Here's a side story that forms part of the Book of Space Lore series, created by myself and @zakludick.
Since this short story is around 4600 words, I decided to break it up into three, more digestible parts.
If anyone is interested in creating some artwork for this, let's have a chat. I'd love to get some artwork done on Freyai, which we can possibly turn into NFTs.
My thought is three different artworks since this story is broken into three parts, with each of those having three NFTs available.
Birth of Freyai
Although auk’ilit's are highly technologically advanced, they’re bound by tradition and nature. They synthetically birth 100 auk’ilit’s every 12 months. On average, 8 survive. This is their way of maintaining balance and harmony.
As she pushed and scratched at the makeshift womb, Freyai knew it would be a treacherous journey ahead. Her primary brain had already been filled with knowledge during the 18-month incubation period, however, it felt more like scattered memories to her. She pushed against the tough, elastic casing again, and could feel it slowly starting to tear.
One more push, she thought to herself, as her sharp nails drove through the womb.
Suddenly, she heard liquid spilling and bubbles popping around her ears. She knew she’d broken through.
Now I need to get out of here.
The opening was still too small to get out, however, the gap was large enough for her to get all four hands in. Freyai started tugging, and the opening gradually ripped open large enough for her to get out.
Freyai could hardly see anything yet. For the auk’ilit's, their vision only started clearing up 5 minutes after birth.
As she slipped out of the womb, she felt herself falling, before landing on the hard surface with a thud. Freyai groaned and grunted, then took a few deep, calming breaths. She batted her secondary eyelids a few times, attempting to see clearly, as she sat on the hard, cold floor.
The auk’ilit's deliberately had the wombs dangling from the ceiling of the cave. It was partially due to keeping the wombs safe from predators and part to introducing the newborns to a rough, treacherous journey ahead. Well, newborns in auk’ilit’s terms were rather like young teenagers.
As Freyai’s vision cleared, she looked around the large cave. It was dark and misty, with a rancid smell filling the air. Just a few feet away, she saw a large, green, steaming pile of feces. Immediately, her instincts kicked in. As she jumped to her feet, she knew she had to gain higher ground.
Freyai scanned her surroundings, while softly and swiftly moving about. She managed to find a few loose scattered rocks, that fit plumply in two of her hands. As knowledge of combat filled her mind, Freyai decided it was best to keep her lower arms and hands free to grab with, while she could use her upper arms for an assault.
Without warning, there was a sudden thud behind her. Freyai jumped and rolled sideways, then landed back on her feet, standing squarely towards where the sound appeared. Adrenaline filled her veins, and she could feel how her dark green skin firmed, as an extra, protective layer formed.
Freyai was looking at another of her kind, lying motionless a few feet away. Her curiosity wanted to approach, however, her logic and instinct caused her to back away slowly.
The other auk’ilit started moving, then vomited up some of the light green liquid from the womb. After a few coughs and splutters, the auk’ilit hazily looked up at Freyai.
You took too long to get out of the womb, Freyai thought, as the small, glowing yellow eyes looked back at her. She quickly figured out he was a male. His shoulders were broader, and he only had two arms that were considerably larger than hers. Although auk’ilit males were generally bigger in build, the females were equally dangerous.
As the auk’ilit male slowly got up to his feet, a sudden loud scurrying sound emerged from his right. Out of the mist appeared a large, scaled creature, speeding towards him on all fours. Its head was the size of the auk’ilit’s upper body, with razor-sharp teeth displayed by its open mouth. As he wanted to jump free of his attacker, the creature violently bit down on his arm. Freyai could hear the bones crunching and snapping as the creature pulled and shook at the male.
She felt a light breeze behind her as a different scent from the cave filled her nostrils.
Run, now! she thought, as she saw how the auk’ilit’s arm got ripped clear off and his screams filled the air.
Freyai started dashing away from the scene and attempted to follow the clean scent in the dark and misty cave. As it grew stronger, she saw the cave gradually lighting up in the distance.
That’s it. That’s where I need to go.
Her breathing was rapid yet controlled as she picked up her pace and her knowledge still came to her in fragments as she suddenly realized what had attacked the male.
Vel’ister. Very common and very dangerous. Not the most dangerous though.
She realized the planet they were inhabiting was one of the most dangerous to live on. Their species chose to do so to survive. As dangerous as it was there, the perils of living with other humanoid-type species carried even greater dangers and risks. Diseases outside of what their race had endured over the centuries, were devastating to them. That’s why they chose to stay right here on Verucia. A planet no other humanoid species attempts to live on.
As Freyai reached the large opening, she threw her arms up as the bright orange sky hurt her eyes for a second, then her third eyelid closed over. The membrane darkened slightly, and she gradually let her upper arms back down. She stood there for a second and was able to absorb the beautiful skies for the first time. Amongst the glowing orange sky were streaks of red, yellow, and white, portraying the look of an artist spreading colors across a canvas.
You’re running out of time, she thought.
When the skies darken, there will be too many hunters to deal with.
Hunters, the knowledge flowed to the front of her brain.
Viltor’s! Virtually impossible to defeat. 10 times the size of auk’ilit’s. Extremely vicious and territorial.
Ver’eister’s. Walks on its rear legs. Stands at about waist high. Sharp claws and works in packs of 4 – 5.
Freyai looked about. She had two choices. Head out into the valley below or back up and over the mountain.
As more knowledge came flowing back to her, she realized the choice she needed to make.
You’re Freyai Cordine! Your clan has been the most successful at new births making it home. We always look for higher ground.
Freyai's second, more emotional brain started making associations for the first time. It operated separately yet could sync with her main one.
That’s it. I need to go over the mountain. I’m a Cordine!
Although the planet was covered with dangerous animals, Freyai made the right choice. The mountain isn’t easy to get up to. There were loose and sharp rocks all about, with various poisonous plants that could sting, burn, and even let off puffs of poison that can drive almost anything delirious. Well, that’s aside from the animals that feed off them, who have a nasty poisonous bite too.
Freyai carefully and meticulously climbed up the mountainside. It was running at a 90° angle, with occasional overhangs which she’d have to scale upside down. Her four arms worked hard as gravity attempted to pull her down and the sharp rocks left cuts all over her body. As she neared the top of the mountain, her top left hand grabbed another loose rock.
“Vri’iristia!” Freyai swore out loud as she looked at the rock tumbling down. She grabbed back onto the cliff and landed her hand on a spikey plant, immediately sending a sharp pain throughout the front of her arm, causing her to cry out. Luckily, the pain didn’t last too long as the venom quickly dispersed through her blood.
You’re losing your focus.
She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and carried on climbing. After 5 more minutes, she’d reached the top. Freyai looked about for some dark red soil. There were little pockets of them, usually hidden by the bulk, black sand that covered the planet's surface.
I need to find little cracks in the soil, she thought as she scanned the environment.
There!
As she dusted away at the black sand, the dark red soil exposed itself. It was a highly nutritious mixture loaded with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. This would provide her with enough energy to cover the rest of the journey and aid in healing her wounds.
Freyai consumed a few handfuls, then proceeded to rub it all over her body. The silky-smooth soil immediately started working, as a gentle tingling sensation brought relief to her wounds. Continuing the trek across the mountain, Freyai felt refreshed as the imparted knowledge continued falling into place.
Skies. Be aware of the skies.
That concludes Part 1. Stick around for the next two installments.
Thanks for stopping by :)
Cheers!
