Nefirti
| The Drachaverse | The Feralverse | The Medieverse | The Pokeverse | The Tribalverse |
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Nefirti is one of the most highly regarded female warriors of the powerful Sehkmet tribe. She met Mika while on a mission to take in Jabaro and Kuva, and hasn't been able to get the rabbit off her back since then. Initially planning on turning her in as the Sehkmet princess's murderer, Nefirti never thought that she would become an envoy for the very rabbit she expected to meet her end at the hands of her chiefs. She dreams of rising to become chief warrior one day, but her ambitions landed her in an unthinkable position, and the lioness schemes constantly to ensure things continue to go her way in her upwards journey to chiefdom.
Story
A Rabbit Astray Chapter 5
Nefirti is tasked to hunt down the cheetah Kuva under suspicion that she has something to do with their tribe's princess's death. Going to Kuva's home with male warrior Gwando and huntress Onya, they take Kuva and her siblings captive, bringing them back to a nearby Sehkmet camp. They soon return to locate Jabaro when Kuva tells them about him. As they continue their search, Gwando inspects the nearby forest, smelling something. The warrior is ambushed by both Mika and Jabaro, and is knocked out with the help of Mika's powers.
Nefirti and Onya come to ambush them back, pinning them down. She offers to let them see Kuva as long as they come with them and abandon their weapons. The two agree half-heartedly and toss aside their revolver, bow, and quiver. The rabbit asks to get something to eat before heading out. Though Nefirti did not initially care, she is suddenly interested in what Mika considers food. Mika offers to show her by eating Gwando, saying that she could also help carry him that way. The spear lioness is greatly opposed to Mika’s devouring of Gwando, but Nefirti calms her, explaining how this would be helpful to them and that Mika would not digest him. Nefirti then swallows Jabaro whole as leverage in case Mika gets out of hand.
Once they arrive at a small camp, they go over to a tree, where Onya puts a knife to Mika’s throat, demanding she release Gwando. Mika suggests she not put the knife to her throat since it might injure Gwando, and in response, Onya goes behind her and puts the knife to her back instead, continuing to shout at her. Mika does not take kindly to this and kicks Onya hard, subsequently expelling Gwando straight at the lioness. Nefirti wraps her arm around Mika’s neck, her strength too much for Mika to fight back, the rabbit blacking out. She has Mika tied to a pole.
Nefirti meets Mika later as the sun sets. The lioness approaches Mika, wondering if the rabbit is a witch judging by her features and her capabilities. She also claims Mika knows something about their missing princess, whose spear was found near Kuva’s camp. She also reveals that Kuva let her know that Mika had eaten the princess. Mika does not want to say anything until she knows the cheetahs are safe.
Nefirti takes Mika to see Jabaro who is also tied up, but no sign of Kuva. The lioness sneers, saying that Kuva is actually in their stronghold. Gwando suddenly confronts them, demanding a Stryd with Mika, which is a duel to the death, a Sehkmet tradition. Mika is led to a tent where she strips down to a loincloth only, which was one of the rules of a Stryd. She pries Nefirti on hints to dealing with Gwando, to which Nefirti explains he uses brute force above everything else and that she should be evasive.
The Stryd takes place in the center of the camp, with Gwando and Mika facing each other. Mika remains evasive, but she is eventually caught by Gwando and knocked out, the lion starting to swallow her whole. Before he makes the final swallow, an awakened Mika shouts that she knows who killed their princess. With her inside Gwando’s stomach, Nefirti approaches, trying to halt the duel in favor of listening to the rabbit, since this was a matter to do with their chief. Gwando’s body suddenly seizes up and he collapses. Mika takes the opportunity to escape from his stomach by kicking against it and pushing herself out forcefully. Onya attempts to interrupt, but Nefirti keeps her at bay.
Mika knees Gwando’s head while he is still afflicted by her venom, knocking him out cold. Standing over him, Mika eventually decides to eat him. To the lions' shock, she gulps him down with not much of a struggle. Lying on her back, Mika announces she is ready to talk about their princess. She says that she ate her, but that she was going to bring her home. Mika spins the story, knowing she indeed digested the princess, but involves Shin as well, saying that the rat digested them both. Nefirti questions this, saying Kuva never mentioned a Shin. Mika says that Jabaro would be able to testify.
Irritated, Nefirti ties Mika’s hands and brings her to him once again. Jabaro confirms that Shin had eaten him, but Mika traded places with him. As Nefirti tries to poke at him for more information about the rat, a female kudu named Faari approaches them, claiming to know the nature of Mika’s powers, saying outright that Mika is an Awakener who was gifted powers. Mika asks Faari more about herself, the kudu explaining that she is a “Faithful,” one who tends to shrines across Africa. Mika excitedly asks if one is near, and Faari confirms this.
Nefirti interrupts them, seeming to have met Faari one too many times. Faari convinces 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 go 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. Nefirti is sent back up when Mika suggests bringing down Faari to assist her in locating a hidden Shrine. The lioness brings the kudu down to the corridor. Faari and Mika then manage to open the wall at the end of the hall, revealing the dark shrine within. The lions wait outside and entrust the breaking of their curse to the duo.
Zurani summons Nefirti and another archer to cover her as she approaches the two about their progress, and also has a pike set outside of her dwelling for them to tie Faari and Mika to. Mika explains to Zurani that this is an invisible creature tormenting them rather than a curse. Nefirti witnesses Mika giving something to Zurani, though she cannot see it, claiming it will give her the ability to detect the invisible creature. 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.
Nefirti watches in bewilderment as Mika and Faari avoid something on the ground, though she cannot see what it is. Zurani, however, claims that she herself can see it, a moving portal on the ground, and tells the lions to hold and not attack Faari and Mika for freeing themselves from the pike to avoid it. Faari is pulled into the ground completely while half of Mika's body hangs out. Zurani, Nefirti, and some others gather to pull her back out to safety. Mika explains frantically that a demon named En-Kai waits for them below a portal. Zurani is more than ready to help slay it, and she and Mika are tied to the pole, Zurani instructing the others to pull them out when the rope is tugged. Suddenly, Zurani plunges into the ground and Mika goes after her, leaving the stronghold in a dead silence.
Eventually, the rope is tugged and numerous lions, including Yuusuf, pull out Mika and Zurani. Faari also emerges, but from another spot. Nefirti watches in utter shock as Zurani is suspended in mid-air, half of her body no longer visible. Multiple lions attack the invisible creature under direction of Zurani, though they and Nefirti cannot see anything while Zurani can. Soon enough they stop attacking when the creature meets its demise, Zurani announcing their victory. The lions cheer in unison, though Nefirti remains confused at what transpired. The lioness is speechless at the next thing that happens: Mika, after consuming something invisible to Nefirti, transforms in front of her eyes, turning into a reptilian anthropomorph. Almost the entire tribe bows to her, including Chief Yuusuf, seeing her as a god.
A Rabbit Astray Chapter 7
Nefirti is in disbelief as the rabbit now-turned snake creature has her tribe bowing to her, the proud and prominent Sehkmet tribe that she so adored. She 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. The lioness watches as Mika and Faari talk them down and Mika goes in 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, and Nefirti watches as the hyenas suddenly run off in a panic.
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.
The lioness goes off to do some spearfishing, not quite in the mood to hunt for anything larger. With nothing to spear them with, however, she sneakily takes Faari's staff to fish while the kudu is gathering wood. After catching some fish, she returns to find that Faari and Mika are at camp, the latter out cold due to an encounter with the spirit she mentioned previously. Faari is offended that Nefirti used her staff to fish and takes it back.
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. 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. While she does so, Mika comes to her, seeking help with Faari's wound. 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
Nefirti is a determined and smart lioness who is willing to manipulate and trick others to get what she wants. This is evident in how she attempted to use Mika as a scapegoat and also sought to use her chiefs' emotions to gain their favor. Although everything goes towards her goals to climb the ranks, she is not devoid of reason and the rare instance of consideration here and there.
As a part of Mika's team, she likes to think of the other two as lower than her, but also her responsibility, aiding them when it appears they really need it. She is tough as nails and holds a deep disdain for almost every other genus that is not Panthera, all for various reasons. She believes heavily in the might and superiority of the Sehkmet and holds a great amount of pride in it. That is why she takes her mission in helping Mika seriously, despite her being a rabbit.
Forte/Skills
Nefirti found her calling in the art of archery, and her sharp eye has caught the attention of her superiors. She rose through the warrior ranks quickly because of this and her willingness to take on outskirt missions and other dangerous tasks. Her body has grown very strong as a result, and she puts all other lionesses in the tribe to shame, not only physically, but mentally as well. Her brains and her brawn combined have given her a great kickstart in ascending the chain.
Aside from her strength, Nefirti is an able tactician and schemer. She is always thinking of multiple routes of approach for different situations, and is not afraid to throw others to the wolves to survive and rise to the top. Her time out in the wilds has tempered her spirit and given her a high amount of knowledge in resource gathering and survival. While she favors her bow, Nefirti is proficient with all manners of weaponry.
Series
- A Rabbit Astray: Chapter 5
- A Rabbit Astray: Chapter 6
- A Rabbit Astray: Chapter 7
- A Rabbit Astray: Chapter 8
Trivia
- Nefirti was first shown as a generic female archer of the Sehkmet tribe tagging along with Gwando (not even wearing armor!). With the progression of the quest, she slowly became more of a major character, and with recent circumstances, became an official member of Mika's party!
- Needless to say, it was definitely not planned for her to become anything more than a very minor character.
Gallery
Alt scenario where Nef and Onya eat Jabaro and Mika respectively.
| The Drachaverse | The Feralverse | The Medieverse | The Pokeverse | The Tribalverse |
|---|