To The End of Time

Chapter 8: Bonding

There were many different parts of the swamp around them. From the thick trees to the north, to the flooded muck of the south. It was thick muck, full of vicious predators that feasted on unexpected Quies, is where the Harantia's culture of harmony and communication with nature lived on.

"We should stop here to rest." Ursus pulled his salamander's rein.

Despite his aquatic half, even he would have trouble swimming through the quicksand muck of the swamp. The liquid clung on to those not strong enough to make it through, pulling them under. He pressed his hand against his ride's neck, letting his electricity guide the creature.

"We still have a ways to go before we reach Amoria lake." From there, it would be best to set a trap and wait. He turned toward Etta. "We should head up in the trees so predators can reach us."

Etta's grip on her reins tightened. There was no sign he heard her. "Etta." Ursus moved toward her salamander. "We really need to focus right now. We only have a few days before we have to head back. If you don't have a ride then-"

"I know!" Etta snapped.

Ursus jumped as his salamander released a warning growl. Easy. He touched the creature's neck. She just startled me, that's all. He looked back up to her. "Etta, I know how're you're feeling but-"

"What would you know about how I feel?" Etta snapped back. "You're nothing but a reject!" She spat the words. "The very rejects that took my family away!" Without another word, Etta urged her salamander on.

As she disappeared through the trees, Ursus sighed. We were doing so well. He urged his mount after her.

The swamp's shadows shifted as an occasion cry or shivering bush caused Ursus to pause. Instinctively, his eyes closed. With each breath, the metallic smell of water, the muck and stench of the creatures filled his lungs as his brain sorted each smell with its owner. When a sharp, almost rancid smell stuck his nose, his eyes shot open.

"Etta!"

A scream cut through the silence. Ursus flicked the reins, urging his salamander into a dive. Bursting through the surface, his eyes widened at the mess before him. A centipede, dripping with fungi, clung to a tree as Etta's salamander tried to free its tail from the centipede's jaws. It yanked back, nearly sending Etta flying.

"No!" Ursus yelled. A wave of anger and pain flickered through the air. The electricity burned through his chest. His hand pressed against his salamander. "Go!" With a lung, it cleared the distance. Jaws clenched on its leg, earning a screech as its friend broke free.

The salamander tossed the appendaged. Another screech filled the silence as its large body staggered back. With a snarl, the centipede lunged again. Closing his eyes, Ursus focused on the metal around his wrist. It shifted and hardened, stretching out as its spear end slammed into the centipede's jaw. Blue blood gushed out as he twisted the spear deeper. As it coated his body and mount, he yanked his spear free. The salamander barely dodged out of the way of the collapsing body.

Ursus watched as the swamp muck slowly wrapped around the corpse, claiming it with slow gurgles until it disappeared into the muck. With a sigh, he turned to Etta. "Are you ok?"

"Y-yes." Etta nodded. Those wide eyes stared at him before they flickered to his spear. "How did you do that?"

"Hmm?" Ursus frowned. "This?" He flickered his wrist, causing the spear to melt back into a puddle that hardened around his wrist. "It's a special metal that reacts to my electrical impulses."

"That's...so cool."

Ursus glanced back at her. "Really?" At Etta nod, an idea popped straight into his mind. "You want to try it?"