Y'SHAATI INTO THE DARK LANDS: CHAPTER 3 - A NEW JOURNEY

 

Father Sun Kuaras'y rose again in the highest point of the sky to illuminate the jungle with all its splendor. Y'shaati, feeling the warm touch of sunlight in her beautiful, tanned and naked body, began to wake up after having spent a rather strange night with I'ppi. Upon observing her own body, the Monkey Queen could see how the little monkey pup was hugging one of her breasts while sucking lightly on her nipple.

Y'shaati couldn't help but blush at seeing such a scene, but at the same time, she experienced a heartwarming and comforting feeling that she had never felt before. She knew exactly what it meant to be female, however, very rarely in her life had she thought about becoming a mother. Given the obvious anatomical differences between her and the Naka'i,  as well as the rest of the apes, she simply assumed the role of being the "big sister" for most of the monkeys. Despite this, she always felt pleased with that role.

This was the first time she showed a maternal instinct for a monkey instead of being just a nanny. For a brief moment, she was lost in her own mind imagining what her life would be like if she ever met some male of her same nature... not a monkey, nor a strange human like the ones she had met before... just someone like her.

Once awake, little I'ppi was happy to know that he was still laying next to who had become his savior yesterday. Seeing this, Y'shaati began to think what would be the most convenient thing to do with the little monkey. She couldn't just leave him to his fate in the dangerous jungle. He was just a pup. She didn't have the cold heart to do it. However, being little experienced in maternity issues, she also felt unprepared to raise a small monkey as if it were her own baby. Also, there was also the chance that someone could still be searching for him, like his mother or some member of his family.

With very little options, the monkey-girl made the smartest and safest decision: Y'shaati decided she would take I'ppi with her back home with the Naka'i.

Without wasting any more time, Y'shaati talked to I'ppi. The little monkey agreed with her decision, preferring to be accompanied by Y'shaati at all times instead of being left alone.

The Queen of the Monkeys invited I'ppi to hold on her right shoulder, and immediately, she took the nearest vine to swing through the trees and start the trip back home.

Y'shaati and I'ppi traveled together through Amazonia for two days and two nights until they finally arrived in Petaity. Finally, Y'shaati could get answers about the little monkey's mystery and this little adventure would come to an end...

She would never have imagined that this would be just the beginning of something much bigger... and darker...

During a calm afternoon in the jungle, Y'shaati and I'ppi finally arrived at the great tree of the Naka'i rainforest. At the precise moment when the Monkey Queen set foot on one of its branches, the Naka'i knew that their Guardian had returned.

Y'shaati, howling mightily while beating her proud chest, made her presence known to everyone in the place. Just immediately, dozens of Naka'i approached her, jumping and running in happiness. The Spirit of Amazonia was back at home. Y'shaati, euphoric, let herself be embraced in a loving way by all the monkeys that approached her to welcome her. She kept howling and doing some monkey gestures with them while others clapped and danced.

Just then, after receiving such a warm welcome, Y'shaati directed herself to all the Naka'i to inform them of some important news. Right after, she approached to the branches of the trees to reveal a surprise guest that she was hiding behind some leaves. With a smile, the Monkey Queen introduced I'ppi to all of the Naka'i...

Only a few seconds were enough for that euphoric and loud monkey party to suddenly disappear and the great Naka'i tree to be fall in a deep silence. The Naka'i, completely stunned, couldn't believe what was in front of their eyes:

That creature...

Y'shaati, confused by the monkeys reaction towards I'ppi, brought him closer to the monkeys. But just before that moment could happen, a strong feel of anger and hostility became present. Surprisingly, the Naka'i started growling maddened in disapproval of the little monkey's presence and howling aggressively towards him. Even some began to throw all kinds of objects at the poor pup.

Y'shaati just couldn't believe it... she had no idea of what was going on, but it was clear that, for the Naka'i, I'ppi wasn't welcome...

In an altered state, a group of monkeys quickly ran in search of the Elders, so that they could observe such aberration. The monkey-girl tried to calm the hostile mood of the Naka'i, but it was useless. Poor I'ppi, completely scared, hid quickly behind Y'shaati's back.

It wasn't until the Naka'i elders made their appearance so that the other monkeys would finally remain silent and observe the little monkey with an unfriendly look.

When they finally observed the little creature, the elders turned their gaze towards Y'shaati. A cold and full of disappointment gaze. At that moment, the elders asked her how in the world she came across with such a detestable beast.

She answered by telling the truth of everything that happened, but at the same time, she defended I'ppi saying that he wasn't a beast, but simply a baby. The elders, realizing Y'shaati's ignorance, decided to tell her the truth about I'ppi's true nature. At the same time, all the Naka'i gathered near them to listen attentively to the elders story:

"In a place, very far from here, there is an inhospitable and unknown land, located beyond any safe border of Amazonia: it is known as Pytu, but since many ages ago, our ancestors called it the Dark Lands. An extremely dangerous place, surrounded by a dense fog where the light of Father Sun does not penetrate. Darkness rules that place. In the ancient tales of our ancestors, it is mentioned that, by some curse, all the creatures that live in that land are strangely disproportionated. Colossal predators coexisting in the same place with tiny prey. Home to all kinds of legendary creatures... and many Dark Gods of the Jungle, like Ma'i D'goa. Yes, my darling, the same beast that thou confronted and conquered. It is said that the titanic anaconda lived there a long time ago, and for some reason that we do not know, it ended up living here in Amazonia."

"Going into that place is strictly forbidden. No one who dares to enter there will ever return..."

"Nothing that comes out of that place can be good, the creatures of that place can not be trusted... and that creature... that abomination that hides behind thy back, darling, is one of them!

And this is the worst of all: humans also know about Pytu's existence. However, in their own legends, it is said that in the heart of that terrible place lies a horrible and dark secret. A sin of the past..."

"Remember well this, brothers and sisters:

Beware, secrets are secrets for a reason.

And some do not wish to see them uncovered.

Especially when the secrets are particularly unseemly... "

All the Naka'i, including Y'shaati, stood speechless at the revelation.

However, shortly after this, the silence was interrupted by a small cry. Little I'ppi started crying disconsolately. Between sobs, the little monkey claimed that he wasn't a monster, and that all he wanted was to see his mother again.

When looking deeply into I'ppi's eyes, Y'shaati couldn't help but feel a huge pain and pity for the pup. Fate had sealed his future forever. Thinking about this, she closed her eyes for a moment.

A few seconds after meditating it, the monkey-girl opened her eyes, and turned to look at the Naka'i elders, with a defiant and very serious look on her face. Without hesitation, she pronounced her final decision:

"AHH-AHH OOH-OOH OOOOOH!!"

("Y'shaati help I'ppi return home!!")

Upon hearing this, the Naka'i began to howl desperately and sadly for her commitment. Her monkey brothers and sisters begged her not to make such a mistake. To everyone's surprise, the elders remained in complete silence. All the monkeys wondered why the elders didn't do anything to punish Y'shaati's attitude.

It was easy to deduce from the seriousness in their faces that the elders wouldn't accept the resolve. However, they remembered something very important about her: she wasn't a little girl anymore. She was no longer that little human pup they swore to protect with their lives. Until a few months ago, she had matured a lot until she became the strong and brave human female she is now.

She is now the Queen of the Monkeys, the Guardian of the Jungle... The Spirit of Amazonia.

With just a few words, the elders were determined to respect her decision. All the Naka'i couldn't believe it.

At the end of this, the elders closed the gathering with this sentence:

"Prepare thyself, darling, for it will be a long journey..."

Y'SHAATI INTO THE DARK LANDS: CHAPTER 2 - FAR FROM HOME

 I'ppi... that was the name the little monkey uttered in a distrustful way. Despite having observed how Y'shaati faced the hideous beast that was chasing him to protect him, I'ppi still didn't feel safe with the company of his unexpected savior. In his mind he thought that she didn't resemble any ape race he had seen before in his short life. However, he noticed that she was a female. What kind of creature was she? Why did she decided to help him? The monkey pup felt too confused and terrified to even think of an answer.

Y'shaati, on the other hand, couldn't help but be amazed by I'ppi's tiny size and peculiar fur. She had never seen any kind of monkey with those characteristics. He definitely didn't belong to any family of the order of primates.

A wave of unanswered questions flooded the heads of both for a few moments until Y'shaati decided to break the ice and communicate with the little pup again.

The Queen of the Apes asked him why he was in such a precarious situation and where he came from. But I'ppi remained silent...

Gently, she approached him little by little with a friendly smile so that the little monkey wouldn't feel distressed and to let him know that she wasn't a threat nor she intended to harm him. The little monkey looked her in the eyes. I'ppi felt Y'shaati's kind gesture immediately. Being a little bit more calm now, I'ppi agreed to answer her questions. However, before he could express himself, the little monkey's stomach produced a worrying sound... the poor thing was starving. Y'shaati could also tell that his body wasn't only trembling because he was scared, but because he was too weak and close to faint. Whatever happened to him, it must have been traumatic for the poor little creature.

Without hesitating a second more, the beautiful monkey-girl took the pup in her arms and began to look around to find something to feed I'ppi. Jumping among the branches of the trees, Y'shaati quickly found a mango tree, an easy to digest, delicious and nutritious fruit for Naka'i infants and for most monkeys in general. She took one, and put the fruit in his little mouth. Unexpectedly for her, after giving the first bite to the fruit, the little monkey spat the mouthful while making a gesture of disgust. Y'shaati thought that maybe mangoes were not to his liking, so she decided to go down with the monkey to the jungle floor. Once there, Y'shaati told I'ppi not to go anywhere while she brought him another kind of fruit to eat. Then, she climbed back up the tree where she descended and began to search again. The pup obeyed her order.

A few minutes passed until Y'shaati finally returned with a bunch of different aliments to enjoy. Pears, peaches, kiwis, bananas, cherries, grapes... a good variance of fruits. She sat on the floor and put all the fruits in front of I'ppi so he could choose the one he wanted. But the little monkey didn't look kindly on the banquet in front of him. Seeing that the pup didn't take any fruit, she took a few grapes and began to eat them to show her that there was nothing to worry about the fruits. But still, I'ppi refused to eat. Y'shaati, now a little bit frustrated, asked him what he wanted to eat. The little monkey's immediate response left her surprised: meat...

The monkey-girl never imagined that little I'ppi could wish to eat meat at such a young age. That wasn't ordinary in the ape families she knew. But apparently there was no way to change the little carnivorous monkey's mind. If he continued like this, surely the pup would not survive another couple of days. With no other choice, Y'shaati got up from the ground and looked around again to see if by chance she could find any prey to hunt.

Since she was a child, Y'shaati learned to hunt thanks to the Uturuncus teachings, the big felines of Amazonia. However, killing to eat was something she really didn't like to do. Due to her ape nature learned from the Naka'i, she always preferred to have a more 'light' diet. Unfortunately for both, the sunset in the jungle was coming to an end, and soon Mother Moon Aras'y would make her presence in the firmament to illuminate the night with her light, so finding a prey would be a more difficult task under that circumstance since most of the creatures of the jungle hide to sleep and avoid predators.

Without many options, the Monkey Queen tried to think of something quick to feed I'ppi. However, thanks to the deep silence that little by little flooded the environment, she heard the flow of a nearby river, which made her have a new idea. Without wasting any more time, Y'shaati took I'ppi and placed him on her back while she ran as fast as possible in the direction of said place.

Once they reached the river's skirts, Y'shaati again ordered the little monkey to wait while she got her long-awaited food. The monkey-girl stealthily approached the shoreline and for a few moments, remained watching carefully the flow of the water. She wasn't fully yet convinced of what she was about to do, but her choices were scarce, so she simply decided to stop thinking about it and let her animal instinct guide her. Besides, she already knew perfectly well how the world worked. She had experienced it before many times in her life: eat or being eaten... that's the law of the jungle, after all...

Just then, Y'shaati jumped into the river, plunging into its depths. I'ppi, astonished, ran quickly to see up close what the monkey-girl had done. The little monkey stood staring at the water, trying to locate her, but to no avail. Then, a few moments later, Y'shaati finally came out of the water. Her hunting had been successful. Y'shaati brought with herself three fish, one in her hand, one grabbed with her foot and another one still writhing in her mouth. As soon as she came out of the water, the Monkey Queen held on to her preys and quickly broke their necks to prevent them from escaping. When the fish finally stopped moving, she closed her eyes for a moment... as if she were thanking the gods of the jungle for her providential hunt.

When little I'ppi saw the appetizing meal that Y'shaati had brought him, his face lit up completely. This time, the monkey pup was excited to finally eat something that bleeds. Y'shaati shook her body and gorgeous golden hair to dry herself and quickly took the fish and I'ppi to return into the dense jungle. The sun had already set on the horizon, and in that place, they would be an easy prey for all kinds of nocturnal predators.

Y'shaati along with I'ppi climbed the tallest tree they found to stay safe in the heights of the jungle and to enjoy their feast.

A warm moonlight accompanied Y'shaati and I'ppi as they ate. It had been a long time since the Monkey Queen had eaten raw meat. To her surprise, she was enjoying it enough... much more than what she thought. Her mouth and neck were stained by her prey's blood.

While watching I'ppi eat with a somewhat disturbing voracity, Y'shaati could notice another unusual peculiarity of the little monkey: despite being a pup, he already had two rows of well-developed and dangerously sharp teeth... she thought that if the child were a little more aggressive and if he coul learn how to defend himself, he could become a lethal beast by being just an infant. She didn't even wanted to think about what he would be like when he grows into an adult monkey.

When both finished eating and saw that I'ppi was in better condition, Y'shaati knew that both needed to sleep, but before that happened, she seize the chance to ask him the questions she had wanted to know a few hours ago. The little monkey finally responded with an expression of sadness.

I'ppi comes from a land which he calls Pytu, a place Y'shaati had never heard of before. He lives in that place with his mother and with other monkeys of his family. However, he told her that about 5 days ago, he and his family were attacked by some very strange creatures... he described them simply as 'monsters'. He also mentioned that these monsters walked on two legs. This last statement surprised Y'shaati because she thought for a moment that form of movement was similar to that of humans.

The last thing I'ppi saw before separating from his mother, was that the monsters were trying to kidnap them all instead of devouring them. Since then, the little monkey was fleeing aimlessly, lost in the jungle until he found that Tejú and Y'shaati. The poor creature began to sob from just thinking about what happened and longing for her mother.

The Queen of the Apes, moved by listening to I'ppi's perils, asked him not to cry and invited him to sleep next to her on this full moon night.

The little monkey, grateful for all that Y'shaati had done for him this day, accepted his kind gesture. Y'shaati layed on her back on the branch they were both on, and I'ppi layed on her belly. Bedtime was ideal for both, so it didn't take long for them to fall into a deep sleep.

Late during the night, I'ppi's infant instinct made the little pup unconsciously embrace and suck one of Y'shaati's breasts, as this was the way he slept with his mother.

Despite this, Y'shaati didn't wake up.