Kezme Stories

It’s an unusually quiet day - no bird can be heard. 

At dawn Kezme already went hunting for his tribe but now at sun-high, it has become so hot that he decided to take a break in the shade of his nest. He dozes off into a dreamless nap, only to wake up and see, out of the tree-hole he sleeps in, that everyone from his tribe is either outside of the camp or sleeping in their nests just like him. Kez’ stomach starts growling so he gets up, stretches, and lazily starts to climb down from his tree, walking towards the prey they caught earlier. He picks up a flower quail and carries it into the shade of Maylins big tree. Carefully he deplumes the bird and starts to eat, when a sudden, bloodcurdling scream cuts through the silence. He flinches and jumps to his feet, running to the entrance of the camp where the cry was coming from. Out of the undergrowth, a Saliko stumble towards him and almost runs into the male.

«Whoa whoa, slow down. what’s going on?» Kezmes voice is calm as he speaks to the other Mayur.

«I…Help, please! A demon is trying to kill my sister, you have to help us!»

«What? A demon? Are you…»

«It’s a Saliko, as red as the setting sun! He caught me and my sister but I was able to escape. Please, he mustn’t hurt my sister, you have to follow me!»

And with that the strange female runs off again.

Kezme is frozen in place for a second.

«He’s back.»

He follows the sound of the panicked mayur dashing through the jungle. Over rocks and under trees, they keep moving so fast and around so many corners that despite it being his territory, Kezme gets confused and lost. After a while he’s not even sure if they ARE still in his territory.

Suddenly he steps into a clearing of the jungle, a big rock formation in the middle. The female is standing on top of it, its back turned to him. Slowly Kez starts to climb the stones, trying not to cut his paw pads on the sharp edges. As he reaches the top of the boulders, a tall, deep red saliko enters his view from the other side of the rocks, grinning from one ear to the other. The red one stops at the peak and looks down to Kez, the female from before, still standing next to the other male, also turns around and looks at the spotted Mayur.

«Well well well…look what the cat dragged in. You’re still as gullible as always, huh Kez?»

«Why are you here, Makuta?» Kezme is speaking through gritted teeth, his whole body tensed and ready for an attack.

«I’m not happy to see you either, you know? I wanted an easy, innocent victim, but my princess here didn’t know it was you she lured here.»

«Lured here?» The lime colored one is confused. Then the female speaks up.

«I’m Ishtar, nice to meet you. It will be the last time we meet anyway. You won’t be able to see anything after I slash out your eyes, so you should remember this pretty sight.» She smirks as well and flicks her mane. Kezme growls.

«Leave. Both of you, or my tribe will hunt you down and finally bring you to an end.» He looks at the male.

«Your tribe? Hm…yeah I see…» The strangers turn to each other and Makuta dramatically talks to his accomplice.

«They have surrounded us! And there’s so many fierce warriors too! Oh whatever shall we do my love ~?!»

«Don’t worry dear, I’ll give my life for you, so you’ll escape ~!»

«I knew I can count on you. Thanks babe.»

«Pfft. At least you’re handsome, can’t say you’re smart if you actually thought I wouldn’t save my own hide.» She jostles him away.

Kezme started going backwards a few steps in the meantime, trying to sneak away while they were distracted, but they noticed.

«No sweetheart, you’ll stay here with us. He told me about you, you know? I think there’s some issues you need to work out with your brother.» She runs behind Kez, leaving him no way back, only forward. In front of him Makuta is standing tall and proud, self-confident and certain of victory.

«You wanna scratch my eyes out, huh? Makuta…do you remember the time you tried to do that? Back when we were younger. Why again did that not work out?»

«Because you little pest broke my nose!»

«Exactly.» Kezme smiles and punches his enemy right on the muzzle, claws exposed and with as much force as possible. The old injury has not healed well and his brother howls in agony and while he’s distracted, Kezme runs past him and leaps off the rocks. He moves as quick as his legs can carry him, certainly fast enough to outrun the taller, heavier male. But Ishtar is following him and is easily catching up. Her muscles moving smoothly and feet almost flying through the air, there’s no way for him to escape her. But she does not stop him, just runs next to him.

«Listen, cutie. I’ve been quite bored lately so I wanna play a little game with you. I’ll let you go for now, but in three days you’ll come back here and surrender. Otherwise your tribe will suffer in your stead. And don’t even think about warning them, ‘cause if you do they won’t see the light of the next morning. Got it?»

Kezme was out of breath and terrified, but managed to nod and she immediately dropped to the ground, screaming.

«AARRGH!! He hit me!»

She keeps rolling on the floor as if she can’t get back up, but gives the fleeing Kezme a quick smirk before he turns his head away, running into the embrace of the dark forest.