Creatures Caves

Chapter One: The Disaster

Asatarou looked behind him, stiffening as he thought he heard footsteps. Nope; the only company he had were the Trappers and Bramboo canes. Good. He was alone. Turning back around, he faced what must have been the biggest, shiniest, best treasure he had ever laid eyes on.

Stepping forwards, the young Siamese stopped in front of the pulsing, blue button. The white lines so carefully engraved upon it were glowing white, and he shivered with excitement. Putting forth a well-groomed paw, he placed it upon the button and pressed with all his might.

Instantly a swirling white light engulfed him, and he tingled with happiness as he felt himself being lifted up into the air. He knew what would happen next; his head would press upon the Brain Infuser, and knowledge would pour through his head. "It's the best feeling you've ever had," Fumisogori had testified, explaining eagerly to the adolescent group the moon-show before. "You HAVE to try it." So Asatarou, being the mischievous young Norn he was, had sneaked out this moon-show to see for himself what this machine had to offer. Away from the warmth of the heat-pan... past the birth-giver... and down the lift he went, into the jungle area that was forbidden to all those except adults. But now... now, he felt as though he had been let in on a secret, a secret so wonderful that anyone who knew it would die of sheer joy.

As Asatarou's head collided with the Brain Infuser, he was suddenly aware of a presence in front of him. Looking up, he saw a figure... But this wasn't like anything he had seen before. This thing looked like a pale pink oval, with five multi-length poles of the same color jutting out from it. He swore that he had seen it before, but he just didn't know where...

Hand like Asatarou, it said. Or at least, Asatarou was aware of a voice; could it be that this thing was telepathic? And those strange words... What did they mean? "Who are you?" he ventured, the excitement suddenly turning into fear.

Hand no understand, it answered mournfully. Asatarou looked up, trying to comprehend what it was saying. Hand no speak Bibble.

Bibble! The word leapt at him like a Grendel from the shadows. That was the one word he understood from all its talk. Bibble was the name of the universal language spoken by Norns. Or at least, all those under the age of youth spoke it; all the other Norns he had seen spoke a language very similar to this one...

All at once, Asatarou felt a sharp pain in his skull. He instinctively tried to clutch at his head, but it did no good; the light around him prevented him from moving. And then, as quickly as it began, it was over.

Hand like Asatarou, it repeated. Oddly enough, this made sense to him. It translated into... what was it?... oh yes; "I, the Hand, like you a lot. I want to be your friend."

"Asatarou like Hand," he said. The Hand hovered for a moment, then without warning, dashed for him. He almost flinched, but the light immobilized him. To his relief, the Hand merely wanted to tickle him. What a relief! And it felt so good, too...

Finally, the Hand spoke in Bibble. We have shared knowledge, it said. I now know your language. Thank you...

"What?" Asatarou asked, confused as to what was happening. "What are you talking about?"

We have much to discuss... I have waited long to meet one of you, it replied, ignoring his question. I am the Hand... caretaker of the Shee Ark. I already know who you are, as you were able to find me.

"I don't understand! What makes me so special from all the other Norns?!" he demanded. "I have to know!"

Peace, little one. All will be known in due time, it soothed. You... have you not heard the legends of the Four?

"Of course I've heard of the Four," Asatarou snapped, surprised at his own fierceness. "It's a story that all Nornlings know."

Then you know that the darkness...

"Yes. Are you going to explain to me what happened or keep asking me questions about my childhood!?"

...There is no time. You must come at the next moon-show. But I warn you... it will not be easy. I sense a great doom looming over the Capillata... and that it will affect all Norns. Do you-

"HOW HARD CAN IT BE!?" he roared, frustration pouring through him. "IT'S JUST A BUTTON!!"

You are already becoming... The Hand seemed to shudder before moving on. Please promise me that you will come... Pro... mise... Before it could say any more, the Hand vanished, and Asatarou found himself landing on the ground with a THUD.

"Ouch... That smarts," he said, rubbing his sore back. "I wonder who that thing was... And what did she mean about me becoming?" He shook his head, standing up. "Oh well... I suppose that I might as well come back next moon-show. No harm in that." He started his way back up the lift, pondering over these thoughts. When he got near the heat-pan, though, he got a strong feeling of sadness. It wasn't from himself; rather, it was emnating from the heat-pan. Or at least, the huddled Norns neat is. As he approached, one of them, a Fallow doe named Aloe, looked up; Asatarou was shocked to see tears staining her face.

"What happened?" he demanded. "What's going on?"

Aloe said not a word, but only stood back so that he might see what they were surrounded around. Asatarou gasped when he saw what lay in front of him.

The Lone Shee had left three moon-shows ago on an expedition through the blue-hole; he remembered him telling him that he would be gone for a while, and would he please try not to deplete all the ship's bioenergy while he was gone? Yes, he remembered it clearly, and had anticipated his return, but not at all like this.

The Lone Shee lay in front of him, a crumpled and broken heap. His mouth was agape, as if locked in a terrible scream. But worst of all were his eyes; they looked as though they were fixed on some unseen horror before becoming clouded forever.

Asatarou felt weak, and he felt Aloe grab his arm as he fell to the ground and darkness embraced his soul for an unknown amount of time.