Rifts

Part 14~Wrathicanioth

Cutting through the trees, Marco swung his sword forward. "So, are you going to tell me where we're going, H-Poo? Not that I don't trust you, but you don't usually come to me for help."

Hekapoo pushed past the currently adult Marco, holding her map open despite the rain. "We're here to retrieve something." She put her map away, glancing up at the mountain before them.

"Cryptic." Marco shrugged, beginning the climb. They stayed quiet as they made their way up, helping one another without needing words.

Halfway up, Hekapoo sighed. "I may have played a prank on Rhombulous. I dropped one of his crystals threw my portal. We're here to get it back before he crystalises me."

"Seriously? Damn. We better hurry. Wouldn't want Rhombulous to try that and end up dead."

"What?"

"Oh, come on, H-Poo. We know you could beat him in a fight with both hands tied behind your back."

Hekapoo blinked as she laughed. "I suppose that is true." She grinned, jumping the last rock to stand at the mouth of the mountain.

"Wait... Mountains don't have mouths. This is a volcano!"

"Yep. Let's go, muscles." jumping down, Hekapoo used her blades to slow her fall, landing gracefully on the ground.

Marco rolled his eyes, jumping after her. "Show off." He grabbed the vines growing inside the mouth, landing by Hekapoo's side.

"This volcano has been dormant for millions of years." Hekapoo motioned for Marco to follow her, walking further into the dead space. Plants and animals had moved in, a careful echo system that couldn't be scoffed at.

"Who goes there?!" Jumping out of the rocks, the creature pointed its spear at Hekapoo and Marco. It was small, probably the size of Ponyhead; it almost looked like a coconut with arms and legs.

"We are but humble travellers, and we lost something within here. We have come to retrieve it," Marco announced, glancing at Hekapoo, who shook her head.

"Yeah, we're looking for a giant crystal with a monster frozen inside. I accidentally put it here, and I need it back."

More coconut people walked out, whispering to one another as the first one growled, stepping closer. "How do you know of the imprisoned God?!"

"The imprisoned God? I think there's been a mistake here. The monster inside that thing is no god. It's an evil monster that destroyed many of our cities."

The coconuts gasped in offence, growling as they pulled out more spears. Marco brought his sword up, getting ready for a fight, when one shouted above them all. "Calm, my friends, these strangers do not know what they are talking about. Our god was given to us by the volcano. It made this all possible. Let's not squander his goodwill by fighting these intruders." The coconut walked forward. It had a white-like fuzz, unlike the various shades of green and brown of the others. "I am Nakotuckto. Welcome strangers to our tribe."

"Uh, hi. I'm Marco. This is Hekapoo." Marco slowly sheathed his sword as Nakotuckto nodded, stretching its shell where one's chin would typically be.

"Great. Now that we have your names, goodnight."

"What?" Marco hissed as the needle hit his neck. "Hey, what's the big idea?!"

The coconut men didn't answer, hitting him with hundreds more, knocking him and Hekapoo out. Laughing, Nakotuckto rubbed his hands together. "Yes, you will make good sacrifices."

~~~

Groaning, Marco snapped to consciousness, screaming as he realised he was tied up, dangling in front of the same crystal they had come looking for. It was sat on lava, blocking it from moving, but the ground around it was breaking away, filling the room with smoke.