Black Hole: The Book of Iratus, Episode 62

Chapter 611

Iratus and the others back up even more and continue to look around. Several figures start scrambling all around the foreign campsite.

Iratus: "Let's just back up further out and see how they react. It was probably a bad idea to assume that this place was empty like all the others."

The group continued to back away, but soon enough, Iratus could see some of the people with fire arms, and they were taking defensive positions behind sandbags.

Iratus: "That's concerning. Let's get into the trees."

Iratus's group entered the trees with a voice behind them, yelling at their comrades.

Voice: "Don't let them escape; fire, fire!"

As Iratus, Studium, Fuligo, Bellum, Iter, and Malignitas entered into the jungle, they took cover behind some trees. Gunshots didn't ring out for a few seconds, but they did eventually come. The shots were from semi-auto fire, and they were terrible shots as they just ran their bullets into the trees.

Studium: "My ears!"

Iter: "Is this the norm out here?"

Iratus: "You tell me. I assumed we were far enough away that they wouldn't think we were raiders."

The gunshots stopped, and someone ran up to the trees. Iratus took a glance and saw a furred being, but one that was unlike any bloodforged folk he'd seen. It was similar to humans, but very faintly, with a more ape-like visage. This man came in with a Dane axe, and even getting two bolts stuck in him didn't even faze him.

Just as the brown-furred ape man came around, Iratus threw his own body against it with his blade on the neck of the being and made a draw cut. The man beast fell onto the ground, and as he did, Iratus could see another one of these ape men aim a pistol at him, which made Iratus's cat eyes fully open, and he barely dodged the bullet by, pushing himself back behind his tree.

Iratus: "Ow! Focusing hard on a single point like that hurts."

Bellum: "Dodging arrows is fun. Dodging bullets is hell."

Studium: "There is no way you can dodge bullets."

Iratus: "No, not literally."

Another hail of bullets cut into the trees.

Fuligo: "Is this really the time?"

---

Chapter 612

The gunshots ceased, and Iratus chanced a look and saw three more of those ape people running up with their own varied melee weaponry, and one of them Iratus suspected was female, though clearly, their sexual dimorphism wasn't as pronounced as that of folk or humans. Iratus was also amazed at their speed at rushing towards his group. Iratus and everyone else weren't that close to the camp, and yet these beings were able to run up on them pretty fast.

The fourth ape-person, the one Iratus cut, was still alive as Iratus made more of a lethal cut than a deadly one, allowing the man to live but be in a state where he needed medical attention soon.

The party waited for the three ape people to run into the trees and begin their own assault. Studium and Fuligo stuck one of the beings, while Iter caught the attention of another. Iratus backed up and gave the wounded man some room, but his ally ignored him and went straight for Iratus, wielding his own Shamshir, a curved saber. Iratus held out his long sword in preparation to duel the man, but the creature ran straight in, swinging his blade madly.

Iratus steadied his breath and tightened his grip on his sword. The ape-man's wild swings had great strength behind them, but they lacked precision. Iratus was slightly disappointed that he rarely got to fight enemies with any real armed martial prowess. Iratus's foe came in with an upward swing, and Iratus sidestepped it. His hair was slightly moved by the force of the blade. He countered with a quick thrust aimed at the ape-man's midsection, but the creature twisted away, using its agility to evade.

The ape man recovered quickly and swung his shamshir in a horizontal cut. Iratus brought his longsword up in a high guard, catching the blade with a solid parry. Iratus almost lost his grip at feeling the strength behind the attack, but he mustered through it.

Iratus twisted his blade around to disengage and then stepped closer to his foe to counter with a thrust. Iratus aimed for the shoulder but was riposted by his foe. Finally, the ape man started to use real fighting tactics instead of rushing in, a glint of real intelligence in his eyes.

The two circled each other, both seeking an opening. The ape-man feinted a high strike, then went in low with a sweeping, upward cut. Iratus saw the attack in time and, using his cat reflexes, hopped back and retaliated with a horizontal cut.

---

Chapter 613

The ape man was clearly not very skilled; any impressive display of martial arts was more talent than actual practice. The ape man dropped his blade and pressed his hands against his stomach as if his insides were about to fall out.

Iratus codly: "Idiot."

He turned to his friends, who had already disposed of the other two, and Bellum was about to fire on Iratus's foe until the man fell down.

Iratus: "Let's go and leave these people behind."

Malignitas: "These people attacked us first. They are clearly dangerous, as they'll kill anyone they see."

Fuligo: "You don't know that, and you can't just kill people."

Studium: "Yeah, they probably just attacked us because we were too close to their camp."

Malignitas: "We didn't do anything. If they didn't want to die, then they shouldn't have attacked us."

Bellum: "If someone resorts to killing, then they accept the consequences."

Studium had a hurt look on his face.

Studium: "Bellum. You can't kill people. I understand if it happens in battle, but this isn't right."

Iter: "This is why marrying at such a young age is a bad idea. It takes years before you see just who someone really is."

Studium: "You and the weasel girl got to sleeping together rather fast."

Iter: "I was referring to age. Procella and I got out everything that we could before going all the way."

Iratus: "Do we have to talk standing amongst them?"
 
Jestered towards the four bleeding bodies.

Fuligo: "Didn't Iter say someone was swimming out there?"

The group looked back to the beach to find another person coming out of the water.

---

Chapter 614

The being was a strange-looking thing that was also human-like, but her face was like that of a cat's, complete with a button cat nose. She was furless, had bright white hair, long ears, and had skin with a bit of a purple tent to it.

Iratus: "These four need immediate medical attention. I assume you have all of that covered."

Stranger: "And I am just supposed to trust you?"

Malignitas: "Tru- what? Lady, we have ranged weapons and have not used them. We could run you down, and we are not. Maybe I can't empathetically understand your situation, but if I were in your shoes, I'd just take the loss and gather my comrades."

Iter: "Would you now?"

Iratus: "For the love of smelted silver, just grab them; they are literally bleeding out."

After a few minutes, the four ape men were put in their beds, with the skin person wrapping their wounds in bandages.

Stina: "My name is Stina Johnsson, by the way."

Iratus: "Hm?"

Stina: "We might as well get on introductions."

Iratus and the group would introduce themselves.

Malignitas: "You people really should work on your matters. Do you shoot at anyone that comes into view?"

Fuligo: "Don't be rude."

Stina: "Look at this world; it is so dangerous with violent people and monsters all around. Can you really blame us for attacking potential threats?"

Bellum: "Yes, actually. Iratus here has crafted a small village worth of people by talking to people. We may have walked up to your camp site, but we didn't get close to it, so I have to ask, How did any of you even gather up to this many people? Do you always shoot first?"

---

Chapter 615

Stina: "As I said, when two strangers meet where there is no security, no rules, can you really expect people to just trust each other and get along?"

Bellum: "As I said, we have been doing that."

Stina: "Then you are stupid and lucky. You all should have died long ago."

Iratus: "Only insane people wish to live forever alone. People seek civilization; they seek companionship; they seek love; and they seek to build. How long could your group live alone before you were left with nothing? I have gathered many people, and all by reaching out a hand."

Iratus then gave a sigh.

Iratus: "But yes, I have also met a few people who are simply too violent to consol, and in fact, there should still be some roaming around nearby."

Bellum: "The punks at the hospital, right."

Iter: "Hopefully they just moved on. We assumed they became conduits, but no one has seen any of that."

Stina: "Someone as naive as you can't understand the gravity of the situation in a lawless place with many people in it."

Iter: "She is starting to talk in circles now."

Iratus: "Then forget her. It is time to head home and forget this place."

Stina: "As if I'd believe that!"

Malignitas: "Is she actually stupid?"

Iter: "Unless she meant our little village of people."

Stina: "I'm not going to let you leave unless you hand back my firearms."

Malignitas: "She is stupid."

Iratus: "They are out of bullets anyway. Give them their guns back."

Bellum looking at Stina: "Look at that; your group tried to kill us, and we are not looking for any reperations. Be greatful."

---

Chapter 616

The party walked back, and when they got to the hospital, Iratus spoke up.

Iratus: "Speaking of hostile forces. Let's check in on the hospital again and see if the unwanted guests are back."

Malignitas: "Have at it. I am going home."

The one-eyed feline headed off while the rest of the group agreed to inspect the hospital with Iratus. The remaining party walked up the path to the building and inspected it to find the locks undisturbed. They went around back where there were no locks, entered the building, did a light patrol, and found nothing. They exited and started to head back home.

Iratus: "Today has been quite eventful."

Iter: "We will have to keep a lookout for these new people too."

Fuligo: "I still don't feel good fighting those people."

Bellum: "No one did. It is just a sad fact of life that there are dangerous people out there."

Studium: "And Bellum, I would like to have a conversation with you when we get home."

Bellum: "Of course. I will talk to you as much as you'd like." She finished with a tender smile.

Iter: "Were those apefolk anything like us? They spoke our common tongue."

Iratus: "Their words were quite unusual, so I could barely make anything out. But yes, I was able to understand their words, Stina too."

Bellum: "At least she spoke properly."

Iter: "It just seems weird that they too spoke our common language, and it makes me think."

Fuligo: "Like what?"

Iter: "I don't know. I feel like there was more to them than what we saw."

---

Chapter 617

On day 48, Venatio finally stripped out enough copper wiring from the locations with more advanced technology and got everything setup, and on day 50, the tower people finally got electricity. The portable solar panels and batteries, vehicle batteries, and homemade salt water and lemon batteries didn't provide much. Things like lamps were easy enough, but the extra-small mini fridge took almost all the power, leaving very little for anyone else wishing to use lights.

Venatio: "Better than nothing."

Malignitas: "Remember when that one conduit guy was like, Follow me, and my evil patron will hook us up with elecricity? Why didn't any of you speak up?"

Venatio: "I don't recall fighting that brute. Uh, the first time. Besides, I didn't find these bad boys until later."

Iratus: "I mean, we were already trying to figure out the secret of elecricity. The least we could have done is say that we were trying to reinvent electricity and would soon have it."

Venatio: "By homebrew or by my solar panels, this still isn't the paradise the conduit offered. This is mostly for the fridge; the rest of us get very little, and Last Mistake and the farm are still powerless."

As the power came on, everyone crowded around the mini fridge, stuffed with medicine and food, and many were amazed at the coolness it created.

Aestus: "That's so cool!"

Victoria: "Kind of reminds me of the cold place under the summoners tower."

The standing lamps were less impressive to everyone, as people like Aestus had already been exposed to lights.

Resonantia: "I guess it makes reading easier in the dark, but other than that, why do we need light?"

Ignis: "Some of us can't see in darkness, such as me, for example!"

Iratus: "Really? You have done so well so far."

Ignis: "Low-light is fine, but anytime complete darkness was around us, we used flashlights."

Victoria: "The wildlife in the dark always had enough light that even those who couldn't see in the dark could see pretty well."

Ignis: "For me, perhaps, though I cannot say the same for humans. I've never asked a human about it, but I suspect the light still isn't enough."

Iratus: "Pah, imagine having such terrible night vision."

Ignis: "Regardless, I like some lighting around at night."

---

Chapter 618

On day 60, Iratus and a few of the others tried to find more animals to try to tame. They found some turkeys as well as more water buffalo, and while they didn't make any progress, the group now knows about the animals staying close by.

On day 68, Iratus was at Last Mistake, helping everyone do more repairs to the houses around them.

Iratus: "Why are you repairing this town anyway? It is hardly inhabited."

Victoria: "And why are we not tearing it all down for materials?"

Venatio: "Don't ask me. I am just here at the smithery."

Salvos: "We better be getting paid for all of this."

The wolf man held up a board while Iratus hammered a nail into it, fixing the roof of one of the houses.

Leitmotif: "Is there anything I can do?"

Deficio: "If you are able, you can pick up some of the smaller stones. Just don't overdo it; pregnant women should do very little labor."

Confodere: "The lady will be fine. Now, can we get to the real reason everyone was gathered up?"

Malignitas: "I was told this was the reason. You people can't keep yanking my chain like if this isn't why you are making me work."

Deficio: "For the record, we have torn down several buildings and cannibalized them to make most of these repairs. As for why we are really here, Confodere,"

Confodere: "What? Didn't you say something about making some repairs and then traveling somewhere?"

Malignitas: "Pass. I ain't going anywhere today."

Deficio: "I may have wanted some help making repairs, but I said nothing about more tasks."

This continued for a little while until most of the people there started to smell someone coming.

---

Chapter 619

Several wide-eyed travelers were starting to walk inside the Last Mistake. Iratus and the others walked out, but stood near cover just in case. Upon seeing the strangers, Iratus saw the familiar face of Stina; this time she wore a ragged hide and leather armor, which, from Iratus's view, must be like sucide in the blazing heat of the tropics. There were another four travelers, and none of them were the ape men.

The first of the strangers was a female Foxfolk with a sleek and agile figure and russet fur, wearing a short flowing robe and intricately embroidered vests. Around her neck hung a pendant carved with some sort of rune. She was armed with a pair of slender, curved blades that shimmered with a new sheen, each etched with motifs of swirling foxes. 

The second was a male leopardfolk with a muscular and powerful build, with his golden fur having those signature leopard spots. He wore lightweight, flexible armor made from interwoven materials resembling scaled leather, and he carried a long, elegantly curved bow crafted from a rare wood. 

The third was a male sharkfolk who was stout and muscular, with gray-blue skin and blue eyes. Around his waist hung a belt adorned with various pouches containing various medicines. Other than that, he wore blue shorts. He also had a weapon, a spear made from well-made steel.

The last stranger was a tanukifolk woman who was fit and athletic like the others but still had a bit of fat in her form. Her fur ranged from brown to grey, adorned with a distinctive raccoon-like mask and a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. She wore digital-age clothes, hers being blue jeans and a dark green tank top. She wielded a wooden staff and had multiple knives on her belt.

Iratus: "Sorry, this town is already spoken for."

Sharkfolk: "Ah, sorry friend, we will just, uh, be on our way."

Malignitas looking at the leopard: "Kinsman."

Leopardfolk to the feline: "And what are you supposed to be?"

Iratus: "Just another cat."

The leopard gave Iratus a glare.

Leopardfolk: "Mouse."

Malignitas: "That's ethnist."

Tanukifolk: "But he is a big mouse person."

Iratus: "I'm fine with being called a mouse, but I am a cat. I have cat eyes, cat claws on my toes, and other things."

---

Chapter 620

Iratus: "Stina Johnsson, good to see you again. What about your former apefolk?"

Stina: "Apeman, they were crafted from clay like humans and nixman like myself, not from blood like folk."

Sharkfolk: "You know these guys?"

Stina: "I did say the camp was attacked, did I not?"

Malignitas: "Hey, you better not be spreading rumors about us. I already get enough crap from these guys."

Stina: "So, is this where your village lives?"

Iratus: "Only some of them. Now, what about the apeman?"

Stina: "They are not my allies. I had a debt to pay, and after stitching them up, I left."

Malignitas: "Then what is with these people? You were already too paranoid to meet new people."

Tanukifolk: "Stina and I were friends before I lost her. Then these three here I just met on the road."

Iratus and Malignitas stared at Stina with some anger in their eyes.

Stina: "It's not my fault. All of you folk are stupid and naïve. I couldn't do anything."

Deficio: "Those who follow the true word of God will always find each other and therefore have no fear of meeting fellow believers."

Leopardfolk: "Ah, you are a priest. This is great news."

Stina: "Ah, so you are all religious nut jobs, huh?"

She threw her hands into the air, having had enough of the conversation.

Iratus: "I don't know how non-religious people would meet in this world, but for people like us, a kinsman in God says enough to know what you are getting into."

Malignitas: "Sure, I'd rather meet with religious people than not, but even then, sometimes people are just people no matter what they believe in."

---

EPISDOE 62: END

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Episode 62 End Character Sheet
Name: Iratus Lionheart
Species: Mousefolk
Age: 16
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, bronze breastplate
Weapons: long sword, 3 knifes, short sword, hammer, 1 dagger
Equipment: belt, belt bag, water skin, leathercraft backpack, 2 bags, 5 copper coins, 1 small silver bricks, 20 silver coins, 30 gold coins

Wounds: none

Relevant Community Stash: a fire starter, whetstone, several leather items, 2 glass jar, 12 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, 68 cloaks and other clothing materials, some fabrics, 4 carts, 4 stitched tents, skin drum, beautiful arts of tropical scenery, floatation devices, wildlife figures, lots of tropical clothing, ancient era hyenafolk clothes, gas generator, four flood lights

Armory: 40 short swords, 34 knifes, 19 daggers, 26 metal spears, 4 arming swords, 4 long swords, 2 extra gambeson, semi-automatic rifle (no ammo), 3 hunting traps, 6 snares, 12 backpacks, 3 katanas, 3 short katanas, crossbow, several pounds of C4
Aestus: gambeson, bronze breastplate, leather helmet, metal spear, 2 knives, short sword, bronze long sword.
Victoria: bronze breastplate, gambeson, leather helmet, metal spear, short sword, crossbow, 2 daggers, flashlight
Resonanita: steel breastplate, gambeson, metal helmet, metal spear, short sword, 1 knife, compound bow, flashlight
Ignis: bronze breastplate, gambeson, leather helmet, metal spear, crowbar, 1 knife

Treasure: 13 copper coins, 2 silver coins 12 iron coins, a tarnished silver brooch, a small ornamental figurine, a few antfolk tapestries, some antfolk art, bronze lantern, bronze idol, some jeweled trinkets, iron 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), Children's 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), Wooden Wall, Small Cabin (Venatio), Large Cabin (Winter Winds), Large Cabin (Dark Sky Family), Gravestone, Rabbit Hutches.

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, 12 survival guides, 3 technical manuals, 46 fiction novels, 11 encyclopedias, 4 dictionaries, 22 cookbooks, 2 gardening guides, 3 crafting books, 20 educational textbooks, 5 religious texts, 4 diaries

Year 2, Day 68

---

TOWER FOLK:
Iratus of House Lionheart
mouse, male, blonde fur, blonde hair, gold eyes, 6'6, age: 16, b day 350
-
Victoria Mother of House Lionheart
raccoon, female, gray fur, black hair, brown eyes, 6'3, age: 16, b day: 5
-
Aestus of clan Riversinger
otter, female, red fur, red hair, blue eyes, 6'1, age: 15, b day: 99, (preg 73 days)
-
Ignis Yang
red panda, female, reddish-brown/white fur, black hair, golden eye, 6'4, age: 16, b day: 344
-
Resonantia Diamond Heart Steel
shark, female, blue-gray hue skin, white hair, blue eyes, 6'5, age: 16, b day: 2, (preg 100 days)
---

CHILDREN:
Negligere Lionheart
shark, male, steel gray skin, white hair, gold eyes, age: 1, b day: 2
-
Ruina Lionheart
otter, female, orange fur, vibrant orange hair, blue eyes, age: 1, b day: 330
-
Gula Lionheart
red panda, male, brown fur, dark brown hair, gold eyes, age: 1, b day: 340
-
Tenacitas Lionheart
raccoon, female, silver fur, dark blonde hair, amber eyes, age: 1, b day: 345

Frustra Lionheart
raccoon, male, gray fur, blonde hair, gold eyes, age: 0, b day: 338
---

NEIGHBORS:
Venatio of Wise Storms, Mother of House Black Jewel
fox, female, red fur, red hair, brown eyes, 6'6, age: 72, b day: 299
---

WINTER WINDS CLAN:
Studium of Winter Winds
fox, male, gray fur, black hair, blue eyes, 5'8, age 13, b day: 190

Fuligo Leaf Shadow
otter, female, black fur, blonde hair, blue eyes, 5'6, age 13, b day: 245, (preg 2 days)

Bellum of House War Knuckles
cheetah, female, blonde fur, blonde hair, blue eyes, 5'11, age 14, b day: 91, (preg 38 days)
---

DARK SKY FAMILY:
Salvos Dark Sky
wolf, male, black fur, white hair, copper eyes, 6'8, age 27, b day: 66

Leitmotif Schlange
snake, female, yellow and red scales, naga bodied, gold  eyes, age 24, b day: 229, (preg 113 days)

---

(farm)
UMBRA OCEAN FAMILY:
Procella Ocean Drinker
weasel , female, blonde fur, black hair, green eyes, 6'5, age 22, b day: 207, (preg 17 days)

Iter of Sanguinem Umbra
goat, male, white fur, blonde hair, brown eyes, 6'7, age 20, b day: 334
---

(farm)
THE COBALTS:
Commercium Jade Blue Cobalt
rabbit, male, white fur, black hair, gray eyes, 6'8, age: 25, b day: 221

-
Abrasione
hyena, female, tan fur, blonde hair, gold eyes, 6'5, age: 20, b day: 4, (preg 156 days)

-
Kuxatura
hyena, male, tan fur, black hair, gold eyes, age: 1, b day: 284

---

LAST MISTAKE
Deficio
lion, male, gray fur, rich gray hair, green eyes, 6'6, age: 46, b day 111

Confodere Oculi Acuti
hyena, male, dark brown fur, black hair, gold eyes, 6'9, age 26, b day: 239

Malignitas of House Brokensand
feline, male, light black fur, light black hair, brown eyes (single eye), 6'7, age 29, b day 343