Sabrina Cubed: Prologue
An Age Of Innocence.
The full moon slipped out from behind a cloud, illuminating the heavy dew upon the lush landscape below. The moon's bright light shone into one particular den, where it roused a very sleepy creature. Her eyes fluttered opened and she yawned, her senses telling her it was time to rise, but she really didn't want to. The hunting had been poor for the last few hunts and that aggravated her. She scanned the moonlit den and clearly made out the outline of her mate and their two cubs. She nudged him with her snout and his eyes opened. He yawned and acknowledged her. Growling softly in her throat she made him aware that she was leaving. He moved closer to the cubs and growled back understanding, then closed his eyes again, satisfying her that her cubs were safe.
She exited the den and stretched, basking in the moonlight. Her breath hung heavy in the air as it settled in front of her, then dispersed. The sun would not rise to bring forth the day for some time yet. Close by the den was her favorite scratching tree. She hurried over to it, putting her back against it and moving up and down and side to side. It was a wondrous feeling. Her mate also scratched her at times but this felt so much better. She remained there for quite awhile not wanting to leave her tiny pleasure in life but knowing she had to. They had not eaten for days and their stomachs were empty. The cubs cried themselves to sleep at night, for she had very little to give them. It was something she found hard to accept, since they had always eaten well. However today she felt that she would be successful. In fact she knew it.
A machine for killing was a good description of her, nine feet in approximate height. A massive head held rows of saber like teeth, ending with two huge fangs dropping down from the upper jaw. Three horns adorned her head, two long curved ones that started from the sides of her skull to end at the sides of her mouth. The other was a broken horn in the middle of her forehead, worn smooth over time. She remembered how her victory in that battle had made her feel alive.
Her paws were huge with retractable razor sharp claws at the tips. A set of shorter claws adorned her knuckles. These did not retract but were extremely hard and sharp. Bony plates armored her forearms almost up to her elbow, for protection in battle. These bony extrusions also protruded from her elbows and knees and were pointed like talons. More plates adorned her chest as well, providing protection of her upper chest but not covering her six breasts. They were more prominent now since she was nursing to try to save her cubs from starving to death. Her fur was of a green hue, allowing her to blend well into the natural surroundings and foliage. If you had to compare today's creatures you would have to say she resembled a giant bipedal cougar. She also had a very thick tail that ended with a combination spike and club.
Her skills as a huntress surpassed many, even her own kind, and in that she was proud. Her kind feared little and ate well but something had changed these last few days. Something was upon the wind, something she didn't know. She raised her muzzle to the air and let her nose find what she could not see. She had prided herself with knowing many scents but this was new, foreign. She followed the scent and it brought her to an outcropping of rocks. From this point she could see well into the valley. In the moonlight it was a splendor seldom seen. The scent intensified and it was heavy with woodburn.
She hated that scent. It had taken her former home and the life of one of her cubs. She took in the odor of the woodburn and tried to isolate the odd scent riding with it. It was the same scent she had caught earlier. She looked closer at the valley that spread across in front of her, and there she spotted the large strange creature. It seemed to be sleeping with its shiny back reflecting the moonlight. This was a strange beast, one she didn't know and one she needed to see closer. She knew it would take her a while to get there, so she made haste.
The jungle was her home, she lived it, felt its pain, knew all the creatures that lived in it. Knew the tasty ones and especially the ones to stay away from. Although she felt no fear, there were some creatures that were better left alone.
Dawn had not yet broken but she knew it would soon, and she hoped that the great beast still slept. The trip had taken much longer than she had thought. The scent was still strong of woodburn and she had used a lot of energy to get here, hunger assaulted her with every step. As she had hoped the great beast had not moved, in fact it seemed to be lifeless. She approached one of its massive legs; it was like nothing she had ever seen. It was as smooth as the frozen water and felt cool to the touch. It did not stir as she caressed it. "What manner of beast is this?" she thought. As she moved under its massive belly feeling its smooth underside, she heard a noise.
She darted back quickly into the forest for cover; it wasn't that she was afraid but she needed to know more about the great beast; she had to be cautious now more than ever. She moved around to where she had heard the noise originate and was truly amazed. The great beast's side was open and she could see shapes moving around inside. Its interior was illuminated like day somehow, so she held her ground and watched from the safety of the surrounding forest. Two creatures then emerged from the interior of the great beast. She had never seen their like before, similar but not. A platform descended from its belly to the ground. That seemed to be how they entered and left the beast. She now understood why the great beast did not move. It no longer had its insides to live, these creatures had beaten her to it. Her nose picked up the scent of these two creatures and it was the scent she had caught earlier crossing the wind. The two creatures seemed unconcerned about things, making noises to each other and looking at objects in their paws. The need for food was great and these two creatures, strange as they may be were excellent candidates. She watched as they moved around and, unaware of her presence, they seemed docile, harmless. Her mouth salivated, as she watched the creatures walk about. It was hard to contain herself but as any good predator she timed her attacks well. She readied herself waiting for the correct moment, then, one of the creatures turned its back to her: perfect. Without so much as a sound she launched herself at her prey.
End of Prologue.