Macronomicon
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Chapter 141: Coward Bad
🕑 Added 2020-03-31 23:36:24 +0000 UTCLearners notes: day 15
cow·ard
/?kou(?)rd/
noun
noun: coward; plural noun: cowards. A person who lacks the courage to do or endure dangerous or unpleasant things.
Example: Ryan, who left his caste-mandated superior yet physically weaker, lumpy hooter behind is a coward. And an asshole.
But I already knew that.
Ive heard hooters call each other names and have achieved a rough understanding of derogative terms, enough so that while some derogatory terms are used as terms of endearment, the word coward has always led to a fistfight between flat hooters. It seems to imply a lack of emotional or mental strength. The mental equivalent of calling someone weak, and flat hooters do not like being called weak.
No they do not.
They also highly prize flat hooters who defend the physically weaker lumpy ones. Seeing Ryan leave his tamer behind was a rather harsh turn from the behavior Ive come to expect from flat hooters, and likely the reason behind the asshole label.
The creature appears to be natural to this plane, despite showing signs of mutation, as its appearance blended quite seamlessly into the flabby lumpy hooter with rags category, a section of the hooter demographic that no one seems to have any caution toward.
Interesting choice. I probably would have chosen to present differently to take advantage of hooter social instincts, but I can understand the reasoning for prioritizing dropping hooters guards when intending to hunt them rather than assimilate.
It also appears to be as strong or stronger than a Legend, as it destroyed Nadias physical form in a fraction of a second.
Or perhaps there was something more at play?
Requires more study.
***Magenta***
Waste not, want not.
Another stupid folk saying reverberated through Magentas head as the quiet female wriggled in her grasp, face turning red as Magentas grip cut off her breathing.
All it would take was a twitch, and she could deploy the claw hidden in her wrist, and she would sever the females pine and be done with it.
The urge to do so was nearly overpowering, as close contact with a live human was unnerving, and shed already determined the source of the Vessels unbelievable Bent regeneration.
Take out one more female, then theres one less in the world for him to draw off of. But the female was standing close by when the male mentioned the Pit, which from context, was a place to gain Breaks with minimal effort.
Magenta sighed.
The things I do for love of killing Calvin.
She raised the wriggling female to eye level, and opened her mouth in a smile. The mask of the frail old woman split apart along her jaw, revealing the gaping maw to the panicking woman.
Do you know where The Pit he spoke of is?
The woman nodded, her eyes bulging beneath Magentas grip.
Good. Take me there.
A woman stumbled out of the nearby room, covering herself and running for the exit.
Magenta broke into a grin as she watched the slow female make her way to the front of the brothel. That reminded her that there were plenty of other Bent batteries that she could remove from the equation.
Good things come to those who wait.
Get outta my head, folk sayings!
***Ryan***
Ryan sprinted down the street like a dervish, bypassing carriage that was moving far too slow. He had to get out of town. He couldnt trust that Kala bitch to not throw the book at him when everything was said and done. She thought Ryan was some kind of monster, and this was all shed need to justify having some thugs cut his head off.
Well, not today. Im a goddamn Legend. Ill make it across the desert before they I.D. the body. Ill move to Boles, captain of the guard with a solid paycheck. I might have to learn a couple words in the Bolesian, and possibly marry some slant-eyed bitch, but thats life.
Ryans mood was starting to improve as he approached the archway leading out to the desert. Hed almost made it when he had a sudden attack of conscience.
His stomach ached as though it had been stuffed with hot coals as he passed underneath the gate, and he stumbled to a halt, holding his arms around himself.
Ugh, he grunted, dropping to his knees and curling into a fetal position. The sudden wrenching pain pulled him out of his plans and back into the moment.
Dara was gone. Never coming back. And hed been the one to kill her.
Goddamnit, He thought, hot tears pouring out of his eyes and dropping onto the sandy, glass-covered road.
Hed known Dara since before theyd been thrown into the pit together. Hed always come visit her and tell her stories about all the amazing things he was going to accomplish once he was a Legend, and shed listen, wide eyed and hopeful.
Hed never particularly intended to follow through and steal her away from her life as a comfort woman, but when he was chased by the police a month ago, hed been able to think of no one better to hide him.
They found him anyway, and then theyd both been thrown in the pit. Ryan felt a little Guilt about getting Dara thrown in the pit, but what a blessing in disguise. He was finally a Legend, and at least able to keep her as his own.
Then hed gone and thrown her at a monster like a coward. Hiding behind a woman, again. Even though shed continued following him after all the shit hed fucked up
DAMNIT! Fucking coward!
Get out of the road, jackass, the carriage driver shouted with a tired voice.
Ryan pushed himself to his knees, panting as he crawled out of the way of the carriage. When he turned back toward the city, the ache in his stomach receded.
This is the right path, his nerves eased as he pushed himself to his feet, decision made. Her stared down the road. Theres a chance, a small chance, that Dara is still alive, and Im going to prove to her that Im not a goddamned coward
But first Ill get some backup. That thing was pretending to be human! It could speak! Ryan shuddered. Everyone knew the horror stories about thinking monsters. Ones that could speak.
Creatures just like that had disappeared entire towns and triggered hunts that spanned entire countries.
Definitely get backup.
***Kala***
His palms were rough as he slid them down Amandas collar, the discomfort vanishingly small compared to the fire that grew in her loins, overriding her sense of propriety.
Those heavy hands settled on her shoulders, heavy, mounting pressure that gradually drove her to her knees. She willingly surrendered, humbling herself in front of Marcuss stony figure.
She knew what he wanted, as the heat barely contained in his trousers radiated outward, warming her face. She didnt shy away from it any longer, eyes lingering on his body as she ran her fingers up her masters legs, hesitating ever so slightly as her hands approached his manhood, the blood beating through its length in time with her own frantic heartbeat.
He wanted to claim her mouth.
This was what she had been trained for. All that discomfort, for the sake of surrendering her body to this man, pleasing him in every way imaginable. Her fingers curled around the edge of the soft underclothes, dragging them slowly down, angling to free her prize from its tight confines.
Whats this? A cold voice spoke from the doorway.
Mrs. Hollander!
Amanda tried to hide, tried to flinch away from the womans gaze and the enmity it bore, but Marcuss rough hands held her as firmly in place as they ever had.
Amanda turned her gaze away from the older womans piercing eyes, unwilling to risk any further disciplining from her mistress.
Now, now, the womans voice tickled her ear as she felt her body kneel down behind her. Mrs. Hollanders breasts brushed against Amandas back, the unexpected contact sending shivers up and down her spine in waves, concentrating on the warmth radiating through her center.
I cant very well let you do this without the proper guidance, Mrs. Hollander said, her fingers sliding through Amandas hair until she grasped the teen tightly by the back of the head.
Its my job to ensure you get the right Skill for your master on your Forming Day.
Kala blinked, turning the page. Okay, now Im interested. She was halfway through the next paragraph, when things were really starting to get good, when someone said something addressed at her.
Kala effortlessly made the switch to pristine princess and glanced up at the ruling council of Uleis.
Apologies, I was reviewing the citys history. Kala lied, closing the book whose cover shed switched specifically to survive the dry meetings of state.
My lord would like to speak with the two of us in private. Kurawe, said glancing at the other members of the city council.
Murak waved him off, nose deep in paperwork and happy to be there. the rest of the men around the table looked more than happy to call it a day.
I believe weve covered enough ground today to afford a short recess. The crown prince of Uleis said, organizing his papers into an orderly stack. They grey haired man stood and cracked his back while the other bureaucrats followed his lead, pushing themselves away from the table with a sigh. One of them even pulled out a sandwich.
The fat giant gestured toward the door, and Kala followed, body tensed. She knew on the surface that the man was a zealous worshipper of Calvin, but she could never bring herself to fully trust him. Not after hed led the cultists whod thrown them to their deaths.
Whats this about? Kala whispered as they headed toward the door.
Kurawe held up a hand, a frown on his face showing he was listening to Calvins words from miles away.
I wish I could hear Calvins voice whenever I wanted
One moment.
He opened the door for her, and they stepped outside the warded room. The hallway was just as soundproofed as the rest of the council chambers, but Kurawe felt the need to whisper.
Two Nadia have been killed by something in the city. Ive been asked to provide him additional support, and you
Kala winced.
He asked you to figure out whats going on.
Oh, thank the gods. Kala didnt want to seem squeamish, but she was vehemently against the idea of sharing her Bent in that way with anyone but Calvin.
Especially when hes a giant fat old man that Im half afraid of.
Gods, thats the direction my life was going without Calvin creating absolute chaos everywhere he goes. Were it not for Calvin, she might wind up betrothed to someone just like the giant oligarch standing in front of her.
Ill get right on it.
Make excuses for me if they ask, Kurawe said with a nod before power-walking away, his tent-like clothes fluttering in the wind behind him.
Alright, Kala thought, I need to track this problem down, and quickly. If I get to the top of the palace tower and take a few puffs, I might be able to spot whatevers doing the damage as the world around me begins to fade away.
Seer was quite powerful, and if there was something really bad happening in the city that would uncover it quickly.
The doors in the hall burst open in front of Ryan as he skidded to a halt, panting and sweaty. Behind him were several Veteran palace guards raising the alarm and chasing after him.
A monster killed Nadia and its got Dara! He said between gasps, clutching his stomach and pointing down the hall. Down at the Easy Peach.
Well Sometimes the answer just falls into your lap, no mind-altering drugs required.
Kala stepped in front of Ryan and held her hand up in front of the palace guards storming in after him.
Hes one of ours, Gentlemen. Kala said, stopping the soldiers in their tracks. Hes reporting to me.
They left reluctantly, spurred on by a royal glare. Once the men had filed out of the room, she turned to Ryan. Where is it? She asked.
I just said, the Easy Peach.
Yes, but do you know where it was going?
Ummm . Ryan squinted like he was thinking really hard, then winced. It overheard me talking about The Pit, asked where it was, but I didnt tell it anything. I got right out of there.
You said it had Dara.
Yeah, so?
So she knows where The Pit is, doesnt she? Kala asked, raising a brow.
Oh. Yeah, I guess she does.
And how did it get Dara?
The creature went straight for her, like it had a purpose. Ryan lied. Kala could see the slight shifts in his behavior and expressions that gave away the lie. Hed left her there, with the monster.
Alright, lets go. Kala said, marching toward the exit. They didnt have a whole lot of time.
Arent we gonna get more people? The thing spoke, princess.
If youre a Legend, act like one. Kala said, restraining a growl as she snatched a sword out of the sheath of a nearby guardsman, tossing it to Ryan as she ran. Well get help on the way there.
R-right. I havent had a lot of official training, but I know how to hold my own in a fight. I even
Shut up. Kala said as they sprinted down the halls.
***Magenta***
The Warp gradually grew stronger as they made their way down the tunnel buried underneath the inauspicious building, pressing invisibly against Magentas skin. It was clear they were on the right track, but Magenta wasnt interested in killing her captive just yet. There might be some kind of trick to entering that the mute female was withholding.
They came across an underground labyrinth of pleasure-rooms, for the sickening purpose of allowing these apes to fornicate with greater comfort. In other rooms were cells with bands or iron attached to the walls, thick and designed to hold humans with greater than average strength.
The rooms had splotches of dried blood all over them, where torture and sadistic games must have taken place.
The implied violence against her least favorite species almost brought a smile to her face.
The mute female led her through the winding passageways, the only clue they were going the right direction was the rapidly thickening Warp in the air.
Finally they came to a thick wooden door with a hand carved on it. The mute woman quietly opened the door, and Magenta was taken aback by the wash of Warp that engulfed her, radiating outward from a pitch black hole in the ground.
So this is where the Vessel achieved his current level of strength. Just standing above the hole she could feel the saturation of Warp in her body reaching a critical level. She would Mutate again soon.
Magenta had to either control The Pit, or destroy it. Controlling it was better. A Siphon at Ones disposal on this continent would drastically improve the amount of power he could bring to bear in a short time.
Magenta knew exactly how to do it too
It just hurts my cloaca every frigging time.
Thank you for your help, Youre free to go.
As the female relaxed in her grip, Magenta drove her arm-talon through the mutes spine, rendering her floppy and boneless. The womans eyes widened in surprise, and glazed over in a matter of seconds as she bled out through the massive rent in her neck.
Magenta tossed aside the corpse and got started doing her business.
She hiked up the shawl covering her hunch and her inhuman legs, and popped a squat at the side of the hole.
I like to sing familiar songs, like my ABCs while I drop a deuce, it helps me relax.
Stupid memory bits.
With so much information torn out of human brains, there was a little bit of non-essential fluff that had made its way into her head. Mostly that took the form of folk wisdom relevant to her thoughts.
Magenta didnt really have any familiar songs that might help her relax and pass the new polyp, so she decided to make one up on the spot.
? Kill the Vessel Kill the vessel
Why does this stretching have to hurt so damned much!? A design flaw if Ive ever seen one.
? Kill the Vessal Kick him in his diiiick!
Hey, whaddya know, its working!
Plop.
The new brain polyp landed on the ground as Magenta heaved a gasp of air, happy to have finally passed the damn thing.
It was right then, in that moment of relief, that four humans kicked down the door. staring in stupid ape silence at Magenta squatting over the pulsing red lump of brain slowly putting mycelium through the mutes corpse.
Cant you see Im busy here!? Magenta demanded.
Dara! the one in the middle of the pack, the black-haired one thatd run away from her earlier, charged forward, sword raised high.
Magenta extended her arm outward to catch the mans swing before it began, then backhanded him across the room.
Four blades whipped out of the sheaths adorning the biggest humans body, and they shot toward her, hissing through the air as the other two made to attack.
Oh look, another of my targets came to me, Magenta thought as she compressed her body and dodged out of the way of the swords. She reached out and grabbed one of their handles, wrenching herself off to the side before flooding her palms with her magenta aura.
There was a brittle crack, and the force directing the sword was disconnected, allowing her to carry the blade with her as she flew through the air to the other side of the room, landing closest to her prey.
Obligingly, Nadia reacted quickly, leaping towards Magenta with her blade held ready while the grey haired one mourned the loss of his sword, wincing with his hand on his temples.
Magenta parried and brought the sword-lock in close, aiming to put her palm across the targets face, but the girl ducked out of the way with lithe grace far beyond her appearance, and tried to knock Magentas feet out from under her with a leg sweep.
Good enough, Magenta thought with a mental shrug as the summon touched her, unraveling into a burst of green smoke. Now the summon knew touching her was a sure way to get banished, fighting them would become harder.
Uh, Grant, what the Abyss was that?
No idea.
One down. Three to go.
The slender one in the silk attacked with some kind of bong.
Thats new, Magenta thought as she fought off the slender girl and her long blue pipe, bouncing around the room faster than they could keep up thanks to her inhuman design.
The most dangerous one was the grey-haired one with the swords, so Magenta methodically seized them out of the air one at a time, allowing the final sword to hit her just below the heart to force the human to commit to it.
Once she disconnected the final blade from the mans control and tossed it into the pit, she finally saw what shed been looking for: Fear.
Ive got some holdout blades, Grant said, scowling. But its not going to buy a whole lot of time. Get some backup, princess.
I dont think thats an option. The slender female said, matching Magentas stare.
Ill go get help! the coward shouted, running for a door.
Magenta was about to cut him off when he groaned, his feet coming to a halt as he clasped his stomach.
Oh, gods, whats going on? he muttered, staring down at his legs.
What the hell am I looking at? Magenta wondered as the mans legs turned back toward her, half-bent and shaking, as though against his limbs were no longer his to control.
Aghh It hurts I Cant breathe!
The black-haired male desperately gasped as he stepped forward, until his knees buckled, finally collapsing him to the ground between Magenta and her opponents.
Nng! A fountain of blood sprayed out of the humans mouth as a hand pushed the skin of his chest outward, followed by another, and a knee, and
The male exploded, his innards spilling outward as a young female climbed out of his body. Her form was covered in blood, but she looked strikingly similar to the slender girl with the battle-bong.
She even gave the wide-eyed girl a shy wave. Coward bad, She said. Help you bitches so make good thinkings of me.
The underground chamber was eerily silent for a moment.
Did I miss something? Magenta asked, raising a brow.
Comments
Just Dave
I have to admit, I SOOOO hoped that it was really Dara and a Learner/Magenta 2.0 sat up and an internal/external discussion of following the One or the Manifold Predator was had. This is good too.
Lane Heis
That moment when a hot monster girl Aliens the Asshole in the group 🥵😂. Being serious I’m wondering if Learner actually went through with the stomach parasite idea and how the fuck they got into his stomach, when they stated that they had actually kissed Ryan at some point.
Arnon Parenti
Come to my parlor, said the spider to the fly, I have warp and cookies, I lied, you are the cookies.
Chris
Battle Bong!!!
Sanairb
Why would learner count as any? You have to be the daughter of a ruler to be a princess.
I feel like learner is going to destroy magenta.
Findell
So learner joins the princess party? I wonder how many stolen princesses learner counts as.
LMAO
SunderGoldmane
I would be interested in reading a POV change to learner and its adventures while Calvin does his necessary kingdom building. You could even make the kingdom building written through learners “learning” Journal. That would make it a very compressed version of kingdom building and even let you take jabs at the tropes.
Chris
I kept thinking Dara didn't seem like she was learner, but I never thought even once that it would be Ryan or in Ryan. Yeah, that one surprised me. I am kinda pissed that I have to wait to read how learner throws down.
Macronomicon
Look forward to the next chapter on the eighth! In the meantime, I'll be resting, brainstorming, off and on the discord every now and then. My job for the next week is to find the heading of the story.
SunderGoldmane
LETS GO LEARNER!!! BANZAI!!!
Adrian Gorgey
Lmao
