Bond Of Blood

Chapter 4: The Poisonous Swamp Serpent

The air thickened as Adam, Jack, and Eldric approached the edge of the swamp. A dense fog hung low, twisting and curling like silent specters over the murky waters. Shadows danced beneath the surface, hinting at creatures lurking just out of sight. Every step was accompanied by the soft squelch of mud beneath their boots, the stench of rotting vegetation seeping into their clothes.

“Keep your wits about you,” Eldric murmured, his eyes scanning the twisted, gnarled trees half-submerged in stagnant pools. “This serpent doesn’t rely on brute strength alone. It’s cunning, and the venom it wields is enough to fell even the mightiest warrior.”

Jack drew his sword, his gaze steely. “I’ve faced my share of monsters. A snake won’t be any different.”

Eldric’s lips curved into a wry smile. “This isn’t just a snake. The Poisonous Swamp Serpent is a creature of magic as much as muscle. It can blend into the murk, moving like shadow itself. Your mother once sang a song to ward off its kind—a melody of light and fire.”

Adam’s ears perked up. He remembered faint snatches of that song, long-buried in childhood memories. Their mother’s voice had been gentle but firm, its cadence rhythmic as she rocked them by the fire. Now, he could only recall fragments of lyrics.

“Fire light, in shadows rise… and with strength, its guise despise,” Adam murmured, half-remembering. He looked at Eldric. “Do you think… could the song really help us?”

Eldric nodded. “Songs carry magic in these lands. Your mother understood that well.”

A faint smile touched Adam’s lips, but he quickly swallowed it down, setting his mind to the task at hand. The brothers moved carefully, Jack keeping his sword at the ready while Adam scanned the surroundings, looking for signs of the serpent. They waded deeper, the water chilling as it seeped into their boots, each step sending ripples that cut through the fog.

Then, there was a faint hissing sound—a whisper just barely audible above the murmur of the swamp. Jack raised his sword, his muscles tense, eyes narrowed. Adam crouched, focusing on the sound’s origin. The hissing grew louder, a rhythmic, sinister pulse that seemed to echo from every direction.

“Stay close,” Eldric whispered, his tone suddenly urgent. “It senses movement. And fear.”

They advanced slowly, and suddenly, a pair of slit-pupiled eyes blinked open in the fog, their gleam cold and calculating. The serpent’s head emerged, massive and coiled, its scales glistening with an unnatural, iridescent sheen. Its mouth opened just enough to reveal fangs dripping with venom that hissed as it hit the water.

Jack tensed, his grip on his sword unyielding. “Any ideas?” he whispered to Adam.

Adam’s mind raced. Strength alone wouldn’t win here; they’d need cunning as well. His mother’s song flickered through his mind, and he turned to Jack, a plan forming.

“Fire,” he whispered. “We need to drive it out of hiding. It’s drawn to fear, but if we can scare it, force it into the open, we’ll have the advantage.”

Jack frowned. “With what? We’re in the middle of a swamp.”

Eldric produced a small flask from his cloak, its contents swirling with a strange, shimmering liquid. “Your parents had this made for moments like these,” he said, passing it to Adam. “Throw this onto the serpent. It’ll burn like fire without a spark.”

Adam took the flask, feeling its warmth pulse in his hand. With a nod, he stepped forward, positioning himself carefully. The serpent’s eyes followed his every move, unblinking, calculating.

“Now!” Adam shouted, hurling the flask at the creature. It shattered against its scales, and a brilliant burst of flame erupted, illuminating the serpent’s full size. Its massive coils writhed in the sudden light, each scale reflecting the fire in shimmering waves. A furious hiss filled the air as it reared back, momentarily blinded by the heat.

Jack seized the moment, charging forward with his sword raised high. The serpent lashed out, its massive tail whipping toward him, but he dodged, using his strength and agility to maneuver through the mud. He slashed at its scales, aiming for the sensitive area beneath its jaw where the skin was thinner.

But the serpent was quick, twisting its body to dodge, its fangs bared in a deadly grin. It lunged at Jack, but Adam leapt in, grabbing a heavy branch and striking its flank. The creature reared back, its tail lashing at him, nearly knocking him into the water.

Eldric stepped forward, chanting under his breath. His hands moved in intricate gestures, and suddenly, the air around them thickened with a soft, golden light. The serpent hesitated, its eyes narrowing as if it recognized the magic, and in that moment of distraction, Adam saw his chance.

“Jack! Now!” he yelled.

Jack swung his sword in a sweeping arc, slicing through the serpent’s scales as it recoiled, hissing in pain. The creature thrashed, but Eldric’s spell seemed to bind it in place, slowing its movements. Adam grabbed another branch, coating it in the swamp’s thick, flammable moss. Eldric’s potion had already left a fiery residue on the creature’s scales, and with a spark from the flint in his pouch, Adam ignited the moss.

He thrust the burning branch toward the serpent’s face, the flames dancing in its reflection. The serpent recoiled, twisting and writhing in a desperate attempt to escape the fire.

As it backed away, Jack lunged forward, driving his sword deep into the serpent’s side. It let out a bloodcurdling screech, its body convulsing, before finally collapsing into the muck. The swamp fell silent, save for the gentle crackling of the fire’s embers as they faded.

The brothers stood side by side, breathing heavily, watching as the serpent’s lifeless body sank into the murky waters. They exchanged a look, equal parts relief and exhaustion.

“That was… harder than I expected,” Jack admitted, sheathing his sword. Adam nodded, feeling the weight of their victory settle over him.

Eldric stepped forward, his expression somber yet proud. “Your parents faced that creature once, but they didn’t have to defeat it. They found another way. Today, though… you’ve proven yourselves.”

Adam looked at the swamp, the mist beginning to close in once more over the fallen serpent. “One challenge down… but something tells me there’s more waiting for us.”

Eldric placed a hand on his shoulder, a knowing look in his eyes. “Many more. But you’re ready for them.”

Together, the three turned and left the swamp behind, each step carrying them closer to the heart of their journey—and the mystery their parents had left behind.