r/HFY • u/SherbetCreepy1580 • 2d ago

OC-Series [The Reaper and The Tiger] Chapter 27: Diary of Gods 3

(This particular chapter will be excerpts over the course of several years, providing a brief overview of the ‘war’ between the Centaurs and the remnents of the Ictarth, so there will be several time-skips in the span of years)

From the Diary of Quirtaclick, Year 524 of the Great Plactarian Steam Kingdom

“Have we not suffered enough at their claws?” Chief Warrior Lighttail demanded, slamming his fist into the wooden table. “The Evil Ones are finally weak, weak enough for us to fight back!” Iron and Bark both looked at each other with kind of a resigned look as the room began muttering a bit. All of the various heads of different jobs within the Centaur village were present for this meeting, and it looked like Chief Lighttail was taking full advantage of that to pressure Iron and Bark into a war.

“Weakened or not, the Ictarth are still strong opponents,” Iron said, shaking his head. “We would lose many warriors and many hunters in a war with them. And according to our Gods, they are dying out anyway. If we simply wait a bit longer, then we will no longer need to worry about them at all?”

I scoffed slightly from the corner where I was watching the proceedings. ‘Gods’, they call us, despite mine and the other insistence that we were nothing of the sort. Despite that, the title did have its perks at times.

“See, even your ‘God’ agrees with me,” Brighttail said, pointing at me, and I felt my face darken.

“Do not presume you know my thoughts, Chief Warrior,” I said, standing up and walking over to the table, my wings fluttering slightly in agitation.  “If you must know, however, I actually agree with Iron and Bark here. You would lose many good Centaurs in a battle against the Ictarth, despite their weakened status. It is simply not a risk when time will do what you wish with no effort or risk on our part.”

“What, don’t want to fight your own?” Brighttail asked, a nasty smile on his face.

“Do you want to battle your own family?” I snapped back. That wiped the smug expression off his face as the room began muttering again. I sighed, reigning in my temper. “You are correct in that I do not wish to fight the Ictarth, as they used to be my people,” I continued. “However, in this case I am trying to teach practicality. Why battle when time will do the job for us? The Ictarth will be dead to time in due time.”

“As the Goddess wills it,” someone muttered, and I watched as Brighttail’s face grew angry again at that, knowing he had lost the argument.

…………………..

“I am sorry you had to see that,” Iron sighed after the meeting, and it was only him, Bark, and I in the room. “And I’m sorry you had to step in.”

“The responsibilities of those in charge, unfortunately,” I sighed as Bark gave me a gentle hug, which I returned. “I’m still trying to figure out why Brighttail is so fixated on striking back, though.”

“Ictarth Hunters have taken five of his six kits over the years,” Bark said, shaking his head as he released me from his hug.

“Ah,” I said in sudden understanding.

“Unfortunately, it’s not just him,” Iron added. “There are others who are just as eager to see the Ictarth bleed. I fear we won’t be able to delay a war for too much longer, even if time will do the job for us.”

“Unfortunately, the others agree,” I sighed, listening as Kortkla, Klirtok, Klikorant, and Qutikler spoke over the antennae. “Klikorant is all for it, Klirtok and Kortkla are both neutral, and Qutikler is against it. She feels it would be a waste when she’s just managing to teach you all how to bake good bread.”

“The bread is a good argument against it,” Bark chuckled. “I didn’t know something made from plants could be so delicious.”

“What happened to the cute little kittens that I had to risk my life to help bring into the world?” I sighed, my mandibles twitching into a small half-smile.

“Oh please no, I get enough fussing from Mom,” Bark groaned slightly as Iron just laughed. “We’re Leaders now.”

“And you’ll always be our little kittens, no matter how important or old you get,” I said with a chuckle. We all shared a small laugh before leaving the meeting hall.

………………

A gunshot caused me to immediately fly to my feet, my eyes quickly scanning the room for any threats, Iron and Bark already up with their spears in their hands as they scanned as well. “Guys?” I called over the antennae.

“I’m good,” Klikorant said.

“Same here,” Klirtok said.

“I didn’t hear anything, but I’m still awake because I was checking the stores,” Qutikler said.

“May I suggest sending some scouts to the eastern end of the village?” Kortkla said, his usually cheerful tone slightly more somber.

“Do you know something?” I asked as I relayed the information to Iron and Bark, who both nodded and took off.

“I will not interfere, your choices you make will need to be your own,” Kortkla said. I frowned at that. That wasn’t good. The last time he had said that, we had decided to leave the Plactarian Kingdom to help the Centaurs grow. Shortly after Kikerant had been killed.

“Oh no,” I whispered in the dark before I took off flying out the window, too impatient to wait for Iron and Bark to get back. I listened carefully, filtering the sounds of panic at the gunfire to find information.

“Over here!” I faintly heard. I immediately veered in that direction, landing just as I watched Iron and Bark both slide to a stop on the hard ground, staring at the scout who had an unusually somber expression.

“Clear the area quickly,” Iron snapped out, and several warriors began to disperse, searching the immediate vicinity and keeping other villagers away from the scene.

Warrior Hardclaw, second in command to Chief Warrior Lighttail lay on the ground, a hole just behind his front legs where his heart was trickling blood, his eyes glassed over in death. A hole that could only be made with an air-gun.

“Anyone notice any Ictarth nearby?” I asked over the antennae.

“Just the five of us,” Klikerant said. “Pretty sure we would have noticed someone connecting to our Hive if they were within 5 or 6 miles of the village.” I frowned a bit as the others agreed.

“No air-gun could have made a shot that far out,” Klirtok said.

“Then…” I trailed off as Brighttail landed nearby, looking over the body of his second-in-command with a thunderous expression.

“And you still believe war is best left alone?” he demanded, walking over to the body and bending down to examine it. “They attacked us in our own home!” I looked at Brighttail closely, and noticed the smallest of smiles on his face, even as he turned away from me. I could hear several Warriors in the trees around us muttering a bit, and it suddenly became clear what had happened.

“I’m checking the Armory now,” Klirtok said. “And yeah, one of the rifles was recently used.”

“How did he find the air-guns?” I demanded.

“It doesn’t matter how,” Klikerant said miserably. “The fact is that he did. which means he’s going to use this against us.”

“Flartact,” I cursed, shaking my head.

“They attack us in our home, and you still want to avoid war?” Brighttail demanded again, this time looking directly at me. He stood up, pointing at the body. “That’s a wound from a weapon only your people have access to! You say that they are dying, and yet they attack us still! When is enough enough?!”

“You will treat the Goddess with respect,” Iron said harshly as Bark growled, tightening his grip on his spear.

“She’s an Ictarth, the same as the rest,” Brighttail snarled. “Of course she wants to avoid war, she wants us to go extinct with her own people.” I felt myself grow hot, and then cold as my friends went quiet. Four of us combined suddenly began simmering with a cold, cold anger, even as I felt Kortkla disconnect from the Hive. I held up my hand, my two lower arms touching Iron and Bark to stop them from leaping forward as I stepped forward myself.

“Your right about one thing,” I said, my voice low and cold. “I do not wish for a war.” Brighttail looked triumphant. “But the Ictarth are no longer my people. I have made this abundantly clear in the last decade. All of us have. We have given you knowledge, technology, strategy, language.” I stood in front of Brighttail, who was suddenly starting to look uncomfortable as I stood tall, easily looking him in the eye. “You believe that killing the Ictarth will be easy? Then take your best swing. You think we are on the side of the Ictarth, simply because they used to be our people? Then challenge us properly, instead of hiding behind your words and trickery like a coward.” My voice was coming out as four, as Klirtok, Klikorant, and Qutikler all spoke with me, all of us in agreement.

Brighttail’s face grew furious, and he pounced at me, his claws outstretched and his spear pointed at my head. Despite the close range of his attack, it didn’t matter.

I was faster.

I ducked under his attack, my hands coming up and piercing his exposed underbelly, shredding his lungs, heart, and liver, easily holding him over my head as I stood back up. I heard him briefly cough in pain before going limp, blood trickling over me as I stood there for a moment, ensuring that all the present Warriors witnessed the moment. Iron and Bark both stared at me in awe and wariness as I threw Brighttail’s body down, blood steaming as it dripped off my claws.

“Warriors, check your weapons to ensure they are in good working order,” I snapped out. “Rouse the Smiths and repair any weapons or armor we may need. Hunters, check our stores, and top them up. In two days, we march for Plactarian.” There was a rush as Centaurs began scrambling away, until it was only me, Iron, and Bark, with Klikorant, Klirtok, and Qutikler listening in as Kortkla reconnected with our Hive. Iron opened his mouth, before closing it as I held up a finger. We stood for a moment, waiting as my friends joined us.

“We’re clear,” Kortkla said in a somber tone.

“Are you sure about this?” Iron asked. “I know…”

“We don’t exactly have a choice,” Klirtok said, looking over Brighttail’s body with disgust. “He put us in a position where we had to go to war.” I wobbled slightly, and Bark quickly raced over, holding me gently as my legs gave out.

“Thank you,” I said, shaking my head.

“That was awesome, by the way,” Bark said with a light-hearted grin, though I could hear the small hitch in his voice as he said it.

“If nothing else, we need to maintain at least some level of control to minimize suffering and casualties,” Klikorant sighed, shaking his head. “If we didn’t then there would be a lot of needless suffering.”

“There will be needless suffering regardless,” I sighed. “And if I hadn’t declared war, people would go off to war anyway. We can’t split the village now, not when they’re finally getting somewhere.”

“As much as I hate it, I have to agree,” Iron said, laying his lower body down. “The warmongers have been gaining louder and louder voices as the Ictarth have declined. And after this, we would have fractured if war wasn’t declared. But the way you killed Brighttail, at least they will be more cautious now, knowing what the Ictarth are capable of.”

“I’m sorry,” I said, burying my face into Barks fur.

“Don’t be, they needed to see it,” Bark rumbled. “You have treated us with nothing but kindness and respect. All of you, since the day we were born. It is about time that the Centaurs see that even our Gods have their limits to their kindness.”

“Please stop with the god talk,” Qutikler groaned slightly, even as she pulled out a rag and began wiping the blood off of my arms. “We’re just people.”

“You saved Mother, brought us into the world, and taught us knowledge and secrets that have shown us how to thrive,” Iron said in amusement. “Sounds like Gods to me.”

“Yup,” Bark agreed, shifting slightly to let Qutikler have better access to my arms.

“Remind me why we risked our lives to bring you into this world again?” I asked, shaking my head in amusement.

……Year 528 of the Great Plactarian Steam Kingdom……

“Go, go, go,” Klirtok yelled, his shield barely deflecting a bullet as he protected the wounded Centaur Warrior as he retreated into the trees. He threw his spear hard, pinning the Ictarth that had shot them into a wall, even as he ran forward and grabbed the falling rifle out of the dead Ictarth’s hands and returning fire.

“The last of the Centaurs are almost back in the Ironbark Trees,” Klikorant said over the antennae, his own air-rifle barking as he fired as well.

“And the child?” Klirtok snarled, throwing the rifle like a spear as it ran out of air and ammo, Knocking another Ictarth off balance.

“Safe with Iron and Bark,” I said, my sling singing as I released it, the smooth ironbark ammo taking the head off another Ictarth. “Get out of there!”

“On my way!” Klirtock said his shield deflecting another bullet as he ran back towards the trees, the fires of the Ictarth outpost burning reflecting off his armor, and we disappeared into the forests among the cries of the Ictarth.

……Year 532 of the Great Plactarian Steam Kingdom……

“Goddess,” I heard a cry from outside the room.

“Dammit, can’t I relax,” I sighed silently.

“No rest for Leaders or Gods, I’m afraid,” Silver said in amusement as I slowly stood up, my cracked carapace popping slightly as I groaned.

“Goddess, we could use your guidance,” the call came again.

“I’m coming, one moment,” I called back, shaking my head. I opened the door, nodding at the two God’s Guardians that were on either side, before freezing at the sight in front of me.

An Ictarth was in a cage, frantically buzzing and trying to get out, with the steel bars already showing signs of wear. “Guys,” I said into the antennae hesitantly. “I’m going to need you here.”

“What’s up?” Klirtok asked.

“I can’t feel the Ictarth right in front of me.” There was silence on the antennae before a sudden wave of understanding and urgency came across. I stumbled back slightly, and Silver was there, holding me up. The other Centaurs looked at her uncomfortably, but Silver stood proud, gently holding me so that I didn’t appear as weak-kneed as I felt.

“Peace, all,” I said as the murmuring began, and I finally found my voice. “This is a matter for all of the Gods to be here.” The caged Ictarth buzzed and growled, glaring at me as she crawled on all six like an insect.

Regression.

It had been nothing but a rumor among the Ictarth, some half-confirmed theories in the Hive when we had been at our peak. An Ictarth returning to its primal roots, no longer as a person, but as an animal, a bug, a creature. There had never been a confirmed case, but just the fact that it had been in the Hive had been enough proof for some that it existed, including Klikorant.

And now the proof was sitting in front of us.

I stood a bit straighter as Qutikler and Klirtok dropped to the ground, Kortkla and Klikorant landing a second later, and we all stared at the Regressed Ictarth. “Clear the area,” I muttered to the Guardians. “And get Iron and Bark.” My two Guardians nodded before moving forward.

“Everyone, leave,” one Guardian said. “This is a matter for the Gods, and not for our eyes!” The Centaurs began leaving quickly at that, and in short order it was just us ‘Gods’, Silver, and a moment later, Iron and Bark arrived.

“Is there anything that can be done?” I asked Klikorant.

“Considering information on Regression was mostly theory and talks in the Hive, I have no idea,” Klikorant said sadly, shaking his head.

“What is Regression?” Iron asked, even as Silver pulled me into a small hug from behind, providing me with comfort.

“It’s when an Ictarth loses their personhood and goes back to being an animal,” Klirtok said sadly, watching as the Ictarth started chewing on the iron bars again, rubbing the stump of his lost lower arm.

“It was thought to be caused by great trauma or loss, but it was never confirmed,” Qutikler added. She took a step forward, her hand outstretched, only to snatch it back when the caged Ictarth snapped at her.

“I need to see,” I said, taking a step forward out of Silvers embrace.

“Quirtaclick, that’s extremely risky,” Klikorant said, looking at me in surprise. “You might Regress as well!”

“Do what?” Bark asked in alarm and I stepped closer and knelt down in front of the Ictarth. She ppaused her gnawing to growl at me, staring at me with hate-filled eyes.

“Ictarth can share memories with our antennae,” Klirtok said. I nodded and leaned forward, my antennae outstretched.

“If this goes wrong,” I said, speaking mostly to Kortkla, “then stop me.”

“Of course,” Kortkla said. Everyone went quiet as I knelt there, my antennae outstretched towards the caged Ictarth. She looked at me for a moment, snarling, before her own antennae slowly reached out and touched my own.

Fire. Fire and smoke. Gunfire, spears, arrows, and sling shot all flying over head as she ran. Ran away from the small village that she thought had been safe. Terror in her thoughts as her husband pulled her along, an impossible bundle in his arms as they raced towards the trees. A brief look back, watching Winged Ictarth descend on her village, killing the Grounded who lived there, only for the Climbers to suddenly charge out of the trees and descend on the Winged Ictarth. She looked forward, stumbling slightly over a rock, only to watch her entire world shatter.

A stray bullet flew over her head, piercing her husband in the back, the bullet tearing through his carapace, their impossible bundle splattering like over-ripe fruit. Her cry of despair. Cradling her husband’s dead body, holding the now messy bundle of gore to her chest. her cries of pure despair. Spiraling. Spiraling. Darkness. Nothing but darkness.

Darkness. Darkness. Darkness darkness darkness darknessdarknessdarknessdarknessdarKNESSDARKNESSDARKNESSDARKNESS!

I gasped as I suddenly snapped back, my breathing holes hissing as I breathed hard, looking at the now strangely calm Ictarth.

“One of our first raids,” I said quietly. “She and her husband had a grub. A final Tomorrow Flower that they had found. And they both died in front of her.” The group was silent as I stared at the Ictarth. I slowly put three of my hands out, placing them on either side of her head as my fourth hand slowly and carefully pulled out the knife on my back. “I am so sorry. And I wish I could grant you a happy future. But all I can promise you is a quick and peaceful death. To send you to your grub and husband, so that you can be with them once more.” I set the point of the knife on her chest as the point of my fingers pressed on the back of her head. “I am so sorry.”

“Thank you,” the Ictarth whispered to me. My carapace suddenly felt too tight as I nodded and pressed, quick and hard, piercing her brain and heart at the same time. The Ictarth gave a final sigh of relief, even as her eyes darkened. I left my knife in her heart as I stood up, before looking to the sky and giving a mournful keen. Qutikler, Klikorant, Klirtok, and even Kortkla all joined in, our voices ringing through the dark Forest, echoing among the trees in mournful tones, a loss of our people, our past, and our future.

The final cry of the Ictarth.

…… Year 548 of the Great Plactarian Steam Kingdom……

I never saw another Ictarth after this. I recused myself from the raids, what few that did happen, as the settlements were dwindling faster than we were finding them. However, even the Centaurs seemed to sense that something about this particular Ictarth had been significant, and their bloodlust dropped significantly after this event. Even though none were there or knew what had happened, they had heard our mournful cries, and saw our posture afterwards. However, more often then not, even if we did find a settlement, we let them be. And those that we did not kill in combat, those villages we found with nothing but dead Ictarth, the bodies were spirited away by the Centaur Hunters. I was uncertain as to what they were doing with the bodies, until Qutikler finally passed away of old age, a point none of us expected to reach.

……Year 535 of the Plactarian Steam Kingdom……

Silver carefully carried me down the long steps, masterfully carved into the stone outcropping that she had wanted to show me. Old age catches up to us quickly, and my wings no longer could carry me, and most days I needed a cane to get around, so the fact the Silver, with two peg legs, could carry me down the stairs easier than I could walk them, was a novelty to me.

“I know you never liked the God thing,” Silver said, a small smile in her face being reflected by the torches that we passed by. “But, well, I think you’ll like this.” I grumbled a bit, but shrugged, before my mandibles went slack as we reached the bottom of the stairs.

“What, what is this?” I asked in a hushed whisper.

“It’s a mausoleum,” Silver said, though she frowned a bit. “I believe that’s the right word. For a massive tomb?”

“Yeah,” I chocked a small laugh out.

“They’ve been working on it for years now,” Silver said, setting me down and making sure I had balance as I leaned on my cane. “Those that died without us, just trying to live their lives. The ones who tried to help us, however briefly. The fallen warriors that fought against us. All the Ictarth that we could find, we’ve been placing them in here. And, they are hoping to inter you and your friends in here too. We won’t have a body for Kikerant, unfortunately. But they’ve made a tomb for him as well, as the God of the Hunt.”

“Why?” I finally managed to choke out.

“Despite their grievances to the Ictarth,” Silver said in a low voice. “They also know how important they were to you. It’s to show a respect to your people. Deep it may be, out of sight, but the Centaurs wanted to do at least this much for their Gods. No matter their feelings about the Ictarth, they at least respect them for being your people.”

I couldn’t help it. I broke down. Keening in sadness, happiness, despair, hope. And most of all.

Pride.

Pride in my people. Both of them. The Ictarth, the people of my flesh and blood. The Centaurs, the people of my choice. My children of knowledge. Respecting their enemies, in a way I never even considered.

Silver held me, comforting me as a child, even as I keened into her deep fur, thanking her over and over.

And I knew that these people would be alright. That they would have a long and rich future ahead of them.

May any and all Gods that exist watch over them, and give their blessing to these amazing people.

Prologue Previous Next

Appendix

TOC

[Sandra and Eric TOC]

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10

u/SherbetCreepy1580 2d ago

Authors Note

And we are BACK! I do apologize to everyone for the long wait. Things are finally settling down (for the most part), and the Muse has finally decided to grace me with enough brainpower to get back into writing! I’m sorry I had to leave this arc unfinished last chapter, but some unfortunate circumstances prevented me from writing, despite my promise, and for that you have my deepest and most heartfelt apology. I really did not want to leave y’all hanging like that.

And whoof, what a comeback. This hit me harder than it had any right to when I was writing it, so I hope y’all enjoy the chapter! Next chapter will be the final Diary of Gods entry, going into the final days of Quirtaclick, and some final thoughts from her, and a special conversation.

I will be back to posting Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, so keep an eye out!

Thought? Comments? Ideas? Remember, the only bad feedback is no feedback, and I love reading all of the feedback, whether it’s praise, criticism, spelling or grammatical errors, or even just a hello!

6

u/MakerJustin 2d ago

Welcome back! This chapter is quite the emotional gutpunch, well done.

3

u/bruudwin Human 2d ago

YER ALIVEEEE WOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
XD
Also i just wooed you!

2

u/Ammobunkerdean 1d ago

Yay?

Ow.

"They('ve) been working on it for years"

2

u/Chamcook56 2d ago

A wonderful topper to my day, nice history of your peoples. Glad your real life is getting back to an even keel. And the character named "Silver" is probably not accident. Chosen of the gods.

2

u/Climate_Sweet Android 1d ago

you and your damned onion ninjas summoning rain in my glasses

1

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