Dashing Devil Omnibus 2: Books 4-6, page 133
The big demon had never traveled so far through the Wild Lands without being attacked multiple times.
“Heh, I’ll tell you after you fly us up there,” Raev said with a velvet chuckle as she pointed to an outcropping most the way up the mountain she had led him too.
He frowned at it. “If that was the target I could have flown us right over.”
“It’s not the target, it’s the destination of our mini-trip.” Raev grinned at him. “Plus, if I had you fly me, I wouldn’t have gotten to enjoy my jog through the forest. Now come on, I don’t want to miss it.”
She held her arms up to him and closed her fingers in a ‘pick me up’ gesture.
Boyd chuckled softly at Raev’s playful antics, shaking his head in amusement. Despite his initial apprehension, he couldn't help but be drawn in by her carefree spirit and infectious energy. With a fond smile, he scooped her up in his arms, feeling the warmth of her body against his as he prepared to take flight.
With a powerful leap to get clear of the last of the trees, Boyd’s wings unfurled and gave a mighty flap. With several more, they soared upwards towards the rocky outcropping. The rush of wind whipped past them as they ascended higher and higher, the ground falling away beneath them.
When they reached the outcropping, Boyd gently landed on the uneven surface. He set Raev down on her feet. She turned to face him, her gaze filled with excitement and anticipation. After glancing down at her FDU she cheered, “Perfect timing, come sit here.”
His fox-featured love led him over to a decent sized bolder that rose to her hip level. She hopped up and sat on it, patting the spot next to her. He carefully scanned the area before sitting down beside her.
“Now for the best part,” she announced with a grin.
Before Boyd could ask what she meant, a brilliant flash of light erupted before them. Dazzling colors swirled and danced in the air. They were facing east and had sat down just in time for the edge of the sun to crest the horizon.
The sky was painted in hues of pink, orange, and gold as the sun peeked over the horizon, casting a warm and radiant glow over the landscape. Boyd watched in awe as the first rays of sunlight illuminated the Wild Lands, turning the dark shadows into a tapestry of vibrant colors.
The world seemed to come alive with the dawn, a sense of reverence washing over him as he took in the breathtaking sight.
Raev’s emerald eyes sparkled with joy as she watched the sunrise unfold, her vivid gaze reflecting the vibrant hues before them. With a contented sigh, she leaned against Boyd, her presence grounding him amidst the beauty of nature’s spectacle. The cool morning air carried a sense of peace. It wrapped around them like a comforting embrace, as they basked in the warmth of the rising sun.
For a long moment, time seemed to stand still as they sat together on the rocky outcropping, lost in the mesmerizing display unfolding before them.
“I like to take in the sunrise after a shitty day like yesterday,” Raev said softly, as if to avoid interrupting the moment of peace. “I use it remind myself that I have to move on. Our world keeps on spinning and every day it brings is full of potential. I might not be able to make up for my mistakes or undo that bad things that happen, but every day is a new day.”
Boyd listened to Raev’s words. He felt a sense of resonance at her perspective on starting anew each day. The sunrise painted a vivid picture of hope and renewal, washing away the shadows of the past and lighting the way for a fresh beginning. He wrapped an arm around Raev’s shoulders, drawing her close as they sat side by side on the rocky outcropping,
Together, they shared a moment of quiet reflection.
“I’ve never really taken the time to appreciate a sunrise like this,” Boyd admitted, his gaze fixed on the horizon where the sun continued its ascent. “I was always focused on what came next. My next training, the next fight, the challenges I had to be prepared for...”
Raev turned to Boyd, her expression soft and understanding. “It’s easy to get caught up in the chaos of the present and the uncertainty of the future. But sometimes, it’s important to pause and appreciate the beauty in the simple moments, like this sunrise,” she said, her voice gentle and soothing.
Boyd felt a sense of peace wash over him as he gazed at the sunrise, the warmth of Raev’s hand in his grounding him in the moment. The sky continued to change hues, painting a breathtaking canvas above them as the sun climbed higher into the sky.
“We’ve been through a lot together, Big Guy,” Raev spoke, her voice gentle yet filled with conviction. “But we’re still here, fighting for what we believe in. And moments like this... they give us the strength to keep going.”
Boyd nodded in silent agreement, feeling a deep sense of gratitude for the Bond he shared with Raev and the moments of peace amidst the chaos of their lives. They sat together in companionable silence until the bottom edge of the sun came into view. The big demon didn’t notice it as it happened, but at some point, his wings had spread out behind him, soaking up the morning sun and the motes of energy they carried.
A cool breeze traced along his wings, adding a soothing tactile sense to the warmth of the rays they collected.
As the sun finished rising, it grew too bright to look at directly, and his vixen turned to him instead. “Okay, now it’s time to finally fill you in on something we meant to a long time ago. We’ve just been so busy, and when we weren’t busy, you were focused on Laura’s training… so we never got around to it.”
Boyd turned to her, arching a brow to prompt further explanation.
Chapter 23
“You know how the plants and animals out here in the Wilds attempt to kill any human who enters their habitat—even herbivores or otherwise docile creatures that have no reason to attack?” Raev asked.
Boyd nodded his confirmation; it was considered a basic truth on their world.
“They don’t treat Changed the same way.”
Boyd blinked, then frowned.
He’d had plenty of experiences to the contrary, however those types of encounters had not been repeated this morning. Pre-dawn was historically considered one of the worst times to move. This led to his cognitive dissonance about how their world worked.
“I can see you’re thinking… but I used to get attacked all the time during our training missions in the PAC,” Raev said with one of her velvet chuckles. “Your expression all but screams it… but let me ask, were you ever allowed to enter the Wild Lands without several non-Changed in your group?”
“No,” he admitted.
“We typically worked in groups of ten, as there weren’t enough Changed to form a dedicated group,” Boyd replied.
There had been more than ten of them early on, but that had been right at the start of their more dangerous missions into the Wilds. And the numbers of changed in the PAC dropped off fairly quickly. The big demon tried not to let himself think too hard about what that meant in this moment of peace.
“Mhmm,” Raev agreed with a nod and a slight smile. “But think back to how those missions went. How often was a Changed the first one to be attacked?”
Boyd frowned as he tried to remember a time when another Changed or he, himself, had been the first one to be targeted in the Wilds. “I’m sure you won’t find many instances… if any at all. Most of the time, I bet it was one of the normal kids who were attacked, and you jumped to their defense. Am I right?”
Boyd nodded after coming up with exactly one instance when he’d been the first to be targeted—but even that incident was an exception that proved the rule. It had been a large lizard that had charged their entire group when they’d intruded on its territory. He just happened to be right at the front.
“Thought so.” Raev’s smile grew a little more confident. “I’m sure there were times when you separated from the group to scout, patrol during a watch, or something like that. Were you ever attacked while you were out on your own?”
“No, I wasn’t.”
Boyd hadn’t done much scouting after his Change, but his watches and patrols had been conspicuously boring. That’s not to say that nothing happened overnight; a lot of the other kids had very different experiences. Silvie always complained about having to patrol during a watch, because it meant constantly fending off small threats.
He wouldn’t have been able to relate—that is, if he had allowed himself to talk to her back then.
Raev’s eyes gleamed with a knowing look as Boyd confirmed his experiences in the Wild Lands.
“Exactly,” she said, her voice carrying a note of certainty. “The Changed are, in a way, welcomed by the creatures and plants of the Wilds. It’s almost as if they recognize us as a part of their world.”
Boyd furrowed his brow as the puzzle pieces started coming together in his mind. “Are you saying that the Wilds’ hostility towards humans doesn’t extend to the Changed?”
“Bingo,” Raev replied with a grin. “It’s like we have some sort of natural protection or connection with this world that keeps us safe. There are some exceptions, of course. Aggressive or territorial creatures will still try to take out a Changed when we threaten them or intrude on their territory…”
“Like the ones we’ve focused on removing from the valley,” Boyd interrupted.
Raev nodded. “But the vast majority of the flora and fauna on this planet have little interest in us.”
Boyd frowned, looking down at the slice of the Wildlands below them—most of which was still in the shadow of the tall mountains that surrounded them.
Raev grinned. “The valley should be more or less safe for you, Hope, and myself. Even Daisy could probably go for a walk out here without issue.”
“But, what about the first time you brought me out here?” Boyd recalled how they had been attacked by many creatures during their chase on the way to the Crevice Boar’s den.
“Oh, that…” Raev said this with a laugh. “At the time, I was doing my best to exude hostility. I like to think I’m pretty good at it when I put my mind to it. When I do, creatures that sense it get all defensive of their homes. Mindy asked me to do that because you would have likely picked up on it, and she didn’t think it was time for you to realize you had been lied too—yet again—about something like that.”
Raev’s words sank in as Boyd processed the new information, a mix of understanding and curiosity swirling in his mind.
“So, all this time, we Changed have had a sort of natural shield around us,” Boyd mused.
His gaze drifted over the landscape below. The revelation that Changed like them were not seen as intruders by the very world they lived on while normal humans were, filled him with a host of questions.
Why was this fact being hidden? What did their society gain by keeping it a secret? Why wasn’t the Authority using Changed to safely gather natural resources? Was this why people like him were deliberately oppressed by their laws and culture? How was it connected to the myth that Changed naturally went Primal?
Raev watched Boyd’s expression shift as his mind clearly grappled with the implications of this revelation. He was sure she could see the questions swirling in his eyes, the gears turning as he tried to piece together the puzzle that had been hidden from him for so long.
She reached out a hand to gently touch his arm, grounding him in the present.
“I know this is a lot to take in, Boyd,” Raev said in a soothing tone. “I would tell you what it all means if I had any clue, but we don’t have to figure it out—not right now, at least.”
She grinned. “Come on, Big Guy.” She abruptly stood and beckoned for him to do the same. “Let’s go for a nice jaunt through the valley and just enjoy ourselves.”
Boyd rose to his feet, the weight of Raev’s revelations still heavy on his mind.
She led him over to the edge of the outcropping and had him glide them down to a clearing in the trees. His vixen led him down another game trail, her hands reaching out to brush the leaves and bushes as she passed by them. The big demon followed suit, fighting instincts that demanded he stay on high alert in the dangerous environment.
Instead, he tried to relax and enjoy an environment that apparently wasn’t all that dangerous. He had never in his life tried to relax and ‘enjoy’ a stroll through the Wilds—not once.
Yet, as they walked down the valley, Boyd couldn't help but appreciate the sense of serenity that washed over him. The faint rustling of leaves, the distant calls of unknown creatures, the whistles and chirps of birdsong—it all blended harmoniously in the background. It was a symphony unlike anything he had experienced before.
The further they ventured down the valley, the more Boyd noticed subtle changes in their surroundings. The flora seemed to sway gently in welcome, and the wildlife moved about without even the hint of aggression towards them. It was as if the very essence of the Wild Lands recognized they were a part of its tapestry; it wove them into its natural pattern.
As they walked, Raev hummed a soft melody under her breath, her tune blending with the rustling leaves and distant birds’ songs. Boyd found himself entranced by the peaceful surroundings, his mind gradually easing into a state of tranquility he had rarely experienced.
Eventually, they came upon the narrow river that ran through the center of their valley and followed it for a time until they reached the lake at the end of the valley. Yesterday, Boyd would have avoided a water source such as this like the plague, not wanting to be anywhere near where the Powered creatures that surrounded them congregated.
But today, Boyd did his best to take in the simple beauty of it all.
Indirect sunlight cast warm pinks and golds over the tranquil waters. Raev smiled as she led Boyd to a grassy patch dotted by flowers near the shore. Patting the ground, she invited him to stretch out beside her. The air was filled with the sweet fragrance of wildflowers and the sounds of nature enveloped them in a peaceful cocoon.
Boyd settled onto the soft grass, his gaze fixed on the placid surface of the lake. It seemed to be a serene oasis in the heart of the Wild Lands.
With crystal-clear waters reflecting the lightening sky above them, Raev gestured towards the tranquil scene with a content smile playing on her lips. “Isn’t it beautiful out here?” Raev’s voice was filled with genuine wonder as she looked out over the peaceful lake.
Boyd couldn't help but agree. The peacefulness of the place washed over him like a soothing balm. “Yeah, it is,” he admitted, his gaze scanning the serene landscape.
But then he tensed at the sight of an S-Ranked threat—although it wasn’t a very large threat. The Reaper Wasp he’d spotted was three times larger than your average bee, nearly as long as the big demon’s index finger. It was covered in glossy black chitin with angry red accents. Its long stinger could pierce quarter inch thick armor, or his skin, and would deliver a powerful venom that could kill him, even with his S-Ranked Durability, in minutes. They were fast and aggressive, though this one seemed to take no interest in them.
Raev followed it with her eyes as it buzzed around the edge of the forest, checking out the wildflowers but apparently not finding what it was searching for.
“Those guys are pretty cool,” his vixen commented casually, not fearing for her life the way Boyd did around the dangerous insect. “I didn’t know we had any in the valley, though. Glad to see it. They don’t build nests like other wasps. Instead, they hunt other bigger insects to lay their eggs in. Them being here should help keep any large pests out of the area. We should be fine as long as we stay away from any big bug corpses—Reaper females defend the shit out of their eggs until they hatch.”
Boyd watched the Reaper Wasp with a mix of fascination and wariness, intrigued by Raev’s casual explanation of the creature’s habits. He had, of course, studied the profile on the creature before, but only as a known threat. Nothing he’d read on the creatures included the possible benefit of having them around.
As the Reaper Wasp flitted off deeper into the forest, Boyd couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the delicate balance of nature surrounding them.
Raev leaned back on her elbows, her eyes following the path of the Reaper Wasp until it disappeared into a thicket. The gentle breeze ruffled her fiery locks as she turned to Boyd, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Looks like our little friend has gone off on its own adventure,” Raev remarked. A playful smirk danced on her lips.
Raev stretched out on her side in the grass beside him, her vibrant red hair and tails fanned out around her like a fiery halo. Her emerald eyes sparkled with mischief as she turned to look at Boyd, a playful smile dancing on her lips.
“I don’t suppose I could talk you into a swim… or an early morning nap?” she asked, a teasing note to her voice.
“Maybe a swim,” Boyd said with a soft chuckle and a shake of his head. “There is no way I could relax enough to fall asleep out here.” He glanced down at the time on his FDU before continuing, “If we are going for a swim, we’ll have to make it quick. Breakfast is in forty minutes, and I don’t want Daisy thinking I’m trying to skip another of her meals.”
Raev chuckled, her eyes twinkling with humor as she sat up, then pulled her sports bra off with a flourish. “Daisy will have my hide if she catches wind of me keeping you away from breakfast this morning. That woman is a force of nature when it comes to meal schedules.”
Boyd grinned at Raev’s comment as the woman slipped out of her yoga pants. He knew all too well the importance Daisy placed on a consistent schedule when it came to mealtimes.
“First one to the other side and back?” Raev asked with a smirk.
He grunted as he pushed himself up to his feet with his tail and stripped out of his shorts.
Boyd hadn’t been slow, but by the time he ran for the water, Raev had already dived in and was demonstrating she was just as quick in the water as on land. Somehow, her tails helped propel her through the water at a surprising rate.
