Chapter 9: Nyx The Liemur

Kaiser, Elric, and Espada sat near the stable merchant's wagon, their bodies still sore from their battle with the Chichutu warriors.

The merchant, Hargun, was a large man with a thick, unkempt beard, scarred hands, and sharp, calculating eyes. He wore a patchwork coat made of various animal furs, and a long hunting knife rested on his belt.

More importantly, he was a member of The People's Shop—a faction that controlled much of the trade in Mezolith, including weapons, rare artifacts, and mercenary contracts.

"I don't care how many people you fought off," Hargun said, arms crossed. "You want horses, you pay."

Espada leaned forward, smiling sweetly. "Come on, Hargun. Three horses? Surely, you could spare a discount for three weary travelers?"

Hargun grunted. "Horses cost 250 Genny each. You got 750 Genny?"

Espada sighed dramatically, placing a hand on her chest. "What happened to generosity, Hargun? I thought The People's Shop valued its customers?"

Hargun chuckled darkly. "Generosity don't keep my business running."

Elric smirked. "Told you haggling wouldn't work."

Espada shot him a glare before turning back to Hargun. "Fine. Then how about a trade? Maybe we do something for you, and you lower the price?"

Hargun scratched his beard, considering the offer. After a moment, he nodded. "You want a deal? Fine. I got a problem you can handle."

Hargun's expression darkened. "Something's been following my caravan."

Kaiser tensed. "A person?"

"No," Hargun replied. "A beast. A Liemur."

Elric's brow furrowed. "Liemurs? Thought they were just a myth."

Hargun snorted. "If it's a myth, then I guess a myth's been snatching people outta my camp."

Espada leaned forward, intrigued. "Describe it."

Hargun glanced around as if making sure no one else was listening. Then, in a low voice, he said, "It moves in the trees. Big, with long limbs. Its skin looks like stretched leather, and its eyes glow red in the dark. It don't kill quick—it drags people off and eats 'em slow."

Kaiser's stomach tightened.

Hargun shrugged. "You track it, kill it, and bring proof. Then we talk about your discount."

Elric cracked his knuckles. "Sounds like fun."

Espada grinned. "Let's go beast hunting, boys."

Tracking the Liemur

Night had fallen by the time they reached the outskirts of the merchant's camp. The air was unnervingly still.

Elric crouched, running his fingers through the dirt. "Tracks. Light, but fresh."

Kaiser scanned the treetops. The shadows felt unnatural, shifting unnervingly in the moonlight. Something was watching them.

"Alzalel… do you sense it?"

A whisper brushed against his mind. "It is near. And it is hungry."

Espada drew her scimitar, eyes sharp. "I don't like this. It's too quiet."

Then—a branch snapped.

Kaiser turned just in time to see a dark shape drop from the trees.

The creature landed in front of them, its body twisted and unnerving. It was tall—too tall, its limbs elongated and thin, its fingers ending in curved claws.

Its eyes glowed blood-red, unblinking. Its mouth was too wide, rows of needle-like teeth twitching as if eager to taste flesh.

It let out a shrill, distorted cry before lunging at Kaiser.

Kaiser barely dodged, rolling away as its claws raked the ground where he had just stood.

Elric swung his flail, aiming for its legs, but the Liemur jumped back with impossible agility.

Espada moved fast, Flow Thrusting toward the creature's side. But the Liemur twisted in midair, avoiding the strike entirely.

Kaiser's heart pounded. It was too fast.

Elric cursed. "Damn thing moves like a shadow."

Kaiser clenched his fists. He couldn't waste energy on Phantom Step, and Gaze required a clear opening.

Then he noticed something.

The Liemur always avoided direct attacks—but it always kept its eyes locked on its target.

He gritted his teeth. "I have an idea. Keep it distracted."

Elric and Espada nodded.

Elric charged, swinging his Water Whip to limit the Liemur's movement.

Espada struck from the opposite side, forcing it to twist and dodge.

Kaiser stepped forward.

The Liemur locked eyes with him.

That was its mistake.

Kaiser activated Gaze.

A supernatural force locked the creature in place.

The Liemur let out a horrific shriek, its body convulsing violently as it struggled against the abyss.

It was frozen. Vulnerable.

Elric didn't hesitate. His flail swung, crushing the creature's skull.

Espada delivered the final slash, her blade slicing its throat.

The Liemur collapsed. Dead.

The night air was still, the only sounds being the faint rustling of leaves and the distant crackling of the merchant's campfire.

Kaiser stood over the fallen Liemur, the tension of the battle slowly fading from his body. His breath was still uneven, his muscles sore. It had been a tough fight.

As he turned to leave, a faint whimpering noise reached his ears.

It was subtle, almost swallowed by the night. But Kaiser's senses, sharpened from years of tending to cattle in Pax Crossing, picked it up instantly.

He froze, listening carefully.

Then he heard it again—a soft, pitiful cry.

Frowning, he scanned the darkened trees until his eyes landed on a small shadow, half-hidden behind a fallen log. A baby liemur.

The creature was tiny, no bigger than a house cat. Its red eyes flickered with uncertainty, and its thin, leathery body trembled.

Its claws clutched at the bark of the log, its gaze locked onto the corpse of its mother.

Kaiser felt something twist in his chest.

He had grown up raising cattle, tending to weak calves left behind by their mothers.

This wasn't so different.

The baby was confused, scared, and completely alone.

He took a slow step forward.

The Liemur hissed, baring tiny, needle-like teeth.

Espada, who had been wiping the blood from her scimitar, raised an eyebrow. "Uh, Kaiser? What are you doing?"

Elric let out a deep sigh. "Don't tell me…"

Kaiser knelt, extending a cautious hand. "I'm not leaving it here."

The walk back to Hargun's merchant camp was uneventful—aside from the occasional amusement from Espada and Elric.

The baby Liemur clung to Kaiser's shoulder, still wary but no longer aggressive.

As they arrived, Hargun was waiting for them, arms crossed.

His eyes immediately landed on the baby Liemur.

He let out a loud, bellowing laugh. "What in the hells is that?!"

Kaiser ignored him, dropping the severed head of the adult Liemur onto the merchant's wooden table.

"The job's done. Now about that discount."

Hargun whistled, inspecting the Liemur's head. "Damn thing really was real, huh? You lot did good."

He tossed Kaiser a small leather pouch, filled with Genny. "Your payment. As for the horses, I'll knock the price down. 150 Genny each."

Espada grinned. "See? Negotiation works."

Hargun chuckled. "Yeah, yeah. But I ain't giving away freebies. You still gotta pay."

Espada tapped her chin. "You know, if you're keeping it, it needs a name."

Kaiser nodded, thinking.

"Nyx," Espada suggested.

The baby Liemur perked up slightly, blinking at him.

That settled it.

"Nyx it is," Kaiser said.