Mika
| The Drachaverse | The Feralverse | The Medieverse | The Pokeverse | The Tribalverse |
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Mika is a carnivorous rabbit wandering the wilderness as an Awakener, a person that has access to godly powers. She has been granted another chance at life through Java, a Godkin who considers the rabbit her only friend. In taking Java's flesh, Mika has inherited powers of a Godkin, although they are rather weak for the moment, her body constantly evolving.
Story
Past
Mika woke up one day, only four years of age, to find her parents had gone missing. She did not belong to any tribe and was solely cared for by her parents. The only things that were left were her gold coin necklace, a water bowl, a spear, and the carcass of a young gazelle. Mika had grown a taste for meat at a younger age, her parents introducing her to it.
Not knowing where her mother and father went, Mika set off to survive and live her life. All alone, the rabbit honed her hunting skills and later on became able to swallow others whole.
The meat-eating rabbit was turned away from many tribes that she tried to join because of her diet. This left her devastated, but the strong-willed rabbit carried on. As an adult, she found the Kevala tribe, a tribe of black-backed jackals who she already knew were known for being strong, fearsome warriors.
Mika had her eyes on their prince, Enuk, for he attracted her in a way she never imagined, especially since they were different species. The rabbit managed to meet with the prince one night, the two getting to know each other. She became more attracted to him due to his curiosity and not treating her like food. They eventually engaged in a very intimate moment where Mika swallowed Enuk whole. She, of course, let him out safely. In a future meeting they copulated passionately, but managed to avoid getting Mika pregnant. It was not long after this that Dayla suspected their meetings and got a confession out of Enuk, though the prince knew better than to reveal their engaging in sex.
Dayla sent two warriors to kill Mika, but Mika managed to defeat them, swallowing down both of them. This was the first time she packed two people into her belly, and the experience was very satisfying for the rabbit. Mika went back to the village the same night after digesting the two jackals, kissing Enuk goodbye. She took one of the warrior jackal's large swords with her.
A Rabbit Astray Chapter 1
Mika was saddened by leaving Enuk behind, but she knew he had a family and did not want to take that from him. Months later, she continued to survive in the wild, crestfallen that she could not see the jackal prince again. After hunting for a gazelle at night, she slept with a full belly. Waking up the next morning, she was confronted by a settler rabbit, Daniel, and his horse. Mika decided she wanted to accompany the settler, who had taken a lot of interest in her.
The two rabbits ventured to an open plain where they met with Kuva and Jabaro. It was made clear that the two groups were trading with each other. Kuva and Jabaro questioned Mika's presence, and Kuva quickly went to teasing the female rabbit. Mika, however, teased her back, which caused resentment to grow within Kuva.
After hearing of Kuva's missing sibling, Mika decided to remain with the group and help them, not wanting any harm to come to the child. It was decided to let Daniel stay with Kuva's two other siblings.
Jabaro, being impressed with how Mika confronted Kuva, offered to lend her a smaller blade in exchange for Mika's larger one. Mika kept her sword and continued to a bog where she found valuables lying around as well as a piece of bread to momentarily sate her still rounded belly.
Mika, after entering a forest, lost track of Jabaro. She was eventually pounced on by Kuva. The rabbit threw a net in an attempt to stop her, but Kuva completely ignored it, proceeding to swallow down Mika hungrily. Sating her need for revenge, Kuva teased Mika, making it seem like she would digest the rabbit if she would not apologize to her. Mika, humiliated and angry, still mustered the power to apologize. Kuva spit her out afterwards and they reunited with Jabaro.
The trio moved on to an abandoned village where they discovered very large snake tracks. Mika used this time to wash herself with a bucket of water and then found a small dagger as well as a pouch full of darts. Kuva taunted Jabaro for being afraid of snakes and moved on by herself. Mika tried to talk some sense into Jabaro and the two eventually went after Kuva.
They eventually encountered a lone snake that went into their path, appearing resolute in blocking them. Mika captured the snake with her net and then swallowed it, showing Jabaro that she was indeed a meat-eater. The cheetah was understandably mind-blown, but they then heard a scream in the distance. Following it, Mika encountered Java, the large naga, and had a brief fight with the snake lady, shrouded in a red mist. Mika stabbed Java's tail with her small dagger, but as a result became wrapped in her coils.
Java, surprisingly, started to talk to Mika, trying to convince her that she meant no harm and was being hunted. Kuva was being carried on her shoulder and Java claimed she was going to question her, as she feels she may be related to Jabaro, who Java revealed was trying to kill her. Just as she mentioned him, Jabaro was behind her, ready to strike. Mika warned Java of Jabaro's presence and he became coiled as well. Jabaro tried to tell Mika that he was trying to save her, but Java then put him to sleep with her paralyzing vision.
The group was then confronted by a hooded rat, who scared Java away with what appeared to be fireworks. After ejecting the snake from her stomach at the rat and kicking Jabaro's body away from the fire that was spreading near him, Mika went to chase after Java. After catching up to her, Java proceeded to swallow Kuva, keeping her in her upper stomach which she claimed was safe. Mika eventually decided to slip into her stomach as well. The rabbit secretly sought to get revenge on Kuva, and after landing in the snake's belly, Mika devoured the cheetah whole. Her stomach feeling very satisfied, Mika fell asleep.
She was soon waken up by Kuva's struggling within her belly. Mika also noticed a feral snake next to her, which was Java's means to spy on what she was doing. Java made sure to let Mika know she wanted Kuva alive, and Mika agreed. She revealed to Kuva after she had calmed down a bit that she was indeed inside of Mika's belly. Kuva freaked out again, not believing she was eaten by a rabbit. Eventually, Java spit the three of them out, having arrived near her home. Mika then spit up Kuva, the cheetah being promptly scooped up in Java's coils once again. The cheetah freaked out again, frightened by the large snake lady.
When they laid eyes upon Java's home, they found that it was engulfed in flames, caused by a nearby group of settlers. One of the settlers was carrying Kibwe, Kuva's missing sibling. Just as they were about to engage, they were confronted from behind by the hooded rat and Jabaro, now wielding Mika's large sword.
A Rabbit Astray Chapter 2
While Java slithered towards the settlers, Mika decided to attack the rat, who had bound Kuva with a strange magic. Mika managed to stab him with the poison dart, but was promptly knocked out by Jabaro.
Mika woke up inside of a settler's cabin, tied to a furnace right next to Kuva. She attempted to bite through the rope, but it was too tough to cut through in a reasonable amount of time. She dropped it and tried to start up conversation with the sullen cheetah. Kuva doesn't talk to her at first, appearing fearful of the rabbit.
Mika proceeded to apologize for eating her previously, though Kuva lashes out at her, calling her a freak. Kuva eventually breaks down in tears, heartbroken over Jabaro's actions and Kibwe's predicament. Mika then tells Kuva she will help her get back Kibwe, also sharing how her own parents disappeared. Kuva told Mika all of this had nothing to do with her, but Mika pointed out she could have just ran from everything.
Mika then asks Kuva who the rat is and what happened while she was out cold. Kuva doesn't have much information, saying they were both being cryptic. Just then, Mika could hear footsteps from outside. Jabaro entered the cabin, promptly trying to free Kuva, though the two eventually started arguing after Jabaro commanded Kuva to leave the scene.
Kuva wound up eating Jabaro, filled with resentment for his actions. Kuva then freed Mika from her binds, surprisingly enough, telling her to watch the cheetah's back. Mika reacquired her bandolier but could not find anything else in the cabin.
It was not long before Mika found the rat from before was coming their way. She propped up a chair against the front door and helped Kuva escape from a side window. Mika then jumped up to perch on a wooden beam in the ceiling. The door slammed open effortlessly, but no one came through. It was then that Mika heard Kuva shouting outside, clearly in danger.
The rabbit rushed outside to come face to face with the rat, who introduced himself as Shin and wished to chat with the bunny. Shin asked Mika for her motives in helping Java, and the rabbit was honest with him, telling him about her quest in helping Kuva and how Java stated she was being hunted and did not wish to hurt anyone.
Shin proceeded to tell Mika that she would never understand a creature like Java. He also stated that he admired Mika's ballsy and down-to-earth attitude and asked her to join him in his endeavors. Mika politely refused. Shin responded by getting off of Kuva and leaving Mika be, telling her to "smile often" before leaving for good.
Mika and Kuva headed to a watering hole together, Kuva drinking enough to round her belly out and water down her stomach acids in order to keep Jabaro alive longer. Mika cleaned herself as Kuva did this.
As the two proceeded to walk back to Kuva's camp, Mika struck up conversation once again, this time about how Kuva and Jabaro met. After they talk for a bit, Kuva stopped, saying she needed to rest a bit. Mika took this opportunity to go hunting. Mika caught and swallowed up a genet whole, though her stomach complained for more.
Mika looked around for more food and came across a suspicious-looking snake. Mika suspected the snake belonged to Java and poked its snout, causing it to spit out a strange, glowing stone. Mika pocketed this stone and moved on to hunt for an ostrich she had recently seen. As she ambled forth, she encountered a lioness hunter. She attempted to charm the lioness, but failed miserably, the feline tossing her spear and barely missing the rabbit.
Mika managed to subdue the lioness with the genet in her belly, coughing it up with great force and hitting her in the face. Mika replaced the genet with the lioness, swallowing her down greedily and then walking back to Kuva. Understandably, the cheetah was shocked at what she was seeing, but was mortified upon learning it was a lioness Mika had eaten. Kuva tried to get Mika to spit her up, as she suspected the huntress was a part of the Sehkmet Tribe, but Mika remained resolute in keeping her in.
With Kuva fearful and considering moving once again, the duo continued their trek back. Finally arriving back to camp, Kuva and Mika are surprised to find Daniel had been tied up by Kuva's siblings, who are joyful in seeing the two have returned.
A Rabbit Astray Chapter 3
While Kuva went to spit up Jabaro, Mika untied Daniel from the tree. While he collected his bearings, Daniel noticed Mika's distended belly and asked to touch it, which Mika allowed. While he did so (and took notes), however, Mika teased the settler, pulling him closer to her soft gut and letting him look into her gullet, which understandably made him rather uncomfortable.
Afterwards, Mika went over to Kuva and Jabaro. Jabaro asked Mika how she survived her encounter with the rat, appearing very afraid of him. He then revealed he was partners with the rat, and they were working together to kill Java. He then went on a tangent about how everything he did was for Kuva and that he wished for her and her siblings to come with him to live with the settlers for a better life.
Mika tried to argue on Java's behalf, saying the snake was going to take them to Kibwe, but Jabaro is adamant and believed Java to be a monster and nothing more. He was going to use the reward money for killing her to leave Africa.
Reminded of Kibwe being taken by the settlers, Mika went back to Daniel, who was getting ready to leave on his horse. Mika offered to come back with him, but then changed her mind on a whim because of her stomach. Daniel said if Kibwe was at his camp, he would bring the cheetah back as soon as he could.
Mika wound up following the settler back, but was then accosted by one of Java's snakes. Mika proceeded to boop its snout with her glowing stone, which resulted in it swallowing it. The snake then slithered away, and Mika aimed to follow it. The snake took her to the large clearing where Java's home was. Her home burned down, Mika went to the mound to investigate. She discovered a large red stain on the ground that could have been caused by Java's red smog. She also found bullet shells as well as pieces of Java's clothing.
Walking to the middle of the mound, Mika discovered a wood mesh in the smoldering ruins, but couldn't see what was beneath it. Kicking down on it, Mika broke through effortlessly, but fell through and into a sloping tunnel. She slid down into a hidden cavern and explored it further, coming to a strange altar room. Snakes had taken shelter here and were observing the shrine on the other side of the chamber.
Mika approached the altar and discovered an odd light in the middle of it, hearing voices as she got closer to it. She found the glowing stone sitting beside it and took it again. When she did, she noticed the snakes were giving her their undivided attention. Mika decided to swallow the stone, and then experienced an odd sensation, her eyes glowing radiantly.
It was then that Mika would encounter Shin, the rat, who entered the chamber with a massive stomach. She greeted him, but questioned him about who was inside his belly. He acted indirect about it and attempted to charm her, though Mika charmed him back. She successfully got him to explain what the altar was, and the rat revealed there were many like it and that a unique energy called "Faith" was given to these shrines to empower the gods.
Shin would then belch up Jabaro's headband, which confirmed he had eaten the cheetah. He explained the cheetah was indeed following Mika, and that Shin did her a favor. The rat then offered Mika the option of swapping places with Jabaro, telling her she made a mistake coming to the altar and that her life was about to be filled with misery. With the voices in her head assuring the rabbit that she must seek them in the afterlife, Mika decided to go with it, charmed by Shin's teasing.
The rat released Jabaro and then swallowed Mika whole. She struggled and even kicked inside of him, but Shin was able to keep her down. Jabaro, still alive, was forced to escape the room after Shin started to whip him with a flaming tendril, leaving him naked with most of his cloth digested or ripped to shreds.
Shin asked Mika if she had any final words before he digested her, and Mika told him, "There's always a bigger snake." Mika then faded and met her death in the churning belly of the rat. Shortly after, Mika found herself in a new fish-like form, swimming in a bright, sepia river. She attempted to interact with another fish in the river, but nothing came of it, so she decided to eat them. With another fish inside of her, Mika was able to start morphing her ghostly body to take up the form of her rabbit anthro self.
Just then, Mika spotted a bright hand up above. The spirit rabbit reached out to the hand and was fished up by none other than Java, who had a new form herself.
A Rabbit Astray Chapter 4
Mika found herself in an otherworldly land, Java calling it the Godplains. Having a conversation with Java, who had ascended back into godhood, the snake lady indulged Mika in many secrets of the world, including the presence of unique energies called Faith and Transcendence. Not long after, Java noticed the soul that Mika had eaten, offering to remove it from her belly. Mika agreed, letting the snake take it out and figure out who it belonged to. Java sensed that it was the soul of a wolf named Luna who went through a life of constant hardships. Mika, having been given the notion of another chance at life with Java's help, wondered if this wolf could also get another chance, but Java sidetracked the conversation, giving Mika a piece of her godly flesh to consume.
Mika devoured this flesh and got her body back, but with a few changes: Mika now had slit pupils, fangs, and had a body primed to receive powers of a Godkin. Suddenly, Shin came rocketing from the glistening, crystalline sky of the Godplains, confronting Java. He eventually noticed Mika and lost his composure, thinking her a trick at first. Not wishing for Mika to intrude in the impending battle, Java ordered Mika to return to the earth realm. Telling Shin to be ready for when they meet again, Mika was swallowed by Java, entering a portal through her deep gullet.
As she fell through the portal, Java telepathically presented Mika different glyphs that would grant her portions of her godly powers. Mika chose a glyph representing "Java's Herald" and then soon enough found herself back in the earth realm, in an unknown forest. Not long after waking up, Mika scanned her surroundings to see a very odd creature covered in a shroud walking towards her general direction. Coming out of cover behind a tree to confront it, the creature dashed towards Mika. With its anteater-like snout, it wrapped it around Mika's entire head, applying suction. Mika, thinking of the glyph that had become embedded into her mind, forced the creature off with a small portal through which a flurry of snake tails whipped out.
The creature fled, and Mika failed to hit it with a rock toss. Losing sight of the creature, Mika was suddenly knocked into the ground form a force behind her. Using her charm, she pretended to be hurt, and discovered the culprit was Kibwe himself! The young cheetah was armed with a revolver and wore a settler's hat. He made it clear he aspired to be a settler himself and revealed he was with them for a few days. Kibwe then pointed the gun at Mika again, ordering her to walk towards the settler camp.
Mika chose not to resist and revealed to Kibwe she knew his sister, Kuva. He was surprised by this, wondering aloud how Mika didn't end up eaten. He got the impression that the two were friends, as odd as it sounded.
The two eventually made it to camp, the first person they saw being Daniel himself! The rabbit settler, upon seeing Mika, urged them back into the forest quickly so that they could talk within cover. Daniel revealed to Mika that he was told by Jabaro four days ago that she died, having been eaten by Shin. Daniel soon showed relief, happy that Mika was there and was wondering if she could help them.
He brought the two into camp, sneaking them into his tent. Daniel offered Mika a selection of clothes, and Mika was happy to try them out. She finally decided to keep a shaman outfit along with a sexy bra and panties underneath. She was also given a satchel by Daniel, the settler hinting it used to belong to a colleague of his, who went missing a while ago.
Mika expressed her condolences and then asked why Kibwe was with them for so long. The young cheetah butted in, berating Kuva for not leaving him alone and letting him hang with the settlers. Daniel confirmed that Kuva had marched into camp, trying to bring Kibwe back but giving up on him when he refused to budge. Mika asked when was the last time the settlers went to trade with Kuva, but they hadn't since she left their camp. Since a few days passed, Mika started to worry if Kuva was in danger.
Daniel offered to introduce Mika to Goodman, the leading authority of the settler camps. They are led to a large tent and Daniel asked them to stay outside while he tried to "warm" Goodman up to Mika's presence at camp. While they waited, Mika noticed a familiar male cheetah walking towards them.
Seeing that it was Jabaro, Mika went up and tried to grab his attention, but he completely ignored her. Quite upset, Mika grabbed his shoulder and turned him to face her. Jabaro, frightened by her, tackled the rabbit down, accusing her of being a witch and using Mika's image to trick him. Mika attempted to tell Jabaro that she was not a witch, but he was not very convinced, preparing to swallow her whole. Mika avoided this by telling him of when Shin instructed him to tell Kuva of Mika's sacrifice. This took him aback, but still seemed unsure of what to think.
During the commotion, Goodman and Daniel ran out to meet them and see what was going on. Mika defused the situation by assuring them Jabaro simply made a mistake. Goodman introduced himself to Mika and was interested to see if Mika could help them with a couple issues, involving the abandoned village and missing researcher. He offered some rations as well as the use of their bathing station if she were to help.
Suddenly, Jabaro interrupted the exchange, asking Goodman for manpower in helping him rescue Kuva, who was taken by Sehkmet lions. The cheetah also alerted them to the Sehkmets prowling the savannah in larger numbers, seemingly angered over something. Mika, alarmed by this, decided instead to help Jabaro with the cheetahs' predicament. Goodman was not pleased by this, saying he would not provide supplies if Mika wouldn't help them. Mika apologized and then headed out with Jabaro after an awkward separation.
Kibwe followed close behind, being adamant in wanting to come with them. Thanks to some smooth talking from Mika, she convinced Kibwe not only to head back to camp for safety, but also give her the revolver he was carrying around, which had one bullet in the cylinder.
Mika and Jabaro decided to go into the forest for cover in case there were Sehkmet patrols nearby. Jabaro wanted to head back to Kuva's camp, but Mika's empty stomach forced her to stop. She suggested they hunt for now, but Jabaro remained stubborn in heading back. Mika, upset by this response and with a roaring stomach, pounced Jabaro and swallowed him whole. Her belly satisfied for now, Mika said she would let the cheetah out after she found another big meal.
A Rabbit Astray Chapter 5
Mika arrived back at Kuva’s camp with Jabaro still in her. She noticed a group of three Sehkmet lions investigating the place. There was one male and two females. Mika heard them talking about Jabaro, who Kuva apparently told them about. Mika released Jabaro from her gut.
They talked amongst themselves, planning their next approach, but Mika heard the male starting to sniff noisily and walk towards their direction. Mika instructed Jabaro to go further into the forest while she took cover inside the treetops nearest to her.
As the male lion walked by, Mika jumped down with her maw open, hoping to fit most of him inside her with the leap, but he catches her as his head is engulfed, tossing her into a tree. Jabaro popped out from behind, aiming his bow and arrow at the male and telling him not to move. As the male was distracted, Mika used Java’s Herald to launch the lion into Jabaro, the two of them collapsing in a heap. She acted fast and pistol whipped the lion’s head with her revolver until he was knocked out. Mika was then tackled from behind and pinned by one of the lionesses. The other spear-wielding lioness went to check on the male lion, named Gwando, but Jabaro then pointed his arrow at her, asking where Kuva was taken. The spear lioness said that they would show them if they came with them with no weapons. The two agreed half-heartedly and tossed aside the revolver, bow, and quiver.
The rabbit asked to get something to eat before heading out. Though the lioness that pinned her did not initially care, she was suddenly interested in what Mika considered food. Mika offered to show her by eating Gwando, saying that she could also help carry him that way. The spear lioness was greatly opposed to Mika’s devouring of Gwando, but the archer lioness pacified her, explaining how this would be helpful to them and that Mika would not digest him. The archer then swallowed Jabaro whole as leverage in case Mika got out of hand.
Once they arrived at a small camp, they went over to a tree, where Onya, the spear lioness, put a knife to Mika’s throat, demanding she release Gwando. Mika suggested she not put the knife to her throat since it might injure Gwando, and in response, Onya went behind her and put the knife to her back instead, continuing to shout at her. Mika did not take kindly to this and kicked Onya hard, subsequently expelling Gwando straight at the lioness. The archer wrapped her arm around Mika’s neck, her strength too much for Mika to fight back. The rabbit eventually blacked out.
Mika woke up in the camp, tied to a pole. A snake came out from a nearby bush, holding a bag of meat. Mika swallowed the entire bag graciously. Mika tried to give a command to the snake to find any cheetahs around the camp, and then it slithered away.
The archer lioness approached Mika, wondering if the rabbit was a witch judging by her features and her capabilities. She also claimed Mika knew something about their missing princess, whose spear was found near Kuva’s camp. She also revealed that Kuva let her know that Mika had eaten the princess. The archer seemed to want to bring Mika and Kuva to the chief for personal reasons, like she had something to gain. Mika did not want to say anything until she knew the cheetahs were safe. The archer agreed to bring her to them.
The archer took Mika to see Jabaro who was also tied up, but no sign of Kuva. The lioness sneered, saying that Kuva was actually in their main village, which was much bigger than this camp. Gwando suddenly confronted them, demanding a Stryd with Mika, which was a duel to the death, a Sehkmet tradition. Mika is led to a tent where she stripped down to a loincloth only, which was one of the rules of a Stryd. She pried Nefirti, the archer, on hints to dealing with Gwando, to which Nefirti explained he used brute force above everything else and that she should be evasive.
The Stryd took place in the center of the camp, with Gwando and Mika facing each other. The other males in the camp teased Gwando for calling for a duel against a rabbit. The Stryd began with Gwando charging forth and Mika evading him as she was told. She teased him as well in the middle of the battle, which angered Gwando and caused him to charge again. Mika tripped him and went to step on his neck, but the lion grabbed her leg, dragging her across the ground and then smashing her face down into it by throwing her over his head.
Mika came back into consciousness only to find most of her was already inside Gwando’s gullet. Attempting to use Java’s Herald, the lion grabbed her arm just in time for the move to fail. Before he made the final swallow, Mika shouted that she knew who killed their princess. With her inside Gwando’s stomach, Nefirti approached, trying to halt the duel in favor of listening to the rabbit, since this was a matter to do with their chief. From inside him, Mika bit Gwando’s stomach walls, hoping she had some sort of venom. It turned out she did! Gwando’s body seized up and he fell back onto the ground. Mika took the opportunity to escape from his stomach by kicking against it and pushing herself out forcefully. Onya attempted to interrupt, but Nefirti kept her at bay.
Mika kneed Gwando’s head while he was still afflicted by her venom, knocking him out cold. Standing over him, Mika eventually decided to eat him once more. Lying on her back, Mika announced she was ready to talk about their princess. She said that she ate her, but that she was going to bring her home. Mika spinned the story, knowing she indeed digested the princess, but involved Shin as well, saying that the rat digested them both. Nefirti questioned this, saying Kuva never mentioned a Shin. Mika said that Jabaro would be able to testify.
Irritated, Nefirti tied Mika’s hands and brought her to him once again. Jabaro did confirm that Shin had eaten him, but Mika traded places with him. As Nefirti tried to poke at him for more information about the rat, a female kudu named Faari approached them, claiming to know the nature of Mika’s powers, saying outright that she was an Awakener who was gifted powers. Mika asked Faari more about herself, the kudu explaining that she was a “Faithful,” one who tended to shrines across Africa. Mika excitedly asked if one was near, and Faari confirmed this.
Nefirti interrupted them, seeming to have met Faari one too many times. Faari convinced Nefirti to let her follow them to the main village, as she would help the lions find great riches in a Shrine that apparently is in the village itself. Nefirti, Mika, Faari, Jabaro, and one of the males went in a group, traveling to the stronghold and arriving once night fell.
A Rabbit Astray Chapter 6
Mika is led into the stronghold by Nefirti, where she gets a glimpse at the Sehkmets' current predicament. All the lions are greatly stressed, including the chieftains. Jabaro too is stressed, but for a different reason. They catch sight of Kuva and he bounds off to meet with her. Thanks to Mika's warning of him acting out, Nefirti stops an archer from shooting at him. Mika soon gets to meet one of the chiefs, a lioness named Zurani.
Mika introduces herself as a traveler on a spiritual journey across the savannah, and this results in Zurani believing her to be a shaman who can help them with their situation: lions have been disappearing periodically, some vanishing before witnesses' eyes. She thinks this is a curse, though she is not a very religious one.
On the condition that she is allowed into the shrine beneath their stronghold, Mika says she will assist them with the curse. Faari and Jabaro are tied up in the meantime, and Mika can see that Kuva's siblings are present, but safe and getting along with the lion cubs. Mika then asks that Jabaro be released from the stronghold, and Zurani hesitantly agrees, while Faari stays behind.
Nefirti reveals to Zurani that Mika had eaten Gwando, but also their Princess after the size of the rabbit's stomach was brought up. The lioness suggests to Zurani that Mika should be brought to the male chief, but Zurani suggests they remove the curse first. Mika is taken to the central structure where she is tied up momentarily while Zurani goes down to a lower level to meet with her husband. Nefirti notices Mika's angry countenance at her telling Zurani that she ate their Princess, and Nefirti tells her of her plan to become Chief Warrioress after turning in the Princess's killer. They are summoned to the underground by Zurani eventually.
Mika meets the male chief of the Sehkmets, Yuusuf, a massive, burly lion with huge locks of hair tied into a bundle. When Nefirti tries to tell him that Mika is his daughter's killer, he does not believe her and knees Nefirti in the stomach, flooring the lioness. Yuusuf then breaks down emotionally, looking to his wife for comfort, though she does not return it. Mika tries to share her sympathies and says that she will help break the curse. She ambles over to a petroglyph on the wall at the end of the corridor, noticing bowls with Godmatter in them. Zurani confirms she cannot see these stones.
Zurani indulges Mika in more information about the "curse." Every thirty suns, lions have been disappearing suddenly, with one vanishing with each cycle. Tomorrow, the current cycle ends, which is the perfect time for Mika to confront the source of the strange vanishings. Mika attempts to reach for the stones as they converse but fails, knocking off one of the bowls. Mika insists they bring Faari into the mix since she has more knowledge of the shrines. While Nefirti is off to retrieve the kudu, Mika admits that she has eaten their princess, but lies that she aimed to release her until Shin had eaten her and made that impossible.
Yuusuf loses control of his emotions once more and exclaims Mika is the curse. He opens his mouth wide and swallows the rabbit whole in his panic. Afterwards, Faari is brought down into the corridor. Her binds are undone as she tends to the petroglyph, asking Mika how she should proceed in an almost tongue-in-cheek fashion. From within Yuusuf's belly, she tells Faari to put the Godmatter into the holes of the altar, which she does. This causes the entire wall to shift and raise, revealing a dark chamber beyond. Zurani tells Yuusuf to release Mika from his bowels, and he obeys. Mika and Faari go into the shrine, with the chiefs waiting outside.
Inside the dark chamber, Faari leads Mika to another altar within, which is radiating with a soft golden light. She asks Mika to focus on it and have communion with Java. Mika can soon hear Java's voice, but her words are disjointed and seemingly random. Mika then sees three familiar symbols in her mind's eye, just like when Java swallowed her. Mika chooses the symbol that appears like an eye (Oracle Eye) and attains a new power which activates almost immediately: she can see through the eyes of a creature that is scurrying at them from behind.
Mika alerts Faari and the kudu grabs the creature, the same kind Mika encountered not long after she was brought back to life. Faari quickly swallows the creature whole, saying that it is a monster that feeds on Transcendence and Faith, and are enemies of the gods. Mika cannot help herself upon seeing the kudu's round belly and offers to rub it. She does so happily while Faari explains the existence of Rouge Fallen, which are Godkin that have taken up a mortal form but have also turned against the gods. The sucker creatures serve the Rouge Fallen.
Mika soon tells Faari that she could not acquire a clear message from Java, and that her words are jumbled. This causes Faari to panic, saying that something may have happened to the snake Godkin. Zurani interrupts and asks how progress is going, and Mika claims the creature causing the curse has been swallowed by Faari. The monster is regurgitated but Zurani cannot see it. As Faari swallows it back down, Zurani unveils their plan to tie up Mika and Faari as bait for whatever creature is preying on them every monthly cycle. Mika offers Zurani a Godmatter so that she can see the monster, which is likely invisible as well. Zurani reluctantly obeys, and once the Godmatter is put into her hand, she is astonished to feel it sitting on her palm even though she can't see it.
Zurani swallows the stone and freaks out, able to see the bright glow in Mika's eyes. Zurani loses her cool and has Mika and Faari sent outside to have them tied up to a large stake in the middle of the stronghold. Mika manages to convince Nefirti to loosen their binds, saying she has no chance of rising in her ranks if the monster destroys the tribe. In the silence, the lions wait for the invisible monster to come. Mika sees Kuva staring at her in bewilderment. The cheetah seems to be filled with hope, as a trail of golden aura emanates from her body and is absorbed by the rabbit. Faari explains that this is Faith, which will flow when an Earthen achieves belief or hope in something; in this case, Kuva hopes that Mika will be able to free her.
Mika takes this time to use her new Oracle Eye power and taps into the sight of an unknown person, getting a glimpse into a horrific, otherworldly realm. Escaping the vision, Mika sees a pool of red vapor forming in front of her and then jetting towards her. Mika removes her binds and jumps over the vapor. It then goes for Faari, who is not as lucky. Half of her body sinks into the vapor and Mika tries to pull her back out, only causing her more pain. Before Faari fully descends, she alerts Mika that the source is a "parasite of Chaos" named "En-Kai." Mika is pulled into the vapor with Faari and submerges only half-way into the otherworldly realm, soaked in bright red.
Realizing she has lost Faari, she looks ahead to see a large humanoid lizard with long, flowing hair. He is holding Faari in place by shoving a black tendril through her body, which immobilizes her but doesn't seem to cause grievous harm. Mika attempts to use Java's Herald, but the snake tails are just out of reach. When the monster turns to face Mika, the rabbit is pulled out by the lions. Golden wisps of Faith flow lightly across the stronghold as Mika tells Zurani about the situation. Zurani is prepared to attack the monster with Mika. She and Mika are tied to the stake so that they can be pulled out by the others if they are in trouble.
Before the two can go into the realm, however, the hole disappears. Mika taps into the monster's sight and notices he is directly under one of them, getting ready to grab them. Mika grabs a spear and Zurani is pulled into the realm, which causes Yuusuf to panic. Mika instructs him to pull them up when the rope is tugged three times consecutively, and then the rabbit jumps in after her. Zurani is already half way into the monster's gullet, and Mika attacks the glowing core on his chest, which causes her spearhead to snap off. She then uses Java's Herald on the bulge on his stomach, which causes him to release Zurani partially. The monster retaliates by immobilizing Mika with a black tendril in a similar manner to Faari.
Mika shatters the black tendril by grabbing it, even though her muscles are very difficult to move. While she does this, En-Kai snaps one of Zurani's arms, stopping her from attacking him. Mika grabs onto Zurani's rope and tugs it, which causes all three of them to be pulled up and through the surface back into the Earthen realm. With them, Faari is also released as well as the many bones of En-Kai's victims. En-Kai himself has massive lesions forming on his body from the ever-flowing Faith in the stronghold. Cooperating with the lions, Mika releases Zurani from his jaws. From the stronghold walls, a flaming arrow careens through the air and pierces through En-Kai's neck--this arrow was shot by Jabaro!
Everyone continues to assault En-Kai until he explodes into golden ash, disappearing into the air and leaving behind a floating artifact. The lions celebrate while Zurani speaks to Mika about the object left behind by the monster. The chief lioness has reservations about it and tells Mika to keep it away. Faari suggests Mika devour the object as an experiment, as something with such a godly aura and origin could not possibly hurt her as an Awakener. Mika swallows the artifact whole and her body becomes enveloped in a brilliant light, changing to take up a new reptilian form! Faari praises Java fervently as most of the Sehkmet, bearing witness to the transformation, bow before Mika, including Chief Yuusuf.
A Rabbit Astray Chapter 7
Mika is in shock as she takes in her new form, her fur replaced with smooth scales. She sees that the lions are exalting her, as if she were a god. Even Yuusuf calls her Godi Slani (god snake). He quiets down his people, asking what Mika wishes to say. Mika asks for the cheetahs' release, and while Zurani is upset that she is throwing around demands, Yuusuf convinces her that they're of no consequence. Kuva and her siblings are let go and released from the stronghold. Nefirti is eventually called over by Zurani, and the chief asks her to put on their finest armor, as she will be accompanying Mika on her travels as an official envoy and representative of the tribe. Nefirti is embittered by this, but is reassured when Zurani explains that her mission is one of the most important ones asked of any lion. The rest of her tribe cheers her on as she shows her acknowledgement through a respectful Sehkmet gesture representing resolution.
She sticks by Mika and Faari as they think on the next course of action. Mika asks for a bath and Nefirti says that they bathe in the nearby river. As they start to head there, Mika notices a jackal tied up to a nearby pole. Nefirti explains he has been spying on the lions and that the Kevala jackals are expanding and taking more land, which the Sehkmets won't tolerate. Mika goes to speak to the jackal about their prince and how they had met previously. Mika asks why the jackal was taken in and the canine says they think he is a scout. In response to this, Nefirti argues with him, the jackal saying that he was simply out collecting valuables while Nefirti claims he was spotted in multiple Sehkmet outposts. The jackal confirms that the Kevalas are mindful of the Sehkmets' activity and hope to expand alongside them. This angers Nefirti, but she is placated by Faari, who asks Nefirti to let Mika continue speaking to him.
The conversation ends with Mika and the jackal sharing their names, the jackal named Raodo. Mika's stomach rumbles and groans loudly prompting her to acquire sustenance. She asks Nefirti to fetch her water and food, which she consumes gratefully. They proceed to travel to the river for a bath. As they walk, Mika asks Nefirti how she came to be such a powerful warrior in her tribe. Nefirti excitedly explains that it takes hard work and dedication, and shares with Mika the numerous tenets of the tribe. She also reveals that her skills in archery had put eyes on her and allowed her to climb the ranks quickly. Nefirti also says that Princess Ashanti was to become chief warrior, but Nefirti believed her to be too headstrong and eager. Now that Mika took her out of the picture, this gave her a golden opportunity.
Mika teases Nefirti, asking if she imagined she would be in her current position. Nefirti snaps back, saying she will not bow to her like she made the others in her tribe do. The lioness states she is the same rabbit she took in even if she transformed to take up her freakish reptilian form. Mika says she does not expect her to worship her.
They arrive at the river to see three hyenas already there. The lioness says they are Mankheups, another tribe from the north that the Sehkmets have a bitter rivalry with. They even had a few wars in the past. Nefirti says they have been quiet for a few seasons and suspects them of being up to no good. Mika's team plots in a nearby forest, and Nefirti hints she is eager to ambush and perhaps eat one of them, believing that they have the prowess to take them on as long as one doesn't get away. Faari, on the contrary, recommends they spread good will in Java's name, to which Nefirti retorts with disgust.
They act out their plan: Mika and Faari approach the river as Nefirti watches from a distance, ready to shoot at them with her bow and arrow if they get out of line. Before heading out, Nefirti tells Mika to share her scripture with them, lying that the hyenas love all things supernatural. Mika walks up to the river, greeting the hyenas and speaking of Java. One of the younger male hyenas stops her, taunting her by having her elaborate on her god. Mika undresses, using her ample bosom to sway the male and let her in, which works. She proceeds to bathe herself. Mika pulls Faari into the river with her, claiming to have seen something reaching out for her. They are accosted by the female hyena in the group, who is upset at how Mika exposed herself to the male hyena, also not believing her claims of being a god follower and that "scalehides" like her speak nothing but nonsense. Mika proves to the female hyena her powers by peering through her very eyes with her sight jacking abilities. As she demonstrates this, however, she changes back to her rabbit form, and the hyenas flee in terror.
Nefirti reunites with them, shocked to see Mika back to her original rabbit form. She demands to know what they did to frighten the hyenas, and Mika says she offered to show them her powers when she morphed back without warning. With the scene having gone quiet once more, Mika and Faari get dressed, with Mika announcing their next destination being the settler camp South. Nefirti suggests they rest for the night, as Faari appears to be nodding off. Mika says they can rest out in the fields, though Mika warns her of a spirit that is lurking and watching them. Nefirti does not believe her, asking sarcastically their course of action against this specter. Mika has them set up camp near the river, Nefirti hunting for food while Faari gathers resources to make a temporary shelter.
Mika goes to help Faari gather wood, but she encounters the spirit again, this time confronting it to get a full view of its entire form. The ghost appears like an anthro, its body dripping with a translucent substance. Mika believes the ghost to belong to Gwando, and it lashes out at her angrily. After a scuffle, she is able to tear open its stomach membrane, release a gazelle. Mika feels dreadfully hungry, and can't stop herself from attempting to eat the ghost, but her hands go through it, and she becomes stuck in its open abdominal cavity. The ghost slowly reassembles, Mika stuck in its gelatinous body. She is freed with help from Faari, who smacks the ghost with a big stick. Mika shoots it with a Java's Herald attack, causing the greatly disfigured ghost to flee while Mika blacks out, the ghostly substance causing her to become greatly weakened.
The next morning, Nefirti and Faari have already eaten some fish, with plenty left over for Mika, who scarfs down the rest of them ravenously and in a single gulp! Nefirti tells her about the brief spat she and Faari had over her staff. They go to find Faari, who is not too far. The kudu gifts Mika a snake-shaped effigy for her to have communion with Java. Mika meditates with the effigy in hand, but can only hear garbled words from a voice that sounds like Java's: "Shin...Metem...Spirit...After you..."
Nefirti tries talking to Faari about what she did, feeling that she has to maintain good relations since she is stuck with them. Faari does not seem to want to open up to Nefirti, however, and Mika joins in the conversation, asking that the lioness be more considerate in the future before using others' personal belongings since they are a team. Nefirti snaps and yells at Mika, speaking of her embarrassment being in the team in the first place and that she'll be a laughing stock in her tribe because of it.
Out of the nearby forest, three hyenas emerge to confront them: a large male warrior, a male archer, and the female hyena from the river last night. The female hyena points out Mika and the male warrior calls out to Nefirti, asking if she knows Mika is a shapeshifting witch. They say that they want Mika and do not wish to fight her. Nefirti hands Mika over to them, but not before telling Mika to "keep them busy." Mika's hands are tied by the male warrior while the female says that Mika is going to tell them everything she knows about other witches and that they are seeking to exterminate others like her.
Faari tries to calm them and have them let Mika go, but the archers both approach her, deciding they'll take her back as well since she and Mika are associates. Mika then bites down on the male warrior, paralyzing him with her venom. Nefirti takes the opportunity to snatch the female archer and put her in a lock, taking hold of her bow and arrow and aiming it at the male archer. Mika swallows the warrior whole, the male archer losing his cool as he watches helplessly. Faari tries to get him to put down his bow, but he aims at her, exclaiming they are all witches. Nefirti shoots his in the neck, killing him instantly, and he too lets his arrow go, which hits Faari in the shoulder. Nefirti proceeds to swallow the female archer.
Nefirti tries to enjoy her meal, but notices Mika attempting to help Faari with her arrow wound. After gulping down the archer fully, Mika asks for Nefirti's help. Nefirti offers to give her instructions on treating Faari while she enjoys her meal, saying that she could cause an accident while the female hyena is jostling around as violently as she is. Mika agrees reluctantly and follows Nefirti's orders, but not before the male warrior wakes up in Mika's belly! Nefirti helps Mika by sitting on her back to keep the male submerged in her juices. He soon goes limp and Nefirti stands back up, finally enjoying a moment where she can taunt the rabbit. Mika continues to give aid to Faari, removing the arrow and wrapping her wound successfully.
Mika goes over to the body of the male archer, wondering what to do with him. She offers him to Faari, but the kudu refuses to eat a person. Nefirti says they have to get rid of his body as well as the hyenas' stuff, and Mika decides to swallow the corpse. Her stomach massive, Mika struggles to stand, suggesting they go to the river for a drink and to dispose of the hyenas' things there.
A Rabbit Astray Chapter 8
Mika takes a big drink from the river, and the team throws away all the hyenas' weapons aside from the three bows, which they keep. Nefirti offers to give archery lessons in the future. The trio walks a distance from the river and rests beneath a tree, where Mika's huge stomach clenches and almost instantly digests a portion of the hyenas inside her! This causes her body to create a large amount of fat as well. Mika can sense the energy stored in this fat, and through the power of controllable Ketosis, is able to melt away most of it, granting her energy and a slimer figure. Mika realizes she can control these bodily processes at will. Nefirti is awe-struck, and asks for one of the Godmatter stones. She is given one and the lioness quickly devours it, albeit awkwardly since she cannot see it. She doesn't notice anything different aside from her now-glowing eyes.
The party heads South and Nefirti has them make a stop at the camp where Mika fought Gwando, wanting to update the lions stationed there on the current situation. Faari is faint from her arrow wound still bleeding, and Mika seeks help. Nefirti points to a nearby Onya, who is very irate upon seeing Mika. She angrily asks how Mika defeated Gwando, but Mika offers to tell her while she helps Faari. She doesn't budge at first, but Nefirti convinces her, saying she will make sure the Sehkmet chiefs know of her deeds. Onya goes to stitch up Faari's wound, but is distracted by Mika's revealing of their run-in with the hyenas. Onya again confronts her for defeating Gwando, saying she cheated by using poison. Mika subdues her before Onya fights her, using Oracle Eye to paralyze the lioness. Onya is able to move again, but only after toppling over like a statue. She crawls away without another word, and they are left to tend to Faari's wound. Nefirti tries her best to stitch it, and while she doesn't do a perfect job, the wound is mostly closed, and Faari hugs Nefirti, overjoyed by her efforts.
The party sets off to Kuva's camp. Once they arrive, they find that no one is there. Looking around for a bit, Nefirti locates a Godmatter stone, but there is also a Faith-sucking creature hidden in a covered alcove nearby. Mika grabs the creature's snout, which is whipping about, and she pulls on it, causing the creature to emerge from the alcove. It turns out to be more than twice Mika's height, towering over the rabbit. The trio does combat with the Faithsucker, finding out quickly that the sunlight hurts it, causing its skin to shrivel and sizzle. Nefirti eats the Godmatter and is able to injure the Faithsucker, cutting off part of its snout. She proceeds to chop into its waist like a tree, getting halfway through. Delivering a mighty kick, Mika causes the creature's spine to snap, leaving its upper half writhing on the ground. Nefirti gives it one more chop and fully bisects it. Mika finishes the creature by stabbing it in the eye with her shortsword. It shrivels away, disintegrating into ashes, and the team takes a well-deserved rest.
During the fight, Faari was able to grant Mika a little extra Transcendence. She tells Mika that it is faith through the dire situation that caused it to manifest. Nefirti too was able to grant her Faith by seeing the previously unseeable creature. Mika goes to congratulate Nefirti, and the lioness admits to her that it has been years since her life has been so eventful, having eaten a hyena and fighting the monstrosity. Mika warns her about Shin, saying they need to be ready the next time they see him.
They inspect the lower half of the monster, the cavity wide open to reveal a huge organ sitting inside of it. Mika devours the entire organ, and a burst of Transcendence fills her from inside. Her mind is ravaged by the massive intake, and her body transforms back into the snake-like form. Mika attempts to keep still and meditate despite the chaos swimming about in her head. Suddenly, a familiar voice sounds in her head, announcing that it sees her! She snaps out of her meditation to see Nefirti pointing her bow at Jabaro, who stands over a hill also brandishing a bow at them. Mika defuses the situation, and Kuva reveals herself from behind Jabaro along with Kibwe and the other children.
Kuva says that she was told Mika died. Mika tries to explain her predicament and how she came back from the Godplains, but Jabaro interrupts her, warning her not to spread this to other people. Kibwe comes forth to comment on Mika's new form, saying it reminds him of Java, who actually did not threaten him while the snake had him in her custody. Kibwe also reveals that he stayed at the forest village, the one where all the people had disappeared, and that's where Java took him away.
While the cheetahs try to get their bearings, preparing to travel away from the area, Kuva warns them that the settlers at the camp drove them away, not wanting anyone there that wasn't in their group. Mika, in turn, warns them about the creature that they fought not too long ago. With that, the two groups separate, and Mika's party heads to the settlers' camp. Mika uses her Oracle Eye to detect two settlers at the camp as well as a nearby snake! Mika uses the willing serpent to retrieve a notepad from one of the tents. She uses its vision to see the contents of the pad, but she cannot read it. She has the snake come back with the notepad, but it is confronted by one of the settlers, who emerges with a shovel.
Mika comes out of the forest to distract the settler, but he pulls a revolver on her. A rifleman also arrives shortly afterwards, and Mika tries to tell them that she knows Daniel and Goodman and was wanting to help them. The settlers don't believe her due to her snake form. She is about to be taken away by them, but Nefirti steps in, saying she is a person of interest to the Sehkmet tribe. The settlers are afraid to anger the lion tribe, and lets Mika go. She gets confirmation that only the two settlers are at the camp currently. Soon enough, her empty stomach groans loudly, prompting her to ask for food and water for their trip to the Kevala tribe. The rifleman goes to get some, and while he is away, Faari excitedly walks to them to announce that she is able to read the contents of the notepad. She reads it aloud, which confirms that Daniel went to the Kevalas. Mika is given bread and water, which she consumes gratefully.
The party heads southwards, Mika contemplating how she is once again getting tangled with the jackals, though she secretly looks forward to seeing Enuk once again.
Personality
Mika is a free and spirited rabbit, yearning for adventure across the lands. She is thoughtful about her actions and words, but tends to be somewhat reckless at times. She believes in going with the flow, taking whatever punches life has to throw at her. Mika can be cocky and confident, using her appetite for meat to catch others off guard. Those who think they get an easy meal by attacking Mika get surprised every time when they wind up in her stomach instead.
Despite never really knowing her parents well, Mika respects the concept of family. She is madly in love with Enuk, the jackal prince, but respects his boundaries within village grounds.
Forte/Skills
All the meat that Mika has eaten has given her strength that other herbivorous rabbits have no hope of achieving. She is not only strong, being able to flip Kuva over and wielding a large sword, but her leg muscles allow her to leap far distances and heights. Mika has learned in her time in the wilderness how to be stealthy with her approaches when it comes to hunting and tracking others.
Mika has great hearing, as a rabbit would normally have, and she is able to clench her guts, allowing her to forcibly spit up whatever lies in her stomach.
Additionally, now that Mika has been reformed from Java’s flesh, she has been given the power to see the unseen with help from an otherworldly energy called Transcendence. She has also been granted a power from Java herself called Java’s Herald, which allows Mika to momentarily create a small portal from the palm of her hand that shoots out snake tails with incredible force, though these tails also retract back into the portal afterwards.
Series
- The Unnatural Predator
- The Short Goodbye
- A Rabbit Astray: Chapter 1
- A Rabbit Astray: Chapter 2
- A Rabbit Astray: Chapter 3
- A Rabbit Astray: Chapter 4
- A Rabbit Astray: Chapter 5
- A Rabbit Astray: Chapter 6
- A Rabbit Astray: Chapter 7
- A Rabbit Astray: Chapter 8
Trivia
- Mika is a retcon of Slash's character, Tanya, who was the original protagonist of A Rabbit Astray. The decision was made in order for Fidchell to be able to take more creative liberties with Mika as the series went on.
Gallery
Mika before becoming an Awakener.
Letting Daniel touch her belly.
Mika using her super hearing.
Thinking of Enuk before dying.
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