Do No Harm (story, far realm tentacle transformation)

[Lord T Hawkeye]

Rolling again!

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Chapter 6: Allies and Enemies

The smell of blood and death permeated the air as I looked around at the remains of the neogi ship and it's occupants. I had done all this? It was inconceivable to me.

?No, I couldn't help it...and they would have made me do worse things if I hadn't. I had no choice!? I said to myself as I started to walk, then realizing I was still huge and bestial looking.

I could only pray I wasn't stuck this way. To never be able to go near civilization again would be unbearable. Now that my rage had subsided, I was able to think with clarity again. I focused on my old body: No claws, no muscles, no tentacles, just my little gnomish body with my familiar red pigtailed hair. To my delight, I quickly began shrinking and my natural weapons retracted into me as I reformed my old self.

?Hmm...my coat may not be the best for our here in the wild,? I thought as I settled for a bodysuit that covered me from the neck down and a small jacket just for looks.

I then decided to climb up a nearby tree to get a better look at where I was, a simple matter when you can extend your arms of course. Looking around, I saw I was in the middle of a massive forest but relief hit me when I saw a city in the distance. It would be a few days on foot but since I could make food out of anything nearby, I didn't foresee any difficulty. At least, I didn't until I noticed several figures a short distance away heading straight for my position. They were no doubt attracted to the smoking ruin of the neogi ship. Not wanting to draw suspicion, I quickly descended from the tree and returned myself to normal shape just as they emerged. They were a small group of humans and elves, led by an elven woman with a determined air to her.

?You there!? she said, ?Explain what has transpired here!?

They were druids, that much was obvious by their garments. Now I was afraid, abberant creatures like myself long held the ire of their kind. Druids deemed them unnatural defilers of life and in most cases, that was the truth. But would they understand my position? I didn't want to find out. Not only out of fear for myself but fear of what I might be forced to do to them if they were to attack me.

?I...I was one of the slaves the neogi on this ship were carrying. They were holding some strange creature prisoner but it broke loose and caused the ship to crash. I was the only one who survived,? I explained, somewhat truthfully. I merely left out a detail or two and made sure to keep my head down so that she couldn't get a good look at my skin or eyes.

?I see,? the elf woman replied, ?This creature, what did it look like and does it still live??

?It's about the size of a troll, blade like claws, tentacles on it's back and long hair. Yes, it does still live,? I explained.

?Another abberant!? she said, ?This crash was recent, it couldn't have gotten far! You best find leave this area as quickly as possible.?

?Another?? I asked now curious.

?There have been a rash of strange mutations in various plant and animal life in these woods. We've been forced to put them down before they can do further harm but we have yet to trace the source. That is why you best be on your way. It's not safe out here,? she advised.

?I see, good luck in your hunt,? I said not wanting to waste any time.

With that, I left the druids and headed towards the city in the distance.

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I put a few hours between me and the crash site before I was finally reassured that they suspected nothing. I still wondered what I would do once I reached civilization. I was accepted in my old village because they knew me but now I was surrounded by strangers in this unfamiliar land. I could retain my basic body shape but my abberant nature was still plain to anyone who took a moment to look. Would I be chased out on sight? Would I be forced to live alone in the wild eventually being hunted by those who knew what I was? What was I anyway? If only I had some clue as to where that flesh sample had originated, I could learn it's true purpose. But would such an answer help me find a lot in life again? Would I learn how to better utilize my power? Would I only learn my purpose was a malevolent one that I couldn't escape forever?

?What am I?? I asked pleadingly up to the sky that began to grow dark, ?Am I a cure or a disease??

My thoughts were broken by a scream that came from a clearing nearby.

?Help!! Please! Somebody!!?

Acting quickly, I ran in the direction of the cry to see a small girl in a torn dress crawling frantically on the ground, showing signs of an injured leg. The reason for her terror became quickly known as the ground began to tremor violently.

?What's going on?? I thought as the earth began to bulge and crack with violent movement underneath. Just then, rocks sprayed in all directions as the source of the disturbance made itself known. A massive purple worm bigger than the largest tree around burst forth from the ground nearby. It swayed over to the side before it's end unfolded into four huge hooked teeth surrounding a gaping maw that drooled vile ichor as it roared with hunger.

?Please! Make it go away!? the girl pleaded as I stood between her and the creature.

Despite my small size, I picked her up with relative ease as I lept away from the worm's attempt to bite at us.

?Here, stay here. I'll deal with this thing,? I said as I placed her gently in some thick brush where she could hide before turning my attention back to the worm. The worm sized up it's new prey. Though lacking eyes, it could hear and smell me as well as feel my foot steps on the ground. I drew my hand blades and back tentacles as I readied myself. I at least was more confident now that I had tasted battle before.

The worm would lung at me and I would thrust myself aside with my tentacles to evade it just like a mongoose trying to tire a snake while it waited for a chance to strike. As I watched the worm's movements, I could feel my body beginning to squirm and writhe inside me eagerly. I understood, I craved this massive creature's flesh and blood just as much as it did my own. It was an unsettling thought but I couldn't let it distract me. The worm lunged at me again, this time slightly slower. This was my chance. I this time lept straight up and landed onto the worm's side, clutching onto it with my tentacles as I tried to jab my blades into it's hide. Alas, I only then found the worm's hard carapace resisted my blows as the worm furiously thrashed around, trying to throw me off.

?Ugh...if I could just...that's it!? I said as I relaxed my grip on the worm, allowing it to throw me into the air. I looked down as the worm's huge maw awaited it's meal and I made no attempt to avoid it.

The worm savored it's catch for only a moment before it began to turn it's attention to the girl who could only watch in terror as she cried. Just then, the worm hesitated and began to roar in pain as blood began to trickle from it's mouth and through cracks in it's hard shell. A second later, tentacles burst out from it's mouth as every scrap of flesh inside was swiftly picked clean from it's exoskeleton, sending it falling to the ground in an empty heap. I walked out as I retracted my claws and tentacles. The girl only watched me wide eyed. I was fully ready for her to scream in fright of me too now.

?That...that was amazing!? she said now finally smiling, ?Thank you!?

I was taken aback, it seemed the innocence of childhood worked in my favor this time.

?Oh, your leg,? I said moving over to her, ?Here, this won't hurt, I promise.?

With that, I quickly set to work on healing her broken leg. She only watched with fascination as my tendrils worked on her. It was just as I had finished up did a familiar voice catch my attention.

?You!? came the voice of the druid leader I had met before, ?Get away from her!?

They stormed out of the bushes and surrounded me with their staffs at the ready.

?So you were the aberrant after all! A fine ploy but now...? the female elf said angrily.

?No! Let her go Tilandra! She saved me!? the girl protested.

?You'll understand when you're older Lia,? Tilandra replied, ?She is a threat to the natural way of things.?

?NO!!? Lia screamed as she tried to fight past them.

?What's going on here? Lia? Is that you?? came a male voice a short distance away.

?Kyle! Over here!? Lia called out as a young human man rode out from the brush.

?Lia! Oh I'm so glad you're okay! Mother and father have been worried sick about you!?

?Kyle! That lady saved me from a monster and now Tilandra and the others are going to kill her!? Lia cried.

?Tilandra? What is the meaning of this?? he demanded.

?She is an aberrant. Her body is not of this world. I'll not risk...? Tilandra began.

?This again?? Kyle said exasperated, ?Tilandra, I understand your hatred for alien creatures due to what happened but this mad crusade of yours is going to get you in trouble one of these days. Leave her to me, I'll decide her fate.?

?You don't understand your highness! I must...?

?I'll not ask nicely again Tilandra! Leave us!? the man ordered now growing impatient.

Growling, Tilandra shot me a cruel glare before her and her druid companions lowered their weapons and walked off.

?A thousand apologies miss,? he said as he offered me his hand to bring me to my feet, ?I'm ashamed you saved my sister only to receive such an unfitting reception for it. What is your name??

?Um...Morah...your highness?? I said, unsure if I had heard Tilandra correctly.

?Yes, I am Prince Kyle and this is my sister Lia. It seems she lost her way and it's fortunate I came this way looking for her and even more so that you were here to protect her. For that, I thank you.?

?I'm just happy she's okay,? I said modestly.

?Tell me, what are you doing out in these woods alone??

?I was taken prisoner by the neogi. I only escaped when their ship crashed.?

?I see, you shouldn't be out here alone. Come, I'll take you to my castle. I'm sure you have more of that story to tell.?

I was overjoyed. My fears of being outcast seemed to have been unfounded. I happily accepted Kyle's offer as he took us both onto his horse and we rode off towards the city. Maybe here I could make a new life for myself and leave all the horrors behind me.

I would, but new ones of course would soon come to take their place.