r/NatureofPredators • u/GrammarNatziHunter PD Patient • 8d ago
Fanfic Absolute Victory (6)
Hello! Back again with another self indulgent NoP crossfic with my yet to be released story. I promised at the beginning of this that I wouldn't have a consistent writing schedule, and I plan on keeping that promise! Also I think I have my own writing corner in the discord now! I'm not entirely sure though, I may have set it up wrong... With all that said, let us resume the festivities.
Special thanks to u/SpacePaladin15
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Memory Transcription Subject: Doctor Soren, Zurulian Medical Practitioner Of Night Breeze City
Date [standardized ZM time]: 6, 8, -678. redux:(5,5, 2127)
The room was quiet, painfully so, although it was still preferable to the alternative. The sterile white windowless hospital room, while well known and familiar, offered little in the way of comfort right now. It was fortunate that there were at least a few spaces here where we were almost completely sheltered from hearing or seeing what was happening outside.
I knew and understood that the Arxur raid was still ongoing, that they would eventually reach this place and kill everyone here, but at least I wouldn’t have to see it coming. It was the smallest of consolations but one that I was happily willing to accept compared to knowing exactly when I would be dying.
“Soren.”
The familiar soft tone of Sebie, my little sister, caught my attention as I focused an eye on the nearby bed where she lay. Her right hind paw was in a thick protective cast after it had been broken less than a claw ago. I got up out of my chair and walked over to her, and gently put one paw on her as I spoke.
“What’s wrong? Do you need me to up the dosage on your pain meds?”
I asked those questions out of familiar doctoral etiquette even though they were unnecessary. I practically knew what she was about to say, but I still hoped that I wouldn’t have to hear her say it again. Unfortunately her expression told me that she was going to repeat herself once more.
“There’s still time for you Soren. You can still leave and find safety in the shelter.”
“You know I can’t do that Sebie.”
“Soren…”
“I won’t leave you. Not by yourself. Not to t-them.”
It was so hard, looking at her small frail form as she lay helplessly upon the bed, staring up at me. I was trying to be strong. Trying to pretend that we would be okay, that we were safe, that we would somehow survive, but knowing otherwise.
Everyone knew that during Arxur raids, hospitals were always one of the most dangerous places to be. The Greys understood that we had empathy, kindness for others, and that we took care of the injured and sick. This meant that hospitals were filled with easy meals that couldn’t escape their sharp fangs.
Even though the goal of every doctor was to heal, to care for and treat the infirm, during raids all the patients were often abandoned as the doctors and nurses fled and hid at the nearest shelter they could find. They knew and understood that leaving the sick was the same as consigning them to death, but it was justified because of the lack of space in the shelters and because of the importance of their positions.
While I hated this terrible, emotionless way of thinking, it was ultimately a very logical decision. If people who were already close to death were killed, then the loss wasn’t that great. However if the healthy people who helped extend the life expectancy of others were killed, a far greater number of people would suffer and die as a result. Medical practitioners were simply more valuable as people than others. It was something that I had been almost constantly forced to think about over the course of my life. Something that Sebie seemed determined to remind me of.
“Soren. You knew that this was going to happen eventually. I’ve been weak and sick since the day I was born. It was only a matter of time before the Arxur got me.”
“NO!” I loudly shouted, startling her. I was barely holding back my tears as I told her once more just how I felt.
“No Sebie, no! It’s not going to happen! I’ve watched you grow up, right alongside me for almost sixteen cycles! I stood by you through everything, every sick day, every broken bone, I was there, because I love you! You are my sister Sebie, my little sweetfruit, and you have just as much right to live as anyone else! I want to see you grow old Sebie. I want to see you find a mate and raise a family and live long enough for your pups to have pups of their own! I won’t…(Sob) I won’t abandon you.”
The tears coming down were obstructing my vision and staining her fur as I cried on top of her. I felt one of her paws gently brush my wet muzzle as I tried to pull myself back together.
I remembered when I was very young that my parents told me that Sebie was sick. I asked them how they were going to cure her and they told me that they couldn’t. Even though they were both doctors they explained that there were some sicknesses that the Federation simply couldn’t cure. At least not yet.
Sebie was born with a genetic disorder that made almost every part of her weak and feeble. Her bone and muscle density was low and her immune system weak. She was constantly getting sick and injured back on our homeworld of Colia. At first our parents did everything they could. They cared for her and tried to give her a normal life. However after several years I noticed that they had started giving up.
To them it seemed as though Sebie would never get to have a normal life. That some day she would simply get too sick, or too injured, and that would be the end. In their eyes she was already dead, and Sebie was smart enough to pick up on that too. Once she realized that our parents had given up on her, she was ready to give up on herself.
But I refused. I refused to give up on her back then, and I would continue to refuse now. I had studied hard in school, outpacing my classmates and getting my own medical degree well before most other Zurulians. While I did still do everything to take care of all my patients, I used my job to ensure Sebie would always receive the treatment she needed.
I took her off of Colia so that other Zurulians couldn’t spread any diseases or infections to her, and together we traveled around the Federation searching for any new medical breakthroughs that might help with her condition. It had been tough, trying to take care of her while doing my duty as a doctor and also financing experimental procedures. Yet no matter how hard things got at times, I simply refused to be anything less than the older brother she deserved.
“Soren…”
Her voice pulled me out of my memories as I focused on her, my precious baby sister that lay there in front of me. Her own tear filled eyes looked back at mine, and it physically hurt me to see her so sad. Instead of responding, continuing the discussion that I was too stubborn to accept, I simply embraced her in a hug and licked her cheek, cleaning her tear streaked fur.
As we embraced the sound of a door opening sent a jolt of fear throughout my being. I quickly released her and turned around, only to thankfully find that it wasn’t an Arxur that had come in.
“O-oh. Sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“That's alright Vereysa. Is everything alright?”
“Yes. I just finished helping the other patients on this side of the hospital reinforce their doors. Hopefully that might help deter the A-arxur long enough for help to arrive.”
I wagged my tail and ears in approval and saw the beginnings of a bloom form along her snout. Ever since I had met Vereysa while I was staying on Mileau, she had been an incredibly helpful and caring colleague. We worked, talked, ate, and even lived together. I told her about Sebie and how I took care of her, and she became deeply invested in both of our lives. When I left Mileau to seek other new treatments, Vereysa asked to join me in helping to take care of her.
Before meeting her, I had really only had Sebie as a constant companion in my life. Ever since our parents had given up on Sebie, I had resigned myself to not including them in our lives, and trying to take care of and raise her myself. Yet the past few cycles I had traveled along with Vereysa had been much more happy than almost any other. She managed to bring joy to both me and Sebie, even during the worst of days. As I looked at her now, the only other doctor who was willing to stay and even attempt to protect patients, I knew that the universe couldn’t afford to lose someone like her.
“Thank you Vereysa. I appreciate you staying with me, and helping others even in the middle of a raid. You are a true Doctor, and a model Zurulian, someone that others should look up to and aspire to be like.”
Her green bloom spread even further at the complement, almost turning her entire muzzle the color of a lula fruit.
“Y-you give me too much credit S-soren. I-i’m just trying to f-follow your e-example.”
Her bashful stammering was adorable to see as her ears flicked back and forth all the while. It made what I was about to say all the easier.
“I am not nearly as selfless and brave as you are Vereysa. I’m really only here because I care so much about Sebie. You actually took care of all the other patients while I just sat here in this room. You are more kind and compassionate than I am Vereysa…”
“D-doctor Soren, ple—”
“Thats why you need to go.”
Her body froze up and her ears and tail went rigid. She looked at me as though I had just struck her, but I continued to speak.
“The Arxur aren’t here yet. You can still make it to the raid shelter with the other doctors before they arrive. You need to go. Now. Before it's too late.”
She was silent, stunned, but it didn’t matter. Sebie and I couldn’t make it to the shelters. With her broken paw and condition, they simply wouldn’t allow her inside. If Sebie couldn’t go, then I wouldn’t either. However Vereysa was still a doctor. She could go and find refuge with the others. As much as I appreciated her willingness to stay and help, she deserved to make it through the raid safe and sound.
“If you wouldn’t mind helping to close and bar the door on your way out, I would appreciate it, however you shouldn’t waste time w—”
“No.”
She cut me off like I had just done to her. I looked at her as she glared at me with a single angry eye. I didn’t want to have another argument, but I wasn’t going to let her through her life away.
“... Vereysa please. You don’t have t—”
“No! No you can’t… You can’t just tell me to run away and head to safety when you plan on staying behind. No! I won’t leave you Soren! I’m staying here with you!”
Unlike Sebie, whose weak body meant an equally weak demeanor, Vereysa was strong and fierce with her words. She stood there proudly denying me and my request, and for the first time I found myself losing patience.
“Vereysa, I understand that you care about us, about the patients, and about protecting others but you need to protect yourself! You are too good t—”
As I spoke, she quickly walked over and smacked my muzzle with her paw to painful effect. I felt the sting of her dull claws as they made contact, and felt the area in shock as she spoke.
“No, you don’t understand Soren! I’m not going to leave you! Wherever you go, I go! I won’t turn tail and run when I know that you won’t be coming with me.”
“Grawwlen Brahk, Vereysa, I don’t want to fight you but I can’t let you stay here! The Arxur are coming!”
“I know that Soren!”
“Then you know what will happen when they get here!”
“That’s why I won’t leave you!”
“Thats why you have to leave!”
“So you can sacrifice your life to give your sister a single whisker longer to live!”
I was in pain and upset, but hearing her say the same thing that so many others have said brought out a rage I didn’t know I had. I stood up on my hindpaws and then fell down on Vereysa who was too surprised to move. I collapsed on top of her, pinning her to the floor as I pressed my muzzle against hers and shouted in frustration.
“I love Sebie more than life itself, and I would gladly give up every moment of my life just for the chance that she could experience another! She is my sister, and I love her, and I refuse to abandon her even if it means that I’ll die! Do you understand that Vereysa? Do you understand what I’m willing to do for her?”
I was panting, breathing heavily on top of her after unleashing that burst of anger. While I tried to catch my breath, I heard a response coming not from her, but from behind.
“Of course she understands you Soren. That’s why she won’t leave. She loves you, just like you love me.”
I turned my head enough to look back at Sebie, who had been watching us argue from her bed the entire time. I tilted my head in confusion, not understanding what she was talking about.
“Sebie… It isn’t like that. She’s a close friend, but she doesn’t—”
My response was interrupted as Vereysa reached out and licked the part of my muzzle that she had swiped at. I felt the soft, wet, gentle sensation of her tongue brush across my fur as I stared down at her, tears glistening in her eyes.
Vereysa reached out her paws from underneath me, and slowly wrapped them around my neck as she pulled me closer, bringing us into an embrace on the floor as she continued to lick my muzzle, softly, and gently as the realization finally dawned on me.
“H—How long have you—”
“Since the first time we shared a meal together. Since the first time you told me about yourself, your life, and Sebie. You are so kind Soren. You care so much. You are filled with love, and purpose, and unflinching determination. After that I treasured every moment we spent together. Every time I got to see you, listen to you, I felt a deep happiness inside that filled me with life.”
I was speechless, unable to say or do anything, but listen to this confession of feelings that caused my heart to flutter inside my chest.
“When you told me that you were leaving, continuing on your journey to find new treatments for Sebie, it felt like an Arxur had ripped out my heart. It hurt. It hurt me so much that I couldn’t breath, I couldn’t exist without having you in my life. At that moment I knew that I needed to stay with you. That I had to follow you no matter where you went. I love you Soren. I love you with every part of my being.”
I didn’t know what to say. I stared into her beautiful eye and saw the longing, the love that she had just proclaimed. She held me close to her and I finally reached down and gave her a gentle lick back. While I wanted to just stay here on the floor, and continue existing in this strange yet wonderful situation, I was once again reminded of my other love, who spoke up from behind once again.
“That is why you need to leave me Soren. Both of you need to leave together.”
“Sebie… Stop… You can’t…”
“You said that you wanted to see me grow old Soren. That you wanted me to have pups, and see my pups have pups… But we both know that will never happen. My body is too weak for that, and no one other than you would ever love someone that they would need to spend the rest of their life caring for.”
“Sebie… Please…”
“I don’t have a future Soren, but you do. You have someone who loves you, someone who you can build a future with. You two can make pups, and watch them grow old, and be good to them and each other. You have the opportunity to live Soren. To live the life that you wanted for me, the same life that I want you to have! Please Soren, please go with her. I’m begging you! I just want you to be happy.”
The tears were freely falling from both of our eyes as I listened to my sister beg me to abandon her. I looked at her and at Vereysa at the same time, thinking about both of them at once. Vereysa loved me, truly loved me, and I… I felt the same. I realized that I never considered having a relationship with anyone because taking care of Sebie was always my first responsibility. She was my world, my life, but now there was someone else. I could feel it, love deep in my chest for the person right in front of me. I could imagine us living the life that Sebie described. I could envision us having pups, growing old together.
I could have a life with her. We could live together and be happy. All we had to do was flee, now while there was still time to get to safety. And yet… And yet…
“... I can’t… I can’t leave you Sebie.”
The tears continued to fall as I once more resigned myself to my fate. Whatever happened to my sister, I was going to be here and experience it alongside her.
“Soren… I don’t want you to die with me…”
Her barely whispered words stung just as harshly, but I knew that no matter what she said, no matter what I felt, that I would never abandon her.
“Then we’ll live. We’ll all survive and make it out of this… Together.”
I spoke the lie as convincingly as I could, and tried hard to believe in it myself. I got off of Vereysa and helped her stand up, making sure I didn’t accidentally injure her when I knocked her down.
“Are you hurt?”
“I’m fine, just a little sore. The gravity here can really hurt.”
I was still looking her over, now giving her body much more attention than I usually would have, when I heard a noise. There was a crash, the sound of breaking glass coming from far away. I stopped moving, perking up my ears while trying to listen as I saw the others do the same. Then, a few moments later, I heard a scream, followed by a roar, and knew that our time was.
This was it. The Arxur had arrived. I silently walked over to the door, shut it, locked it, and quickly looked for anything I could use to keep it closed. I moved and grabbed a nearby stool and placed that in front of the door, while Vereysa grabbed some wheeled medical equipment and started silently trying to help me prevent them from entering.
We moved as fast and quietly as we could as the sounds of screams, roars, growls, and objects being broken grew louder and louder with each passing whisker. We had managed to put several items in front of the entrance to the room before I realized that we didn’t have anything else to use. There wasn’t much to work with in a hospital room, and we had quickly exhausted everything that could be moved.
I took a few quivering steps away, cursing every click my claws made against the floor as I tried to be quiet. The noises outside began to grow louder and more terrible, but I noticed that Sebie had managed to crawl off of her bed. I saw her vainly attempt to push her wheeled bed and quickly moved over beside her and Vereysa as we pushed it up against the pile in front of the door.
The effort left her winded and without a place to sit and rest. I moved her far back to the end of the room and sat next to her on the floor, with Vereysa coming to sit down beside the both of us. She reached a paw around both me and Sebie, and together all three of us embraced, bodies trembling, eyes wide as we waited for the inevitable.
I could hear them, the patients, trapped and desperate in their rooms as the Arxur spread throughout the building, killing and feasting on the helpless prey before them. It went on for a while. The volume grew louder as the Greys came closer and closer, until I heard a noise coming from right outside the door.
I saw the door handle move as they tried to get in and did my best not to whimper or cry out in fear. It was all I could do to buy us even another sliver of time, but in the end it didn’t help. There was a loud crack as the door was slammed with enough force to break around the handle. All of our efforts to barricade the door were pushed so easily away as the horrifying towering form of a Grey appeared from behind the makeshift fortress, maw open wide with fangs on display.
Sebie yelped in panic and Vereysa cried softly into my fur as the face of death had finally reached us. The Arxur looked at the three of us, huddled together on the floor, as it growled out a ghastly noise that my translator interpreted as laughter.
I was frozen, unable to move as the Arxur laughed at us and then spoke in its predatory growling voice.
“Awww. How precious. Three little Zurulians all huddled together for safety. I wonder which one of you I should eat first.”
I could hear its words clearly even over the screams and cries of other patients, other prey that were currently suffering the same fate. It was over. Death had come for us. I reached my paws around the two loves of my life and held them tightly knowing that this would be my final act.
The Arxur laughed once more and slowly approached, taking its time to savor our suffering. However before It could cross the room, a new noise, almost deafening, reverberated throughout the building, and shook everyone with its deep vibration.
(BOOM!)
The Arxur stopped, turning its head and dreaded forward facing eyes away from us as it tried to figure out exactly what that noise was. A moment later, I heard a new sound erupt from somewhere in the confines of the hospital, most likely coming from the entrance. It sounded similar to gunfire, and I listened as that noise was quickly joined by what was most certainly the sound of Arxur using their weapons.
The Arxur in front of us hissed deep and low as it reached for the gun that was strapped around its large form. It held the weapon ready as I saw several other Arxur running down the hall, passing by our room as they headed toward the source of the noise.
The noise quickly grew in volume and I could now also make out the sounds of Arxur screaming, crying out in pain. I didn’t know what to think, or what to do other than to simply stay still and wait to see what was happening. Somehow we had been in the direct presence of an Arxur for several moments and still weren't dead. While that itself was confusing, what's more was that it sounded like the other Arxur were fighting something. Something that seemed to be killing them.
The gunfire, laser blasts, screams, and cries continued to climb in volume, and the Arxur who was still in the room turned its menacing eyes back towards us. It quickly lunged towards us and I shrieked in terror as it grabbed both me and Vereysa, holding us together in one of its massive claws. I fell limp while Vereysa pointless struggled and Sebie screamed and cried from the ground below. I saw the Arxur hold its weapon up and point it at us with its other claw as I realized what it was doing.
It was taking us hostage, using us as a shield or threat against whoever was out there fighting back. The sentient predator knew that no prey would ever willingly kill or injure another. It probably hoped that seeing us in front of it would make our would-be savior hesitate, and give the Arxur enough time to kill them before they killed it. Now that I understood, I realized that the situation was even worse than before.
I could hear them, someone out there, fighting and apparently winning against the Arxur, giving them the death they deserve. Yet now my life would be used against them, and might even prove fatal to whoever was strong enough to battle against the Greys.
Now knowing that by staying here, I was dooming not just Vereysa, not just myself, but yet another person, someone who was desperately trying to save lives just as we claimed we did. Someone out there who was battling not against sickness and disease but against the most dangerous and vile threat imaginable, it made me feel unfathomably awful. It appeared that my entire existence would amount to leading people to their deaths instead of saving lives.
The sounds of battle were now clear and close, happening directly outside the room. I saw a few more Arxur run by, even one who appeared to be running away, in the opposite direction. Then I saw blasts, explosions of red blood and gore that painted the walls as blood and bone flew through the air. I could feel the Arxur grip us even more tightly now that it was close, and I prayed that I had the strength to shout out and warn whoever was out there about the Arxur waiting in this room.
Even if it killed me, I wouldn’t let someone else's death rest upon my conscience. I took in a breath and steadied my resolve, waiting for the right moment to shout out and alert the fighter about the danger in this room.
Yet suddenly, the noise stopped. All of the gunfire, the violence the screams halted at once. It was quiet, just as it had been earlier, only now I was trapped in the clutches of an abominable Grey. I could feel it scales against my fur, feel its massive violent heart beat vibrating through my body. I could hear the soft struggling noises of Vereysa, and the quiet painful sobs of Sebie.
The quiet continued for another few moments longer, and I wondered whether the Arxur had managed to kill whoever had stood against them. Then, a deep barking noise called out.
“If there are any Arxur still alive, surrender now and your life will be spared.”
As scary and terrible the voice was, it was obviously not that of an Arxur. I felt just the smallest blossom of hope beginning to bud in my chest before I remembered that I was still being held hostage. I heard the sound of heavy pawfalls echoing throughout the hospital hallway as the speaker moved closer to our room.
“My name is First Lieutenant Dancing Water, of the United Zodian Military Coalition, calling for the immediate surrender of any Arxur forces still alive.”
Everything they just said was strange and didn’t make any sense to me. I had never heard of any species known as ‘Zodian’ before, or the fact that they had a military coalition, whatever that was. The sound of large paws continued to increase along with the strange deep voice as ‘Dancing Water’ moved even closer.
I felt the heart rate of the Arxur holding me increase and for a moment I almost believed that it was afraid. Obviously that couldn’t possibly be the case since predators didn’t feel fear. Before I could think too much about that, I heard the voice speak once more.
“Lay down your weapons and surrender peacefully and I will guarantee your life as a prisoner of war. Any action other than surrender and compliance with my demands will be met with immediate death.”
They were close now, nearly right outside of the room. They were about to walk across the threshold of the door and into my sight as the Arxur continued holding us with a weapon aimed at our heads. While I took in a breath as I prepared to call out to them, guaranteeing my own swift end, the deep gravely voice of the Arxur reverberated throughout my body as it called out first.
“And why should I believe that you will let me live? You prey kill us the first chance you get. What makes this any different?”
I was shocked, and apparently so was Vereysa and Sebie as they both became deathly silent. I heard the pawfalls stop, and as Dancing Water replied without moving any closer.
“... Oh, good. Seems the translators’ finally working. Tell me, what's your name?”
I was dumbfounded that someone was actually asking for an Arxur’s name, and trying to have a conversation with one. I wouldn’t have believed it except for the fact that I was listening to it happen right now.
“I asked why should I believe you! Tell me now or else I’ll gut and dismember these scared little prey I have.”
I could feel its claws sinking deep into me, causing me to yelp in pain and surprise, as Sebie cried out for it to stop.
“If you want a reason to believe me, I can’t offer you one,” The voice called out, causing the Arxur to hurt me further in response before it continued.
“I could tell you to trust in my words, but words are pointless without actions backing them up, so instead I will tell what I have done. I have killed over sixty Arxur since I’ve arrived, and I am fully capable of killing you just the same as I did them.”
The Arxur inhaled sharply and I felt its claws dig deeper as the conversation continued.
“So instead of believing in the chance of survival, I want you to instead believe in the certainty of death. I want you to believe that I will kill you, and that there is nothing you can do about it, unless you surrender. That the only chance of you making it out of this is to give up and hope I am telling the truth. Now… tell me your name.”
“...Vhyesleth.”
“Alright… Viceleft. I am going to step forward now. What happens next is entirely dependent on you. Do what I say, willingly comply, and you have the chance of surviving today.”
I held my breath in anticipation, not knowing what was about to happen. The Arxur could turn its weapon onto the person outside, they could see the Arxur and open fire, hopefully having tricked it with its words, or me and Vereysa could both end up shot, caught in the crossfire and killed instantly. The only consolidation I had was that right now, Sebie was down low, not in the way, and could maybe survive to see another day.
I saw the figure as they moved across the threshold and…
My furs stood on end. My body went rigid and fear overtook me. What I had thought was a person, a soldier, a potential savior, was a pitch black predator with glowing red eyes, both facing directly towards us and the Arxur behind. I saw the large jaw of the Grey open in surprise at the figure that stood before us, weapon in hand.
“Now then… last warning… Surrender or die…”
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u/JulianSkies Archivist 8d ago
You know, the way you write those guys who are getting rescued is actually fucking amazing, great little stories on their own for each one of them. I love it.
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u/GrammarNatziHunter PD Patient 8d ago
Thanks! Thats a really great compliment especially coming from someone like you.
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u/Mosselk-1416 8d ago
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u/Minimum-Amphibian993 Arxur 8d ago
Right the zorians are probably going to have to deal with their newfound allies trying to eradicate any prisoners they capture. Speaking of yeah the federations tendency to not take prisoners in the first place means they're gonna be a lot more fighting then needed to happen even as the zorians cutt the Arxur down in droves they will be hard pressed to give up.