An Unexpected Friendship

“Ahhh this seems like a nice place to stay for a while” Scaire said as he wandered up the street of a small village, looking for a place to stay for the night, admiring a small pub. “I could use a good drink”. Jax is what you would call a half hell hound, hunting down and killing the soldiers from the TFC, a government funded military group whose sole purpose is to hunt down and kill any creature with daemon or angelic wings. He had been traveling for months, abiding in one location no more than a few nights before moving on. With a firm push to the door, he entered the dimly lit room filled with smoke and the hustle and bustle you’d expect from bar patrons. He walked over to the bar and sat down on the stool. “What can I get you” asked the barman.

“A whisky and coke please” replied Jax

“Sure thing, coming right up” He said as he grabbed a glass, scooping up a bit of ice and grabbing the bottle of whisky. “So you new in town?”

“Yeah I am, just arrived today”

“Well let me just say welcome to our humble town” said the barman as he handed Jax his drink.

“Thanks” he replied, taking a sip from his glass, letting out a slight release of breath from the strong drink, placing the glass slowly back onto the bar, refusing to release his grip.

As he sat there quietly, Jax looked over to his left and noticed a woman with wings sitting at the end of the bar. He looked back at the bar with a slight puzzled thought. He hadn’t noticed her sitting there when he walked in. He looked back up, getting ready to say something to her when he noticed her getting up, making her way out of his sight, leaving her drink at the bar. He sat there puzzled, shaking his head before returning to his drink. As he sat there, he heard footsteps approaching from behind him, not more than five minutes after the mysterious woman had departed. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the man approach the woman’s drink and drop something in it. Before Jax could react the man was gone.

What is going on? Jax thought to himself. Who was that woman and what did that guy do to her drink? As he sat there confused, the woman returned unexpectedly, sitting down on her stool, picking up her drink. Before Jax could react, the woman took a sip. "I wouldn’t drink that if I was you" he said quickly.

The woman looks at him surprisingly, confused by his behavior. "And why would that be" she asked puzzled.

"Because some guy came by and dropped something in it, by my guess a sex drug of some kind"

"Really?" she replied in a sarcastic tone. “And so you think I should buy another drink then?”

"Yeah really” he replied firmly back. “What you don’t believe me?"

"No I don’t believe you. For all i know you could just be making it up just so I would go home with you for your kindness"

"You think what!?” he replied surprisingly “I’m not making this up but if you wanna keep drinking it then be my guest but don’t say I didn’t warn you" turning back to his drink and taking a quick sip.

Without an answer, she lifts her glass to her lips and drank the lot in one go. She licked her lips, turning to Jax with a sarcastic smile, pausing for a minute. "Hmm....I think you were right it was spiked but ah well," The woman stood up slowly, walking over to Jax leaning in and whispering quietly in his ear "Tell me who did it"

Jax thought for a moment. There’s no harm in telling her who it was but she shrugged it off like it was nothing. I am curious to see what happens next. He pointed to the man who was now standing with a small group of people, replying with a stern "it was him"

"Thank you" she replied, standing up and slowly stepping away towards the man. She stopped, turning around and facing Jax. "I’m Bethany by the way"

"I’m Jax” he replied, surprised by her change in behavior. “It’s a pleasure to meet you”

"Likewise, I’ll see you around, okay?" as she turned and made her way towards the man and started to flirt with him. The bartender walked over to Jax “Top up your drink sir?"

"Yeah sure.” He said. “Oh and can you tell me where the motel is?"

"It’s just up the street on your left. It isn’t far."

"Thanks” The bartender topped off his drink before stepping away to serve other customers. Scaire sat there for a moment reflecting on the strange events of the evening, taking a few more drinks of his whisky. As he reaches the end of the glass, he stands up, tipping the glass fully up finishing his drink, dropping his payment and a tip before stepping outside the bar, making his way up the street in search of the hotel.

As he walked up the street, he observed much of what the town had to offer. There was a small grocery store, some antique dealers, a mom and pops restaurant, all closed up for the night. At the end of the street, he could see the glow of a neon sign signaling the hotel was near. He continued to make his way to his destination, walking up to the tiny local motel. It was a small place, no more than a hundred and fifty rooms, the neon sign flickering the mundane “Vacancy”. He walked up to the glass door, pulling it open and walking up to the counter, a short lady standing behind the desk.

“May I help you sir?” she asked in a quiet voice.

“I’d like a room please, preferably one with a king bed” he stated, pulling out his wallet.

“Of course. We have on available. Smoking alright?”

“That’s fine. Do you serve breakfast?” “We don’t offer any food services here, but there’s a nice little place down the street with a great breakfast....Old West Café” she replied. “ The room will be $59 plus tax, bringing your total to $67.24.”

“That sounds good” he said handing the woman $70. “I don’t need any change.”

“Thank you. Your room will be down the hall and to the right. It is room 108” she said handing him the room key.

“Thank you” he said as he took the key and made his way down the hall, reaching his room, inserting the key and unlocking the door. He slowly opened the door, stepping into the room and turning on the light. It was a small room featuring a small bed and small fan. He kicked his boots off and plopped down on the bed with a huff. He reached up and rubbed his forehead with both paws, closing his eyes as he sat there, tired and weary from his travels, his mind still going back to the woman he met in the pub. He shook his head and stood up looking around a bit, stepping into the bathroom, taking off his closes and starting the shower.

As he stepped in, the cool water hit his back, making him shudder a bit. He stepped back to allow the water to run down his head, chest and back. It felt so refreshing and relaxing. As he washes himself he could feel the stress and tension from his travels just fade away but still the events from pub was still fresh in his mind. He rinsed off a bit more before turning the shower off, drying off a bit and headed off to bed. He had an early start in the morning.

The following morning, Jax woke to the sounds of the fellow patrons exiting their rooms. He stretched with a yawn, sitting up on the side of the bed, staring blankly at the wall before standing. It had been a good night sleep, a much needed one. He slowly got dressed, walking into the bathroom to brush his teeth and straighten his fur. He wasn’t much into looking nice, it wasn’t his style. He grabbed his wallet and key and left the room. He approached the counter where the woman had been seated, replaced by a rugged looking lad. “I’d like another night. Can I start a tab” Jax asked.

“That should be fine. What is your room?”

“108”

“Alright. I’ll start that tab starting now.” Scaire nodded and walked out of the door, making his way to the small restaurant, pushing open the door and stepping into a small yet crowded room, greeted by a waitress.

“Table for one?” she asked.

“No thank you. I’m just looking for something quick please” he stated. “Can I get some toast and coffee to go please?”

“That shouldn’t be a problem” with a nod, writing down his order and stepping back into the kitchen, returning quickly with a cup and bag. “Is that everything?”

“yes Thank you” he said handing her some money and stepping back out into the street looking around before picking a direction and slowly walking as he ate his toast and sipped his coffee. He was curious to explore the outskirts of town, looking for possible TFC hideouts and outposts.

Just outside of town was an overgrown dirt path leading into a wooded area, a perfect place to start. He pushed aside the branches of the trees as he wandered up the path, looking around for anything strange, curious to know where the path ended. He walked for about a half mile until he came upon a cave surrounded by trees, overgrown with vines and various plants. This is odd he thought. “Why would there be a cave in such a strange location. There are no mountains close to this area and this almost appears to be made not natural.” He walks up to the entrance of the cave cautiously and looks around, staying alert to any possible dangers that he could encounter. He gazed into the darkness, his eyes adjusting quickly to the darkness, his curiosity getting the best of him as he steps into the dank cave, his ears perked up, listening for any peculiar sounds.

The darkness made it difficult to see, the silence enabling him to hear undisturbed. He stopped to see if he could find anything to make a torch but there was no sign of branches or anything to burn, peaking his interest even more. “What kind of cave has nothing in it?” He continued bit by bit into the darkness, stopping periodically to mark his way, careful not to get lost.

It had been half an hour of exploring with nothing but darkness and the damp smell that you come to expect from a cave. He had wasted enough time, frustrated he decided to turn around and go back to town, hoping to find some leads. He turns back, seeing the dim light of the entrance shining from around the turns of the cave. He headed back towards the light, making a few turns he couldn’t remember making. He continues to walk, searching for the way out, but unable to locate his way. Suddenly, he spotted a light at the end of a long tunnel. “ Finally” he said to himself, with a sigh. He quickened his pace, ready to exit the cave. He reached the end of the tunnel only blinded by a bright light.

“Aaahhh...” he cried out, closing his eyes quickly, reaching up with both paws and rubbing his eyes, opening them up with a squint. Through the bright light his eyes could make out a vast, beautiful oasis. As his eyes adjusted, he gazed in awe at the lush foliage, the peaceful flow of a small stream, a pond with a waterfall no more than 50 feet high. It was nothing he had ever seen before. He couldn’t move, just gaze upon the magnificent view he had stumbled upon. "Where....where am I?" he said feeling somewhat puzzled and confused. He stood there looking over the oasis wondering on how such a beautiful place could exist so far underground and be full of wildlife. He could feel himself being drawn towards the area, stepping carefully over the rocks surrounding the area, startled when he hears a loud and firm voice from behind him. "Stop right there mister!"

He turned around slowly, looking back in the direction of the voice. "And what are you going to do if I don’t?" he said slyly.

"I could kill you but what’s the fun in that" the familiar voice of the mysterious person stated in a sarcastic tone. Curious and frustrated he didn’t recognize the voice, Scaire loudly and confidently indicated "Show yourself....who are you!"

The figure strode out into the light confidently. As the light hit her fur, Scaire was shocked to see a tall vixen, standing approximately six foot five inches tall with four tails, each a different color, red, blue, purple and black. She was covered in green fur with long blue hair, her white angelic wings folded up but the top of them sit high above her head. She was just as beautiful as the oasis he had witnessed.

He couldn’t speak only gawk upon her beauty. Suddenly three foot long Scythe blades come out of her forearms, putting up her guard "I am the guardian of this place, the protector of all you see, and if you wish to continue then you have to prove that you are worthy of abiding in this place by defeating me"

With a growl, Jax draws his sword, holding it up in defiance of her. "Fine, I will play your little game” a snarl upon his maw.

A devilish grin spreads across her face, she readied herself for an attack, each with their weapons ready. She suddenly charged in for a first strike, easily blocked by Jax’s blade, sending him back slightly. He quickly regained his footing as she attacked once more, pushing her blade against his sword with her scythe blade. Jax pushed back holding firm, digging his heels into the ground to stop himself from sliding. He looked up slowly, gazing into her eyes, abruptly remembering who the mysterious woman was. "Beth?" he asked curiously.

"That’s right Jax. I told you I’d see you again" she sarcastically replied, letting out a cackle, jumping back. "Now shall we continue or are you just going to stand there dumbfounded"

"You wanna play, we’ll play" he said and going for a strike but being rejected by a block, a fierce pain in the ribs as Beth countered with a kick. Jax stumbled and held his chest, feeling winded from the force of the kick, resting for a mere second before dodging a strike from Beth. He recovered immediately, quickly turning, swinging his sword around, slicing her across her back. “Ahh fuck!" she said with a loud moan, stumbling. She stood there for second and let out a sinister giggle. "Mmmm....yeah....that’s it give me more....more pain equals more fun” she said giggling.

Suddenly, the cut on her back begins to heal and She turns around with a devilish stare, cynically continuing "I could do this all day big boy"

"just who or more like what are you?"

She chuckled, staring at the half hellhound. "I’m your opponent and that’s all you need to know for now."

Jax readied himself for another attack, both not giving in to the other. The battle would be a long one, strikes being made on both sides, ending only when Jax held Beth on the ground with his sword against her throat.

Beth let out another soft moan. "Well done, you have defeated me. You are free to pass."

Jax continued to hold his sword to her throat, growling "How can I trust you!? What’s to say that the moment I holster my sword that you’re not going to kill me?"

"I’m not going to kill you. If I wanted to kill you, I would have done it already" she said angrily. He looked down at her, his eyes focused on her. With a sigh and huff, he slowly pulled the sword away from her, holstering it aside him and standing. "I guess you’re right" he said, reaching out to help her up. "So what is this place anyways?"

Beth retracts her scythes, reaching up and grabbing his paw as he lifts her to her feet. “This is paradise and my home" she replied softly.

He looked around at everything, gazing back into the dark hallway that led to this vast, lush area. "Well yeah but it’s in an underground cave. How can there be sunlight, wildlife and lush forests?"

"This place is a sanctuary to those that are worthy. The sunlight you see is an angelic light that allows life to flourish. I chose this place because it’s hidden away from those that would dare to destroy what I have built. No one knows about the cave or this place because it is only visible to those who are worthy."

"Okay that’s pretty cool but why me? Why am I here? What makes me worthy to be chosen? I’m far from worthy....I’ve done horrible things"

"That may be true. I’ve done bad things too and still do but they’re for the right reasons. I’m kind at heart, and I feel that you are as well"

He thought for a moment, looking down at the ground, “Well I guess so. So what about you? Tell me a bit about yourself" he replied looking up at her.

"Me..well I’m a genetically enhanced, cybernetically augmented four tailed fox"

"That’s a bit of a mouthful but that explains your unusual strength for your size. Can I ask, what do you mean by Cybernetically augmented?"

"Well I have these robots called nanobots flowing through my body, they allow me to heal, eradicate poisons, venoms, diseases and toxins."

"That explains the healing during our fight and also explains why you were not worried about your drink in the pub last night. So that ruffie had no effect on you?"

"Yep that is correct. Alcohol in general doesn’t affect on me, they just taste good"

"So what happened to that guy?" Beth smiled devilishly feeling good about what she did. "I fucked him, tortured him, and then I killed him. I figured it was only right." giggling as she finished.

Scaire looked at her shocked. "You did what!? All he did was spike your drink! Why would you kill him for that!?"

"I know but nobody fucks with me and gets away with it. Besides it was a lots of fun and it felt soo good doing it” she giggled “and besides there’s nothing like a good screw before the kill."

"Fun!? How is it that you find enjoyment from something like that!?"

She thought for a moment, answering him curiously "Hmmm...I don’t know I just do. My personality did a 180 after I spliced my DNA with a fox’s."

"Huh, so you never used to look like this?"

"no, I used to be an ordinary human but curiosity got the better of me so I started experimenting on myself” she replied confidently. “So what brings you to my humble town?"

"I was just passing through. I’m a traveler but I thought I’d stop and rest for a while"

"A traveler you say? What type of traveler wields a sword the way you do?"

"Well, more like a traveling soldier. I’m a hunter for justice, a protector as you are of this place" he replied.

"Your skills with a blade are exceptional. I can see that you enjoy a good fight. So why are you travelling?"

"I’m on a hunt for the TFC"

Bethany thought for a moment before she answered. "Oh I’ve heard of them and I’ve had my fair share of run ins with them. I can’t say they are good company."

Jax’s mood changed, a fire building inside him, showing through his eyes at the thought of them. "They’re ruthless killers and show no mercy for their victims. They deserve all evil that comes to them. Governing that you’re not dead yet I take it you have more skill than what was shown to me today"

She chuckled "You are right about that. I held back a little. They’re challenging but they’re still not as tough as others I’ve faced"

"Others? What others?" he asked questionably. Beth looked up at the light in the cave. "Would you look at the time, I gotta go. I’ll see you again."

Before Jax could say anything she was vanished, leaving him alone once more in the cave. He sat on a ledge that overlooked the oasis, discerning what had happened, thinking about the talk he had with Beth.

He sat there thinking and looking out over the oasis for what seemed like minutes, only realizing he had spent the whole day in this cave. He promptly stands to his feet and makes his way down the tunnel once more, easily finding the exit to the cave. The moon was high in the sky, the trees allowing a little light to light his way down the path. He walked quietly and unhurriedly

back to the motel, making his way to his room. He was exhausted, plopping down on the bed and quickly falling asleep.

The sunlight beamed into Jax’s room, waking him from his sleep. Sluggishly he began to pack up his few belongings, making his way to the counter to pay for his stay, handing the key to the lad behind the counter. “I’d like to check out please”

“Alright. How was your stay?” the boy asked, taking the key and pulling the file for the room.

“It was pretty good” he said with a yawn.

“Great! That will be $67.24 sir.” Scaire hand him $70 and begins to leave. “You can keep the change” stepping out of the motel into the street. He began to walk down the street, passing the small shops, reaching the edge of the town, turning to look back up the road, sighing as he turned back and continued his trek. As he journeyed down the road, he could see a familiar figure walking towards him. “Beth? What are you doing out here?”

I was going to ask you the same thing? Are you following me or are you leaving town?"

"No not following you at all....just happen to be in the same place at the same time"

"Hmm okay. So hitting the road again?"

"Yeah, unfortunately, gotta keep moving"

"Have a safe trip now, okay."

"Will do! Thanks" Scaire started to walk, turning back and quickly speaking “It was a pleasure to have met you Beth” turning once more and continued to make his way down the road. Beth looks down then shouts "Jax wait!"

Jax stopped and quickly turned around "Yeah what’s up!?" Beth pulled out a piece of paper and a pendant, she wrote something down on the paper and handed both items to him. "This is for you. If you ever need anything or you find yourself into trouble, please give me a call, okay?"

He took the paper and pendent from her, he looked at them before folding the paper and placing both items in his pocket. "Thank you Beth. I will definitely remember this” he said, smiling happily. “I guess I should be on my way. I will see you again, I’m sure” he continued before

turning and casually strolling down the road. As he walked away he couldn’t help but let out a soft and quiet chuckle to himself.

Next Chapter: Ch3