face as it came.

«I’m afraid I can’t. My parents would never let me go alone.»

«You’re not alone! You’ve got me!»

Cisco didn’t want to be rude or anything, but he doubted the blind Saliko would be of much help if danger would arise. Still he remained polite and agree with him.

«True, but still…I assume it’s gonna take a couple of days to get to where you live and the same time to get back here. My parents would be worried sick!»

«Are you still that young? I’m sorry, you sound like an adult to me.»

Minas frowned and looked confused.

The Kumba wasn’t sure what to do. He really wanted to join the Tatra on his adventure, but he didn’t just want to abandon his parents like that! And what if he wouldn’t find back anymore? As if the Tatra had read his mind, he answered that question for him.

«If you’re worried about getting back, you don’t need to be. Either I or one of my tribe mates can bring you back. I know exactly where we are, so that’s no problem.»

Cisco was a bit irritated that the stranger knew exactly what he thought, but then he assumed it was probably clear what his worries were. Still, he couldn’t quite decide, but then he remembered how his mother told him how young she was when she escaped from her tribe and lived alone since then until she met his father. She was a lot younger back then than he was now and he just showed himself what a good hunter he was. Although the desert born- and raised Saliko didn’t even think about that hunting in a different biome would be a lot more difficult. Finally he sighed and shouted happily.

«You know what? I’ll do it! I will come with you.»

«Fantastic! Let’s go right away so we’ll arrive sooner.»

«No, wait a minute. I caught some prey before that I’d like to get.»

Minas nodded and sat down, waiting for the young adult to return once he was done. Cisco went back and dug out the mouse. For a moment he wondered whether he should eat it or not, but then he knew he had to give it to his parents, as a sign that he was alright. So he ran back to the cave entrance and stepped inside quietly. He placed the rodent right next to his slumbering parents, who didn’t notice him.

«I’ll be back soon, I promise.»

And with that he left.

Back outside Minas was already expecting him. They started traveling north and Cisco did everything he could to remember the path on his own. Every vista he found he burned into his brain. This strange rock and that cacti formation…it wasn’t that difficult for him in the desert, as he was used to it, but once they reached the jungle he couldn’t tell the differences anymore. Everything looked the same for him and he had to give up. As long as he managed to go south on his way back, he’d find the desert. And once he’d be there, the hardest part would be done. While they were walking, the blind one told him many stories of his tribe and the fade colored hob was intently listening.

«And so now we can train the birds to help us! They’re our eyes and ears, you see?»

«Yeah, sounds pretty neat. But aren’t the birds dangerous? I’ve heard they attacked Salikos and injured them badly.»

«Noooo, they grew up with us! They’d never hurt anyone. Also, if you treat the birds right they will treat you right as well. And I believe no one in the desert cares enough to be nice to the birds.»

«Well that’s because all birds we have are vultures and those have a huge and sharp beak!»

«Doesn’t mean they’ll use it to hurt you though, does it?»

Cisco pondered for a moment.

«I guess not…»

Minas smiled.

«So tell me, how do you even know where we have to go?»

«There are many ways. Since I don’t use my eyes, I can easily identify smells, sounds and even vibrations in the air. You should try it too, it’s really useful!»

«I’m not sure I can.»

«It takes some time getting used to, I’m sure, but I believe everyone can learn this if they try hard enough.»

After walking for almost two days with only a few breaks, Ciscos paw pads hurt a lot already. Even though the soft mossy and earthy ground was soothing and springy, he wasn’t used to so much walking and had cut his feet on some rocks. still he didn’t want to stop as he swore to himself to return home as fast as possible, but first he had to get to Minas’ tribe.

While they were on their journey, both switched between hunting. Even though Cisco couldn’t use his speed as an advantage in the dense forest, he had some experience with reptiles and rodents and could hunt them rather well, while Minas was good at catching birds and fish. How he caught any prey was still a mystery to the Kumba, but from what he saw it seemed as if Minas could hear and smell the smallest of things and, with that, identify location, direction and speed of any prey and then predicted its moves which made hunting seem easy for him.

After the sun of the third day was setting, Minas turned to Cisco and his face was beaming with joy.

«We’re almost there! Can you see the big tree already?»

Indeed the fade hob had seen the tree the whole day that they had walked towards it, wondering if it was their goal to get to, which had been confirmed to him now.

«I do! It’s so huge! Way larger than all other trees around!»

«You’ll enjoy it there, I’m sure.»

The sun had disappeared now and Cisco started freezing again immediately. His short fur was not used to the climate and he had a tough time being so far north. Minas noticed somehow and began to walk faster, Cisco easily keeping pace. A short while later they arrived at the bottom of the tree and the Kumba looked up, totally fascinated. The tree was so tall that he couldn’t even see its crown from down below. He was so stunned, he didn’t even notice how Minas had talked to two guards outside of the entrance that had been carved into the tree. Both guards were blind Tatras as well with strange looking birds sitting on their backs. As his friend returned to him, one of the birds began to flap its wings and raised into the air, flying up into the crown.

«Come on, we need to go right to the top where mother waits, but don’t worry, it’s not as exhausting as it seems like.»

First Cisco didn’t know what he meant, but as they stepped inside the hollow tree, he could see the spiral path leading up along the walls. it really did seem like a long way, but the slope wasn’t too bad so they easily got forward. As they got closer and closer to the top, suddenly another blind Tatra ran towards them. The jill was young and pretty, with reddish fur color and a small flower in her mane.

«Oh Minas! Glad you’re back safely!»

«Hello, Ren. Is mother expecting us?»

«I’m afraid your visit will have to wait ’till tomorrow, but mother is glad to meet your friend then.»

Minas nodded and turned around.

«I guess I’ll have to go then, I have some business to attend to. Ren will show you where you can stay for the night and we’ll see each other again tomorrow.»

He smiled and disappeared farther up, while Ren turned to one of the open holes in the walls and left Cisco into the room that was branching off from the main path.

«You can stay here. Please feel right at home. I will bring you food later, but I want to advise you not to roam around alone. It can be dangerous for strangers.»

And just like that she was gone, leaving the young Kumba alone in this strange territory.