Chapter 218: Alruna, Daughter of Worms

Alruna, Daughter of Worms

These strangers were certainly a unique bunch. The trio of women stuck close together, as did the Human and Thrundol. Alruna wasn’t entirely certain they were all in relationships, but it seemed so from the outside.

Her boots clicked over stone as she walked through the town toward the admittedly meagre enclosure they had set up for their guests. Stronger structures would be good to have, but those were reserved for livestock and food storage. As One of Bones had displayed so perfectly, permanent structures would be a detriment to their people. Instead, the tent-like buildings were their best option. The underground kept the temperature stable and comfortable once you acclimated to it.

The Chosen was still prickly after her fight with Eldest of All. Gods above that woman was brave to stand up to a Warped dragon of all things. Either that or she was just too furious to care. Perhaps a mix of the two. Despite her dark expression, Alruna couldn’t help but notice the woman’s natural beauty as she moved. Every step felt like she was gliding rather than walking, a preternatural grace guiding her limbs.

Not only she, but her mates were their own kinds of beautiful. Katlyn, who, despite being shorter than the Chosen, had the far larger body with those brilliant scales that had caused all of the trouble before. The way they formed a crown on her forehead, merging with the scales around her eyes through trailing patterns, was both imposing and alluring. Her casual strength was also intriguing. She carried the largest pack of the group, and Alruna was tempted to test that might against her own.

The small sheep who’d been too terrified to speak was coming out of her shell more now that Eyes was with them again. That bubbling curiosity and wide hazel sheep’s eyes stood out amid her ebony complexion. While short, the woman was easily the most endowed of the trio and even sported some extra weight around her waist, barely visible under her robes. Homely is what Alruna thought best described her.

Not only those three, but the other two had their physical distinctions. They seemed normal, or not as changed as the other three. Bren was clearly an attractive man. His frame was a bit wide for how little musculature Alruna had spotted when his sleeves were pulled back. Still, his face was well-proportioned with a defined nose that brought out his thick eyebrows and thin eyes. The tattoos were intriguing as well.

Tattoos that matched those on the Thrundol’s arms. Lucia, they’d called her. The perfect picture of a Thrundol in every way. Long, straight black hair fell over her face and shoulders in a slightly greasy cascade. Her crimson eyes were always open, always watching and calculating. She spoke little, but Alruna sensed a strong will within her. Her body was long, corded with taut muscles that rippled under her skin rather than bulge outward. It was a wonder she wasn’t an archer with her physique, but the rifle slung over her back was clearly her weapon of choice. It looked ancient, but extremely well cared for, much like Alruna’s hammer.

Complacency hung on her back in its sturdy straps, the head bumping against her gently as she walked. She’d been given it by an old Bultrong who’d died near their territory. He’d fallen to a swarm of drakes not unlike the ones from the other day. No one really knew why he was out there, but as they’d milled around trying to figure out what to do with the old man, he’d grabbed Alruna’s coat with a hand stronger than she’d ever felt. Bloody lips whispered his final words: “Its name is Complacency. Not for how it handles, but what it crushes. Take it. It shouldn’t be left alone. Do you fight, child?”

Alruna had told him she did.

“Then it will like you. Treat it well. It is the friend that has stood by me for so many years. Tell…” his eyes faded, then refocused. “Tell them where I died. They have to…!” He died there. His hand was still steel on her dress, and it took the help of her worms to free herself.

“This the spot?” Kat asked.

Alruna shook herself from the memory. “Yes, these two areas will be your lodging for your time with us. I saw your two tents and ordered two spaces. Was that correct?”

The Chosen looked it over. She was surely used to higher standards of living and would be disappointed with their meagre offerings.

“Yup, looks good to me,” Ann said. No disappointment in her voice at all. It was like she was looking at a room in an inn. “No doors, though. Kinda worried about that.”

“Oh, we keep to ourselves, and anyone who wishes to speak would knock and await a response. As you have seen, we are not always in the best of states, and none of us wishes to make a poor situation worse.”

“Ah, well, we’ve got thingies to make sure we’re not overheard, so we’ll be fine on noise,” Ann said, looking at the corners of the area for some reason. “Let’s get unpacked. Alruna, want to talk for a bit? We barely know you, and I’ve got questions. I’m sure Rosalyn does, too, if she’s going to invite Eyes in, too.”

The eager sheep woman stopped her constant back and forth with One with Eyes to nod eagerly. “Yeah! I’ve got questions for her, too, cause Eyes is kinda obvious what her Warping is, but I’m really not sure with you, since you cover up so much, and is that rude? I feel like it’s kinda rude because you cover up so much. Tell me if I’m being rude, because I can get curious and then things go off the rails and I’m so far past a line I didn’t even know was there.”

Alruna blinked behind her veil. The woman spoke so much and so quickly when not terrified, it was a shock. She’d mostly tuned it out while it was directed at Eyes, but the force of the cascading words was like a physical wind.

“Then let us all enter,” Alruna said with a polite bow. She let the others go first, while Bren and Lucia split off to set up their own living space.

The inside of the tent was as simple as the outside. Four posts held the corners of the cloth cover, but nothing else. Just bare stone. She would have preferred beds to be arranged for such a distinguished guest and her companions, but that was beyond both the time and capabilities of most of them. They would need to make do with their camping equipment.

Ann shucked her pack in a corner, taking her roll and setting it down in the centre of the room while the others flanked her. There was no space between them. Mates indeed. Close ones. Even some of the parents Alruna had known before didn’t share a bed.

She settled herself politely out of the way, watching them unpack their gear. Kat unstrapped her armour, revealing more than was visible before. Her chest strained against her shirt, impressive atop her musculature. As she removed more and more, Alruna found that there wasn’t a part of this woman that didn’t exhibit strength.

Ann was similar. Once the leathers were off, her curves were on full display. Wide hips with a willowy waist and an impressive bust. Still, everything was lithe and dexterous. Her straps took no time at all for her fingers to undo, and she fussed over Kat’s as she helped.

Rosalyn simply dropped her pack in her spot and pulled out a large leather tome. She wrote something, but was turned to face Alruna, so she couldn’t get a look.

Her worms writhed. It had only been a day since she’d fought, but the sight of the scuffle had awoken them. Alruna sank into her mind, calming the urge to fight. The urge to tear those around her to ribbons and bathe in their blood. She would not be the monster. She would be herself.

“You ok there?” Rosalyn asked, with horizontal pupil eyes now focused on Alruna. “Look like you’re trying not to pass gas.”

“No, but the metaphor is appropriate. Could I ask what the book is?”

“Oh, sure! It’s really special. Lets me document warped and catalogue them into the spine. Some sort of archival enchantment. My teacher in Korvas gave me it. I can also pull up a whole buncha information on Warped if I can describe them or name them. Liiiike, uh, oh!” Rosalyn looked down and scribbled a word. “C’mere.”

Alruna followed the enthusiastic gesture and sidled up to Rosalyn. She did not miss the protective looks she received from the other two. “Oh my word, that is fascinating.”

On the book was a diagram, several notes, and a full drawing of a creature Alruna had never seen. It was a gaunt lizard creature with a bird’s head. Long, spindly legs carried it high in the air as it walked through a marsh. Should it need to walk in water, the text read, it would still have its body fully above the surface.

“That is a fascinating treasure. Cherish it well,” Alruna smiled.

“Sure is! I’m gonna do a lot of cataloguing here. I want to make sure everyone is in this, so we can get more information about you. If there’s more, we can present this to scholars and maybe make some headway on creating a better place for you all. Would be kinda nice, not having to live underground. Right?”

Alruna sighed. “It would, but we all have seen how people react to us. It is not kind.”

“Not now. But maybe some year in the future we can change that. I hope we can at least. How do you see?”

“I’m sorry?” Alruna’s mind struggled with the sudden change in topic.

“What I asked. How do you see? You have a veil over your eyes, so I was kinda wondering if you’ve got something weird going on there, or if you just like it?”

It was about time she showed the guests. “I keep this to remain… inconspicuous to any unsuspecting normal people. It helps, but I will show you.”

Alruna reached up and lifted the strip of cloth that hung firmly over her eyes. It was close to a blindfold, but not tied nearly as tight, and attached to her hood. She winced as the semi-transparent filter left her vision.

“Whoa!” Rosalyn gasped.

“I know. It is an unnerving sight.”

“How does it work?” Rosalyn asked with nearly overwhelming enthusiasm. “Like, can you still see like a normal person, or does that whole thing work differently? And your hair! I’ve never seen anything like it. Well, maybe. I can’t quite tell, but that’s so cool! Do you control them or do they do their own thing? How precise is the control? Can you shorten them?”

Alruna held up a hand to give herself a moment to answer the flood of questions. Rosalyn was turning out to be the most overwhelming of the trio. She had not expected this after her interactions with the woman. “My eyes are constructs. They function similarly, and my vision is normal, but as you can see, they are anything but. From what I know, the worms in my body have assimilated parts and used themselves to replace them.”

“So that vertical eyelid was from before?” Rosalyn asked.

“No, that was a change. My eyes also used to be green, but now they’re this odd red ring on white with the empty gap being the pupil.” Alruna had heard others describe the sight, and she’d founda mirror to confirm it. Her eyes were gone. In their place was a corona of worms forming the approximation of an eye. Each tip pointed inward to the empty gap where her pupil would be, and moved as she turned her “eyes”.

“The hair?” Kat asked.

Alruna ran her hand through the black, writhing mass that had replaced her hair. The worms were behaving for the most part, and let her pull them forward over her shoulder. Like this, they draped down her chest past her breasts. Each was a glistening thread, slightly thicker than a hair, varying in length.  They coiled around each other, wiggling at the tips.

“I have control most of the time,” Alruna explained, remembering the questions she’d been asked. “Mostly I just keep them still and dangling, but when I try, I can get them to move in somewhat precise motions. I, well, I can shorten them somewhat, but it takes up space elsewhere, and I prefer them at this length.”

“Damn. I can change my hair and fur, but I can’t do anything like that,” Ann said, scooting over to take a look. The woman was still purple. A purple that was absolutely not natural. It seemed her own version of Warping was more advanced than the others.

“Ye did get offered the skill tae do somethin’ like that,” Kat elbowed her mate.

“Oh yeah! Forgot about that. Could have been neat if it got stronger. Could have tied you two up for fun.”

“Mm, that does sound fun,” Rosalyn giggled.

Alruna looked around. They were either blushing or smiling. Rosalyn was doing both. How would being tied up be fun? That was a dangerous position to be put in. Her worms wiggled with her confusion.

“So, on the note of those,” Ann waved at Alruna’s hair, “I’ve been meaning to ask about what I saw when you were fighting. Your arms were way bigger than what you’re rocking now. Those the worms too? I saw something under your sleeves, so I kinda assumed.”

“Oh, yes,” Alruna nodded, pulling up the sleeves of her blouse. Her thin, pale arms were displayed for the rest to see. Around the elbow and shoulder were a series of red welts in perfect circles. She let out a breath and let her worms out. They teemed forth, splitting her flesh and writhing down her arms. Thousands of them. Each of the circles became the anchor point for a corded mass of writhing strands that travelled down her arm, weaving into the facsimile of muscles. The same was done from her elbow to wrist, with the worms tying off just before her hand. As she moved her arms, they flexed as a natural arm would. They nearly tripled the thickness of her bicep and doubled her forearm. They were strong, too. She was naturally strong thanks to her Path, but these brought it to a new level. She took two hands to wield Complacency without them, but could wield the maul with one hand when the worms were out. A spark of pride filled her chest as she saw Kat’s look of awe.

“Holy shite, an’ that’s just yer arms? Can ye do that anywhere else?”

“I… I think I can do my legs, too, but I haven’t tried as much as I have with my arms. For some reason, it does not come as naturally to me.”

“So you’ve got a worm biosuit inside you,” Ann hummed, scooting closer to get a good look. “Can I touch them?”

Alruna wasn’t certain. She normally didn’t let anyone touch her besides Eyes or Tarnu. She was terrified of what would happen if she snapped. “Take it slowly, please?”

“Of course.” Ann reached out slowly. Inch by inch, she got closer to Alruna.

The worms behaved.

The woman’s fingers brushed the writhing mass, and they didn’t lash out. They’d done so before. It was a terrible sight to see them swarm someone. Still, they didn’t do so to this woman.

“They’re warm,” Ann whispered. Her hand touched more confidently. A soft palm gently caressed Alruna’s arm and stroked up her bicep. It was… it was incredibly soothing.

Alruna wasn’t certain why it felt so good, but being touched like this didn’t set off the alarms she expected. It was just nice. Ann’s hand was warm, and even though she was a fighter with decently calloused knuckles, her palms were soft as a babe.

The worms curled upward, running over Ann’s hand, feeling it. They seemed curious. Pokes and prods sent sensations back to Alruna. She could feel all of it. The woman’s strong hands, how her fingers bent a bit further than normal, and the ridiculously perfect skin.

“Whoa, guess they like me,” Ann giggled. “Rosalyn, come feel this.”

Rosalyn did as she was asked.

“Please be careful. They’re not usually so gentle,” Alruna muttered.

Rosalyn either didn’t care or was too curious to be deterred. Black hands met black worms, and they writhed. Despite that, they calmed quickly and started the same exploration they were still performing on Ann.

“They tickle!” Rosalyn giggled as her hand was turned over to better rub. “They don’t do this all the time?”

“No,” Alruna muttered, hiding her lower face in her fluffy ruff. She feared a blush was on her cheeks. “Normally they would break bones.”

“Guess that makes us special,” Kat laughed, adding her hand to the trio.

The worms actually lashed out at her. Strong strands wrapped together to increase their force as they snared the warrior’s forearm and twisted.

“Whoa there! Easy now,” Kat chuckled. To Alruna’s surprise, she wrestled her arm back into position. She was having to put her back into it, but the worms were being pushed back.

After a moment, her strands of flesh relaxed. Maybe it was them finding the nascent scales Alruna had noticed earlier on the woman’s arms? Either way, they relaxed their hold and began prodding.

“I um… I’m sorry, this is very new,” Alruna muttered into her mothy fluff.

“It’s fine,” Ann purred.

That sound did something to Alruna. The husky, not raspy, rumble made her heart beat a little faster. So strange.

“Sorry, but I’ve got other questions,” Rosalyn started again. “Were you Vulhardrin before?”

“No. I was a normal human. I was young when I was tainted, but it started with this,” she patted the fluff around her neck and collarbone. “From there, things intensified. My hands changed. They are hard, and their joints are separate pieces. I had antennae as well, but the worms took those. They were cute, now that I’m over being terrified of them.”

“Wait, so you were going to be a moth girl?” Ann gasped. “That would have been so cute! Did you get wings?”

“No, no wings. Flying would be nice. It seems so peaceful when I see birds in the sky.”

“Actually…”

Ann cut Rosalyn off, not wanting to ruin the moment with the harsh realities of nature.

“Then the worms started. At first, it was just a writhing in my stomach. Pain as I’ve never felt. That radiated as they dug through my body. It was agony for days, and I very nearly fell to madness. By the time they were done, I was this. This husk of a body around a swarm of worms.”

“They remind me of something,” Ann murmured. “A parasite. Something we called horsehair worms. They used to infect… insects. Oh, that makes complete sense now. You were starting to be a moth, then you got a moth parasite. Well, not usually moths, but I guess Warping doesn’t care. Still, they don’t try to get into anyone else?”

“No, they’re part of me,” Alruna shook her head. “I can feel all of it. I would know if they tried.”

“Fascinating. Every single one of them?” Rosalyn giggled as hundreds of threads tickled over her arm. “That’d be sensory overload for me. Way too much happening. I’d freak out.”

“I have adjusted, but it can be a lot,” Alruna agreed. Honestly, right now was a lot. She wasn’t used to touching people, much less three at once, with her worms, not her hands. It was confusing and unnerving.

Ann gave her a strange look, cocking her head to the side, and pulled her arm back, motioning for her mates to do the same. “Sorry if we overwhelmed you. I was just curious.”

Inwardly, Alruna thanked the strange woman. “It is no bother. I’m glad you were not harmed. The rest of my changes are some more fluff on the backs of my hands and wrists,” she pulled down her long gloves to reveal them, “and further fluff around my ankles and shins.”

“Neat! Got another fluffy person! Was wondering if I was gonna be the only one stuck with furry legs,” Ann laughed. “Seriously, I think Rosalyn’s going to get them eventually, but Kat’s stuck being all scales.”

“I could have some fur. Ye never know,” Kat shot back.

“Yeah, you’re the type for something that isn’t hard as a rock,” Rosalyn teased.

“Could go fer somethin’ hard right now.”

“Kat!” her mates gasped. Had she said something offensive?

“I take no offence,” Alruna tried to console them.

“I… no, no, wait,” Ann sputtered. She was confused? Why?

“Knock knock, coming in!” Bren called from outside.

“Everyone’s decent!” Ann called back.

Bren and Lucia ducked into the room and gave a start when they saw Alruna in such a state of undress. Decent? This is what Ann called decent?

“My my, that is a fascinating transformation,” Bren said, looking her over.

“I know, right?” Rosalyn cried and launched into a detailed explanation of Alruna’s body.

Maybe she shouldn’t have shared this much. Still, she wanted to know more about these people. Eldest of All always said that the quickest way to learn about someone was to share about yourself.

Alruna adjusted her clothes back to their proper place, but she left her hood down. No point in hiding that anymore. She settled in to continue a hopefully less personal discussion.