Black Hole: The Book of Iratus, Episode 38

Chapter 371

Iratus tossed himself out of the darkness and was able to stand back up because the monster, the Ebony, took some time to crawl through the doorway and outside of the cabin. In the sunlight, the disgustingly ruined skin of the fox that the creature wore looked like it was already in the late stages of rot, while the bones that held the ebony's form were also starting to decay. Iratus took a defensive high guard, though his face was full of worry, while the old fox woman, Venatio, came up from behind but had to wait, seeing how brutish and strong the monster was. Off to the side, Ignis shot off a bolt from her borrowed crossbow. The first shot landed in the arm of the creature, but like always, ebonys are extremely durable and don't even bleed at first, so it didn't even give the wound a thought.

The ebony crashed down its club, which Iratus did his best to parry with his longsword, but he staggered backwards instead. Venatio finally braved the dangerous creature, slamming her baton into its leg a few times before backing off. The ebony shrugged his arm to shoo the fox woman off, but with his great mass and strength, he pounded her on her back with the breath knocked out of her.

Another bolt was shot into the ebony by Ignis while Iratus and the ebony clashed with their weapons. The ebony held out its lantern when Iratus tried to close the gap, and Iratus was surrounded in darkness, but he pushed forward to strike like he fought the first one he filled. Both hit each other, with Iratus slicing the neck of the creature and the creature slamming its bone club into the mouse boy, which pushed him away.

Iratus hobbled away enough to give some thoughts. He tried to remember the previous ebony he fought and then examined the one in front of him. He imagined the long-bone club and its potential reach. Any time he envisioned a strike, the creature's reach would catch him.

Another bolt came in but went wild.

Iratus, "He was standing still; come on!"

Ignis slightly annoyed, "Thanks for the vote of confidence."

The creature came in, a lantern held out in front of it, with Iratus trying to do his best. He tried guarding and getting tossed around; he tried countering but could calculate his strikes well enough; and finally, he tried to continually kite the creature as it seemed the safest option.

Venatio finally got enough vitality back, came up from behind the ebony, and flicked her tail to communicate. Ignis continued to fire off bolts at the ebony, and when she got a good shot off, which slammed into the neck of the beast, the other two launched their assault.

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Chapter 372

Iratus gave a stabbing thrust into the darkness, landing a hit, and then dived down to avoid the strike from the monster. Venatio tried her best to slam her baton into the creature's back knee and succeeded, but as the ebony fell on his knee, he jabbed the old woman back on her back again.

Venatio, "Ugh, I don't think I can fight anymore."

The mouse boy stood back up and got another clip in the neck, and then backed up before the creature could try to counter. Once the creature got back up, it was starting to turn to Venatio as she was crawling away.

Iratus easily took advantage of the creature's distraction by taking his blade, drawing it across the creature's neck, and finally drawing blood. The creature snapped back and tried to retaliate with the mouse boy back away before he was hit.

Iratus and the ebony returned to their dance, with Iratus taking maximum defense and retreating while the ebony relentlessly attacked. Eventually, Ignis had gone through eleven bolts, with the creature having most of them dug into its skin. Iratus started to have to take large disengages just so he could catch a few seconds of breath, possibly taking more energy than recovering.

Another bolt landed on the monster, which staggered it for a moment, which Iratus pounced on. The blade cut into the neck once again, and with a smile, Iratus began to retreat, but the second he cut the creature, it already pushed forward its club, which tapped right into Iratus's forehead.

Iratus stumbled back in shock and was in great pain. Nothing seemed to have cracked, but the pain was one of the most ungodly he felt. It was a maddening headache that could drive sane people mad.

Iratus, "Never!"

When the creature came closer and readied another strike, Iratus gave an angry glare with his eyes wide open, and his pupils expanded massivly. His anger overwhelmed him, and he dove right into the monster, and darkness by extension, with his blade sticking deep in the monster. Iratus hugged the creature closely as it maneuvered the club the best it could to strike the mouse boy, who was too angry to let a few slaps with the club stop him.

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Chapter 373

Iratus let go of his sword, pulled out a dagger, and started stabbing at the creature while using his right arm as a shield from the constant assaults from the bone club. Iratus, still shrouded in darkness, stabbed over and over again at the ebony until the creature finally used both its arms to fling the mouse boy and send him rolling on the ground. Iratus scrambled up and stood once more. Venatio managed to recover a little and managed to get back in the fight, but only for a second as she came up to toss a knife at the ebony from up close.

The ebony ignored the knife in its back as Ignis fired her last bolt at the monster, but it still stormed towards Iratus, who pulled out a second dagger. The ebony took one long step closer to Iratus, who tossed his dagger at the ebony, who couldn't dodge, and the mouse boy himself, with literal cat reflexes, used his off-hand dagger to have the club skit off of it so he could have an opening to strike. The darkness from when anyone comes near the lantern enveloped Iratus, but he ignored it as he took a step closer to the monster, right up on it, and then grabbed the dagger with both his hands and jabbed it straight up into the lower head of the ebony.

There was a second where everything was standing still before the ebony fell backwards onto the ground. Iratus retrieved his long sword and used it to stab the black goo in the lantern, which yelled and screamed like a beast as it died.

Iratus slowly transformed from bearing his teeth out of desperate anger to a more lax stature, though basically out of stamina from all the kiting and fighting. Venatio took her knife back and made sure the ebony was dead as Ignis walked up.

Ignis, "You ok, love?"

The mouse boy took a few breaths before responding.

Iratus, "Yeah. I am hurting everywhere, but I am alive."

He tried to walk towards Ignis and almost fell over for trying. He grabbed his head and tried to shake off the dizziness. Ignis came in to hug Iratus and nuzzle him.

Ignis, "Forever scary it is to watch a loved one do the duty of war and battle. Even fighting with you was too stressful for me; it was a shame for someone who went to a military school for some time."

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Chapter 374

Inside the cabin was the body of an elderly lion man who was incredibly buff, despite his tan fur having its luster fade into white and gray. Venatio mentioned that she'd bury the body to dispose of it as the group continued looking around.

Iratus, "I'll help you with that."

Ignis, "I found something. It appears to be a metal ball."

Venatio offered her hand and received the metal ball, which the fox woman took only seconds to activate by pressing a few buttons. The recording played someone who introduced themselves as Pulvis Riversinger, a person with a female voice.

Venatio unferrled the ball into an open square in the plam of her hand. The recording talked about their assertory, Aestus of clan Riversinger, and how the probe was looking for her in spite of the fact that such chances were basically zero, the probe being more of an idea than something made for a real mission.

Pulvis, "If you can, please set this probe in the sunlight and let it be free to continue to search for my ancestor."

The recording ended.

Iratus, "You want to shine this thing in Aestus's face?"

Venatio, "Don't ask me; I don't care."

Ignis, "Maybe there is some level of possibility that these people can send help to rescue us."

Venatio, "Pfft, I mean, maybe? Maybe they go; that's the Aestus; let's send a whole navel fleet to scoop her up."

Iratus, "Then it's decided; let's show Aestus this metal, electric thing."

Venatio, "I'm glad that your exposure to us outsiders has prevented you from thinking that basic technology is magic and seeing it as something normal."

Ignis, "Understanding, of course, but normal?"

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Chapter 375

Iratus took one final look at the dead lion man before sighing and traveling back to the stone tower. Back at the tower, the group debriefed the others on what happened.

Aestus, "Woh, you found a metal thing, thing?"

Iratus, "Yeah."

Iratus pulled out the probe, and the girls gathered around to examine it.

Venatio, "Leave it out in the sunlight for a while if you want it to regain enough power to do its thing."

The group waited outside for the device to recharge, waiting patiently until the probe beeped, booped, and started to float in the air. The tower folk watched in glee as the metal ball slowly floated over to Aestus, who clapped her hands in excitement.

Pulvis, "Please provide DNA."

Aestus, "Who?"

The probe stuck out a little needle.

Pulvis, "A piece of hair or saliva will do."

Aestus shrugged and spat on the little needle, and after a few boops from the orb, it flew up and flashed, making the sound that indicated it was taking pictures.

Aestus, "What was that flashy little bud?"

The small orb would then start to rise into the air and then flew off into the distance.

Resonantia, "Huh. I guess that's that."

Ignis, "I'd love to come into possession of the knowledge of which is if our Aestus is this legendary figure."

Aestus, "You know, it is kind of a funny feeling to live in a time with your siblings descendants a long time after their deaths."

Victoria, "I wonder if they'll plaster your face everywhere."

Venatio, "They'd cry to know their favorite ancestor is in this hellish place. Maybe those people can get something done, and maybe we could actually see rescue."

Iratus, "Assuming Aestus is the Aestus, right?"

Venatio, "Correct."

Iratus, "Now that that venture is complete, let's get dinner ready. I don't know about all of you, but I'm starving."

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Chapter 376

Days would pass as most monsters around were vanquished, with the ebony being the last real threat to the tower folk, and when day 221 came, the group finally got down to their next game.

Iratus, "Alright, we've all come here together to finally get down to playing my world RPG."

Resonantia took control of a tribe of a species called Kriegshetzer, which was a mythical species from where she came from. They were small, squirrel-like creatures, with their tails being thin and long, and they had sharp bones growing out at the ends of them, making them a weapon the creatures could grasp. Ignis took control of a tribe made of furless, red-skinned people she called Huo. Aestus wanted the antfolk from the art pieces the group found, while Victoria took control of some raccoonfolk.

Iratus playfully, "Boo, boring."

Victoria, "Yup, that's me, boring all the way."

Venatio also got in on the game and chose something she called fluff dragons, which had fluffy fur, a variety of horns their species can grow, from ram horns to small deer horns, and they also had a furry tail fan.

There were other species and tribes, but each person only had some control over their nation. The players didn't know where the other players were or their nations until there were direct actions against another player. Whenever someone had the time, they'd take a turn, and as a few more days passed, Iratus looked over the world map to see how everything was unfolding.

The world he created was two large continents connected by a small snake-length piece of land, with the players scattered all around. Resonantia started in a mountainous region full of valleys and mountain passes. She had been trying to create the most fortified and unconquerable nation.

Ignis's Huo tribe also lived in and around mountains, but on the other side of the world, and had been focusing on technological advancement, inventing metalworking first.

The antfolk were a very numerous species, with Aestus trying to unite them all, mostly through combat, but she had been using diplomacy and alliances to build a bulwark of allies.

Victoria's nation had focused on a little bit of everything and left no exploit unused, but this made her nation the slowest to grow for now. She also had a good starting location, which, while giving many resources, also had the disadvantage of starting with a very small tribe of people.

Finally, Venatio was doing the best out of everyone; she started with the best starting location she could make and sat on it while she focused on population growth, which had already become the most populated and prosperous.

Iratus gave a sigh of satisfaction as he wrote a few things down, his dreams of gaming becoming realized.

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Chapter 377

On day 233, Iratus came back from the summoners tower with new news.

Iratus, "Same as before, no new people."

Resonantia, "Both a terrible prospect and relief at the same time."

Iratus, "Sure, new people could be nothing but trouble, but we all agreed that we need more manpower."

Ignis, "Greatly so. Luckily the extra food prep will help a lot."

There was a spot of several couches in a circle that the group pilfered from one of the towns and Iratus sat down with the four other girls sitting down as well.

Aestus, "How have your wounds been?"

Iratus, "All healed up really."

Ignis, "I feel as though we don't have much left around our spiral. Monsters, locations, people, nothing seems left to be discovered."

Resonantia, "Mundane life is technically better then the half year of crap that's being drudging up around us."

Iratus, "And with the last ebony slain, its nothing but smooth sailing from here."

Victoria, "Considering groups of people have been sent here to kill us time and time again, we should still treat the wilderness as highly dangerous at all times."

Iratus, "That's so stressful. I really do need the help because being alone out there sucks."

Victoria, "You still got Venatio."

Iratus, "All alone,"

There were a few chuckles.

Iratus, "I think we'll just be waiting until something new happens because all the monsters around here are dead."

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Chapter 378

It was on day 253 when something new did happen. Iratus and Venatio left the summoners tower as no one had arrived in it.

Iratus, "Maybe we should expand our sign network and get more out there."

Venatio, "Normally, I'd say, I don't care, but all of this extra work has been murder on my bones."

Iratus, "At least you can be old as dirt and still be physically able."

Venatio slightly annoyed, "Gee thanks."

The pair started to head back to the dirt road.

Venatio, "I guess it's better than several other species that basically melt when they get old."

Iratus, "Or die so young. Apparently, humans dye around sixty to eighty."

The conversation continued indefinitely until they got to the dirt road and saw someone a distance away from them.

Iratus, "Huh. Is that a person way over there?"

Venatio, "Sorry, but my old as dirt eyes can't really see that far out anymore."

Iratus, "Funny. Let's walk up and see what we are dealing with."

Venatio, "Make sure there is no ambush, be wary of guns, and..."

Iratus, "Sure sure."

The pair walked closer to the figure on the road, both of them sniffing the air to make sure there weren't others nearby. Iratus could smell that the stranger was male, an adult, and a shark. Once he came closer, Iratus could see from the rough-made brigandine, metal spear, arming sword, and tin can shield that this man was probably from Victorium's former army.

Venatio was constantly searching for threats but gave up when she and Iratus stopped in front of the shark man. This shark man had dark bronze skin and fiery gold short hair.

Iratus, "Greetings, stranger."

Shark Man, "You're Iratus, right? The mouse-cat guy?"

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Chapter 379

Iratus, "That's me."

Sermo, "My name is Sermo, and I...uh...um...I'm from Victorium's warband. I mean, it's long gone now, but I was apart of it until Clamor dismantled it."

Iratus, "To be fair, it was the metalheads that dealt the most damage."

Sermo, "You aren't mad?"

He shrugged.

Sermo, "Okay. I, uh, if you could help me out for a few days."

Iratus and Venatio both raised an eyebrow.

Sermo, "I'm part of another group. They call themselves super nomads, and we are having trouble getting our wagons going. Oh, we will pay too; we have a lot of treasures I bet would be useful to your group."

Iratus, "I'm not really interested in extra work at the moment."

Sermo, "You might be interested in this. We found that ebony monster thing you and Clamor knew about."

Iratus, "Nah, we already killed the last one. I have the bronze lantern as the centerpiece of my treasure hoard."

Sermo, "I got accosted by one yesterday, so I doubt it."

Iratus, "Well, burning plains, that's bad."

Venaito, "Oh great, they multiplied again."

Iratus, "That's my line."

Sermo, "If this thing is wondering around, then surely you'd find having some warriors by your side will be helpful in killing it once and for all."

Iratus, "It'll be a new one for me. Like I've said, I've killed all the ebonies that have ruined my day."

Venaito, "Still, having another ebony around could end up catching us at a bad time."

Sermo, "And again, you'll be paid for your services."

Iratus, "Ugh, let me think about it."

Sermo, "Let me tell you about the job first."

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Chapter 380

Back at the stone tower, the girls cooked up a hearty meal for the shark man to eat, who gave out the information.

Sermo, "So all you have to do is keep watch every night and help fight if the monster appears."

Iratus, "Is it just the one, ebony?"

Resonantia, "With your large group, one shouldn't be that difficult."

Iratus, "And if we don't kill it, I'm the one who has to keep an eye out on my way back."

Victoria, "Unless it follows them, Ha!"

Sermo, "So, despite our numbers, most of us are not combatants. We only have three able bodies, and we've all been working diligently to fix our vehicle."

Venatio turned to Iratus, "If you are worried about the trip back, allow me to accompany you."

The mouse boy gave a few thoughts until Venatio continued.

Venatio, "Can you afford two of us?"

Iratus, "And leave the girls unprotected?"

Resonantia, "Teh, we'll survive love."

Venatio, "Yeah, yeah. Now about the pay, what kind of stuff can you offer?"

Sermo, "Just basic resources. Nails, paper, and oil. Coin if you really want it. extra clothes and some reading material. We also have some bullets that we can't use."

Venatio, "Guns?"

Sermo, "I don't think we'd part with one."

Iratus, "Would you really do this dangerous work for a firearm?"

The fox woman gave a wide grin.

Venatio, "Oh yeah!"

Iratus, "Hm, oh, I just remembered something. Sermo, did your group build something recently or meet a very old lion?"

The shark man blinked a few times.

Sermo, "Yes. Why do you ask?"

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EPISDOE 38: END

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Episode 38 End Character Sheet
Name: Iratus Lionheart
Species: Mousefolk
Age: 14
Coverings: blonde fur, white gambeson (many repairs, some leather patchwork), leather gloves, tactical vest, tailorcraft backpack, leather plate helmet, delicate gold chain with a small pendant shaped like a lion's glare, flashlight
Weapons: Long Sword, 3x Knifes, Short Sword
Equipment: belt, belt bag, water skin, leathercraft backpack, 2 bags, 33 oval copper coins, 6 small silver bricks, 3 gemstones, 20 fine silver coins,20 fine gold coins, metal keycard

Wounds: none

Relevant Community Stash: a fire starter, whetstone, several leather items, 2 glass jar, 12 empty bottles, 1 fish net, primitive sewing kit, a bunch of small wooden figures, wooden dice, metal scrap, lots of rusted metal, several small fish nets, sextant, some bedrolls, a tent, a large barrel, writing material, 79 cloaks and other clothing materials, some fabrics, 5 carts, 8 tattered tents, skin drum, beautiful arts of tropical scenery, floatation devices, wildlife figures, lots of tropical clothing

Armory: 10 wooden spears, 50 short swords, 53 knifes, 23 daggers, 34 metal spears, 21 rusted weapons, many armor pieces, ruined metal armor, semi-automatic rifle (no ammo), 3 hunting traps, 3 snares, 4 backpacks
Aestus: leather vest, leather helmet, metal spear, short sword
Victoria: scrap metal breastplate, leather helmet, metal spear, short sword, crossbow, flashlight
Resonanita: breastplate, metal helmet, metal spear, short sword, compound bow, flashlight
Ignis: leather helmet, metal spear, crowbar

Treasure: 62 oval copper coins, 19 oval silver coins 64 ancient metal coins, 8 fine silver coins, a tarnished silver brooch, a small ornamental figurine, a handful of sparkling glass beads, a few antfolk tapestries, some antfolk art, 46 copper lion coins, 5 silver lion coins, 4 gold lion coins, 57 wolfen metal coins, bronze lantern

Home Base, Tower: Large Storage Area (many crates, clay pots, and wooden chests), Basic Workshop Area (lots of tools, woodcarving tools, glue, sandpaper), Kitchen Area (many tools, many cutlery items, pots&pans, makeshift grill), Library, Armory, Infirmary Room (surgery tools, first aid kit, plenty of medicine and equipment), Guest Quarters, Master Bedroom (proper bedding, sensual antfolk sculpture), Six Bedrooms (proper bedding)

Outside Base: Butchering Hut (modern butchery kit, smoking rack), Tannery Hut, Underground Storage Area, Garden Area (fenced in), Tool Shed (fishing gear and supplies, trowel, woodcutting axe, woodworking tools, lots of rope, rope ladder, plows, hoes, sickles, rakes, shovels, scythes, chisels, anvils), Partially Built Wall, Small Cabin

Books: 3x woodworking books, weathered leather-bound journal, war game booklet, sketch book (from warband), Bathhouse Reviewers (entire 80 book series), cards, Fractura's Notes, Tempestas's Notes

Year 0, Day 253

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Iratus of House Lionheart
mouse		male			blonde fur, blonde hair
gold eyes		6'2 (188cm)		age: 14
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Victoria
raccoon		female		gray fur, black hair
brown eyes		6'0 (183cm)		age: 14
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Aestus of clan Riversinger
otter			female		red fur, red hair
blue eyes		5'10 (179cm)	age: 14
-
Ignis Yang			
red panda		female		reddish-brown/white fur, black hair
golden eye		6'1 (185cm)		age: 14
-
Resonantia Diamond Heart Steel
shark			female		blue-gray hue skin, white hair
blue eyes		6'1 (185cm)		age: 14
-
Venatio 
fox			female		red fur, red hair
brown eyes		female		age: 71

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