The Monster of Cerenis

---

*This is the wiki to explain Hiuko & Hachen leaving Elftown. Note that this does not take place in Elftown but in fact and port town near Elftown. This will finish before January 19th and is meant to have a continuation when I am done with boot camp and tech school.*

Hachen
Kylie
**********
Monster of Cerenis History I

---

Pig jumped back from that and ran to the other side of the room. Neither pig nor Hachen knew what she was doing but Hachen let her continue. This seemed sort of interesting.

Chasing after him, Kylie was a little speed demon, small and agile enough to dodge the furniture easily enough. Back when she was younger, she would hunt for their tribe much like a wild cat did, on all fours just like this. Kylie of course was not serious about it, but it was nice to use those muscles again.

Pig ran from Kylie around the room for a good fifteen minutes before it just gave up and fell onto the floor exhausted. "Jeez, I think you made pig work off all the fruit he ate this morning." Hachen said looked at pig catching its breath on the ground. He laughed a bit at the sight of Pig exhausted, he doesn't remember ever seeing it before.

Kylie jumped on pig, lifting him up into the air as she stood, "I bet I could outrun a horse!" She was barely out of breath, only lightly breathing. But then again, her natural way of running takes a lot less energy then anything else she can do. Then her stomach growled. "On second thought... lets eat!" Dropping pig gently, Kylie grabbed onto her weapons and slid them into place.

"Well, thank you for not eating pig." Pig snorted, "And I'm sure he said thanks too." Although it wasn't Hachen still had no clue what Pig said. They walked out to the tavern again and Hachen ordered the same thing but also an apple and some bacon for pig. The waiter than turned to Kylie to order, while she ordered though Hachen listened to see if anything new cropped up as of last night.

"A bowl of honey-milk... and..." She thought for a moment, "-waffles! With powdered sugar please." Kylie sat back, looking around before folding her arms after the waiter left. "This town doesn't seem to feel the affect of the... uh problem we are dealing with."

"No, then again they didn't come here. Besides they'll probably rest after a ship crash like that." Hachen explained before looking around feeling someone watching them.

Kylie followed his gaze, "What?"

"I thought someone was watching us." Hachen said guessing it was nothing. "I felt it yesterday too, but I guess its just this tavern." Hachen shrugged and the food came. Hachen shoveled in his pancakes and while sipping his orange juice he asked , "So do you usually run around like that?" He obviously meant what happened in the inn this morning.

The cat didn't answer right away, because she was cutting up her waffles and distributing the sugar all over them. "Well, I only walk upright to draw less attention to myself. With my tribe, we would do both, but hunting..." Kylie withheld a shiver of excitement, "hunting was most fun while running like our ancestors."

"Well it looks like you had a lot of fun." Hachen said with a smile. "Makes me happy to see you like that." When they were both done with eating he paid and when they left the tavern he tossed pig an apple and some bacon. Before they passed through the towns exit Hachen said, "I hope they are still there. Sometimes its harder to track people that have multiple directions. The ship we knew was going here but on land its hard to tell which town they'll go to next."

"Well, wait," Kylie saw some horses off to the side and went to talk to the owner. A few minutes later she came back with two in tow, one brown with tan markings, and the other black with white legs. "They have a system in the next town, a days ride in the same direction we saw them go. These horses we'll drop off because they have a contract with each other. Kinda of like... shuttle horses." The cat grabbed the black one and climbed on, the horse being the smaller of the two.

"Neat, lets hope we won't need them any longer than that." Hachen said with a smile before grabbing pig and swinging up on to the saddle. They started riding out of town, the town slowly coming closer. Hachen looked to the right and saw something very tall. It was as tall as a mountain but it wasn't in the same formation, it went up straight without a slope leading up to it. "Hmm... look at that." Hachen said to Kylie pointing at the strange structure, in the distance all they could see was the black silhouette but it still looked strange. "Looks odd don't you think?"

Her hackles raised by themselves, "Whatever it is, it looks ominous... I don't like it." Kylie straightened her back and refused to look in its direction.

Hachen shrugged at that and they kept riding, exchanging little conversations every now and then. When they were only a few miles from the town they saw lots of smoke rising, from that distance it just looked like people were using their fire places. When they got closer though It was obvious the smoke was from fires. Hachen looked at Kylie and in a silent exchange of words they both went into a gallop, getting to the town as fast as they could. There was no one left in the town. Not even bodies, for good or bad though he didn't know. There were some houses that were completely burnt and there were others that had large chunks of the house destroyed. It was truly a horrible sight. Hachen could only stare at this in awe of what the enemy could do in one day. He turned to Kylie to see how she was taking it.

Looking around with eyes squinted against the smoke, her gaze was hard, unforgiving. Unnecessary bloodshed, against innocent people struck a cord deep within her; whoever did this would pay. Kylie growled, turning her eyes, anger showing from within at him. "Let us investigate, see if there is anyone still alive." The cat uttered quietly.

"Pig, anyone here?" Hachen said helping his little pink companion off the horse. Pig sniffed the air for a second and it smelled familiar. It seemed to growl a bit before running off. Hachen ran after him to see what was happening. They got to what seemed to be a town square where pig was sniffing around a pile of debris. Hachen shifted the debris to find a small cat unconscious. "Bangs?" Hachen said kneeling and picking up the small unconscious feline. Then he turned to pig and asked, "Anyone else?" Pig sniffed the air and shook its head no. "That means Bangs might be disconnected from his mind control."

"That's good, right?" Kylie asked from up top her horse still, the beast uncomfortable with the fires so close. However being part animal herself, she could calm the creature easier then any human. She peered down at the little kitten, distaste written all over her muzzle. "Well I hope it's okay," Kylie muttered, not sounding at all serious.

"She seems uninjured, just a bruise on her head." Hachen looked around and any signs about where they went were gone, either destroyed by debris or whatever destroyed the town. Bang's probably wouldn't know either, she wouldn't remember anything from about two months ago when she was taken. "Crap." Hachen cursed under his breath. Hachen took his rope from yesterday and made a small harness for himself to carry Bangs on his back while having his hands free. "No signs around here, we should search around the town." Being a small village it would only take an hour to search. "Tell me if you find anything."  He said before heading off in one direction. Pig looked up at Kylie and then walked off to investigate the town as well.

About an hour and a half later they all met back in the town square. "I got nothing." Pig snorted in a way even Kylie could tell was a strike out. While they talked though Bangs started to stir back to consciousness a little bit.

"Maybe she can tell you something," Kylie got off her horse, having shook her head to indicate that she had come up empty handed.

"Hachen was confused for a second but it clicked. He took off the harness and put Bangs on the ground. Slowly things came into view and looking around she thought to herself, Where am I? Images started flashing through her head. She crouched down on the ground with he paws over her eyes. She couldn't understand anything she was seeing, it was memories of what happened under mind control. She was shaking all over and her heart was beating faster and faster. Then she felt a warm hand on her back. "Hiuko?" She thought to who ever it was before looking up to see Hachen. "You?" She thought to Hachen in a disappointed tone. "Bangs, are you okay? You seem a bit... razzed." "Oh don't mind me, where the heck is Hiuko?" She looked around for Hiuko only to see the wrecked town. She wasn't just in awe of it, but she remembered it too. She took a step back from the buildings. She looked at all three of the others and then ran away. "Bangs!" Hachen said getting up. She had gone much too far too fast though. "I think she remembered something." Hachen said looking at Kylie. "We should find her, make sure she is okay." Pig started to track her scent again. Bangs though was already at the other end of town sitting on an intact roof looking at the destruction she and Hiuko caused.

When they found her on the roof but neither Pig or Hachen had the agility to get up to her. They both turned to Kylie silently asking her to help talk Bang's down.

She sighed, "Alright.... alright." Kylie glanced around, looking for a good place to get up before getting on all fours. Her butt wiggled a few times. An instant later she was on the edge of the roof, struggled for a foothold before she was able to get up. "You need to come with me," Kylie hissed in feline.

"Who are you?" She thought at Kylie. She understood what Kylie said but she was so used to telepathically talking to people that she didn't really use feline language anymore.

"I am... a friend of Hachen's. We are trying to help," Kylie put her ears into a friendly position, a little surprised that they were pulled back originally. She didn't trust this cat, but if Hachen needed to have her safe... then so did Kylie.

She looked down at Hachen, although she always said he was a loser he really wasn't too bad. She closed her eyes to remember and when she opened them she turned to Kylie. "You two don't even know what your getting into. Hiuko thinks I'm dead, and that just makes him stronger." She looked down but not at Hachen, but instead into her sorrow. It wasn't even what had happened to Hiuko that she was sad about, she was sad because she couldn't protect him.

Kylie took a few steps closer, then crouched next to the cat. "Wouldn't... you going back to him bring him to an understanding?" A bell tinkled, even Kylie didn't know which one. "-And, we know exactly what we are getting into." That last one was in Kylie's voice.

"No, he won't even recognize me under mind control." She looked up at Kylie then down at Hachen. "If you two are sure you want to stop them, then you'll need me. Although I don't even think all of us together can stop Hiuko as he is." She was happier so wings grew out of her back and she jumped gliding back to the ground. Hachen smiled and held a thumbs up to Kylie. "Bangs, where did Hiuko and the other guy go?" She looked at Hachen and thought to everyone at once this time, "I could tell you..." Then she changed into her full demon form. Now in the daylight it was easier to see her. She grew to the size of a horse, her fur changed from white and brown to deep black. Her demon wings were also much bigger then when released in kitten form. "or I could show you."

Leaping down from the roof as well, Kylie was surprisingly not affected by the sudden change. "Then let us go." She slapped a paw against the horse, sending it running.

Hachen grabbed pig and jumped on to Bangs then he reached down and helped Kylie up on to Bangs. Hachen held on to Bang's neck and turned to Kylie, "Hold on tight." Then they shot off through the air. Bangs was flying as fast as she could towards the strange structure they had seen before. They closer they got the more the structure looked like a large tower going high up into the clouds. The city where the tower stood was an extremely large city rivaling Elftown in size. In the middle a large castle stood tall, dwarfing the surrounding houses and shops. Bangs spanned a trip that would normally take a day in a couple minutes. Bangs angled a bit so the others could see what was happening below. The people from the village were all attacking citizen's and soldiers. The citizens were running to the safetly of the castle while the guards held back the mind controlled villagers. The guards were slowly moving back to the castle but they were moving slowly enough for the city citizens to get to safety first. There were four main roads all leading to the castle and the scene was the same on each road.

One road though there were two people walking behind the mob of villagers. Then one, Hiuko, moved forward pushing villagers aside then kicked one of the guards, the shield broke and his foot continued into the man's chest, the kick shot him to the castle and he broke through the thick stone walls. Hiuko cracked his neck with a wicked smiled. Then he looked at the other guards but they were all brave. In a few seconds though they were all dead. Bangs landed on that road in front of Hiuko and let everyone dismount. "Hiuko stop!" Bangs thought to him. Hiuko smiled and held his hand up to stop the villagers. "Ah Bangs, you know as well as I that Hiuko is no longer here. Oh what joy to see you and not change back this time. Oh and Hachen and... oh your the girl we almost drowned. Don't worry, this time Hiuko is not around to keep you from your death this time."

"Oh you needn't worry about that," Kylie sneered, "I've learned since then." She crouched slightly down to the ground, her tomahawks out, "I've learned a way around your servant's skills."

Hiuko looked at her with a confused expression. "My servants. I have no servants. In fact I am a servant here, although more like an officer of upwards of say 50 people." Hachen didn't like what he was hearing, not just what Hiuko was saying but the fact that it wasn't even Hiuko's voice coming out. Hachen put a hand on Kylie's shoulder and whispered, "This is bad, that's not even Hiuko anymore. It seems like its something wearing Hiuko's skin. Plus its obviously no longer under mind control."

In the castle, a man wearing full plated armor and a cape looked at the scene unfolding on the street below. The King walked up to him from behind and said, "Don't do it. I forbid you from attacking." The man turned around and said, "No father, you can't forbid me. Now that I'm one of The Knights, I have more authority than you." He walked over to a table picking up his helmet and sword, and walked down to see what was happening below.

Back below, Kylie prepared for battle, swinging her tomahawks around lightly.

"What, no witty banter? You break this old man's heart, oh well." He got into a counter position waiting for her to move. Over heard clouds started to gather, and the sound of clanking metal could be barely heard behind Kylie and Hachen. Then a man yelled out, "Wait, stop the fight!" Hachen looked behind him to see a man in full plate armor come forward. His plate armor had a symbol that he vaguely remembered, although he couldn't quite place it. He walked up next to Kylie and said, "You go and find the puppeteer. I will defeat this demon." He brandished his sword like he was ready to attack with it, but it was still in its sheathe. Hachen felt like he should take the man's advise and walked over to Bangs, but before getting on he wanted to see if Kylie was going to heed his advise as well.

"You're sure you know how to handle that?" Kylie asked sarcastically, before looking at Hiuko, growling under her breath and tearing off to leap onto Bangs behind Hachen.

Before she ran off the knight confidentially said, "Yes." Bangs took flight and flew over the crowd to where the master was. He looked up at them and decided it would be better to run. He ran into a side street and into an alley way hoping to lose them. Bangs though wasn't so keen to let him slip away. She roared so loud it shook the windows of houses and made the man crouch in fear. Then she flew low in the alley so Hachen took pig and jumped off at one end of the alley and Bangs flew to the other end and landed to let Kylie off. The master was stopped on both sides.

Taking out her weapons again, Kylie set herself in fighting position, but did not say anything.

Hachen took out his wand and pointed at the master while walking forward. He ran away only to see Kylie and Bangs at the other end of the alley. Hachen moved forward until the was no where for the master to move. Hachen knew that even prison wouldn't work for this man, he would just control the guards. Hachen looked from the master up to Kylie and just nodded, his expression showed that he was okay with her killing him.

Her ears went back at that, as Kylie whispered something to herself... or the bells. A moment later she was directly behind the man, leaping up with her paws on his hips and jerked his head back with her paw, tearing her tomahawk up across his neck. Gurgling, the man had no idea what had torn his throat open, but he collapsed with Kylie standing over him grimly. Her other weapon was back where Bangs.

Hachen let out a sigh of relief. He looked at everyone only to find Bangs now missing. He walked over to look around the corner but she wasn't there. "Hmm... she probably went to check on Hiuko." Hachen, Kylie, and pig walked out to the main street to find the villagers talking amongst themselves wondering what had happened. Although further up on the street Hiuko and the knight were still fighting. Hachen saw Bangs though running up to the fight and tackled Hiuko to the ground, pinning him under he large body. She changed into her regular form and when Hiuko opened his eyes and saw Bangs he let out a loud shout and fell unconscious. Hachen walked up to see what had happened. "So how is he?" He asked Bangs. "He just needs to rest, he's never had Hiuko's body for this long before." The knight though didn't move, he just observed them from a distance, his eyes though scanned Hachen for something.

While Hachen was over with Bangs, the rusty spotted cat slung a weapon over her slim shoulder, the other now back in a loop at her waist, "What is this place?" She asked the knight, having never been to a city larger then Cerenis before, and having never seen a castle no less.

The knight took off his helmet and it seemed his cape was rolled up and stuff in there because it came rolling out all the way down to the back of his knees. The man didn't seem like the typical knight in shining armor. His hair was brown and short, his face was shaven, although his face seemed a bit familiar. He held his helmet under his arm and looked up at the castle. "This is the city of Iron Crown. Capital city of Raine Providence." He looked down at her with a smile and said, "and I am Sigfried VI Raine. May I ask your name?"

Glancing over at him with her vivid eyes, she took in his armor, his name, and the colors in her eyes swirled as she spoke with her power. "I am Kylie, servant to the bells and of the rusty spotted tribe." She tilted her head, "You are... the prince. Yet you fought."

He didn't feel any power from her, either that or he was used to it. "I am ther former prince. I joined the Raine Knights though." He thought for a second and he realized that she wasn't from around here. "You see, there are two military forces, soldiers attack and guards defend. However the Knights of the nations around here are people with considerable power. To be a knight is an honor like no other, and it is grants authority higher than any ruler of this continent. However government officials, or future ones for that matter, are not allowed to become Knights." At that Sigfried shrugged. "My little sister said she would become queen though, so I accepted my invitation to join and thereby relinquishing my crown."  He told all this to Kylie while looking her straight in the eye. "So what about you? I thought tribal people stuck together, and what's this about bells?"

Kylie looked away, "My fate has called me elsewhere." She would not say anything more. Instead, the cat moved away from him and approached Hachen, a paw lifting to his face as she brought him in for a quick kiss.

Sigfried understood right away. After the kiss Hachen thought it was a bit unexpected, but still nice. "Looks like Hiuko's unconscious." Hachen looked towards the villagers, but something else caught his eye. The knight's face seemed familiar to him. The knight walked over and said, "Long time no see. I still see you use a wand." He said pointing at the wand sticking out of Hachen's pocket." Hachen looked at the surrounding city and his gaze focused on the castle for a minute. Then he turned back to Sigfried. "I thought you were a prince." Sigfried shrugged, "Former prince." Hachen was about to introduce Kylie but Sigfried said, "We already met, although you might want to introduce me." Hachen nodded and said, "Kylie this is my cousin Sigfried."

Leaning against him, Kylie looked at them both, now noticing the resemblance, "I see." She bowed her head slightly in respect. The bell between her breasts tinkled, acknowledging his presence. "Are there any other mind controllers in the city?"

"None that I'm aware of. Then again I got just got here yesterday, I haven't received the nation's reports yet. I'll probably know of anything like that later today though." Sigfried said seeing guards coming out of the castle. Sigfried told them to help the villagers and find their leader he wanted a word with him. Getting back to Kylie and Hachen he said, "Well, knowing Hachen I'm sure you guys wouldn't object to a free meal." Hachen smiled at the word free. "I'm absolutely okay with it, what about you Kylie?" At that point three soldiers started walking out of the castle. There was a major difference in guards and soldiers. The guards had thicker armor and used tower shields with long swords. The soldiers though wore dark chain mail though and carried whichever weapon suited them best. Sigfried saw the soldier coming with his periphery. He didn't know why they were called but he kept most of his attention on Hachen and Kylie for the moment.

"It has been a while since we have eaten." Kylie commented, looking at pig.

Sigfried smiled and looked down at pig. He kneeled down to pig and said, "Well I haven't met you yet either. I am Sigfried, and you are?" Pig snorted a few times and Sigfried nodded and said, "Ah pig, okay." He stood back up and said, "So whats his name?" Hachen laughed a bit and said, "Pig." Thee three soldier got closer to Hiuko and circled around him with weapons drawn. Since one was right next to Sigfried he got his sword, still in its sheathe, and whacked him in the head with it. The soldier turned around angery and shouted right in Sigfried's face. "What the hell did you do that for?" Sigfried wiped the spit off his cheek and asked, "What are soldiers doing out here? Cleanup is guard duty." The soldier pointed to Hiuko. "Right well," Sigfried pointed at the insignia on his breastplate and said, "Well I order you not to. This man was just a pawn of the master, who was..." He turned to Hachen who said, "Dead." The soldier's thought about what to do and thought it would be better to report back to the castle. Sigfried turned back to them. "So how's about we eat at my parents house. We get some really good food there. If you want you guys can even stay the night. We've got plenty of rooms."

The cat nodded, "Sure that sounds fine, but... what about Hiuko?"

Sigfried picked Hiuko up and put his over his shoulder. "I'll take him to a room. I'm sure his cat will take care of him." He cringed when Bangs mentally yelled at him for referring to her as a pet. "Gotta love physic animals." Sigfried said rubbing his head as they walked to the castle. Sigfried told a guard to escort Kylie and Hachen to a room, Pig opted to go to the stables. Sigfried though carried Hiuko to a room. Hachen & Kylie's room had a queen sized bed a table with two chairs and a large fireplace, it also had a beautiful view of the city below. Since it was almost dinner time Hachen led Kylie to the dining hall after they took a look at the room. The dining hall and the table was massive although everyone usually ate at one end of the table. Sigfried was already sitting at the table so Hachen pulled out a seat for Kylie and sat down next to her. "My sister will be joining us you know."  Hachen looked at where he was and turned to Kylie and said, "Please switch seat with me. I suddenly feel very uncomfortable." Although the main doors to the hall opened and The King, Queen, and Princess came into the room. The princess's face lit up when she saw Hachen and was about to run to sit next to him but she had to remember to behave. When she sat down though she leaned against Hachen. Hachen put his forehead in his hand, apparently his cousin still had a crush on him after two years. Sigfried introduced his parents Oberon Raine, Delphina Raine, and his sister Kiki Raine. After introductions a large assortment of food came out and everyone started to eat. The queen turned to Kylie and asked, "So could you tell us a little about yourself?"

Her ears flipped back, annoyed and repressed a growl, "I am Hachen's mate. I come from a small tribe to the South, but I was called away for reasons I will not say. I serve the instruments of time in the quest to eradicate this evil." Then Kylie went quiet. She did not like the attentions Hachen was receiving from the young woman.

The princess was unphased by what Kylie said. Hachen let out a small sigh of what though he didn't know but sure as heck wasn't relief. The King then asked, "So Hachen how have you been?" Hachen elbowed his cousin to get her off him. "I've been good, just traveling now." The King nodded and remembered, "Ah right, you received the magic, and how many spells have you learned." Hachen disappointingly raised a finger. The king laughed at that, "Well its better than you mother, it took her three years to learn even one, but now." Hachen nodded without needing to her the rest. Hachen was taking a drink of water when the princess said, "Hachen is the greatest mage ever, the only reason he probably hasn't learned much is because of that harlot." Hachen almost chocked on his drink and everyone was in shock, even the servants.

Kylie stood, her hackles raised which made her look quite terrifying as her tail flicked back and forth in rage. She pointed a paw at the woman, her claws out, "If you weren't a princess I would tear your pretty little head from your body, bitch." She took out a tomahawk, obviously debating on whether to threaten her more before she scowled. Kylie pushed her chair back against the table, glaring at the rude human before turning and stamping angrily out of the room.

"Dammit Kiki!" Hachen said before picking up two bread rolls and leaving the room. The princess looked around the room and said, "What, you saw what she was wearing." Then she went silently back to eating. Hachen put the rolls in his pocket caught up to Kylie in the hallway. "Kylie wait. I'm sorry, I thought she was at some princess school in another nation. Otherwise I wouldn't have come here." He put his hand on her shoulder. "Besides, despite how she looks she's only like 10 years old. She's just a stupid kid that knows words she shouldn't be using. Besides no one thinks of you that way. Especially not me." The last sentence he took a step closer to her putting his other hand on her other shoulder.

Kylie blinked back tears, she snuggled into his chest, sniffling, "What is with the people that do not live in tribes? They are so rude, and very inconsiderate." She sniffled again, her ears back submissively as she wrapped her arms around his waist.

Hachen wrapped his arms around her. "I'm sorry. Its not all people though. Most princesses are like that, they think they can be cold and mean just because their princesses. Kiki's one of the worst, in fact she probably got kicked out of school for it." Hachen said with a little laugh. "But me, Hiuko, and Sigfried, we're all good people, never once lived in a tribe though." He said with a smile. "Plus those sailors were kinda friendly too, you just have to know sea slang to know if something was a joke or not. Although I heard living on a ship as a job is kind of like living in a tribe." He was about to lose his train of thought but he kept himself on the right track.

Sniffing for the last time, Kylie closed her eyes and sighed. "She has no right to judge me, even if she is a princess."

"No one has the right to judge others. That doesn't stop people from doing it though." Hachen said in a calming tone.

"But they shouldn't..." Kylie murmured back, snuggling her cheek against him. "Let us find pig, and leave this place, I don't want to be here any longer..." The cat felt very unwelcome.

"Right, I need to talk with Sigfried about something too though." He fished a roll out of his pocket gave it to her. "Didn't seem like you got a lot to eat before you left." When she took it he walked off to talk to Sigfried and get pig. When he left though Bangs showed up and was walking and trying to balance a bowl of soup on her back at the same time. "Oh hi." She said walking by. "Are you busy? I could use some help taking this to Hiuko's room."

"Not all people but most. People so afraid that others will get ahead at their own expense. Such is the world of tainted men." A voice carried across the room. I seemed to have come from no customer in particular. "Take our deva princess for example, so afraid someone will not respect her authority."