Cat In The Snake Pit

Cat in The Snake Pit

The grand city of Kirta was the centre of commerce and of technological and magical advances. It could be said it was the capital of the world of Etheria. A cloaked figure ran through the back alleys of Kirta. A storm had whipped up within the last 20 minutes. It was getting rather fierce. The figure stopped at a wall and looked both ways. A flash of lightning lit up the surroundings. There was nothing in the alley way but the cloaked figure. Thunder rumbled overhead. With speed, the figure slipped through the seemingly solid wall. The figure removed the hood to reveal a beautiful young girl with brown hair. The rain was still beating down hard outside.
“How am I doing for time, Boa?” The girl asked a muscular man named Boa.
“Very well, Kitty, our Lord will be pleased.” Boa replied to the girl now identified as Kitty, “Now, are you ready for this?”
“Of course I am, I’ve wanted this since I was 10.” Kitty replied in her usual bouncy way. Boa just laughed.
“Come, this way.” He said as he led Kitty through a mass of hallways.

A long time they walked, always in silence.
“I can’t promise you anything.” Boa said to Kitty in a solemn voice.
“What do you mean?” Kitty asked in a tone that almost mimicked his own.
“Many have gone through this and died, only four have been strong enough to survive. Lord Cobra, Viper, Python and myself.” Boa said to Kitty as they walked.
“I am ready. If I don’t make it, then I want you to tell my mother.” Kitty said as they neared a door.
“Sure thing, but I’m sure there will be no need.” Boa said as he put his hand on the door. He looked at Kitty. For a few seconds, Kitty stood unmoved, her heart pounding inside her chest, her breathing was deep. She nodded and Boa opened the door.

Inside the room was a large stone block. It was larger than Boa, who was at least twice the size of Kitty. Boa led Kitty to the block where she was to be laid for the next few hours, maybe more if need be. She lay down and almost sat back up as the cold stone touched her bare back. She resisted the urge to sit up.
“Let it begin.” Boomed a loud, authoritarian voice. Some people crowded round Kitty as she lay on the stone. Some one that looked like a doctor put a mask over her face and told her to breath deep. Ten seconds passed as she breathed this gas, her vision started to blur and fade. A familiar face stepped into view.
“Mot-“ Was all she managed before she slipped into a deep sleep.

“What’s going on?” cried Kitty’s mother frantically mere hours after it had all started, as she was being forced from the room. Kitty was convulsing and the seal was complete. She stopped dead. She did not move, she did not breathe. Boa stepped over to her as she lay there. He fumbled around for her pulse, both in her neck and her wrist. He checked her breathing.
“She's dead. I was wrong.” Boa said as a single tear rolled down his cheek, “everyone will leave her. I’ll arrange for her to be sorted myself.” He said as everyone left the room with Boa in tow.
“Is she ok?” asked Kitty’s mother as she fought back tears. Boa choked he bowed his head away from Kitty’s mother.
“I’m sorry Christie, she died.” Boa said in a low tone as he put his hand on Christie’s shoulder. No longer could she hold back the tears. She moved towards Boa as he embraced her.
“Come, let us away. You need something to take your mind of things.” Boa said as he led her away from the room where Kitty lay dead. The sun was long since set and the movement was dying down in the City of Kirta.

Morning over the city of Kirta was always a beautiful site. The storm had done little damage to the larger more sturdy buildings. The night before held sorrow for some. Those were the friends and family of Kitty Pride.
“We must make arrangements for her to be-.” A female said.
“You will hold your tongue whilsst her mother iss here, Viper.” A masked man with slit like eyes said.
“Yes my Lord.” Replied the women, known as Viper, as she looked away. Boa stood and took Christie out of the room.
“Python iss already taking care of it. Now go, you have missionsss to complete.” Lord Cobra said as he pointed towards the door. Viper stood and started towards the door.
“My Lord” Yelled Python as he slammed the door open, “its Kitty.” Lord Cobra stood; there wasn’t much that would make him stand. “She’s gone.”
“Imposssible. How could sshe?” Lord Cobra replied.

Boa led Christie to her room and sat her on her bed. Viper’s words cut into her like a knife. She broke down and cried.
“Don’t listen to her. Just calm yourself down. I’ll be near if you need me.” Boa said as he gave her a last hug and left the room. Christie reached for a draw, still sobbing. Out of the draw she pulled a picture of Kitty with a cat similar to the one that had given its life for her when she was but a few years old. Christie held the picture close to her chest. She heard movement in another room, but thought nothing of it. A few moments later, she felt an arm about her shoulder.
“What’s wrong?” An eerily familiar voice said. Christie jumped up, dropping the picture to the ground. She looked at the owner of the voice.
“No, this can’t be?” she said in confusion.
“What do you mean?” asked the voice.
“You’re dead, you died last night.” Christie said, as she looked upon her very much alive daughter. Kitty looked very confused and then remembered what Boa had told her, about people not surviving. Her mother was right, she had died, and yet she felt like she had slept the best she ever had. She looked round at the picture of her and the cat. She picked it up. A smile crept across her face as she remembered her accident and the cat that saved her. She had become that cat.

As Boa stood outside, he heard the sound of the picture falling, and the glass breaking. He thought nothing of it.
“BOA!” yelled Christie. Without thinking he burst into the room.
“What is it?” he said before he stopped dead. He could not believe his eyes.
“Hiya Boa, sleep well?” Kitty said as she beamed a huge smile at him.
“By the gods, you’re alive.” Boa said as he embraced her.
“I think I should see Lord Cobra.” Kitty said as she pushed Boa away after a few moments. Boa nodded and led the way.

Lord Cobra had been sitting on his own since he sent Viper and Python to find the missing body. They’d been gone a while now and he was starting to get annoyed. They had their ways of dealing with their dead and just letting a dead body go missing was not it. He sat thinking about all the possible explanations, but came up with none. He even resorted to thinking about more magical means. These thoughts of magic didn’t get far before Boa disturbed him as he burst into the room.
“My Lord, you will never believe what you are about to see.”
“If it iss more unbelievable than a dead body going misssing, then you’re right.” Lord Cobra said as he just sat there waiting. Boa just stood to the side and put his arm out towards the door. To Lord Cobra’s surprise, Kitty walked through the door.
“In all my yearsss I have never ssseen a human that can risse from death. I ssee great things in your future, Kitty. It givesss me great sssatissfaction, to accept you as a Blood-eyesss Ssssnake.” Lord Cobra said with a smile on his face.
“Welcome to the cult.” Boa said as he turned to Kitty.
“Tomorrow, ssshe will ssstart her real training.” Lord Cobra said before he stood and walked over to her. He took her hand and bowed to her.

Cat in The Snake Pit: Cat Vs Snake

Kitty Pride stood blindfolded in the middle of a large room, various training implements stood about the room. Currently, there hung a string of five pendulums. Each pendulum was weighted with a giant crescent-shaped blade at its base. The edge was no more than 1.5 feet from the floor. Kitty just stood listening to the near silence, not moving, barely even breathing. She could hear each swing of the blade. She could hear that not only were they swinging, but also with each swing they got closer to the ground. She waited until they sounded like they were ascending with each swing and made a guess at the lowest point. She guessed, quite accurately, that they reached their lowest at around eight inches from the ground. She waited. The closest pendulum started its downward swing, her ears picked up. She leapt forward as soon as she heard the pendulum swing by. As she landed, she quickly pulled her head back. She felt the cold steel brush against her nose. She felt slightly shaken but kept her cool. She realised, not for the first time, what a danger emotions could be in her line of work. She quickly stood so as not to place any other part of her in line with the blades. She listened more intently and could distinctly hear four more pendulums ahead of her and the first behind. Each one swung out of sync with the others. At first, there was no discernable pattern.
“Issn’t sshe doing well.” Lord Cobra said as he and Python watched Kitty Pride train.
“Indeed. For someone with emotion such as hers, she does very well.” Python said as he watched in awe as she made it passed the remaining blades.
“Sspar with her. Sshow her what it meanss to be a Blood-Eyess Ssnake.” Lord Cobra ordered. Python bowed low. He straightened up and walked into the large training room. He clapped as he walked, getting Kitty’s attention.
“Python, how long have you been watching?” she asked with slight embarrassment.
“Long enough. Most assassins would learn to ignore emotion by the time they reach your current stage. Yet you… you let your emotions fuel you. You’re focused within your emotions, whereas I am focused without. Our lord is watching and he wants us to spar.” Python said almost analysing her style.
“Spar? What for?” Kitty asked, now getting rather confused and nervous. She had never had to face another member of the Blood-Eyes before.
“For two reasons. One, you have your emotion, and I have none. Two, you don’t want to be out of shape when HE shows up.” Python said, emphasising ‘he’.
“HE is just a story that my mother used to tell me to make me behave.” Kitty hissed, her cat-like side showing through her voice.
“I’ve met him. He is a monster. He is immune to our venom, but not through the same process as us.” Python said as he dropped into a fighting stance. He looked at Kitty, who seemed to be mulling over the existence of their mortal enemy. The one that she had been told about in stories of old. Could such a being really exist? Could he really be a human? Only time would tell.
“Fine, but don’t go easy on me ‘cause I’m a girl.” Kitty chided as she dropped into what looked like a dance, Capoiera.
“This will be interesting.” Said Python as he lunged for her, his tonfa at the ready. With amazing speed, she slung her whip out. She hissed as he ducked, missing him by mere inches. She withdrew the whip and pulled it taught between her two hands. He closed the gap fast as he whipped his tonfa round to her left, it span in his hands to give an extra kick. With almost equal speed, Kitty brought her taught whip round, blocking the attack. Before she could finish her block, she kicked out with her left leg with enough force to push him back several feet. He fell to the floor. He stood up and rubbed his bruised midriff.
“Very good, but you’re a Blood-Eyes now, use your abilities.” Python said as he faded almost from sight. Kitty, too, used the technique known as ethereal phase.

Lord Cobra sat and watched as a female approached him.
“Such a display.” Said the female.
“Yess, sshe hass impressed me in her short time here. I hope you will do the ssame Ssidewinder.” Lord Cobra said in his usual snake-like way.
“I aim to please, my lord. The way she moves, it’s fluidic.” Sidewinder remarked.
“Sshe is a sspecial one. You have not been told sshe died while receiving the sseal.” Lord Cobra replied, watching as the two combatants faded almost from sight. He was surprised even more when Kitty faded out more than Python.
’Probably due to the natural sstealth of a cat.’ Lord Cobra thought, even when thinking he hissed like the snake he was.
“I should leave.” Sidewinder said as she backed up to the door and bowed low. Lord Cobra said nothing but replied simply with his raise hand.

“Very good Kitty, it seems that you have more mastery over these techniques than I thought.” Said Python as he returned to his normal self. Kitty faded back into sight.
“Thanks Python, I had a good teacher.” Kitty said as she approached Python. She extended her hand to Python and passed right through him. She felt someone behind her but did not move. The Python ahead of her vanished as another Python went to grab her from behind. To Python’s surprise, he passed right through Kitty.
“GOTCHA!” she shouted as she leapt on him from behind, causing him to fall to the ground.
“You learn very quick indeed.” Said Python as he struggled to get free.
“Do you concede?” Kitty asked mockingly.
“Don’t think yourself better than me just because you got the better of me this time.” Python snapped in reply. He struggled in feign to get up, it seemed that Kitty was stronger than she appeared.
“Concede.” Kitty said, not so mockingly this time. Python stopped struggling and waited for her to get off. She obliged and moved away from him quickly. Python got up slowly and delicately.
“I applaud you once again, Ms Pride. But you have yet to learn all the techniques of the Blood-Eyes.” Python said, trying to avoid any repeats of previous attempts at the true Blood-Eyes form.
“Hopefully you can teach me.” Kitty said with a playful tone to her voice. She clasped her hands together in front of her and began to sway her body left and right.
“Now, now Kitty, you know that won’t work on me.” Python said, recognising her acting as an attempt to flirt with him.
“You’re no fun.” Kitty said pouting as she put her foot down forcibly. She span on her heels and left the training room. As she pulled the door open and went to step through it, she almost knocked over a girl, not much younger than herself.
“Excuse me.” The girl said meekly.
“Sorry Aiko.” Said a rather embarrassed Kitty. Aiko Getsumei had been her friend since the cult took her in. Aiko’s family had been killed in a war over ten years previous; it was then that the cult took her in. they had been her family for as long as she had known.
“Oh, it’s you, Kitty. How’s the training going?” Aiko asked in her usual manner that seemed almost shy.
“It’s going great, I just floored Python,” Kitty said as she laughed, “see ya around.”
“See you later.” Aiko said as she watched Kitty bound off down the corridor.

Cat in the Snake Pit: HIM

The city of Kirta, now almost completely ruins. The Blood-Eyes could be seen jumping from rooftop to rooftop, from alleyway to alleyway. Dead bodies littered the streets, misshapen bodies of their former selves. Almost an entire city poisoned. The Blood-Eyes were making their way towards a large holy building, a dark, if slightly pale, menacing figure standing atop the spire. A platinum haired ‘demon’ was he. Not very well built, but not to be underestimated. In his hands was a young woman, struggling and crying. He laughed a laugh that echoed throughout Kirta, sending a chill down the spines of the Blood-Eyes.

Kitty flew through the air, almost not making the next building. She scrambled up and got her footing. She looked down into the alley; she was higher than she thought. She shuddered slightly; this was not the time to fail the cult. She stole a quick look at the positions of the rest. Lord Cobra was at ground level, moving quickly towards the ‘demon’. Python was out of sight, possibly on the other side of a building. Viper had faded, becoming almost invisible in the shadow. Sidewinder was moving quickly and silently along some opposite buildings. Boa was moving along the ground on the outside of the building Kitty, herself, was on. Aiko, Kitty looked round, but could not see Aiko. For the moment, she was overwhelmed with the sense that she needed to find Aiko for the plan to be successful. She shook it off and disregarded that thought, the downside to emotion. This thought threw Kitty, she had completely forgotten the plan. It was as if she wasn’t even told the plan. This she shook off, as she did the previous thought. She looked towards her target, standing there as plain as he appeared in her vision a few days earlier.

Kitty felt weird, like she wasn’t supposed to be there. In fact, she felt like no one was supposed to be there. She felt she knew this place; after all, it was her home. Was, but isn’t. She felt very confused. The city of Kirta felt alien to her. The day melted into a stormy night, melted as quick as an ice cube under a litre of thermite, that is to say it literally exploded. She was no longer on the rooftop she was just on. She, along with Lord Cobra, Boa and Python, stood surrounding Him.
“Yeah.” He said as he glanced at those surrounding him. He glanced at the figure in his clutches, he held her over the edge, a long drop to the ground below.
“Let her go, Ombre.” Said Boa in a calm voice that suggested he was anything but calm. Ombre looked at him, then at his catch. He shrugged and opened his hand. Thunder crashed around them as brilliant beams of electric arcing and splitting from sky to ground lighted up the sky. At the moment Ombre let the woman go, Kitty leapt passed him and out towards the woman. She grabbed at her whip and used it to grab a nearby stone statue. The whip let her fall a bit further before she stopped and swung back up towards the roof.

Upwards she swung, the rooftop coming down to met her. It didn’t stop until she was as far above it as she had been below it. She landed heavily, as far as cats go, and was horrified by the sight. Lord Cobra lay dead; Boa was bleeding his poisonous blood everywhere and Python… She clasped her hand to her mouth stifling a cry or terror. Her friends and family lay dead around her. She saw Python’s body, before some movement just over the edge of the roof caught her eye. Python looked straight at her. A strange sensation overwhelmed her as she realised it was just Python’s head rolling of the roof. Something snapped inside her as she reached for her right hip. She touched her seal, but it wasn’t there. She began to panic; all she had now were her basic skills, something not to be left alone with when faced with him.
“Six down, one to go.” Ombre said with a sneer as he starred deeply into Kitty. He framed his face with his weapons, Lune and Etoile as he grinned an evil malicious grin. Kitty stepped back, trying to increase the distance between them, giving her time to think. She looked up and he was there, not where he was standing before, but in her face. She fell from the roof; she looked up at Ombre, shrinking away from her as he laughed his maniacal laugh. She twisted herself round, ready to hit the floor at any time. The floor rushed up towards her as she braced herself. Moments before she hit the floor, it opened up into a deep dark hole. She flailed for the edge as it slipped away from her. Soon she was enveloped in darkness. There was nothing.

Kitty sat up, her breath heavy and rapid, sweat beaded down her face, her heart pounding. She felt cold. She grabbed for her covers but they weren’t there. A few moments she sat in her bed, still in a sleepy state. She felt herself shake from both fear and cold. She brought her knees up to her chest and hugged them. Tears rolled down her face as she hoped that it was all just a dream and not a vision of something yet to come. She spotted her covers at the foot of her bed. As she grabbed them, she pulled them over her beautiful naked body and soon lapsed into a dreamless, yet troubled, sleep.

Cat in The Snake Pit: Wild Emotions: Part 1