THE INSUPERABLE: Death and Decay

Part 10

The streets of Azgultan were a sad and bleak sight, there were minotaurs, violently coughing, queuing in long lines that led to female minotaurs passing out rations, in order to stretch food supplies. There were wounded minotaurs being rushed into huts, probably to receive medical attention. In the distance, there was a giant pyre surrounded by a crowd of minotaurs. An older minotaur was reciting some sort of prayer, while two other minotaurs were throwing bodies in the fire along with coins, one by one. The air reeked of rotting nature.

"Snort, they are praying to Thanatos, to show mercy to the dead, snort," Grozak uttered loudly. "You pray to human gods?" Acastus asked, surprised. "Snort, the minotaurs weren't always beasts short one, we used to be human, but Poseidon cursed us, turned us into beasts and gave us an insatiable hunger for human flesh, but relax the lady took away that desire. Because of our curse, Thanatos does not take us directly to Charon, he keeps us for a while, tortures us, and does unspeakable horrors to us. We pray hoping he shows mercy, but we can never truly know if he listens." Grozak said, sadness in his voice.

Kalib was about to say something when he noticed a rather large minotaur dragging behind him a familiar pickaxe. Kalib grinned and walked towards the Minotaur. "Hey! Excuse me, I'm sorry to bother you, but that's mine!" Kalib pointed towards the pickaxe. The minotaur tilted its head and roared at Kalib. Kalib did not flinch. Grozak came running towards Kalib, "Snort, what seems to be the problem Kalib?" Grozak asked with concern. "Your cuddly friend here has my pickaxe, please tell him to give it back," Kalib asked rather politely. "Snort, I'll try but minotaur law states whatever you find lying around becomes yours," Grozak explained. "Well, you don't want me to ask him again, I'm a nice person but I'm never nice twice." Kalib became serious. "Snort. Gol gadan Goziup Gala, Garep zoog? Snort," Grozak asked the large minotaur. "Snort, Gooooz, Zakab malda!" The large minotaur snorted. Grozak sighed with disappointment, "He said if you want your weapon back you should take it from him, he challenges you to Zakab, a duel, the prize being the pickaxe," Grozak seemed concerned. "I accept, what are the rules?" Kalib accepted without hesitation. "Snort. Kalib... you are strong, I admit, but Gakoz Is a powerful warrior, no one has ever bested him, snort." Grozak expressed. "He's never met me," Kalib gave a nasty smile. Grozak sighed, "Snort, fine, no weapons are allowed, fists only, first one to give up, pass out or die, loses. Snort," Grozak explained. "Good, let's begin"

Kalib's chestnut eyes locked with the glowing eyes of the mighty Gakoz. Gakoz was a bit larger than Kalib, He clearly was bigger than most of his kin. His mane was as black as night, and a nasty scar laid across his intimidating face. Grozak lifted his hand to emphasize the duel was about to start. A crowd of minotaurs circled the two warriors. Grozak then lowered his hand signaling the warriors to fight. Kalib did not move; he merely stared at the large minotaur. Gakoz laughed thinking Kalib was scared stiff. He charged headfirst. Kalib did not step back or flinch, he pulled his head back and the second Gakoz's head came close he slammed his head against the large minotaur's head. Gakoz went flying, he flew back into the hut behind him causing the hut to collapse. The crowd that had previously cheered Gakoz's name suddenly grew extremely quiet. Grozak smiled "Snort, well well, now I know why the lady chose him, snort," Grozak thought to himself.

Kalib grabbed his pickaxe from the floor and inspected it with care. He looked for any imperfections in the red oak, he searched for damage in the Charybdis tooth that made up the pick side of his axe. Lastly, he tugged on the bracelet hanging on the end, making sure it wasn't loose. Grozak stopped in front of Kalib. He looked at the group of minotaurs desperately trying to dig out Gakoz from the ruined hut. "Snort, a bit excessive isn't it? snort," Grozak asked. "I'm never nice twice," Kalib smiled.