Fur-tunate Encounter

Looking up, Ashen saw a much taller human with monkey features, with darker fur and vibrant pinkish-purple eyes that seemed to see deep into his very soul.

Damn, I feel short,, Ashen thought, both of them remained silent until the other monkey overheard the human beings and took Ashen by his hand. This guy led him to a foreign place.

As they were at last at a clearing in the forest, Ashen thought to himself, Well, i guess this is my fate, to be kidnapped, though shouldn't I try to fight back? Why am I letting this guy drag me along? Oh well, at least it's better than having the mob on our back, I guess.

They had finally shaken the human horde attempting to kill them. "Who are you?" His gruff, bitter tone broke the silence as he glared at Ashen. "You first!" Ashen bellowed. The man was taken aback but then answered, "Fine. My name is Cypher. And yours?" "Ashen…"

//system notification//

//The user's heart rate has increased. Does the user want to mate with him? And also, don't speak out loud, he will think you are crazy. We can speak in your head//

No, I have an increased heart rate because we just ran a marathon. Marco, too, why did you give yourself the name Marco?!

// system notification//

//The name is dignified, that's all,//

Cypher snapped Ashen out of his daze. "Well then, Ashen, where is your tribe? Unless your tribe expelled you, you shouldn't be alone," said Cypher. Ashen then knew what he had to do, lie. He gazed down with a sorrowful expression. "They are all dead. Humans killed them. I'm the only one left". Ashen's eyes welled up with tears within less than 5 seconds of saying these words.

Cypher's brow furrowed slightly at Ashen's declaration. His eyes eased a bit, he took a deep breath, mumbled something, and paused before answering, "I see," as he lowered his head.

That's fucking it?! I just told this guy some goddamn tear-jerker, and he went, [I see.] Holy shit, just holy shit.

And then Cypher looked up with a face of grim solemnity. "Come with me if you want to live.".

What is this?! The bloody killer robot film

fuck, I need to be nice. Just reference the only nice role you have ever played in a movie. Wait, wasn't he a twink?

. Ashen replied, "Y-yes, thank you," his external voice was sugary sweet, but in his mind, he was swearing at himself and everyone. Cypher was surprised at how Ashen had responded. Ashen rose just to find that if he played it safe,

//system notification//

//Yes., he was the twink, good luck to you, user//

Oh, fuck me, now it's too late to alter my fake personality now. Goddammit.

As Cypher informs Ashen, "I'll take you to my tribe now and speak with the elders council". And then he grabs Ashen's hand and starts taking him to his tribe, i.e., haven.

It took them an hour of boring walking with no conversations between Cypher or Ashen, only talking being the system, which named itself Marco, and it was explaining beastmen culture to Ashen. They finally reached there. Two door guards were standing at the door of this wooden wall. "Halt," one of the boar beastmen guards spoke and turned to regard Cypher. Both guards now stood in front of the door. Cypher spoke only a single word which Ashen couldn't really hear or understand.

What the fuck?! What have I gotten myself into? Is this a cult?!

Both guards nod and step aside.

"Ashen, you can go in now and wait for me inside". Ashen nodded and crept past the guards who gave him peculiar glances, but let him through. When he went in ,

Did it brighten tens of times more, or am I going crazy? Ashen blinked as his eyes adjusted.

It is charming, this village teems with life and animal people of all kinds. He could not help but be struck dumb by the beauty of this place and snug environment, children playing freely without a care.

Ok this place has no right to be prettier than me ashen thought

A voice, an old woman's, echoed out, "You should close your mouth, sweetie, it's rude to gawk.".

"Ah, sorry, I wasn't aware that I was gaping". Ashen shifted his head to look at the woman and was confronted with an elderly armadillo beastmen wrapped in a pink red shawl across her shoulders.

"It's alright, sweetie. Oh, me, where have my manners gone? I'm Maddie. But you can call me Madd for short". Ashen was quick in reaction time.

“Oh, my name's Ashen. But just call me Ash." And then he suddenly caught someone behind him. "Ahem," Maddie gazed at Cypher, and then he spoke, leaving Ashen at a loss. "I see you already met one of the five elders of the council, Ashen.".

Ashen nodded back and pretended to look nervous. He played with his fingers. "Oh my deary, no need to be nervous, we will judge you honestly and fair, and if you pass, you can stay". Maddie gave a sugary, reassuring smile that only a sugary grandma could give.

I kinda feel bad now for lying. Oh well!

.

"So what happens now?" Ashen smiled sheepishly while asking.

Either I'm acting is too good or y'all are stupid, but actually, probably both.

"So what do you think, Maddie?" Cypher said.

//system notification//

//Quest unlocked!!

// You do your best to pass the trial, you'll be rewarded with 50 p points //

//P points = power, the more you have, the stronger you become, and the user can become//:

Imma win myself a lot of p points then.

"So it will go well then," Maddie had said her say, and Ashen just nodded

I wasn't paying attention?! What did she say? I was too involved in winning p points that I didn't listen

As maddie then spoke up

"so it's settled. Ashen will stay with me until the council is ready to meet him". Cypher made a grunting sound but nodded

Well shit.