Eclipse Event Stories (NOT CANON)

It was a hot day in the middle of the desert as usual. The air was shimmering with heat and the animals have all hidden in the shadows and underground to escape the burning light. Even the ground was almost unbearably hot to the touch of the striped Kumbas paw pads, who was trotting through the deathly silent valley on his own. His red and silver coat was shining brightly in the sun, reflecting its light and showing a clear signal to all creatures around: he was dangerous. Many Salikos have told him before that his fur made him look just like a young Asferatus snake, which is why many didn’t like him. They either ran away beforehand or assumed he was as deceitful and treacherous as one of the giant reptiles. Yet hardly anyone knew the true Saliko in the daunting pelt.

His name was Asa and he had been roaming around alone for most of his life. It didn’t bother him much though as he got used to it and enjoys the peace and silence of being alone without ever being lonely. Still he hadn’t found a territory or true home yet and wasn’t sure if he’d ever find one either. Same goes with a tribe or partner. It seemed as if Kydos had other plans for him.

That day Asa was pursuing his passion of hunting and had followed the tiny, round tracks of his prey for hours. It was like a hobby to him and he loved nothing more than to spend his time looking for reptiles and finally taking them down, only to find the next one. He was after an oat colored Umbrella Snizard, stalking it carefully and with endless patience. Finally he heard the pitter-patter of its clawed feet a bit ahead of him and immediately fell into a low crouch, his ears and tail twitching excitedly. Slowly he crept closer, step by step, until he was close enough to leap. Suddenly the lizard whirled around and unfolded its large neck color, displaying a strange pattern, and hissed angrily at him, forcing him to keep his distance in case the creature would lash out and bite him. Asa grinned widely and danced around it, obviously having fun, opposed to the creature defending itself. From time to time it tried to ran away, but he cut off its path. Then it resorted to attack, yet the experienced hob was too fast to get bitten by it. When he saw it was getting exhausted, he decided to release it and, after dodging one last of its attacks, killed it with one swift bite. He then picked up the scaly carcass and carried it to the shadow of a cactus, where he skinned the creature and feasted on it, licking his lips and cleaning his muzzle when he was done.

«Huh. Where to now…?»

The silver furred hob looked around, wondering where the tides of time would bring him next. He could smell other Salikos around, but didn’t want any trouble with a tribe, so he turned the other direction and just walked. The heat was burning his pelt, yet he didn’t feel uncomfortable. No matter how hot it got during the day, Asa was always out and about, looking for prey, wandering aimlessly wherever the wind led him to. Shortly after his departure he came across an oasis and stopped to take a sip, but he felt he wasn’t alone. Cautiously looking around, he noticed a shadow creeping up behind him. He raised his head, water dripping off his chin and turned around.

«Who’s there?»

«The better question is ‘why’s there’.»

«…What?»

«I tell you young people every day that you don’t think about the consequences of your actions, yet you do the same mistakes over and over again!»

A Kumba hob with bright fur, dark markings and full mane was standing in front of him. He was obviously rather old and confused, yet Asa didn’t want to be impolite to him. He knew elders should be respected at all times.

«So, Asferatus boy, what brings you here?»

«I was just passing through, I’ll get going now anyway, don’t want to bother you.»

Asa gave a polite bow, then stepped back from the water.

«I feel we will meet again someday, snake. Take good care of yourself, y’hear?»

The silver one smiled and nodded, then turned back on his path, the bewilderment clearly written on his face. Yet he didn’t doubt the old hobs words in the slightest and thought to himself that when they met again, he would actually take the time to ask the stranger what he meant.

Asa was on the move until the sun started to sink beyond the horizon and the hob started to yawn. It was time for him to find a den to sleep for the night. In the distance he saw a rocky formation, that was towering above the flat plains and lured him in. He was sure he’d find a den to rest there or at least be able to hide in the shadow of the wall. As he got closer he heard some Salikos talking and stopped, unclear whether to get closer or not. He thought it would be a bad idea, considering how most others reacted towards him and that they might be quarreling about a den as well already. Asa turned around to keep looking for shelter somewhere else, as suddenly a high pitched scream tore through the area.

«Please stop!! someone help me, please!»

Immediately he whirled around again and ran to the strangers, sliding the last few tail-lengths with his feet across the sand, whirling up a dust cloud, then stopped right before them. One of them, a green Mayur with vicious, red eyes, jumped in the air in surprise and screeched defensively. The other, a small, brown Tatra with shoulder mane, remained in the coward position he had been in and his eyes seemed to stare into the void.

«What’s going on here?!»

«Whoa there, bronco! I thought you were a snake for a second!»

«Yeah yeah, tell me something I don’t know. So who of you two screamed for help?»

«M…me.»

The Tatra said quietly, still staring at the ground.

«Get away from that monster, Kumba! I tell you, he’s in with those crazy birds!»

The Mayur was angrily pointing his claw at the Tatra who still didn’t react.

«I don’t know what he’s talking about, I didn’t do anything wrong!»

Now he looked up, directly at Asa, but his gaze was empty, his pupils bright and blind.

The silver hob knew he couldn’t leave without helping this poor soul, so he stepped between the two, staring at the Mayur with fire burning in his eyes.

«Go or I’ll make you!»

He snarled, his voice sounding like a wild beast and he exposed his shiny teeth.

The Mayur didn’t want to run away with his tail between his legs though, so he got ready for a fight and Asa copied him. The Tatra noticed something was happening and stepped back, leaving room for the two brawlers who, in a loud growl, went at each others throats, clawing and biting whatever they could get a hold of. Fur flew away in piles and even a few drops of blood spilled. It sounded like a raging thunderstorm for a while until they were standing opposite of each other, both shaking exhaustively, but then Asa let out a hiss from deep within his throat that pierced his enemies marrow and bone. The green Saliko put his ears back and spat some blood on the ground, then he ran away.

The silver hob relaxed and his fur became smooth again. He looked after the Mayur, making sure he wouldn’t turn back. His chest fur was floofed proudly from the victory and he stood tall in the deep red light of the last sun rays.