THE INSUPERABLE: Death and Decay

Part 13

The group reached the centaur village, It was filled with tents holding weak, sickly centaurs, the sound of excessive coughing filled the air. "I see the rot has infected your people greatly," Kalib exclaimed. "Cough, indeed," remarked Acastus "and I thought the minotaurs had it bad." The white-haired centaur suddenly stopped and looked at Acastus. "The minotaurs are also ill?" he asked with a look of confusion on his face. "Cough, indeed they were mostly treated for their battle wounds, but they all had terrible coughs," Acastus explained. The white-haired centaur seemed deep in thought but suddenly turned around and walked on. "Something tells me you did not know the rot affected them as well," Kalib grimaced. The centaur did not respond.

Finally, they arrived at the hut of the elder. The elder was not how Acastus pictured him, He had a young, charming face, with long gray hair, he did not possess the body of an old man but that of a hardened warrior. He was however not half horse, he seemed to be half deer or some kind of buck, clearly shown by his smaller body and antlers.

"Cedari! How dare you bring these outsiders to our camp?! Have you gone mad?!" The elder lifted his hooves above the ground and slammed them down with great force.

"Forgive me elder but the dugan possesses great power, it would be foolhardy to refuse him," the white-haired centaur bowed low. "Nonsense no amount of power can withstand the might of the centaurs, kill him now!" the elder spat furiously. The white-haired Cedari became annoyed "Cough, Elder this dugan was sent by the guardian to save the island, our spears could not penetrate his skin and he has wounded six of our people without effort, he could have killed them but he refused. Cough, elder with all respect you have refused to listen to all reason, even the word of the guardian, but this word you can not refuse. Listen to him, cough!" Cedari had fire in his eyes, but also felt fear for speaking to his elder in such a tone. "You dare speak to me like that? Cedari have you gone completely mad?!" From the elder's hand spawned a magical ball of green light, consumed by rage he chucked it at Cedari. Cedari lifted his arms in defense and closed his eyes. He heard the magical ball crash but nothing happened. When he opened his eyes he saw the massive hand of Kalib in front of his face. The elder had a shocked look on his face.

"If you're done playing big man, I would like to speak. I'd advise against chucking another spell, you might lose both hands in the process," Kalib said in a serious tone.

The elder believed him, "Who are you dugan?" he asked, seeming genuinely curious. "I am Kalib a misthios from the continent, the lady of these lands employed me to deal with the darkness that's consuming these lands. I've come here to seek answers." Kalib explained. The keeper lowered his head, he seemed rather sad. "This island is dying and it's the minotaurs' doing," The elder exclaimed, gripping his staff tightly. "With all due respect elder, why would the minotaurs ask me for help for something they caused?" Kalib asked, confused. "Perhaps they did not think their actions would cause such destruction," the elder sighed. "You have it, wrong elder, the minotaurs are also dying, not only from the wounds your people left them with, but also from the rot infesting their bodies, they are suffering just as much as you," Kalib frowned. "I see you refuse to listen to words," the elder slammed his staff to the ground, the two skulls atop it started glowing. "If you won't listen to reason, I shall show you," the elder's eyes began to glow, the dirt on the ground began to float. "Come Kalib of the continent, touch my hand, and I will show you proof." Kalib walked towards the elder and touched his hand. Kalib's eyes grew white and suddenly he saw a vision.

Kalib saw a large tree containing a glowing heart, the heart was beating in a slow peaceful manner. Suddenly two large shadows approached the heart. The shadows turned out to be two minotaurs, the one ripped the heart out of the tree causing the tree to crack. Then suddenly the tree became black and the leaves all began to burn off the branches. The two minotaurs turned around and ran away.

Kalib slowly regained consciousness, his eyes returned to their normal chestnut color.

He was holding his head due to a rather nasty headache, and the elder began to speak.

"Long ago this island was cursed by Phthisis, a demon of rot and decay. Our ancestors struggled for months to keep their people alive. One day the village elders all came together. They created a ritual in which they would rip out their hearts and combine them into one powerful heart. This heart became the salvation of my people, it gave life to Crete, suddenly trees bore leaves, grass and other plants started to grow and the wildlife returned. All was well under the protection of the heart. A few months past, everything started dying again. I went to inspect the state of the heart but I found only a dead tree. I then peered into the eyes of my ancestors," the elder pointed to the skulls on his staff. "They showed me the vision you saw now, the minotaurs stole our heart, why? I don't know, but I knew I had to do everything in my power to retrieve it. I sent my people to raid the Minotaur villages. I had to make sure that once we retake the heart the minotaurs won't try to take it again. The guardian also tried to speak with me, no doubt to beg for her people's lives. I did whatever I could to save my people!" The elder became heated.

"For a wise old man, you're a malakas imbecile," Kalib frowned. "You still doubt me Dugan? After I've shown you proof!?" the elder became even angrier. "I've seen your proof elder, and you know what I saw? Minotaurs yes, but I saw minotaurs without glowing eyes!" Kalib formed a fist in his hand. "What? What do you mean?" the elder started thinking profusely. "It means you butchered hundreds of innocent minotaurs for malakas no reason!" Kalib charged at the elder, he grabbed him by the throat and slammed him against a tree. The surrounding centaurs drew their spears but the white-haired Cedari ordered them to lower their weapons. The elder tried to squirm, he cast spells at Kalib but all bounced off. "You were deceived, someone pretended to be minotaurs and stole your heart, had you been more observant or had you simply listened to the lady all that slaughter would have been avoided. Yet you only saw what you wanted to see, believed what you wanted to believe and now, you've turned your people into murderers!" Kalib's grip grew tighter around the elder's head.

The elder's face turned to pure sorrow, having noticed this, Kalib released his grasp on the elder's neck. The elder fell to his knees too ashamed and afraid to look at his people.

"Do you have any idea who would take the heart? Is there anyone else living on the island except the two races?" Kalib's tone became calm. The elder remained still for a while, he merely stared at the ground, his hair covering his face. "No, 'tis only us and the minotaurs, but a few days after the heart was stolen, I sensed a disturbance at the old ruins to the south. I sent a few of my scouts to investigate but they claimed there was nothing," the elder exclaimed still hiding his face. "Where are these ruins? I'll take a look for myself, no offense but I don't trust your people's eyesight," Kalib asked still trying to compose himself. "Cedari will take you," The elder murmured. Kalib turned his head to Cedari who in affirmation nodded his head. "Pull yourself together old man, you have an apology to prepare," Kalib turned around and walked towards the exit. The elder suddenly called to Kalib: "Kalib!" "What is it?" Kalib asked keeping his back turned to the elder. "Save my people... save all of us," he uttered with desperation. Kalib did not say a word he merely walked on.