The Cave of the Beast

Lyra yawned as the fire flickered mesmerizingly in front of them. She pulled the loose fur coat around her more tightly, staving away the chilly moisture of the cave.

The mysterious man sipped gently on his hot water. "Where are you from, miss? You don't look like the kind of person to be wandering the Badlands on your own."

Lyra shifted around uncomfortably. "Jesir."

"Jesir? Why'd you leave a place as nice as that?" he replied, raising a bushy eyebrow.

"There wasn't a place for me there, that's all."

"If you insist." He returned to sipping at his water.

"Who are you?" asked Lyra, staring into his lush green eyes. "You don't seem like the type to be living out in the Badlands either."

"Point taken," he laughed. "Same as you, I guess. People like me need to live alone, far away from society. That's just the way the world turns."

"You haven't answered my question."

He glanced over at Lyra. "I'm Kenn. Does that settle it?"

"Yes."

The pair sat in silence as the tinder crackled and popped. Lyra watched the embers rise up into the murky darkness above them. The dripping of cold groundwater echoed through the abyss all around.

"And do I get the pleasure of knowing your name, miss?"

"Lyra."

"Do you have anywhere to be, Lyra?"

"No."

Kenn turned away and set his tin cup down. He began to fluff the moss on the floor in silence. Lyra looked down nervously.

"I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"I don't know what's wrong with me today. I think it was that beast..."

"Don't worry about him," he said sternly. "I don't think he'll be back for a while."

"Do... do you think you could help me get out of here?"

His expression softened. "I suppose. It's the least I could do."

Lyra nodded her head. "Thank you. I really do appreciate it."

Kenn outstretched his hand to Lyra. It was surprisingly soft and smooth with only a few calluses on the base of his palm and fingertips. Lyra tentatively slipped her hand into his.

"Follow me. You'll get lost in here without someone to guide you."

With Kenn pulling her along, Lyra got up and began her journey away from the comfort of the flames. As the orange glow disappeared behind her, she felt her toes glide along the cool stone floor of the cave. She felt as if she was caught in a slipstream of shadows, pulling her along into the mysterious world ahead of her. Lyra was amazed by the ease at which Kenn navigated the twisted cave tunnels. It was like he could see through the cloak of black, clear as day. Cold air brushed past her face as they moved further and further through the maze. Finally, Lyra could see a dim glimmer of light ahead of her. Her heart raced as they approached faster and faster, the fresh air seeping into her nostrils. When she and Kenn finally breached the mouth of the cursed cave, she couldn't help but gasp with glee.

She was free at last.

The sun was low in the sky, dying the sky with brilliant yellows and reds. Pink clouds dotted the sunset sea like wildflowers in a fertile meadow over the open plains of the Badlands. It stole Lyra's breath away as she watched the sun sink over the horizon.

"The sky is so beautiful."

"Yes, if there is one wonderful thing about the Badlands, it's the view."

Lyra bowed deeply, careful to tuck her fur coat so that nothing indecent would show. "Thank you so much. I owe you my life. You are much too kind."

Kenn blushed. "It was nothing but simple kindness. Where will you go from here? Jesir is the nearest town from here, and it seems like you're not welcome there."

"I don't know," said Lyra, looking out into the yellowed hills. "I will go anywhere."

"Will you be alright? It's especially dangerous at night here."

"I will manage."

Kenn gave her a nervous glance. "If you wish. But please don't hesitate to return if you need something. I will try my best to provide."

"Thank you, but I won't be coming back here anytime soon. Goodbye, Kenn."

Lyra left behind the strange man and began to trek over the grassy plains of the Badlands. The wide sky was a dusky purple now that the sun had nearly fully disappeared behind the hills. She pulled in her coat closer as the winds began to pick up. She would miss Kenn's kindness and hospitality, but it was time for her to leave. Surely, there must be another town on the other side of the Badlands. Lyra was determined to make a new life for herself, no matter how difficult.

She walked until the speckled stars shone beside the silvery crescent sliver of the moon. Her little ached and throbbed from fatigue. She slumped down against a stubby prickle tree and rested her tired legs.

"I'll just sit here for a moment. Then, I'll be on my way," she told herself.

Suddenly, the grasses came alive around her. Lyra heard cackling and rustling from all around her. She knew she was surrounded. But by what? She pulled herself up from the prickle tree and scanned the grass, her eyes straining in the dim light. She saw several shadowy figures emerging from the base of the dried vegetation.

All around her were gnarled rouge goblins. Lyra could barely make out their pointed smiles and bumpy skin in the moonlight. She was outnumbered twenty to one. And she had nothing but her fists and legs to fight back.

"A special treat!" growled one of the goblins. "Yes, yes, a treat for us!" The rest chittered in agreement.

"S-stand back! I won't stand for any funny business!" said Lyra, her voice wavering. The goblin gang burst into cruel laughter. It made Lyra quake where she stood.

In a flash, they rushed her vulnerable body. She screeched in horror as they clambered over her flesh with hooked claws and bumpy feet. They tugged at her oversized coat, dragging it lower and lower and away from her warm skin. Tiny scratches covered her bare breasts and tummy as they searched the pockets of the fur coat. Her skin prickled with the chill of night and the terror of the goblins.

"No loot! No loot!" they screeched angrily. "Capture instead!"

"Get off of me!" screamed Lyra, swatting the little bodies off of her naked form. They climbed back onto her like a swarm of fire ants taking down their prey, viciously scratching and biting at her sensitive tits and tired abs. She was quickly being overwhelmed by the ferocious attack, goblins quickly taking advantage of her exhaustion and lack of defense.

Just when Lyra thought that it was all over, a great howl pierced the hills of the Badlands. The goblins all stopped, turning towards the source of the sound. It wasn't long before a huge furry figure barreled through the swarm of goblins, knocking them off of her battered body. The swarm quickly re-focused their efforts to the new threat.

Lyra stared in disbelief. It was the beast! It had found her and protected her from these horrible creatures. But why? She backed away slowly, her hands shaking uncontrollably. Her mind was filled with images from the cave. And yet, her groin quivered with a strangely familiar heat. Her heart was filled with both fire and dread.

Lyra ran away; far, far away. The sounds of the scuffle behind her faded away as she tumbled into a sea of pickle trees. The thorns scratched at her irritated skin. Sharp sticks dug into the soft soles of her feet. She finally collapsed under the twisted, bare canopy of trees looming overhead. Her heart pounded as tears streaked her rosy cheeks. Why had the beast come back for her? She couldn't understand. She pulled the now-torn fur coat over her shivering body once again.

It seemed like an eternity before the silence in the woods was broken. Lyra snapped to attention, immediately going to high alert. When she faced the source of the sound, she only found a tired, injured Kenn.

"Kenn?" Lyra gasped. "What are you doing here?"

"I-I just wanted to make sure you were OK." He gave Lyra a defeated smile. "I had hoped that you wouldn't run into any trouble."

"Kenn, you look terrible! What happened?"

"It's nothing at all, Lyra. I promise. I just did what I had to do." Kenn keeled over into the stubbled grass. He was breathing heavily.

Lyra ran over and examined his frail body. It was covered in unmistakable scratches. Goblin scratches. She gazed over at her own arms. They were a perfect match. She stared at Kenn in disbelief, her hands now shaking. She took a deep breath.

"Lyra, I'm so sorry... It needed to be done, or else —"

"No, stop," said Lyra, her voice wavering. "We need to get you to some shelter. I-I need to deal with this later. But I can't let your kindness go unrewarded."

Lyra hoisted Kenn onto her tired shoulders, hauling him along the forest floor. She ducked into a shallow hollow in the ground, surrounded by a shield of thick waxy bushes. She set him on the cool earth, watching him nod off to a deep slumber. Lyra's stomach was churning, but she couldn't help but think of how peaceful Kenn's face looked as he slept. Looking at him was like an oxymoron.

Laying down next to him, Lyra draped the tattered coat over them both, trapping little bits of warmth to survive for the night. She fell hastily into a dark, dreamless sleep.