Enjoy the continuation of Akurra and Luca. I really hope ya'll enjoy this story. I had so much fun writing it for Mod Max, and he really helped me put a lot of love and creativity into this story. We don't just make great Symbis together, we also make awesome monsters as well.
-Mod Momo
Tara had been going into town more regularly, selling raw violet stars in order to start off our savings. Everything helped, and we needed everything. While she was gone, I worked sorting what violet stars we had, picking out ones she could sell the next day, maybe even digging into our storage to find reserved jams, preserves, and even some of grandpa’s supposed violet star wine. Anything we could sell.
I was sitting on the bank one day, washing and scrubbing some of Mom’s knitted projects made with violet star dye to make them look new and wearable, also to sell.
“Luca! Buddy!”
I looked up from my scrubbing stone, quickly pulling my scarf up around my neck to hide my growing gills. “Mason?”
Mason was the mayor’s son, and someone I went to school with. Someone I had once harbored potent feelings for. He came skipping across the way, bigger and more built than I remembered.
“What are you doing out here?” I grumbled.
“Not excited to see an old friend?” He laughed. “I was just getting out of town. No one is thrilled with my family right now.”
“The taxes,” I replied and continued scrubbing the sweater. “Yeah. If Tara caught you around here, I think she would have a few choice words for you.”
“I saw her heading into town. The only reason I felt safe coming here.” He laughed. “Dad thinks it’ll be good to help the town grow.” He sat down on the bank beside me, taking off his boots to dip into the water. “But people like you,” he scoffed. “I don’t know what he’s thinking.”
His hand was close to me, as if he wanted to reach out and put it on my arm. I could still remember how those big, burly hands touched me before. In secret, he would kiss me, fuck me. He was my first love, my first heartbreak.
“You okay?” Mason brushed back my scarf a bit. “You’re bruised!”
Thank goodness the shade of the trees made my scales look like bruises, or else who knows what he’d say. I inched away and laughed. “Yeah, Tara and I were working during that last storm a few days ago, and I got rocked!”
Mason’s eyes worked their way down me. “You’re not suited for this kind of life, Luca. Why do you stay here? Tara I get, but you?”
I looked over at him, feeling like he was trying to get at something.
“It is beautiful out here, though. I could understand staying for that.” He murmured, eyes cast out over the swamp. “I’ve always wanted to live here.”
Missed the boat on that one, I thought to myself. “Well, I’m sure you’ve got the money for it.”
Mason laughed, turning his smile and sharp blue eyes to me. “One day, maybe.” He reached out to me, touching my cheek. “Seeing you reminds me of the old days.”
I wanted to pull away, but his hand was so warm.
“Back in my dad’s office?” His voice became a purr. “Under his desk?” he chuckled. “I’ve been thinking about that a lot, especially since Dad has me working there more often.”
I found a chance to pull away. “He always wanted you to follow in his footsteps.”
His nose curled in offense, and he gazed back out into the swamp. “I don’t think he realizes he raised an idiot.”
I stood up and went to hang the sweater to dry. “I wouldn’t say that. You’re not stupid, just controlled by a different head. Ow!” He wrenched his foot out of the water and looked through the ripples.
He threw his head back with a loud laugh. “Yeah, that’s true.” He grabbed his crotch. “Making laws based on who sucks it best!” He chortled. “Fuck ow!” he yanked his foot from the water again.
I rolled my eyes behind the veil of the sweater.
“Been hearing about your thief issue.” Mason also stood and began drying his feet off to put his boots back on. “If you ever need anything, you just let me know.”
“Thanks, but we can handle ourselves.” I forced a chipper tone.
“Rough out here. You should move into town. I’d be happy to hire you on. I’ve been needing an assistant.” Mason came up behind me to whisper in my ear. “And, uh, let’s just say, my wife does nothing for me like you used to do, Luca.”
I turned around, giving him a glare. “Yeah, well, you chose her, didn’t you?”
Mason’s smile was sad, but he turned into a massive grin and laughed. “Think about my offer, Luca! You’ll get a lot more out of it than from trying to palm off family relics.” He waved to me, going back down the path he had appeared on.
I scoffed, trying to shake off the icky feeling he gave me.
Water burbled and sloshed. “Want me to eat him?”
I turned and saw Akurra leaning on the bank. I smiled with relief; I should have known he would be there. “No. Not worth it.” I went and sat down beside him. “Were you spying on us all this time?”
Akurra jutted out his tongue. “Was just about to bite off his toe.” He moved between my legs, plucking the ties of my pants. “I could tell he was bothering you.” His eyes narrowed. “And yet, you like him. Your heart was pounding. Blood rushing.” He lifted my hips and pulled off my pants.
I bit my lip, eyeing my cock as it sprang out. “It was a long time ago. I don’t know why I still think anything of him.” I reached to stroke myself.
Akurra slapped my hand away. “Old lover?” His fingers curled around my shaft.
My face was growing red. “Kind of.” I was throbbing in Akurra’s palm. He squeezed gently and then bent his neck down. His mouth opened, taking my length in one gulp.
I threw my neck back, moaning. “Akurra!” I ripped the scarf off my neck.
He moved his head up and down in my lap, growing as he took my cock deeper into his throat.
I grasped the back of his head with one hand, bracing myself with the other. “That’s…that’s fantastic-but…” My eyes rolled back; he was too good.
His tongue encircled me, squeezing my shaft while his mouth surrounded me. His throat pulsed with each sound he made, and I would not last much longer.
“Yes…like that.” I panted. “Akurra, you’re the best!” My breath was hitching with each passing second. I was growing lightheaded, delirious. My hips arched a bit, and Akurra took me deeper.
When I came, no drop spilled. Akurra drank all of me and sucked until none remained. I was shaking, warm all over.
“Your past doesn’t matter. All that matters now is what we will make.” He touched my cheek, his palm cool against my roiling hot skin. “And I plan to make you forget everyone before me.”
“Easy,” I chuckled, meeting his kiss. “I already have.”
Akurra had a purr in his voice then. “Good. I’ll take care of you always, man-thing. You will see after you fully transform.” He held my face between his palms. “Already so beautiful, but soon you will be glorious.”
I couldn’t wait. I wanted to complete his gift then and there. But I thought about Tara. “What about my sister?” I asked. “I don’t want to leave her all alone.”
Akurra knelt to kiss me again. “Don’t worry. I think of everything.”
A few days went by. I kept visiting Akurra while I did chores, and Tara went to town to sell what she could. I noticed one day, as I moved about, an itch came to my bottom. One that, no matter how hard I scratched it, never went away. My pants kept riding up strangely as well. Eventually, I heard Tara returning and putting the mule back into the stable.
“Smells good!” Tara announced as she came inside. “Did your new boyfriend give us something AAAAAHHH!” Her scream almost made me cut myself. I turned around to see what was wrong.
“Was it a snake again?” I gasped.
“No!” Tara rushed up to me, grabbing me and pulling me around. “Your backside!” She barely had to pull down my pants before a small, nub-like protrusion appeared. This time I screamed, and Tara touched it and reeled back with another scream. Her eyes flicked to me, then my neck, and she yelled again, pointing to my neck. I slapped my hand over my gills, yelping because it hurt.
Her glare was ferocious. “Take me to Akurra.”
“What?” I jumped.
“I just need a few words with him.” There was a strange sadness on her face; tears began forming in her eyes.
“I will not leave you! I promise!” I gasped quickly. “Tara, I swear! I’ll stay in this swamp forever! Akurra promised!”
Tara cupped her hand over her mouth and let out a laugh. “Give me a second, Luca. This is…I half believed it was a joke but…” She moved towards the table like she was going to sit down.
I rushed to her side, tugging my pants back up over my butt. “It’s okay, really. I think this will solve a lot of our problems!” I tried to sound excited, but it was hard seeing that look on her face.
“I was fine with our problems!” She snapped at me. “I had you; that was all I gave a shit about! Everything I did here I was doing to make sure you were safe and happy.”
“I am!” I stomped my foot down hard. “You’re my best friend, so of course I was happy. But I want to take care of you now!”
She breathed in, trying to take in some calm. “So you’re going to turn into a fish?”
I swallowed and fidgeted with my hands. “I think I’m more amphibious, actually.”
Throwing her head back, Tara ran her fingers through her thick hair and paced in a circle around the table. “Grandpa filled your head with too many fairy tales!”
I rolled my eyes. “It isn’t a fairytale if it’s real! Look at me” I turned back and forth, back and forth. I slapped my ass. “Obviously this is real!”
Rage coursed through her veins, and she pushed the chair away. “I need to have a word with him!” She stormed back towards the door.
“Tara! Hold on!” I chased after her.
“I’m going to find this Akurra! And he better be ready to talk to me!” Tara slammed the door as she left.
“Tara! Wait a second!” I struggled with the sticky latch. “You’re not supposed to slam the door!” She did it for that reason. I kept fussing with it. I could never get it opened, but somehow, after a moment, I could force down the handle.
“Tara! Hold on!” I ran outside trying to find her. It was dark out, yet I could see clear as day.“ Tara, come on! I’ll introduce you two, just don’t be mad right now! I rounded the corner of the house, and someone struck me upside the head. I hit the ground with a rather hard thud, and some moss got into my mouth.
“Luca!” Tara screamed before someone muffled her mouth.
“Don’t worry about that one,” a gruff voice scoffed. “He can’t do shit.”
My vision was blurry, with bright white dots. I saw someone holding Tara, while another was searching her pockets. Another figure was at the shed, trying to bash the lock. But the guy who hit me, the one standing over me, even through the pain I knew who it was.
“Mah-mason?”
His sharp blue eyes cut down at me. “Stay down,” he snarled.
Tara screamed again as the guy holding her was getting rougher. “Pretty for a swamp bitch! Let’s take her home with us.”
“Shut the fuck up, Perry,” a woman’s voice boomed. “We’re here for stars, keep it in your pants.” The woman again tried bashing the lock. “Did you find the key or not?”
“Hank’s in the house looking.” Mason replied. “And Perry, you don’t want any of her.” He knelt down, putting his hand on the back of my neck. He picked me up, glaring into my face. “Tell me where the key is and we’ll leave.”
The key was on a hook behind the kitchen wardrobe. But I would never tell them. I lashed out, grabbing hold of Mason’s arm.
“What the-” Mason’s voice sounded frightened. “Your hand! What is that?”
Webbed hands, purple and brown scales. Even in this light, I’m sure he could see that. I grabbed hold of his wrist tighter, but with his other hand he threw a punch into my jaw.
“Stay down if you know what’s good for you!” Mason snapped.
“No!” I snarled. “You…you were casing us out, weren’t you?” I began trying to pick myself up. “You want this property…the taxes…” I panted. I was so angry I could barely see, barely breathe. He could kick me and beat me and I wouldn’t feel a thing from how my blood was boiling.
“You had a chance to get out,” Mason growled at me.
I stood up, wiping dirt and grass from my face. I first saw the look in Tara’s eyes, then I saw the man holding her. He stepped back, eyes wide, but arms still firmly around Tara.
“What the fuck?” He shouted.
“Luca-” Mason was staring at me, trying not to show any emotion. “You look different, buddy.” He forced a chuckle.
I lunged at him, baring my teeth before sinking them into his neck. Mason screamed, beating his fists against me. My teeth sank in far too easily, I thought. The rush of blood was too much. I released him as she screamed, letting Tara break his jaw with her bare fists. I licked my lips, finding the edge of my teeth were…sharp?
Perry tossed Tara onto the ground as he rushed forward to help. But I turned on him, biting down on his arm. Tara tackled Mason at the knees, bringing him down into the mud. Once he was down, she was throwing punch after punch.
”Let go of me!” Perry screamed, trying to yank his arm away.
I bore my teeth deeper into his arm. His blood rushed into my mouth, metallic, bright. I shook my head, tossing him into the river. “Get out of here,” I snarled. “Or I’ll really rip you to shreds.”
“Luca! The house!” Tara screamed, still keeping Mason pinned.
In the doorway I saw a man tearing through our mother’s chest of drawers, having smashed a few of the doors to get inside. He turned and instantly fear came over him. What he saw I didn’t know, but I lunged once again, pouncing on him and knocking him into the wall. I hit his head against the wall, the floor, bashing it down until he went still. Never in my life had I been able to take anyone in a fight. Tara was always my guardian angel. But now, adrenaline rushed through my veins. I had never felt so powerful!
A woman screamed at the scene; it was Mason’s wife. I chased after her, and she ran, getting caught in the washroom where I tackled her to the ground. She beat me with the keyring, hitting my eye, which made my anger boil over. I screamed in her face and was aware it wasn’t a human sound.
“Let me go! Let me go!” She cried out, panicked. Her eyes were overflowing with fear, almost crying. “I don’t wanna do this! I’m sorry! Don’t hurt me! Mason! It was Mason!”
I took the keys from her. “What does he want here?” I growled at her.
“The property!” she scream-cried. “He wanted it! His dad-” She got to a point where her words didn’t sound like anything. Occasionally I could make out an ‘I don’t want to die’, but it was all blubbering and screaming.
“Then get the fuck out of my house,” I snarled at her. I let her go, turning to get back outside, finding Tara dragging herself up from the ground.
“Tara!” I raced towards her.
Mason lunged from behind the door. He struck me in the face and knocked me off balance. His boot stomped down on my chest.
“You think you can take this place away from us?” I snarled at him, pushing him back, raising up. “You do not know what I’ve become!”
“A monster,” Mason stomped down on me again and I lost my breath. Choking, clawing at his leg, heard Tara scream. It distracted me enough that Mason got the upper-hand. I watched from the ground as the woman hit Tara with a shovel, and a scream left my throat as if to pierce the air.
Another scream cut through the air like a serrated blade, and the world went still. The river stopped flowing, and everyone turned to acknowledge it.
Something blasting out of the river struck and blew the woman back, dragging her into the waters.
Mason’s wife screamed in coherently again.
“What the fuck is that?” Mason snarled.
Akurra’s tail rose from the water, striking him and knocking him down into the water and then dragging him under. I heard more screams behind me, but all I could see was Tara lying there before the shed.
I raced to her, picking her up off the ground and swiping away the blood on her forehead. “Tara! Tara! Please wake up!” I cried. Her head lolled limp in my arms. I shook her, trying to stir her. “Tara-” my voice squeezed painfully from my throat.
I couldn’t breathe. If anything happened to her, I don’t know what I would do. I’ve never known a day without Tara. After dad left, after grandpa died, after mom…the thought of losing her too made tears well up in my eyes. I sobbed, shaking from fear and desperation.
“Tara, please,” I whispered pathetically.
“Give her here.” I looked up as Akurra’s eyes glowed above me. Akurra’s mouth had blood on it as he hovered over us. He breathed in, eyes focusing upon Tara. His head tilted as he studied her, hand coming down to touch the blood on her brow.
I was crying too hard to say anything to him.
He sighed, reaching down and taking Tara into his arms. Cradling her in his arms, he smoothed back her hair from her face. He sniffed her forehead, eyes closed, and then he let out a long breath. He took her to the river, setting her limp body in the water.
“Wait-” I tried to get past him, but he held me back. I watched helplessly as her body sank into the water.
“I know what I am doing, Luca,” Akurra said with a cool tone. “Your sister will return.” He sank into the water beside her, taking a chunk of the earth from the riverbed and pressing it to her forehead.
I started crying, unable to stop. What point would it be in being with Akurra, in shifting into a king, if I could not have my sister with me?
Akurra laid her on the shore before me, the purple clay of the riverbed still packed to her forehead. “I’ve done what I can. Take her home, then come back to me in the morning.”
I sniffled, looking down at my sister. I picked her up in my arms and then looked back into Akurra’s eyes.
His arm reached out of the water and brushed away my tears. “I made a promise, my love.” He crawled towards me, kissing the top of my head.
I kissed his palm and nodded in silence. I would trust him, but my heart was still breaking.
I had never held my sister like this before. I was never strong enough; Tara was always the strong one.
“Take her inside,” Akurra whispered. “She will wake in the morning, I promise.”
Sniffling, I nodded. I took Tara to her bedroom and got her undressed and wrapped in her robe before tucking her into bed. They ransacked and destroyed the house. But that didn’t matter. Until I knew Tara was okay, nothing else mattered.
I lay down beside her, holding her hand in hopes she would wake. I fell asleep there, dreaming of the river and swimming alongside Akurra, delivering Tara massive baskets of violet stars.
A scream woke me from my sleep. I sat up like a shot and ran to the bathroom, where Tara was standing before the mirror. My eyes filled with tears in an instant.
“Tara! You’re okay!” I rushed to her, grabbing her and spinning her around.
She struggled against me, smacking the top of my head, but I would not let her go so easily. “Luca! Set me down! Look! Look!”
Once I took a moment, I saw what made her scream. Her once dark brown eyes were now the exact color of the violet stars. They held the same mirrored reflection and starriness that Akurra’s eyes did. Not only that, her hair hung in lustrous curls that shimmered like fresh juice from the violet stars.
“What happened to me?” Tara gasped. “I remember feeling so cold and…and seeping out of my body-” She touched her face, tugging down her lips to see her gums were purple, tongue black, teeth sharper.
“Akurra saved you.” I took her hand. “Come on!” I led her to the river, where Akurra was waiting. He smiled with excitement, taking me into a tight embrace and then also taking Tara into his other arm.
I soon took to the river to stay with Akurra. Though I was never too far from Tara. The riverbed had treasures I would take to her, helping her to rebuild the family home and bring her wealth none of our family ever knew in life. I didn’t need them; my life now was the river, which was Akurra.
“You grow more and more beautiful by the day.” Akurra purred to me on the warm rock. I lay back in his arms, wrapped up comfortably in his tail.
“You think so?”
Akurra kissed the top of my head, gently caressing my cheek. “I could not have asked for a better king to swim beside me. Your beauty will outshine even me as you grow.”
I opened my eyes, gazing into his. “Impossible, my love.”
He kissed me, his tongue gently tickling my lip before moving to my cheek, then my neck. I moaned softly in response, shivering at his affection.
“The stars knew what they were doing when they made you for me,” he whispered. “I left them so I could find you.”