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  Chapter 4: Shadow Cat

  The next morning a runner came for Zed before the first light touched the village. Two hunters flanked him spears lowered but ready. The shaman had summoned him.

  Zed entered the low hut. The air was thick with incense and dried herbs that clung to the back of his throat. A blood marked totem stood in the corner a carved wooden pole stained red with old offerings. The shaman sat cross legged on a woven mat. Before her lay six glowing mana stones extracted from the hearts of the dire boars and the black talent stone he had pocketed after the first hunt.

  The shaman gestured to the mana stones. "These are precious. Tradition demands the slayer keeps them."

  Zed took the six warm stones. They hummed against his palm like living things. He felt faint energy pulsing inside them. Odds of this being useful right now. 89 percent.

  The shaman pushed the talent stone forward. "You kept this hidden yesterday. Break it when you are ready. Or do not. The choice is yours."

  Before Zed could answer the woven curtain parted. A young woman stepped inside. Tall and lithe dark hair braided with bone beads eyes sharp and unreadable. Her hide dress clung to her form marked with ochre spirals along the hem.

  The shaman spoke without looking up. "This is Sybil. From this day forward she is your wife."

  Zeds expression did not change but his mind sharpened instantly. Odds of this being political leverage. 94 percent. "Why am I receiving a wife?"

  The shaman met his gaze. "If you are to be part of this tribe you must do your duty. Replenish our numbers. The jungle takes many. A blood mixing oath binds you now. Your blood and hers in the same cup. The gods witness it. Also you must lie with her before you hunt the shadow cat. The gods demand balance before a man faces death."

  Sybil stepped forward without hesitation. She held a small clay cup filled with red liquid. She sliced her palm with a bone knife. Blood dripped in. She passed it to Zed.

  Zed took the knife. He sliced his own palm. Their blood mingled. They drank together. The taste was copper and bitter like old debts.

  The shaman intoned. "The gods have witnessed. You are bound."

  She pressed a heated bone needle into Zeds palm. A sharp sting. A small ritual scar formed a spiral of blood red ink under the skin. The mark pulsed once then settled.

  Zed flexed his hand. This scar binds me to them. They are now responsible for me and I for them. Leverage. He nodded once. No ceremony. No shared vows. Just blood scar and acceptance. Guess I need to become a monster faster than they expect.

  Sybil said nothing at first. She simply watched him with those sharp eyes.

  Back at his hut Sybil followed silently. The moment the door flap fell behind them a blue screen materialized.

  [Mana stones detected!]

  [Mana stones can be used to upgrade compatible skills.]

  [Current compatible skill. Latent adaptation.]

  [Requires. 6 mana stones.]

  [Proceed. Yes or no.]

  Zed selected yes.

  The six glowing stones vanished from his hand. A pulse ran through his body. The screen updated.

  [Latent adaptation upgraded.]

  [New skill. Wood manipulation. EX.]

  [Absolute control over wood within reach.]

  [Shape strengthen sharpen fuse or grow wooden objects.]

  [Control range and complexity scale with level and vitality.]

  [Vitality drain scales with intensity and scale of manipulation.]

  Zed felt the new power settle into his bones like a second heartbeat. He turned to Sybil.

  She had already pulled out a small carved pipe from a pouch at her waist. She packed it with dried herbs struck a flint and drew deeply. Sweet earthy smoke curled upward. She offered it to him.

  Zed took it. He inhaled. The smoke loosened his shoulders. He passed it back.

  Sybil exhaled slowly. "You killed the great boar alone. Then six dire boars without breaking sweat. They call you sky demon. I call you husband now."

  Zed watched her through the smoke. "You volunteered for this."

  "I did." She met his eyes. "I need strong children. The tribe needs them. You need a foothold here. This is practical."

  Zeds lips curved not a smile just a shift. "Then we begin immediately. Duty first. Odds of this arrangement benefiting me long term. 77 percent and climbing."

  The pipe was set aside on the woven mat. Sybil stepped so close her breath ghosted across his collarbone. Her fingers drifted upward tracing the hard ridges beneath the leaf bandages. She peeled them away slowly deliberately letting callused fingertips map every scar every line of muscle earned in blood and void. Zed stood motionless while she explored. Her touch was reverent yet possessive. She pressed her palm flat over his heart felt the steady powerful beat beneath. Her other hand slid lower following the deep lines that disappeared beneath the waistband of his torn cloth. She paused there fingers curling lightly teasing the edge of fabric.

  Zed exhaled through his nose. He caught her wrist not to stop her but to guide her hand lower. She let him. Her breath caught when she felt the heat the rigid length already straining against restraint. She stroked him through the cloth first slow exploratory then firmer. A low sound rumbled in his chest.

  She rose on her toes and claimed his mouth first this time. The kiss was slow at first almost ceremonial. Lips brushing tasting the lingering copper of their shared blood. Then it deepened. Tongues met in a slow sensual dance. She tasted of smoke and wild herbs and something sweeter underneath. Zed angled her head back deepened the kiss until she whimpered softly into his mouth.

  His hands moved to the ties of her dress. He undid them with deliberate patience letting the hide slide down her shoulders inch by inch. The fabric caught briefly on the swell of her curves before falling away entirely. She stood bare before him firelight painting her skin in warm gold and deep shadow. The sensitive peaks tightened under his gaze. A faint tremor ran through her frame.

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  Sybil did not wait. She pushed him backward until his back met the hut wall. Her hands roamed freely now exploring the hard planes of his chest the ridges of his stomach the powerful lines of his thighs. She dropped to her knees with deliberate grace. Her mouth found the sensitive skin just above his waistband. She kissed lower. When she freed him her eyes darkened with raw hunger. She took him slowly into her mouth savoring every inch. Her tongue worked in slow circles while her hand stroked what she could not reach. Zed groaned low in his throat fingers threading through her hair.

  He pulled her up before he lost control. He captured her mouth again tasting himself on her tongue. Then he lifted her effortlessly. Her legs wrapped around his waist instinctively. He carried her the few steps to the sleeping furs laid her down with surprising care. He followed her down covering her body with his own. Skin met skin everywhere. Heat. Sweat already beginning to gather.

  Zed kissed his way down her sternum lingered at her navel then lower still. Sybil tensed in anticipation. He parted her thighs with gentle but unyielding hands. He kissed the soft inner skin first then higher. When his mouth finally closed over the most sensitive part of her she cried out sharply. His tongue moved in slow deliberate circles then flicked rapidly. She writhed beneath him hips lifting seeking more. He pinned her thighs down with strong forearms held her open while he devoured her. Slow licks long strokes quick flicks until her breathing turned ragged her fingers clutched the furs her entire body trembling on the edge.

  When she shattered it was sudden and violent. A keening cry tore from her throat. Her back bowed. Waves of pleasure crashed through her. Zed did not stop. He gentled his touch coaxed every last tremor from her until she lay spent and quivering.

  Sybil recovered fast. She rolled him onto his back with surprising strength. Straddling him she guided him inside her in one smooth motion. She sank down until he filled her completely. A shared gasp escaped them both. Then she began to move. Slow rolling circles that made her curves sway above him. She braced her hands on his chest nails digging in as she rode him harder faster. Zed gripped her hips meeting every downward thrust with upward force. Their bodies slapped together wet and obscene. Sweat slicked their skin. The scent of smoke sex and raw want filled the hut.

  She leaned down kissed him fiercely. "Mine now," she whispered against his mouth voice husky and broken.

  Zed flipped them suddenly. He hooked one of her knees over his elbow opened her wider. The new angle let him plunge even deeper. She cried out sharply every stroke now hitting that perfect place inside her. Pleasure coiled tighter and tighter. Her walls fluttered around him gripping him like a fist.

  When she came again it was cataclysmic. Her entire body seized. Inner muscles clamped down rhythmically milking him. She screamed his name voice raw and shattered. Zed kept moving through it prolonging her ecstasy until tears slipped from the corners of her eyes.

  Only then did he let himself go.

  He buried himself as deep as possible and came with a guttural groan. Hot pulses flooded her. He kept thrusting shallowly through his release drawing out every last shudder from both of them. When he finally stilled they were both trembling sweat slick and spent.

  He rolled to the side pulling her against his chest. Sybils head rested over his heart. Her fingers traced lazy circles on his skin.

  "Duty..." she murmured voice hoarse "...well and truly fulfilled."

  Zed pressed his lips to her temple. Odds of her loyalty now. 98 percent. Perfect.

  Hours later when the sun had set the hunters gathered again.

  Zed prepared as best he could. Sybil helped. She brought him a bundle of violetwood a rare dark purple wood that grew deep in the forest. The tribe avoided it. Axes could not chip it. Fire could not burn it.

  Zeds hand closed around the raw violetwood. Wood manipulation surged. The material obeyed instantly. It bent like clay hardened like steel. He shaped three long spears each perfectly balanced tips honed to molecular sharpness. He formed a simple basket to hold them and a short knife that slid into his belt. No material remained.

  Sybil watched every motion. "You make the impossible look easy."

  Zed met her eyes. "It is easy now."

  Eleven hunters followed Garret the most senior hunter in the tribe. Zed walked at the rear. Primal instincts confirmed it. Garret was leading them directly toward the shadow cat. The trail was old but clear. The beasts scent lingered like smoke.

  They moved in silence. The three moons rose higher. The forest grew darker thicker. Distant roars answered each other.

  Garret stopped at the edge of a ravine. Below a narrow path wound between black stone walls. Claw marks scored the rock. Old blood stained the ground.

  "The shadow cat hunts here," Garret whispered. "It is fast. Silent. It strikes from above. We go in pairs. One bait one kill."

  Zed stepped forward. "I will bait."

  Garret looked at him. "You are sure?"

  Zed nodded. "I am sure. Odds of survival. 68 percent. Acceptable."

  The hunters spread out. Zed descended alone into the ravine. Primal instincts painted the world in sharp relief. Every claw mark glowed. Every scent trail shimmered. Weak points on imagined prey pulsed red.

  He walked slowly. Deliberately. His footsteps echoed.

  Above something moved.

  A shadow detached from the cliff wall. Massive. Black fur that drank the moonlight. Eyes like burning coals. Claws longer than daggers.

  The shadow cat leaped.

  Zed rolled. Claws raked stone where he had stood. Sparks flew.

  He came up with a violetwood spear in hand. The cat landed coiled lunged again.

  Zed sidestepped. Thrust. The spear tip grazed its flank. Blood sprayed. The cat roared a sound that shook the ravine.

  Primal instincts screamed danger. Another shadow moved above.

  Two cats. Not one.

  The second cat dropped from the cliff. Zed dove aside. Claws missed by inches. He rolled came up threw the spear. It struck the second cat in the shoulder. The beast snarled ripped the spear free blood steaming.

  The first cat charged.

  Zed dropped low. Grabbed a fallen branch. Wood manipulation surged. The branch lengthened thickened became a heavy club.

  He swung. The club cracked against the cats skull. Bone crunched. The beast staggered.

  The second cat leaped onto his back. Claws sank into his shoulders. Weight drove him to his knees.

  Pain exploded. Blood ran hot down his spine.

  Zed reached back. Wood manipulation triggered. The cats own claws keratin like and responsive twisted under his will. They bent backward. The cat screamed.

  Zed threw it off. It hit the wall. Bones snapped.

  The first cat lunged again.

  Zed grabbed the violetwood knife. He rolled under the cat. Came up behind it. Jumped onto its back. Wrapped arms around its throat. Squeezed.

  The cat thrashed. Claws raked air. Zed held on. Muscles burned. Ribs cracked anew.

  Primal regeneration activated instantly. Torn flesh on his shoulders knit together in seconds while he fought. Cracked ribs fused with audible pops even as fresh ones tried to break. Blood stopped flowing. Pain dulled to a distant echo. The passive skill worked relentlessly healing him faster than the cats could injure him.

  The cat weakened. Legs buckled.

  Zed twisted. Neck snapped.

  Silence fell.

  The second cat lay broken against the wall. Still breathing. Barely.

  Zed walked over. He picked up the fallen violetwood spear. Drove it through the cats eye. It shuddered once. Stopped.

  He stood over the corpses. Breath ragged. Blood drying on skin that was already whole again. Odds of the tribe accepting him after this. 91 percent.

  Blue screens flashed.

  [2 shadow cats slain.]

  [Base XP. 42900 per kill times 2 equals 85800.]

  [VIP gamer times 3.]

  [Total XP gained. 257400.]

  [Combat reward. 200 system credits per shadow cat times 2 equals 400.]

  [Current system credits. 1650.]

  [Current experience. 331200 out of 380000 to level 19.]

  Level up.

  Level 19 reached.

  Plus 35 free attribute points available. 5 per level times 7 levels gained.

  Assign now?

  Zed assigned. Plus 15 strength. Plus 10 vitality. Plus 10 agility.

  Pain dulled significantly. Muscles felt like coiled steel. Movement became fluid and precise.

  Garret approached. His face was pale. "Sky demon. You killed two. Alone."

  Zed wiped blood from his face. "They were in my way."

  The hunters descended slowly. No cheers. Only wide eyes and gripped weapons.

  The shaman waited at the top. "The gods have spoken sky demon. You are no longer just marked. You are chosen. And the chosen are dangerous."

  Zed met her gaze. "Good."

  He turned back toward the village. The jungle watched.

  Something inside him watched back.

  And it was still hungry.

  But then soft cries.

  Zed froze. Primal instincts sharpened. The sounds were faint high pitched desperate. Not adult roars. Not threat. Not prey.

  Cubs.

  He moved toward the corpses. The first cats body had shifted in death. Beneath it hidden in the shadow of the cliff wall three small black shapes huddled. Shadow cat cubs. Barely the size of large house cats. Fur still downy. Eyes wide with terror. They mewled again pressing against their dead mothers flank.

  Zed knelt. Primal instincts scanned them. No threat. No hidden danger. Just young. Helpless. Valuable.

  He reached out. One cub hissed weakly. He ignored it. He lifted all three gently one in each arm one tucked against his chest. Their cries quieted slightly at his warmth.

  He stood. The hunters watched from above silent.

  Zed climbed back to the ravine edge. Garret and the others stared at the cubs.

  "Three cubs," Zed said. "My prize."

  He walked past them. The shaman waited.

  Zed held out one cub. "For you. The gods can have this one."

  The shaman took it carefully. The cub whimpered. She nodded once. "The gods accept."

  Zed kept the other two. He looked toward the village toward Sybils hut.

  "These two are for my wife," he said.

  He walked on. The cubs curled against him. Small. Warm. Alive.

  The jungle watched.

  Something inside him watched back.

  And now it had more to feed.