Prologue:263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiD1DpjECJC
The air is thick with smoke, scent of blood and fear pungent in the air. Wind stirring up the thick smoke and fear-laden air seeming to drive the bandits laying waste to the village below...263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOckmHdnES
Standing on the cliff above the scene below a creature once thought of as legend, feared by most, that fear causing her to be hated. Next to her stands a male, who is also thought of as legend. They continue to watch as the scene plays out before them.
"We should intervene now before more innocent people are hurt."
Reaching next to him, his hand sprawls out over the muscular shoulder of his companion--the strong muscles beneath his palm rippling, constricting, and sending a settling pulse of energy between them. The only thing keeping either of them from rushing into the fray below is the connection between them. Anger pulses from them as they are forced to bear witness of the siege befalling the villagers from their perch hidden from the troops--carrying upon their shields the symbol of the God of War; Ares.
'Damn you, Ares. Using these bandits to attack this village and innocent people for nothing more than your sick, twisted pleasure.' The female growls mentally.
Screams of pain and fear fill the night air, blood hangs over the land in a thick red haze of evil, flames lap at homes, stables, fields, crops, storage sheds; devouring any and everything in its path. Wasting no more time, the female warrior rushes down the rocky hillside to the village below using the grace and speed granted by her unique differences. Reaching the village is an easy feat for her...or it would be if not for the raging battle between her and the village. Setherine, her male companion follows closely behind his childhood friend. The sound of their hooves drowned out by the raging battle and screams of suffering, driving them into "blind action" to help. As they reach the ground, several men rush them; their main target, the female warrior. As always, fear proves to be enough to drive even the most seasoned warriors into a fear-driven attack frenzy.
"Neveha!" Setherine screams silently as a spear is driven through her heavily muscled chest, exiting her shoulder.
Pain rips through her body causing her to come up onto her hind legs and paw at the air; smacking the man before her down to the ground. Even more pain rips through her body as the shaft of the spear tears out of her shoulder; leaving nothing behind, but the spearhead, embedded deep in her shoulder. Blood sprays from her wound as she comes up onto her hind legs once more.
"Kill the she-horse devil!" the warrior's voice echoes off the rockface as they try to surround her.
Setherine rushes to help Neveha, his beloved childhood friend.
Chapter One:
Standing in the shadows contemplating her next course of action to help the villagers without being seen, Neveha and Setherine watch the villagers scurry about their lives. This village like so many others have been ravished by war. Knowing that being seen will result in the same reaction as always, Neveha surveys her options of how to help the villagers without further injury.
"You don't see the way they look at me, with fear and loathing." She says, her anger and pain becoming more apparent.
Without hesitation or fear, her companion gently rests his hand upon her muscular shoulder knowing that despite his inability to speak, the gesture may have a calming effect upon her. Under his palm he feels the incredible power she holds perfectly in check until it is needed. Though he cannot speak aloud, he can convey his thoughts to another person, but only if he is touching them.
"Maybe you should try again. Make them look past your unique differences and make them see the real you." He conveys through their link as he gently strokes her shoulder.
"Perhaps...perhaps you are right, Setherine." She says softly as she turns to look at the man by her side with a gentle smile.
As the darkness blankets the land, the young woman slowly makes her way toward the village as quickly and quietly as possible. The sound of hooves striking the ground pierce the silence as she makes her descent from the cliff overlooking the village below.
'Hopefully I can help these villagers without drawing too much attention. I pray to Hades they only think I am someone on horseback passing through.' She thinks to herself.
Normally very graceful, the young woman snarls in disgust when her footing falters causing her to stumble, sending a wave of pain through her chest. The wound a perfect reminder of just how much mortals fear her. Being a creature that has never been seen, nor spoken of, fear is always the reaction of mortals who do lay their gaze upon her. Sliding the remaining feet to the ground below, she surveys her surroundings lest she be attacked again; being immortal she would survive, but then Setherine's words of wisdom would be rendered untrue.
"Time to work my magic." She says to herself.
Wasting no time, she rushes toward the village with inhuman speed granted by her "unique differences" as Setherine had put it. Her hooves meeting the barren, hard, cracked ground the only evidence of her quickened approach to aid those mortals within her domain.
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Once in the village, the young female warrior stands in the shadows debating on where to begin in this war-ravished village. Mind set on the first order of business, she moves with purpose toward the food storage shed. Her focused gaze on the building in front of her, she almost doesn't hear Setherine's approach.
"What these people are in need of most is food and better weapons." He says, sounding out of breath and leaning against his friend to form a link between them.
Looking over her shoulder, she nods slightly, knowing that what her friend has said is true.
"Let us get to work, we do not have much time before Apollo brings the dawn and the villagers awaken." She whispers.
Setherine nods and catches her tail with a gentle tug; a playful gesture not many could get away with. The most unlikely of friends, but the best of friends; Setherine and the young centaur warrior had been together for a very long time. Going their seperate ways, they both move with inhuman strength, each of them bestowing gifts upon the village to help the mortals survive the long, harsh winter that is upon them. During their task, it becomes more and more apparent that this mortal village has suffered much loss when their homeland was attacked and ravished. So focused on her task, the female warrior does not hear when someone emerges from their home.
"Who is there? Come forward, you have no need to fear." the disembodied voice calls from the shadows.
Standing perfectly still, she waits for the mortal to return to his home, almost holding her breath in the hopes that he will not happen upon her; the insistent throbbing from the wound to her chest a reminder of what will happen if she is discovered. How long could it possibly take a mortal to lose interest when he sees there is nothing there? Much to her disbelief and dismay, the young mortal man actually begins to approach where she remains veiled in shadows.
'You must move!' her rational mind screams, but her body disobeys. She know she should move lest she be discovered, but it is as if an unseen force binds her in place.
"Do not worry, no harm shall come to you. You need not hide."
Weighing her options carefully, she decides that it would be in her favor if she came forward and explained her presence in this village so late of night. Yet, she still hesitates.
'Setherine has never led me astray, nor will he ever lead me astray.' She thinks to herself as she hesitantly steps from the shadows, into the small sliver of light coming from withing the mortal's home.
Standing silent, she watches as the young man's sharp gaze takes in every inch of her, from human torso to her elegant body; if he has never seen a centaur, he hides his shock well.
"By all the gods, I have never seen such beauty, strength, and grace." He breathes as he approaches her.
Taking half a step back, she watches him closely.
"Nor shall you again." She replies almost instantly.
Chapter Two
Almost aware of how much time has gone by, Setherine and his friend work quickly to finish their task. Hearing the sound of her approach Setherine furrows his brow deeply as he notes her pace has become considerably slower than before. His sharp gaze also takes in the fatigue she is trying to downplay and hide, unsuccessfully. Now is not the time to address her fatigue, now is the time to finish what they started and be gone well before daybreak. Storing the thoughts in the back of his mind, he finishes furnishing the village with better, stronger weapons to defend their home. But all the while, his sharp gaze remains on his friend and the wound that plagues her so.
"Do you believe the amount of grain, meat, and other such supplies will last them?" She asks, looking at the storage shed instead of meeting his steady gaze.
Her attention is drawn to the sound of his approach as his cloven hooves meet with the ground; less noticeable than hers, but still audible enough to alert her to his approach. Gently gripping the "harness" meant to serve as an armor of sorts, Setherine climbs onto her back. There are few who would dare mount a centaur like a common horse, but Setherine was not afraid.
"Be glad we must move with haste, or I might be offended you think me a common horse and so easily tamed." She says, her tone light and playful, even though the message conveyed is one of truth.
"I would never think of you as a common horse, my beautiful amazon goddess." He replies in the same teasing manner, but also speaking the truth.
With one final look at the village, she turns and begins their retreat, though her pace has lessened because of the wound to her chest, she is still able to move with enough inhuman strength and speed to put the village well behind them as the sun rises. Once comfortable she has put enough distance between them and the village, she slows her pace and continues toward the forest. Seizing the opportunity needed, Setherine grips her shoulders gently.
"Stop, Neveha I wish to tend to your wounds. You are not fine, you are severely wounded." He says in a tone that both surprises his friend and leaves little room for her to argue.
Stopping, she looks at him and releases a heavy sigh, but she knows in her soul that he is right; she is losing strength and that could prove to be fatal if she does not allow him to tend to her wounds now. Knowing that he has won, Setherine dismounts, his hooves making a soft thud-sound as they meet the soft earth beneath him. A chuckle slips from her throat as she watches her life-long friend begin to dart about, gathering herbs and fallen limbs to make a small fire; not for warmth but to boil water to cleanse her wound, to sanitize any tools he must use to tend her wound, to form a base of even the most basic medicines. Normally very gentle, Setherine had suddenly become aggressive with worry, not that she could blame him; she had known how grave of an injury she had sustained, but she had not wished to worry him--she had done just that.
"You're going to have to come to my level. Remember, I am just a little shorter than you are." He mouthed the words, trying for humor that he doesn't feel.
"No, you will have to come to mine. You know I cannot stand quickly once I have laid down."
Sighing heavily, he shakes his head and sends a level look her way. It is true that he can reach some of the wound; especially the one to her chest (or waist whichever you rather call it given she is half horse) but the other wounds she sustained would be far more difficult to reach because of his short stature. Of course, he could always shift forms and become taller if he wished, but that would defeat his purpose of wishing her on his level.
"All right, have it your way." She sighs as she approaches him slowly; each stride causing the gaping wound to open further and a fresh surge of blood to cascade down her right leg.
A pleased smile spreads across his face as he approaches her, closing the distance between them. She had spoken the truth, it would take her a moment or so to rise to her feet once she lays down, and they were in the open, where the scent of her blood could draw any number of creatures to them, but he would not let anything happen to her. Pain sears through her as she slowly and carefully folds her legs under her and lays gingerly on the forest floor. As he inspects her wound, he notices that there is something buried deep within her shoulder.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9ntAfZJ57
Chapter 3263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtv2w68tvhz
Some time later after Setherine removes the fragmented blade from his friend's wound, cleaned, bound, and finally satisfied that her wound is thoroughly cleaned and infection will not set in, they return to the lair that serves as their home. Like Cerberus, she is the guard of the underworld, only she guards the entrance to the cave that serves as the entryway of the underworld. It is her duty to ensure that no mortals stumble upon or enter the realm before it is their time. Weary from their travels, Setherine and his beloved friend enter the realm of the Underworld to report their findings and progress to its Lord.
"M'Lord, Hades. We have carried out your will." She says into the darkness. "If it pleases you, Setherine and I are in need of much rest. We shall be in my lair should you require any further task of us." She adds as she bows respectfully. 263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVylQhqAMvN
"I have no further task for you or Setherine. Rest with my gratitude, daughter." Hades replies.
"Thank you, Lord." She says before turning and returning to the surface.
As soon as they emerge from the darkness, Setherine scurries out of sight, though he can barely see due to the brightness. Curious, the female warrior gazes after him, but lack of clarity makes finding where he disappeared to, impossible. Shaking her head from left to right, she enters the dimly lit hollow that serves as her lair. A sound from behind her, at the entrance of her lair (which no one can find, lest they have been within it) causes her to turn around quickly. Her gaze meets his and shock fills her expressive hazel eyes when she realizes who is standing before her--it is Setherine. She knew that he could shift into any form if he wished to, but was content to remain in the form of a satyr, yet now he stands before her in the form of a male centaur.
"I thought you might could use extra body warmth. You need to rest and heal, I will assure that you are able to rest comfortably. If you will allow it." Setherine says wordlessly.
"Gratitude. And may I say? That the form of a centaur suits you well. I could very well get used to having you in said form." She says with an impish smile as she slowly walks over to where he stands.
Setherine's smile comes easy as he closes the distance between them, his chest brushing against hers lightly, sending sparks of electricity through their bodies. Carefully, he reaches out and touch her arm as if asking for permission rather than embrace her without her consent to the intimate touch. Her answer comes in the form of a loving embrace accompanied by a very light kiss upon his lips; just barely there, but enough to send his heartbeat into a frenzy.
Chapter Four
While Setherine and Neveha settle down for the night, nestled against one another, all thoughts of the day's stress melt away until nothing but warmth and comfort surround them both as drift to sleep.
Neveha's P.O.V
As I drift off to sleep nestled to my beloved best friend, my thoughts drift back to when I was much younger. When I was born, I was born of two different worlds; neither centaur nor forest nymph. My mother, was a forest nymph and my father was a centaur warrior. As a result, my features are delicate, more pixie like (such as a childish, youthful face and pointed ears), but I am definitely a centaur, for I have all the features of a centaur and all their strengths, plus the added powers of my mother's lineage. The moment my father laid eyes on me, he hated me, even more so because my mother died during childbirth, therefore; he was saddled with me and in his eyes, I had killed the mate of his soul, so he could not stand to look at me. Rather than raise me as his own, or even give me a name for that matter, my father took me to a herd nearby; a herd of cross-bred centaurs and other such creatures. He left me there and never looked back. At the age of six, I met Setherine by chance. I was learning the art of archery and agility when I stumbled upon him; from the moment we met, we were stead-fast friends. Little did I know that like me is is of two worlds, too. We grew up together, we became closer than family, we did everything together. Is it any wonder I fell in love with him?
Sighing contently, Neveha snuggles into Setherine. Despite the throbbing in her chest, sleep blankets her in its loving embrace, leaving no room for thoughts of the past, no thoughts of the present, of the future, just the peace and serenity of sleep.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQyNopgREG
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The next morning, the sound of approaching footsteps draws Neveha out of her peaceful slumber. Ignoring the searing pain that shoots through her stiff muscles and the pulling of the stitches that bind the wound to her chest, she carefully gets to her feet.
'Surely Lord Hades does not have need of us this soon...'She questions mentally as she approaches the entrance of her lair.
Peering out, she shields her eyes from the glaring sun with her hand and furrows her brow deeply as her eyes adjust to the harshness of the sun. When her vision clears, she sees a man no older than seventeen on horseback, looking around as if he is trying to find something, sending a strong sense of unease through every fiber of Neveha's being when she realizes that the young man is the same boy from the village they helped the night before. Alarm rips its way through Neveha as she watches the young horseman dismount from his horse and begin to wander closer to the mouth of the cave. 263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmwyWsACQP
'I cannot let him enter the Underworld, but I do not wish him to find where I reside either.' 263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHftHEWAMi8
A choice has to be made and Neveha knows that to stop this boy from entering Hades' domain before his time means that she exposes her liar, which she has no doubt that is what this boy seeks--to find her. Unable to stand hidden from sight any longer, she lunges through the barrier that serves to hide the entrance of her home from mortal and immortals alike. Whether startled by her sudden appearance or caught in the act of searching, the male jumps and rests his hand on the hilt of his sword.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbUcwV3qml
"You do not belong here, mortal. Turn back and return to your home." Neveha says as she paws at the ground in an aggitated manner.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOeWGxeDF1
"I cannot. I came seeking you." 263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1GqiPmLBl
A scornful snort rips its way from her lungs as she slowly walks toward the boy, closing the distance in an almost predator-horse like manner. Though she has little knowledge of her lineage, she does know that Centaurs are peaceful and very nobel; attacking someone is not in their nature, unless they are attacked first, but this boy could not possibly know that. Whipping her tail, she stands before the boy and smirks as he takes several steps back.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlypAvG5YK
"You are much taller than I expected." He says, trying to hide his fear.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2pDvF8Ezh
"I have no interest in your compliments. Speak now, I do not have all day to babysit a mortal brat." Neveha says, ignoring the flash of anger that spreads across the boy's face.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtO04FhJyM2
"Fine. I have heard that Centaurs are masterful healers. My mother is very ill and I need your help."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Dcl75IdOV
"Apologies, but I cannot help you. Return home, or I will be forced to remove you from my territory by force." She says as she turns and begins to walk away; not even sparing another glance in the boy's direction.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLtQkTm2MR
'If you are smart, you will return to your village before I return to the surface...'
