Eclipse Event Stories (NOT CANON)

Strange Occurrences

The sun disappeared behind the horizon and Eris knew it was time to make a move.

Still, the uneasy feeling she had did not disappear, quite the opposite. She felt even worse than before and she slowly remembered the reason why. At first the memories came back in little scraps and pieces, then larger chunks that made up a strange picture in her mind, but she wasn’t able to put everything together yet.

While she was asleep, before Ren brought her food, she had a weird dream. If it even was a dream, she’s not sure. The Kumba remembers how she heard Salikos outside her room. A cry for help, the sound of others arriving and talking. She only remembers pleading and a few words, something around «let me go» and «you had your chance», but what really stuck to her was a panicked «I thought we were friends». Another cold shiver ran down her back. This was really not alright. She had to leave, or she’d be next. The worst thing was that it felt like a dream but seemed to be real. It was a bit like she was hallucinating like from some of the poisonous desert plants that you only consume when you’re on the verge of death and desperately need water or food.

Eris looked out of the hole next to her nest. Outside it was dark now and she was ready to go. A few birds still flew around, though she had a hard time seeing them and rather heard their large wings flapping.

In the dark she also noticed a few shadows on the ground beneath the tree, probably tribe guards that were patrolling the area. It surely wasn’t going to be an easy task to flee, but the only option to survive.

Also she was getting more slow in thinking, talking and moving. The female already noticed that earlier, when Ren was in her den and talking to her. Whatever the stranger was saying, Eris needed a while to figure out the words that left the Tatras mouth. When Ren left, she stopped in front of the exit of the room and said, without turning around: «you spent too much time watching the sky».

Was that it? Did the absence of Dawn change the air so that the Salikos that looked at it became mad and sick and the birds, because they were always flying as well? Were these Tatras perhaps the only sane ones around because their blindness keeps them from seeing the sky? And how would they know all of this when no one else seemed to have a clue what was going on with the strange occurrences?

So many questions, so little time. Eris got up and went to the hole in the wall through which all the tribe members came by. She was sure now that something had happened here the day before. Carefully she put her head out and looked around, but she was alone for now. The smell of Salikos she has never met before, as well as fear were still in the air, though they were stale. Suddenly she felt a sharp headache in the back of her skull. It was high time.

The area she was now in looked like it was the inside of the giant tree, but it was hollow. A great wooden growth was spiralling up and down inside, providing a ramp with which to get on top or to the ground. Everywhere were small holes visible in the walls, whether carved out by the tribe or natural, she did not know, but she was sure that other Salikos like her were behind them. But she had no time and no care to rescue them. Just as she was about to go down, she heard loud breathing and quickly hid back in her room, next to the hole. The sound of feet running over the floor could be heard and they came closer. Did someone see her?

A green flash ran past her down the path and a familiar smell called memories into her mind. She looked outside and whispered loudly: «Cuvrar, is that you?»

The steps came to an abrupt halt as the other one turned around and came back. As he stepped into the light, Eris saw it was actually him.

«Well well well, so you’re here too, huh desert rose?»

«This ‘rose’ has thorns and you’ll soon find them sticking in your throat if you don’t watch your mouth. What happened, did you come here with Minas?»

«We were on our way, yeah, but we didn’t get very far. All of a sudden one of these aggressive birds swooped down and grabbed me, carrying me here! I cried out but nobody came to my aid and that Tatra certainly didn’t mind. I swear to you he’s in with those feathered beasts.»

«Yeah I think this whole tribe is actually.»

«What? You believe me?»

He was shocked and looked at the female with open mouth.

«After everything I’ve seen here, this is the only reasonable explanation. And I was carried here by a bird as well, shortly after Minas and you left.»

«Did you…did you feel…how do I say this. Did you have the feeling of being controlled or sedated too? I think they’re trying to keep everyone who’s here against their will docile so they won’t question anything...or run away.»

«Yeah I did have that feeling and I think you might be absolutely correct with your presumption.»

They turned silent. What was the greater picture they were missing here? Why did these blind Tatras do all this?

«Let’s go rose, I won’t stay here any longer.»

She surpressed correcting him again. He’d never learn anyway.

«Listen, other than me not liking your face, we shouldn’t go together anyway, we’d only attract attention that way.»

He ignored the insult or at least he didn’t react to it.

«Well then I go first. I was already on my way out so I get to be the first one to leave this madness behind, don’t you think?»

«I don’t. I want to go NOW and I don’t intend to wait for you to get your slow, lazy bum out the front door.»

«You’re gonna have to though, if you like it or not.»

He immediately got up, left through the hole again and disappeared into the darkness.

Eris rolled her eyes and sighed. She would not risk getting caught because of that reckless Mayur. She was an expert at stealth approaches and sneaky escapes, but him? Definitely not.

Suddenly he came back.

«I hope we'll meet again Eris.»

He smiled at her and she smiled back.

«May we meet again.»

As fast as he had shown up, he was gone again. So he did remember her name after all.

The Kumba stayed and waited a while longer. She looked outside one more time, seeing that less guards than before were around the tree, but she couldn’t quite tell how many there were left. The sky was weirdly dull and there were no stars to be seen anywhere. Quickly she looked away again, not sure if what she heard earlier was true.

As she grew dead silent again and listened to the sounds of the area, more screams for help could be heard and some more Salikos crashed into the tree, leafs rustling and the floor shaking a bit when the hit the tree. Was there ever a stop to the kidnapping? It seemed like strangers were dragged in here all times a day.

Suddenly a loud scream came from the spiralway. She jumped in shock, then listened closely to what was going on, but only heard a few scraps of the conversation.

«Let me GO, I tell you I will rip you to shreds if you won’t leave me alone. No, stop it! HELP!»

It was obviously Cuvrar getting caught, just like she predicted. Despite him acting stupid around the grey Kumba, she felt a little bad for letting him go alone. Maybe together they would’ve been able to fight them off.

She heard more sounds of fighting, struggling, then the low thump of a body falling to the floor. Just like last night. Keeping a straight face she was preparing for her own try to flee, but on the inside she was hoping the Mayur was fine and would be able to go home as well.