Love Is Never Ugly

Chapter 66

It didn't take long for Seviathan to gather enough muscular and combat trained men to help him in his quest to slay the infamous beast. When he told them about the treasure in the beast's castle and show them proof of it with the coins and jewels Charlotte brought back, the money-hungry pigs were hooked immediately. As for those who didn't think death was worth any kind of gold, Seviathan won their cooperation by playing on their fear.

"For too long we've lived in fear of this demon!" He said. "Letting him terrorize us and devour any innocent soul who wonders into his domain! Oh sure, for many years he's only devoured trespassing men but what happens when his blood lust urges him to leave that forest? I've hunted wild beasts before and they have no control over their hunger! It's only a matter of time before he begins hunting for our women and children!"

Protective husbands and fathers couldn't refuse his offer after hearing that. So for the sake of riches and/or ensuring the safety of their families; Crossbows, muskets, pitchforks, and torches were passed all around. Seviathan was very pleased with the army he had established for himself but Baxter was afraid. Afraid and guilt-stricken about the fate that may befall these men. Especially the sensible ones who were only participating in this suicidal plan because they were convinced it was the only way to protect the ones they loved.

"Seviathan how could you do this?" He asked his brother in law as they prepared to leave.

"Do what?" He replied.

"You know what. Lie to those men about their women and children being in danger. You know that creature won't leave the forest. He's dying!"

"That's right he is dying. So he could become desperate to live. So desperate that he may come to slaughter an entire family in order to regain his strength."

"Horse shit!" He spat. "In every story I've heard about him, he has only ever eaten men who come near. He never directly seeks out humans and Charlotte told us that he would never hurt women or children. She said that women reminded him too much of his mother and that children were too innocent."

"Need I remind you that he was going to eat Charlotte in the beginning?"

"But he didn't, did he? She told us that he was all talk about it. He's no threat to any woman or child! And you know it!"

"Why do you care what happens to him?"

"I care about what happens to decent men like the ones you've deceived. Some of these men aren't fools blinded by greed! Some of them are hard working, honest men who have families that depend on them! Families that they may never return to after today! These men could very well die for a meaningless cause!"

"It's not meaningless. They are just defending their loved ones."

"But they're loved ones aren't in any real danger. Think about what could happen at the end of this. Wives with no husband to care for them, children growing up fatherless, parents burying their sons, and it would be all for nothing. Seviathan is your lust for Charlotte and envy toward this beast really worth damaging so many lives?"

"The mediocre lives of farmers and blacksmiths pale in comparison to the great rewards I plan to reap tonight."

Baxter felt ill.

"You're insane! Depraved! Mad! You can't really be willing to go through with this!"

But he was and like it or not, Baxter was going to be apart of this madness. The plan was to leave at dusk but the woman who had given Seviathan the magic glove had become so much older and her power wasn't as strong as it used to be. The glove did transport Seviathan and the mob when he used it but they were taken only to the pathway that lead to the castle. The magic in the ring was weakening too due to Alastor's fading life force. It would still send her directly back to the castle but it would take time before the ring would work.