The Gentle Giant

Book One ~ Chapter Eight

Vulgora landed in the dirt with a heavy thud, spitting a bloody tooth out onto the ground before them. The woman loomed over the Pontifex, spear pressed to their throat, and narrowed her eyes, "Tell me what he's planning."

Vulgora laughed, "You'll have to torture it out of me!" Once the woman arrived, it wasn't much of a fight. Even with all Vulgora's power, they couldn't stand a chance against her skill.

"Torture? That can be arranged," she growled.

"No!" Muriel lurched to his feet, still a little unsteady, and wiped the blood from his face. "You'd just.. be doing what he would want.."

The woman didn't budge, her expression hard. "A kind heart might get you killed." She jabbed the spear up under Vulgora's chin again, "Where did he go? What deal did he make with you?"

"Wouldn't you like to know! But sooo sorry, it looks like our time is up!" Vulgora gave a wide grin, lifted their gauntlet up, and waggled their fingers, "Watch your back, Erik. Next time, I'll stab it." Before anyone could react, the Pontifex's body dissolved into a horde of beetles. The swarm of red lifted into the air, each little mouth cackling, and flew out of the cave.

The woman, Erik, let out a guttural noise and slammed her spear into the ground. She then turned to face the two men, "Get up. That creature nearly defeated you. All of this potential, and you have wasted it." Muriel helped Emir to his feet, not meeting Erik's eyes. "And you! I've heard tale of your ferocity. For a man who stole my people's name, I expected better."

Emir glared hard at Erik, "Who the fuck does this bitch think she is?!" he thought as he looked to Muriel. He was staring determinedly at his own feet. Seeing his expression made Emir's soften.

Erik let out a deep sigh, surveying the two, then nodded to herself, "Fine. Come along. My mother is waiting for us outside." With that, she stalked out of the cave, leaving the two alone.

Instead of following, Muriel reached out to wipe some dirt from Emir's cheek, "You got hurt." He started slightly when he realized he was touching Emir, and quickly pulled his hand away. "Are... are you alright..?"

Emir nodded, "I will be."

"But we lost."

Emir shrugged and wiped the rest of the dust off his clothes, "We're still here, and Vulgora is gone. We'll win next time."

"How can you be so... optimistic?" Muriel asked.

Before Emir could respond, Morga yelled from the mouth of the cave, "Quit wasting time!"

Emir reached out and squeezed Muriel's hand once, "Come on." Muriel nodded and followed as Emir raced to the mouth of the cave. Whatever magic that was blocking the entrance was gone. All the poison had left the air. It was calm and quiet in the forest once more. Night had fallen in the forest, and the horses were nowhere to be seen.

"Looks like you're walking the rest of the way," said Erik.

"I hope they're alright..." thought Emir, "Maybe they ran back to Vesuvia in all the commotion." Inanna joined them at the entrance to the cave, a scrap of white cloth in her mouth.

"She says she chased after Lucio when he ran, but all she got was this," Muriel explained. They all stared in concern at the ragged piece of fabric.

Morga picked up the cloth, examining it for a long moment, then she shook her head, "Stay focused. You wouldn't stand a chance going after him now." She led them to a small clearing. Fireflies hovered in the night air, filling the area with a soft and warm light. She jabbed her spear into the dirt, put her hands on her hips, and addressed the two men, "We are going to teach the two of you to fight. Propperly."