Skales x Pythor: My Loyal Number Two

Chapter 12: Expected intrusion

With Pythor out looking for the final Fangblade, Skales, and the other Generals have been left behind in their new secret lair to guard the rest. Pythor expects resistance during the search for the final blade but has also planned for the eventuality of an intrusion into their new headquarters. Whatever happens, Skales is determined to not let Pythor down.

"Isss everything ready?!" Skales asked a few Serpentine warriors, two Constrictai and a Venomari, who he had given orders to check up on the traps.

"Yes, everything should work as intended." Answered one of the Constrictai.

"Well, go and double-check it! I want nothing to go wrong no matter what!" He commanded, earning a few tired groans from the warriors, though they only dared to let them out a few feet away from the Hypnobrai.

"Are you sure this-is necessary, Skales?" Asked Fangtom, who slithered up next to him.

"We've already gone through the traps-and defenses several times now. Don't you-think that if anything could go wrong, we would have noticed?"

"Perhaps, but I'm not taking that chance!" Skales declared with determination. "It wasss Pythor who gave me the responsibility of protecting the Fangbladesss, and I ssswore to him that I would do ssso."

"Maybe, but while I know-Pythor has made a big deal out of his little traps, what are the chances that the-Ninja would even take the chance of attacking our lair? How would they even-find this place?"

"I don't know, but they have been rather frustratingly good at finding out about our plansss. It wouldn't sssuprise me if they managed to learn of thisss place asss well."

"Still, all we can do now is wait for Pythor-to return. Why don't you relax a bit, my friend?" Fangtom asked with a sincere smile on both his heads.

"I'll relax only once Pythor returnsss." Skales replied, turning away from the Fangpyre to continue overseeing the lair and its defenses.

The floor of the underground lair was filled with Serpentine from all four tribes, who were impatiently waiting for the return of their king. A part of Pythor's trap for the Ninja, if they attacked, was to leave the entrances to the lair unprotected, to lull them into a false sense of security. Skales hadn't liked the idea of just letting the Ninja waltz in, but all he could do was make sure a good number of their warriors were keeping a lookout. Still, Skales was just as impatient as the others for Pythor's return, if even not more so. And yet, all he could do was wait.

"Pythor this-Pythor that." Muttered Fangtom under his breath as he left his friend to worry in peace. He had for a long time kept his own criticism toward Pythor hidden when around Skales, but he was starting to reach his breaking point. He hadn't revealed it to the Hypnobrai yet, but he had heard a bit of Pythor's treatment toward Skales after he saved his life in the volcano. If he believed his words would reach him, he would have told Skales that Pythor wasn't worth it. But he could already tell that any attempt would be fruitless. Especially if the rumors he had heard about the two of them were true. Then the Anacondrai truly had his fangs dug deep into his friend.

Fangtom slithered across the floor and made his way over to his two acquaintances, Skalidor and Acidicus. While there had been hostility between them and Skales, they were the only ones Fangtom could freely discuss his distrust of Pythor with. Even if he tried to defend Skales as much as possible.

"There you are, two-heads. Is our friend Skales still fretting about the place like a blind mouse?" The Constrictai General asked him with a chuckle, and Fangtom could only sigh.

"Do not be too hard-on our fellow General. He might be as enthralled by Pythor as-the others, but he only wishes what's best for the Serpentine. Even if-his loyalty seems rather one-sided."