Tales From Crashdown: Beowulf

Chapter 6: Passing A Test

     The night passed and the chilled winds were replaced with a morning musky air, thick and warm. The gang found themselves well rested and filled with determination, as well as low quality chocolate slices.
     Freydís led the slow moving charge into her former home. As they went on, Joe continued to read his book, Riley stopped complaining about pay and now looked forward to helping Freydís, as he found her calmer nature a nice palate cleanser against Beo's excitable personality.
     Beo followed next to Freydís and was rambling on about some show she liked when she was younger while Freydís listened, speaking with her hands and often shaking them when she got to a part she particularly loved.
     Freydís didn't understand most of what Beo was saying nor why she moved her hands so much, but she found it strangely cute to see her speaking so passionately on something that made her so happy. However, her joy suddenly fell to a frown as she realized where they were. She looked forward and saw it, “We're here.” She said, “This is where I came from.”
     The others turned their attention to the building ahead of them. It was a gaudy, steel castle, circuitry lining the outer walls, and a giant glow in the dark plastic skull greeted people at the front gate.
     “It's like the legends of old. The iconic medieval playsets of the 1980s.” Gasped Riley.
     Beo grabbed her shield and held out her hand so Freydís could eject the sword from her body. Once Beo had her sword back, she cried, “If this is a playset, then I'm the hot, muscular, hero action figure!”
     Beo rushed the castle and leaped across the moat, crashing through the upward drawbridge. She was followed by Joe and Riley, who were flung across by Freydís, who merely stepped across.
     The walls were blocked by tapestry of wires and sparks, and the floor was made from plates of steel loosely laying on the ground. Ahead of the group was a set of stairs, leading up to a flat where there sat a roller chair, a metal table, a computer on the table and a bowl next to the computer.
     The group turned to Freydís, who only gave them a shrug, just as confused as them.
     Cautiously, Joe and Riley began to examine the area, looking for clues on the whereabouts of the son.
     Beo ran dead ahead, going up the stairs, followed closely by Freydís.
     Beo searched the flat, not for any clues, just wanting to see what was around. The computer seemed to be running the same game that she saw at the Doom clan sanctuary. She then jumped into the search of the chair, then to the table to look into the bowl.
     She let out a scream that drew in the attention of others. Joe grabbed his book and Riley grabbed his chain-katana.
     “What's the matter‽” Asked Riley from the bottom step.
     Beo reached in and pulled out a pizza roll that was half the size of her head, “Look at what the Living Gods have blessed us with!” She took a bite, but the sauce from the inside squirted her face and she fell off the chair as she shouted, “Hot! It's still hot!”
     Riley spoke, “Meaning he hid only a moment ago.”
     “The question is, where?” Responded Joe.
     “Here!” Boomed a gurgling voice from the ceiling.
     In the blink of an eye, Riley rushed halfway up the stairs. Joe stayed at the bottom the stairs, holding his book
     Dust and wind rushed as it landed, and some of the steel flew out of place, one nearly striking Joe, but instead landing in the wall behind him when Joe ducked.
     The creature before them eclipsed Freydís, and was both of flesh and of steel. Its skin was of a leafy green, eyes of a yellow ember, craggely teeth, a rotund figure and from the waist down was an assortment of metallic legs.
     Riley should, “Dead Gods Almighty, you said you mostly eat vegetables, HOW IS HE SO FAT‽”
     Joe added, “He's also incredibly tall.”
     Freydís also added, “What happen to your legs‽”
     The cybernetic rapscallion responded, “Well, well, well. Mother, welcome to the Troll Cave!”
     Freydís took a step back and stuff behind Beo now, “What the hell happened? You used to be so small, so strong!
     He responded, “I am strong, stronger than ever! As my body grew during my formative years, I used you to do a bit of brain surgery to stop the growth chemical in my brain from shutting off. I've spent the last 130 years doing nothing but growing!”
     Joe responded, “And you eventually got TOO big for your own body to support, so you replaced your legs and spine with mechanical enhancements.”
     The creature stared down at Joe, surprised by what he saw, “A musk! Never thought I'd see one of them again. How'd you escape The Trophymen?”
     Joe did not answer.
     Riley shouted at Beo, “Hey! Hurry up already!”
     Beo grabbed her sword and shield from her back, “Right!” She gave him a smile, “Tell me, do you know me?”
     The creature looked at her for a moment, mostly examining the burn scars on her face, “Beowulf, The Blazing Maiden.”
     Beo popped her neck and teasingly said, “I love it when they  my name.” before leaving from the top of the stairs to plunge her sword into this monster's skull.
     The son reached out and grabbed her midair by her arms and threw her down, creating a miniature crater in the loose plates. Then, he held the sword and shield in each hand, “Disgusting. Your friend at least has the sense to use a modern weapon. A chain-katana has an optimization favor in speed, damage, weight, length and even aethstetics! These?” He tightly gripped both of the objects and his fists trembled for a minute before a satisfying crunch sound came, followed by the bits and chips of them falling to the ground, slightly glowing in the edges. “They were just old artifacts from pre-evolved earth.”
     Joe shook his head and walked up the stairs, meeting with Riley before they both made it to the top.
     Freydís yelled, “Go help her! She has no weapons or armor!”
     Riley kicked the table, knocking the bowl of pizza rolls over for him to catch a couple, “That's why we're here, above the carnage.”
     Freydís watched as the dust from the impact slowly dispersed, eventually realizing why Beowulf is known as The Blazing Maiden. When the dust cleared Beo and Beo's face was revealed, she was smiling and her eyes were ablazed with crimson light.
     Freydís watched as Beo sprung up,  beginning to stretch and pop.
     Freydís asked Joe, “What's happening?”
     Joe turned a page before answering, “She's about to go all out.”
     “You mean she's been holding back?” Asked Freydís, remembering the feats she'd already seen and heard about.
     Joe went on, “The sword and shield were tests. She used her Martial Soul to reinforce them, anyone able to break it is worthy of her full strength.”